Rhode Island is a small state that punches above its size when it comes to tourism. This charming state in the New England region is famous for its extremely long coastline, art scene, and sailing culture. Historically, it is famous for being the first colony to renounce allegiance to the British Crown, and it was also one of the first Union states to send in troops during the American Civil War. Today, Rhode Island is home to a long list of charming small towns that preserve its rich history and serve as launch pads for its numerous offerings. From Jamestown to East Greenwich, here are the cutest towns in the Ocean State to visit this year.

Foster

Foster is a cute little town that charms every visitor with its natural scenery and attractions like the iconic Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge, surrounded by greenery. The Covered Bridge is the most authentic in the state and the only kind situated on a public road. Savor its views with the eyes and a camera, and proceed to Jerimoth Hill – the state’s highest point. Enjoy the views while ascending. Afterward, chill at the Nickle Creek Vineyard, where the views are as satisfying as the wine. Before leaving, be sure to shop till you drop at Foster Plaza Shopping Center.

East Greenwich

East Greenwich is a beautiful town on the west end of Narragansett Bay where visitors can relax, promenade, fish, boat, and kayak. The town also features Scalloptown Park, another great place to fish, bike, and hike trails, and enjoy picnics. Additionally, Goddard State Memorial Park is near the town, featuring large lawns, beautiful trees, hiking trails, a swimming beach, and a lot of picnic tables. While here, be sure to stroll through the town’s charming main street and shop for jewelry at Harbour Galleries, get inspired at YJ Contemporary Fine Art, and enjoy lunch at Dante’s Kitchen. For history lovers, East Greenwich features the Varnum Memorial Armory, featuring a military museum with exhibits and relics of past wars.

Middletown

Middletown is a laid-back town on Aquidneck Island featuring gorgeous beaches and open recreational spaces. Here, tourists can relish the town’s beauty by exploring its main beaches, like the Third Beach and Sachuest Beach, both featuring picnic benches, grills, and sugar-white sands. Kayak and boat rentals are also available to immerse in the waters while hiking around for sightseeing, which is relaxing. Otherwise, spend time unwinding in the town’s numerous parks like – Dunlap-Wheeler Park (featuring gorgeous ocean views) and Paradise Valley Park (featuring a historical windmill and trails). For nature lovers, Middletown is home to Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, featuring a rocky coastline, salt marshes, and three miles of trails. The refuge is also famous for being an important stopover for migratory birds and hosting one of the largest winter populations of harlequin ducks in America. History buffs in this town will also have a field day exploring attractions like Boyd’s Windmill (built in 1810) and Lyman C. Joseph’s House (built in 1882).

Jamestown

Jamestown is a pretty small town in Conanicut Island where island vacation dreams come alive. Once here, visitors can relish the town’s charming scenery at the Beavertail State Park, featuring adorable ocean views, well-paved trails, and opportunities to spot migrating whales, seals, and birds. Move to the town’s top beaches, like East Ferry and Mackerel Beaches, to enjoy picnics, build sand castles, and engage in water sports. History buffs are invited to explore the 18th-century Jamestown Windmill or enjoy impressive views of Narragansett Bay at the historic Conanicut Battery. For more adventures, head to Fort Wetherill State Park to enjoy scuba diving, boating, fishing, and hiking. Before leaving, be sure to check out some of the top lighthouses in and around Jamestown, such as the Rose Island Lighthouse (built in 1869) and the Conanicut Island Lighthouse (built in 1886).

Bristol

Bristol is a cute town on the eastern part of Narragansett Bay steeped in history and natural beauty. Here, visitors will be greeted with an engulfing maritime aura, and the Bristol Harbor features several boat moorings and docks, offering endless opportunities for sailing and boating. For beach lovers, the town features Bristol Town Beach and Poppasquash Point Beach. Bristol is also home to Colt State Park, featuring unobstructed views of Narragansett Bay, picnic tables, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and hiking trails. For history buffs, the town hosts Bristol Ferry Lighthouse (built in 1855) and Bristol County Courthouse (built in 1816). Nature lovers can head to Mount Hope Farm to enjoy walking trails and picturesque views of Mount Hope Bay.

