Richmond
Shopping & Things To Do
The two main areas for shopping in South Kingstown are the Wakefield-Peacedale and Kingston villages. These historic districts are perfect for walkable window shopping — consignment, antiques, rare books, specialty stores, and more. If you live here and need essentials, the Wakefield Mall and Salt Pond Shopping Center both have large retailers to choose from. The URI Campus also has the Kingston Emporium, a small shopping mall with a good selection of restaurants and small shops.
Celebrated for over 50 years, this summertime fair attracts some of the top country music stars in America. It’s a two-day weekend festival with hundreds of demonstrators, outdoor games, food stands, crafters, artists, and more.
A fun place to bring the family for corn mazes, pumpkin picking, scavenger hunts, and more. The shop includes all kinds of sugary treats like fresh-pressed apple cider, maple syrup, and honey sticks.
2,359 acres of evergreen forest, wetlands, and agriculture. Popular local spot for fishing and seasonal hunting, and many different trails for hiking.
Hiking trails in a heavily wooded area with views of Beaver River. Perfect for a family outing or a casual day hike.
Opened to the public in September 2017. There is a beautiful boardwalk with informational signs about the founding and history of Richmond.
A protected nature preserve with a small hiking trail and open for hunting at certain times of the year. The wetlands here are home to several endangered species of plants and wildlife, including rare species of dragonflies and damselflies.
A small park right of Nooseneck Hill Road, perfect for a family outing or leisurely strolls in a peaceful outdoor setting.
A private sporting community with upland hunting, ziplining, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, tennis, archery, ATVs, cross country skiing, snowmobiles, a championship 18-hole golf course, and the longest indoor gun range in America.
A public, 18-hole championship golf course with a banquet hall and restaurant (The Clubhouse Grill). Has earned four-star ratings from USA Today and Golf Digest.
A public, 18-hole golf course purchased and renovated in 2006 by the same owners of Richmond Country Club. At Par 72 and 7400 yards from the back tees, it is the longest public course in Rhode Island.
Located right over the town line in West Kingston, Laurel Lane is a public, 18-hole golf course. It has two restaurants (RUDY’s Bar & Grille and CaddyShack), a driving range, pro shop, and banquet hall for weddings and private events.
South Kingstown
Shopping & Things To Do
The two main areas for shopping in South Kingstown are the Wakefield-Peacedale and Kingston villages. These historic districts are perfect for walkable window shopping — consignment, antiques, rare books, specialty stores, and more. If you live here and need essentials, the Wakefield Mall and Salt Pond Shopping Center both have large retailers to choose from. The URI Campus also has the Kingston Emporium, a small shopping mall with a good selection of restaurants and small shops.
A Few Featured Shopping Areas
Recreation & Activities
When people say, “South Kingstown”, the first thing that comes to mind is beaches, beaches, beaches. From Charlestown to Galilee, you’ll find several pristine beaches open to the public. Matunuck village is an oceanside town like no other, full of restaurants, shops and waterfront properties.
Basking in the sun on a windswept beach isn’t the only recreation available in South Kingstown either. There are hiking trails in the Great Swamp Management area around Worden Pond and the Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge.
Looking to make a home in a quaint historic village with great walkability? You’ve got options! Peace Dale, Wakefield, Usquepaug and Kingston are great places to walk around, grab a bite to eat and soak in the historic culture.
South Kingstown Beaches
More Fun Things to do
North Kingstown
Shopping & Things To Do
Wickford Village is home to many gift shops and hand-crafted maker businesses. If you’re into antiques and boutique retail where you can find special-made pieces, this seaside village is the place for you. However, you’ll find the “must need” shopping plaza just outside Quonset Point along the Post Road and Route 403 junction.
Notable places
Produced by the Wickford Art Association since 1962, we invite you to come and discover the Wickford Art Festival! At its new location this year, Wilson Park, the Wickford Art Festival carries on it’s long history and reputation for featuring some of the top fine artists from across the country, but also hosting many of the well known and beloved New England and local Rhode Island artists widely admired by art enthusiasts.
The Festival of Lights in Historic Wickford Village begins with the official lighting of the Tree at Updike Park. Thousands of white lights transform the village into a winter wonderland. This event is full of Christmas spirit and stunning holiday displays as shop owners compete for awards.
Located near Newport, Casey Farm had access to goods imported from England, enabling its early owners to live fashionably. The region’s economy was tied to the slave trade, and this plantation was one of several in the region supplying plantations in the South and the West Indies. By 1755, one out of every three Rhode Island residents was enslaved, most of them in the South County region where Casey Farm is located. Starting in the mid-nineteenth century, the Casey family leased the property to tenant farmers but retained two rooms in the house for their own occasional summer use. Today, CSA members receive fresh, certified organic vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers, and a relationship to the land on which the produce is grown.
