Rhode Island
9 Timeless Towns In Rhode Island
There are many amazing states to explore in the US, particularly within the New England region. Rhode Island is one of those states with the most historical influences and legacies one may discover as a newcomer to its small towns. It was one of the original 13 colonies and the first to declare independence. Known for its seaside beauty, family-friendly locales, and nourishing historical factors, the Ocean State is nothing short of alluring and breathtaking. These timeless towns in Rhode Island are the perfect destinations to consider for your next vacation.
Jamestown
Located on Conanicut Island, Jamestown is a 16th-century historic town with lots of interesting splendors. The Historic New England’s Watson Farm is a 265-acre grassland haven with Indigenous history and Red Devon cattle heritage. Beavertail Lighthouse has a maritime Colonial influence with its vessel archives and coastal lighthouse vibes. Windmill Hill Historic District offers a 17th-century windmill sight for all who want simplistic beauty.
Fort Getty Park is a wildlife observation landmark full of rocky beach areas, public boating zones, and photographic pink skies. At Jamestown Arts Center, tourists can find educational and historic exhibit tours related to southern Rhode Island. Dutch Island holds old ruins from the 1860s, Fort Greble, that may appeal to American Civil War enthusiasts. For a fun-filled boating excursion, one can try the New England Sailing Center for sailing comfort and a mixture of natural and social outings. For pure intimate dining and custom seafood creations, visitors can try Beech’s iconic dining spot.
Narragansett
Commonly known as “Gansett” to the locals, Narragansett is a popular destination with a quiet farming history. The Towers is perhaps the most prominent aspect of tourism with its 1880s historical casino foundation and enchanting welcoming functions. South County Museum has native tribal knowledge and elegance of traditional craftsmanship. At Point Judith Lighthouse, seaside rocky lighthouse exploration and dog-friendly treks make for a timeless natural detour. There is also the Point Judith Fisherman’s Memorial, where one may discover various hilltop tributes to those who lost their lives at sea once upon a time; it is also an amazing place for sunset watching.
The Salty Brine State Beach is another coastal option for beachside amusement and gorgeous ferry sights. For a hidden gem in town, one can check out the Port of Galilee, a famed afternoon stop with busy fishing ports and East Coast scenery.
East Greenwich
Also known as the “Birthplace of the Navy,” East Greenwich is a central part of Rhode Island history with its community vibrance and scallop recognition. The Varnum Memorial Armory is a tourist-friendly, 19th-century militia estate with revered military weapon collections and World War II operational foundations. The New England Wireless & Steam Museum houses various radio displays and steam-powered trinkets that were crucial to the late 1800s and mid-1900s.
Vacationers at The Greenwich Odeum will find plenty of entertainment options and nightlife galore within a 1920s vaudeville locale. For nature lovers, the Audubon Davis Memorial Wildlife Refuge is an ideal place to be with its relaxing hiking trails, Hunt River stopping points, and canoeing or kayaking pleasures. Those in the mood for golf and outdoor recreation may also enjoy East Greenwich Country Club’s vast green plains and grassy fairways. For an inviting and down-to-earth excursion, newcomers can dine at Siena Cucina, an authentic Tuscan diner with rich Italian cuisine and timeless farmhouse ambiance.
New Shoreham
Originally a 15th-16th century destination, New Shoreham keeps strangers on their toes with amazing sights and historic maritime appreciation. The Block Island North Light is an 1860s standpoint with an internal museum and lots of oceanic upbringing related to the first settlers. Tourists at the 1661 Far & Garden may find appealing camels, llamas, goats, kangaroos, and other species; it is also a conservation site for wildlife enthusiasts. The Great Salt Pond is a casual landmark with shallow waters and marina scenery worth checking out.
At Rodman’s Hollow, a 230-acre outwash basin and Block Island cultural landscapes make it easy for travelers to enjoy maritime shrublands and New Shoreham tranquility. Settlers Rock is both a historical and natural option for anyone who prefers rocky coastal allure and stone walking areas. The South East Lighthouse is known for its early 18th-century shipwreck history and impressive family legacies. An underrated stop in town, the Sacred Labyrinth has magical meditation community charm, crabapple tree resting spots, and fun statue glimpses. The Beachead Restaurant is a beachfront escape for seafood dining comfort and island satisfaction.