Westerly

Westerly is a charming town in Washington County famous for its miles of beautiful shoreline offering endless adventures. An unforgettable vacation in this town can start from the downtown area where visitors can explore the beautiful wall artworks at Eagle’s Nest Gallery and enjoy some delicious meals at Cooked Goose or Bridge Restaurant. Next, head to Wilcox Park to marvel at the gorgeous scenery characterized by gardens, a fountain, a large pond, monuments, and trees. Take the adventures a step up and visit the town’s beaches for some water adventures and ocean scenery. The top beaches in town include – East Beach, Watch Hill Beach, and Misquamicut State Beach. For a blend of history and scenery, visitors are invited to the Watch Hill Lighthouse Museum, which features photographs and documents about the area’s maritime history.

Narragansett

Narragansett is a lovely town on the bay of the same name with so much to offer. Typical of a quintessential Rhodes Island town, this town’s beaches are undeniably alluring, and Narragansett Town Beach is the most beautiful. Scarborough North State Beach is another fine option, featuring an observation tower, picnic areas, pavilions, and a boardwalk. While in this town, stroll around The Towers to marvel at their stunning architectural splendor and the waterfront scenery, and then proceed to Point Judith Lighthouse to marvel at stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Before leaving, immerse in some local history at the South County Museum and embark on a shopping spree at the Salt Pond Shopping Center.

Charlestown

Charlestown is a small, gorgeous town in Washington County peppered with impressive natural and historic attractions. While here, visitors would be stunned by its array of mind-blowing beaches, often regarded as Rhode Island’s best-kept secrets. Some of the finest to explore include East Beach, Charlestown Town Beach, and Blue Shutters Town Beach, all brimming with swimming, fishing, sunbathing, picnicking, and water sports activities. Ninigret Park is another scenic area in this town for leisure and recreational pursuits, featuring a small beachfront and sports facilities. For nature lovers, visit the 858-acre Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of wetlands, freshwater ponds, and diverse bird species. Proceed to Burlingame State Park to enjoy fishing, picnicking, boating, camping, hunting, and hiking. Elsewhere, history buffs can visit the District Schoolhouse No. 2 (built around 1838) or the Joseph Stanton House (built around 1739).

Rhode Island may be small compared to other states in the country, but what it lacks in size is that it makes up for touristy allure. From expansive coastline to historic and natural attractions and picturesque lighthouses, this state is blessed with so much. Fortunately, its small towns are great places from which to experience its best. In these towns, visitors will be greeted on all sides by charming coastal scenery while attractions line up to offer endless adventures. Whichever season you choose to visit, these towns in Rhode Island will make you lose track of time.

No additional entries are allowed, but there is still plenty of college basketball business left to resolve in the transfer portal.

Brown’s men, the University of Rhode Island’s men and Bryant’s men all saw noteworthy player movement over the last week. The Rams women made a coaching staff addition while bidding to contend again in the Atlantic 10 in 2024-25.

The Bears mined the Division II ranks for fresh talent while URI’s men saw four players who could have suited up in 2024-25 find homes elsewhere. The Bulldogs retained a standout and lost another to a team they upset on the road in December 2020. The Rams women brought in a replacement for Megan Shoniker, who was hired away by New Hampshire to begin her first stint as a head coach.

Here’s a more in-depth look at each development over the last week:

Brown men: Malachi Ndur, Jacob Dar

Ndur will join the William & Mary Tribe as a graduate transfer. He exhausted his eligibility with the Bears after helping them reach the Ivy Madness title game in March. Ndur closed with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists in that tight defeat against Yale.

Dar will join Brown from Emory & Henry (Va.) with two seasons of eligibility remaining. He’s a 6-foot-7-inch wing who averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 28 games with the Wasps in 2023-24. Dar is a Nebraska native who will compete for a role replacing Kalu Anya, a two-year lineup staple who transferred to Saint Louis.

Rhode Island men: Ben Hammond, Connor Dubsky, Rory Stewart, Luis Kortright

Hammond committed to Virginia Tech after asking the Rams for a release from his letter of intent and reopening his recruitment. He selected the Hokies ahead of Tennessee and a host of other high-profile suitors.

More: With college basketball’s transfer portal now closed, here’s the latest RI update.

Dubsky (UNC Asheville), Stewart (Florida Gulf Coast) and Kortright (Washington) have all announced commitments after entering the portal at the close of the 2023-24 season. Kortright was the only member of that trio to play meaningful minutes for URI, averaging 10 points and collecting a team-high 117 assists.

Tyson Brown (Georgia Southern), Jeremy Foumena (High Point), Zek Montgomery (Bradley) and Brandon Weston (Tennessee State) previously announced departures from the Rams after a 12-20 season. URI has added commitments from Albany guard and Rhode Island native Sebastian Thomas, Nebraska guard Jamarques Lawrence and St. John’s forward Drissa Traore.

Bryant men: Rafael Pinzon, Daniel Rivera

Pinzon will return to what should be a primary role for the Bulldogs. He played in all 33 games last year and averaged 13 points despite making just four starts. Pinzon netted at least 19 points in each of his last four games and hit double figures in five of his last eight.

Rivera announced a commitment to Massachusetts and will resume what was initially a path toward the Atlantic 10. He missed all of the 2022-23 season with Saint Louis after undergoing foot surgery and will join a rival after averaging 13.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in a lone year with Bryant.

Rhode Island women: Ali Jaques

The Rams hired Jaques away from league rival George Washington, where she served as associate head coach in 2023-24. Jaques is a previous head coach at Siena and counts other stops at Seton Hall, Northwestern, Dayton, Furman, Sacred Heart and Rider.

“I’ve known Ali a long time and she is extremely competitive, a tireless worker and a relentless recruiter,” URI coach Tammi Reiss said in a statement. “She has had success as both an assistant coach and as a head coach, and her experience will be invaluable to our program.”

Jaques coached in a Sweet 16 with the Wildcats and the title game of the WBI with the Saints in 2014-15. She was a standout basketball and soccer player at New York University in the late 1990s, including a Division III national championship with the Violets on the hardwood in 1996-97.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On X: @BillKoch25

A.J. Smith, a Rhode Island native and former general manager of the then-San Diego Chargers, died Sunday. He was 75.

Atlanta Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith, the son of A.J., and his family announced the passing on Sunday. The elder Smith died after a seven-year battle with prostate cancer.

Smith was a North Smithfield native who starred for Bishop Hendricken in the mid-1960s and dreamed of playing at the next level, but an injury during his senior year changed those plans. He worked as a part-time scout and film grader for the Patriots while teaching physical education at a Providence middle school.

Smith worked as a scout with the New York Giants in 1977, advancing in his career until his eventual promotion to general manager with the Chargers in 2003. He held that position for 10 seasons.

During that period, the Chargers won five division titles and finished with a .500 or better record for eight straight seasons. Smith was the winningest GM in Chargers history, as San Diego totaled 98 wins (including postseason) over his 10 seasons in charge.

“Belying a tough, matter-of-fact and no-nonsense persona — one synonymous with that of a true football guy — was A.J.’s softer side, which included a tremendous love for his family, the NFL and the Chargers,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement on Sunday. “The architect of one of the greatest chapters in franchise history, A.J. made everyone around him better with a singular focus and intensity that elevated our organization.”

Smith had some high-profile moments during his tenure in San Diego.

Smith selected Eli Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft despite father Archie Manning having requested that the team not pick his son. Smith then traded Manning to the New York Giants for quarterback Philip Rivers (the fourth pick) and also obtained draft picks used to select linebacker Shawne Merriman and kicker Nate Kaeding.

The trade worked out for both teams with Rivers setting Chargers franchise marks of 59,271 passing yards and 397 touchdowns. Manning won two Super Bowls with the Giants.

After Rivers’ second season, Smith allowed Drew Brees to leave as a free agent and turned the club over to Rivers. Brees had injured his shoulder in the 2005 season finale and underwent major surgery before recovering to become a star with the New Orleans Saints.

The Chargers went 14-2 in 2006 but were upended at home, 24-21, in the postseason by the New England Patriots after holding an eight-point, fourth-quarter lead. That led to the firing of coach Marty Schottenheimer, to whom Smith had refused to talk during the campaign because of their frosty relationship.

The coaching search was held in February, leading to Norv Turner becoming the new head man. San Diego reached the 2007 AFC Championship Game before losing to the Patriots in Foxboro. The Chargers have not advanced that far since.

Smith famously signed tight end Antonio Gates as an undrafted free agent in 2003. Gates, a college basketball player, holds the team’s all-time records for receptions (955), receiving yards (11,841) and touchdown receptions (116).

Smith and Turner were fired after a 7-9 season in 2012.

After his tenure with San Diego, Smith spent three seasons as a consultant with Washington before announcing his retirement in 2015.

In 2013, he returned to Rhode Island to speak at his former high school. “You can’t be a bigger dreamer than I am,” Smith told the Hendricken seniors. “You’re going to have your ups and downs. Life isn’t always going to be rosy. But don’t sit in a corner and sulk. Don’t feel sorry for yourself.”

Smith is survived by his wife, Susan; son, Kyle; daughter, Andrea; son-in-law, Noah; and three grandchildren.