Newport
Dating back to the 1630s, Newport is also the “City by the Sea” and “Sailing Capital of the World.” At The Breakers, visitors can experience 1890s Gilded Age history and fancy eminence within a summer cottage estate. The Marble House is another historic estate that brings to life transformative wooden colony housing and opulence in a fine manor that attracts people from all over. The Rough Point Museum generates modern attention with its urban storytelling exhibits and various significant houses, such as the Vernon House and its 17th-century pasttime relics.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame may inspire lots of newfound members with its honorary tributes to tennis athletes and championship players. Bowen’s Wharf is a casual stop with fireplace ambiance, breathtaking waterfront views, and wharf nightlife to suit all types of itineraries. For a 17th-century literary escape, one can try the Redwood Library, a research center and museum that is devoted to the rarest books and Neoclassical finds. At Hotel Viking, guests can check out comforting amenities while exploring downtown rooftop bars and luxury spas. Chanterelle Restaurant is great for attractive strawberry dishes and homemade French pastries within a classy resort.
North Kingstown
North Kingstown, a laidback 16th-century destination with lots of undiscovered wonders, sends travelers back in time with cool locales and landmarks. The Seabee Museum & Memorial Park creates a wartime stop with Naval Battalion history and guided tours of Pacific conflicts. Wickford Village offers historical and commercial tourism with its tempting beach shops, festival events, and harbor vantage points for curious minds. At Smith’s Castle, 1670s interpretive tours and costumed roleplayers help make vacationers feel right at home while learning about colonial state history.
Compass Rose Beach makes for a fun Quonset Point beach excursion with its dog-friendly atmosphere and calming waves. Gooseneck Vineyards allows travelers to enjoy romantic evenings with smoked salmon appetizers, white wine festivities, and pomegranate social cocktail hours. Wickford Harbor provides a quaint and serene experience for anyone who loves coastal waters and chill boating vibes. John H. Chafee Rome Point Preserve creates a meaningful itinerary with its harbor seal spottings, offshore trails, and beachfront relaxation. After exploring the town, head to Wickford on the Water, where you can find clam chowder and spicy aioli to make any afternoon near beautiful waters more splendid.
Bristol
Bristol is a 1740s historic town full of fascinating highlights. It is also “America’s Most Patriotic Town.” The Herreshoff Marine Museum encompasses lovely tours of yachting displays, Rhode Island coastline history, and over 60 unique boat exhibits. At Coggeshall Farm Museum, visitors may find 48 acres of tenant marsh farms and heirloom gardens; it is also a fun stop for animal lovers. Bristol Art Museum usually has foot traffic thanks to its main gallery artworks, architectural magnificence, and celebrity curator events.
Linden Place has the most endearing porch hangout spot and special arts programs to keep outsiders and residents happy. At Blithewolf Manor, Gardens & Arboretum, vacationers can enjoy Narragansett Bay views and romantically inspiring gardens that will leave a smile on everyone’s faces. For stunning natural views and uncommon detours, the 127-acre Mount Hope Farm provides shoreline amusement around Mount Hope Bay and has pretty farmlands that have been around for a long time. Bristol Town Beach is perfect for sandy adventures and public volleyball activities. The Beehive Cafe is one of the coolest spots in town for homey atmospheres, thoughtful coffee crafts, and wholesome chit-chat.
Little Compton
Formally incorporated in the 1680s as Sakonnet, Little Compton is a special destination that nobody easily forgets about. Little Compton Historical Society provides 1930s educational knowledge about old settlements and Wampanoag upbringing. Within the Little Compton Historic District, also known as Little Compton Commons, there are also some splendors to take in, such as Sakonnet Lighthouse, a stopping point for timeless sights.
Sakonnet Vineyard is commonplace for tourists who have a penchant for gorgeous wine-tasting pastures and beautiful New England coastlines that have been recognized since the 1970s. South Shore Beach is a mesmerizing surfing landmark featuring less crowded tourism and cozy bridge walks for casual travelers. The Young Family Farm has welcoming apple-picking activities and family-friendly farm history for all to appreciate. Donovan Studio is a hidden gem for local artistic talents and unique Sakonnet watercolor paintings. Anyone who dines at The Common’s Lunch will have no complaints when it comes to laidback American cuisine and clam cakes.
Westerly
Westerly is not one to be discounted on any travel list as it boasts many exciting locales and landmarks. Babacock-Smith House Museum is quite historic with its 1730s Georgian granite architecture and local research workshops to help visitors learn more about the Colonial and Victorian eras. At the Living Sharks Museum, outsiders can check out prehistoric and modern shark exhibits with scientific demonstrations and Jaws memorabilia. The Watch Hill Lighthouse is a southeastern hotspot for peninsular history, charming coastline photography, and pivotal Rhode Island memories.
Napatree Point Conservation Area is a nature preserve with Little Narragansett Bay programs and beach cabanas for relaxing moments. The Granite Theatre has restored Greek Revivalism and downtown Broadway-esque entertainment for all ages to fall in love with. Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island caters to social outings and talkative tourists with its group-oriented brew tours and New England hospitality. Manfredi Farms is one of the most colorful locales in Westerly, and it has delightful seasonal produce and friendly animal petting sessions. For a hearty meal, the Cooked Goose has culinary appeal with its housemade deli salads and top-notch customer service.
These small towns in Rhode Island demonstrate true timelessness and unparalleled beauty. With awesome commercial locales and natural or historical landmarks that make for an unforgettable trip, tourists will never want to leave. No matter how familiar or unfamiliar one is with travel, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Ocean State. The New England region awaits anyone who wants to get out and see what history lies in newfound places.
The injection could be “revolutionary” for treating degenerative disc disease, said the trial’s principal investigator
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A clinical trial at Brown University Health to treat chronic low back pain with a one-time, non-surgical injection treatment is seeking to enroll patients in Rhode Island.
The trial is testing whether a single injection of rexlemestrocel-L, an experimental stem cell therapy derived from healthy adult donors, combined with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance found in the body’s joints, and delivered directly into the damaged disc, can provide prolonged relief for low back pain.
Low back pain, or degenerative disc disease, can affect quality of life, disrupt daily activities, commission people out of work and have an impact on a person’s mood, said Alexios Carayannopoulos, chief of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rhode Island Hospital, Newport Hospital and Brown Health Medical Group and the principal investigator in the trial.
The treatment Carayannopoulos is investigating involves an injection without the need for an incision or hardware. While other treatments, such as anti-inflammatory pills, physical therapy or steroid injections, assuage the pain, they don’t treat the underlying issues with the damaged disc. The trial’s injection aims to do more than numb pain: it seeks to change the environment inside the disc, reducing inflammation and potentially slowing or stabilizing disc degeneration, according to Carayannopoulos.
Earlier clinical trials of the injection with over 400 patients “found substantial pain improvements” lasting up to two to three years, according to Carayannopoulos. They also showed signs that the injection slowed disc height loss.
Carayannopoulos reckons the treatment could be “revolutionary” for managing chronic low back pain.
“We have struggled through many years trying to figure out the holy grail for treating back pain,” Carayannopoulos said.
There are surgical options and non-surgical options for treating low back pain. In most cases, the non-surgical options are sought first, but some patients still get unnecessary surgeries, according to Carayannopoulos.
The new treatment could also cut back on the use of opioids, which for some patients can be addictive to the point of overdose. More than half of opioid prescriptions are for low back pain, according to Carayannopoulos.
“If we can identify a treatment that has long-term promise, then we can sort of have a paradigm shift in the way we organize and treat a cohort of patients with degenerative disc pain, which is one of the common contributors to low back pain,” Carayannopoulos said.
Carayannopoulos did not have data on how many people suffer from low back pain in Rhode Island, but based on the number of spine centers in the state and anecdotal evidence, he reckons there is a significant number of people with the condition.
“Part of that comes from some of the legacy of blue-collar work that’s being done, industry stuff, line work that’s still being done, some jewelry business. But the type of stuff that we see is often degenerate, meaning it’s happened over time,” he said.
The trial is funded by Mesoblast, an Australia-based medicine company specializing in inflammatory diseases. It is designed for adults 18 years and older who have experienced chronic low back pain for at least six months, have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and have not found relief from other treatment options.
The trial is recruiting participants at Rhode Island Hospital and Newport Hospital. They will not be charged for participating and will be reimbursed for time and travel, according to Brown Health. To inquire about the trial, call 401-793-9177 or fill out a pre-screening information form online.
The trial is in its third phase, where researchers and clinicians are comparing results with a larger group of patients. It will be followed by a fourth phase, which will seek FDA approval to monitor long-term effectiveness and safety.
Rhode Island
R.I. legislative commission recommends medical school at URI, suggests $20m in ‘seed funding’ – The Boston Globe
“It’s clear that enabling Rhode Island students to more affordably enter the primary care field, and supporting them once they make that choice, is both feasible and necessary,” Lauria said.
URI President Marc Parlange, also the commission’s co-chairman, said the medical school would be a “natural and strategic extension” of URI’s work. “It would help address Rhode Island’s primary care shortage while strengthening our state’s economy,” he said in a statement.
Lauria said the commission is calling for the state to provide $20 million in “initial seed funding” for the medical school in the state budget for fiscal year 2027, and $22.5 million in annual state funding beginning in 2029, when the first class of students would arrive. The commission also recommended the General Assembly create “a dedicated, recurring budget line to support ongoing medical school planning, accreditation, and initial operational activities.”
In an October report, the Tripp Umbach consulting firm told the commission the school’s start-up costs would total $175 million, and the commission called for exploring federal grants, a direct state budget appropriation, and a statewide bond referendum.
The consultants projected the medical school would be financially stable by its third year of operation, with costs offset by tuition revenue, clinical partnerships, and research growth. And the consultants projected the school would end up generating $196 million in annual economic activity, support about 1,335 jobs, and contribute $4.5 million in annual state and local tax revenue.
During a Rhode Map Live event in June, some officials called the medical school proposal a distraction from addressing the immediate need to provide more financial support and to improve the shortage of primary care doctors.
“In terms of the problem we face today, that won’t fix it,” Attorney General Peter F. Neronha said at the time. “As the head of Anchor [Medical Associates] said to me when I talked to him, that’s like telling the patient that the inexperienced doctor will be with you in a decade.”
But Lauria said the Senate is pursing short-term, medium-term, and long-term solutions to the shortage of primary care doctors, and the medical school is a long-term solution.
In the short term, Lauria said legislators pushed to speed up a Medicaid rate review aimed at boosting reimbursements for primary care doctors. And she noted the Senate passed legislation prohibiting insurers from requiring prior authorization for medically necessary health care services.
Lauria, who is a primary care nurse practitioner, said Rhode Island is lagging behind other states in Medicaid reimbursement rates. For example, she said, she practices medicine in East Greenwich, but if she did so 23 miles away Massachusetts, she could make 20 percent to 30 percent more.
Senate President Valarie J. Lawson, an East Providence Democrat, noted if the Legislature doesn’t act now on a public medical school, it might be having the same conversation in a decade, she said.
Lawson said her own primary care doctor is retiring at the end of March. “We know that we need to recruit physicians here and we need to retain them,” she said.
The commission report acknowledged that a URI medical school would not solve the state’s primary care problem. “Educating more clinicians is necessary but not sufficient for increasing supply,” the report states.
Doctors tend to stay where they train, so Rhode Island must have a plan to produce more primary care doctors through a residency strategy that incentivizes training more primary care doctors and trains them in places such as community health centers, the report states. Appropriate payment for primary care, reduced administrative burdens for clinicians, and lower uninsured rates could also be considered.
The commission called for creating a Primary Care Commission “to ensure continued focus on achieving a primary care–oriented system of care.” The commission also called for the development of a scholarship program linked to a minimum five-year obligation to local primary care practice.
The commission voted 15-0 in favor of the report. Senator Thomas J. Paolino, a Lincoln Republican on the commission, said, “The importance of this issue cannot be understated. My colleagues and I continually hear from constituents frustrated by skyrocketing healthcare costs, severe workplace shortages, and especially limited access to primary care.”
The commission began its work in 2024 when then-Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio named 21 people to the panel. In February 2025, the Joint Committee on Legislative Services approved $150,000 for a feasibility study. Tripp Umbach made a presentation on its draft of the report in May.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
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