Smith's Castle, built in 1678, is a house museum at 55 Richard Smith Drive, near Wickford, a village in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States. Smith's Castle is one of the oldest houses in the state. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993 as Cocumscussoc Archeological Site, due to the artifacts and information digs in the vicinity have yielded. It is located just off U.S. 1
Recreation & Activities
From the docks of Quonset to the walkable streets of Wickford Village and the outdoor beauty of Ryan Park, North Kingstown has plenty to offer its residents. Thinking about taking a weekend escape? Hop aboard the Martha’s Vineyard Ferry. Want to bring the family to experience a piece of history? Take them to Casey Farm to see 17-century methods still being utilized today. Or visit Smith’s Castle for a walking tour of the grounds.
Places you should explore
hopkinton
Shopping & Things To Do In Hopkinton
Shopping center near Rt.138 / I-195 Junction — Head east on Route 138 out of Wyoming and there is a shopping center with Ocean State Job Lot and Stop & Shop.
Hopkinton is off the beaten path (at least for most Rhode Islanders). Besides the shopping center mentioned above, you can visit Hope Valley for general stores, small grocery, and Ma & Pa’s Country Store.
Started in 1917, Camp Yawgoog is the oldest and largest Boy Scout camp in Rhode Island situated on 1800 acres of land in Rockville, RI.
50-acres of camping grounds under towering pines and heavy forest. RV sites, tent sites, and cabin rentals are available for visitors.
hiking and walking trails over varied terrain, swimming, and open year-round for visitors.
One of the more challenging areas to hike in Rhode Island. The trails surround Ell Pond and Long Pond, ranging from two to four miles in length.
Year-round open golf course (weather permitting) for the public. 18-hole, Par 69. Tee times are not necessary because there is usually no wait time to begin.
A public, 18-hole championship golf course with a banquet hall and restaurant (The Clubhouse Grill). Has earned four-star ratings from USA Today and Golf Digest.
Exeter
A large portion of Exeter is “off the beaten path”. Residents usually travel to Wickford via Route 102 to visit the superstores for their weekly and monthly shopping needs. The area right near Wickford Junction contains Home Depot, Walmart, Stop & Shop, Staples, and more. There are also plenty of mom & pop stores throughout Exeter to grab what you need.
Pine Ridge is the largest indoor public shooting range in Rhode Island. It’s a membership shooting club but also open to the public at an hourly rate. There is a retail gun shop offering ammo, targets, and shooting supplies. You can also take a private lesson or group class on improving your skills.
Rhode Island’s first farm brewery located in a historic barn. Take a tour of the grounds, trying a tasting, buy cans to go, and relax in a unique setting.
Recreation & Activities
Multi-purpose recreation area open for both winter and summer activities. In the winter, buy daily lift tickets or season passes for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Equipment rentals are available in the Pro Shop. In the summer, visit the Waterpark with 750 ft slides and two swimming pools. Summer day camp is also available for children.
An 18-hole public golf course. According to the country club’s website, it’s been rated the best public golf course in Rhode Island. There are a full-service restaurant and bar, plus practice greenways and sandbars for players.
Maintained by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Fisherville Brook is their largest public property at 1,010 acres. Great place for hiking and birdwatching, as well as cross country skiing in the winter months.
430-acre pond shared by Rhode Island and Connecticut state lands. A popular area for fishing and kayaking, though swimming is not allowed. According to the RI State Parks website, anglers might catch largemouth bass, pickerel, perch, catfish, smallmouth bass, walleye, and rainbow trout.
Rhode Island’s largest recreational area with over 14,000 acres of open land actively managed for hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The Wood River offers one of the best fresh pond fishing opportunities in the state.
Open trails for hiking and mountain biking. Certain areas around Queens River Trailhead are open for hunting season. Also a great spot for kayaking.
Charlestown
Shopping & Things To Do In Charlestown
The Fantastic Umbrella Factory is a well-known “shoppers paradise” in Charlestown. You’ll find cafes, artist cooperatives, animal farms, and a bamboo forest all wrapped into one fun experience. There are also several consignment shops and specialty stores in the town center, perfect for collectibles and seeing the fantastic work of local artisans.
Notable Places
Recreation & Activities in charlestown
Charlestown is home to some of the best public beaches in Rhode Island. Each provides great views of the Block Island Sound and has lifeguards on duty. Very family-oriented and friendly for all!
Recreational sports games including a small beachfront, a bike track, sporting fields, and tennis courts. Ninigret Park also includes the Frosty Drew Nature Center & Observatory, where visitors can view the night sky and learn about the observable star systems. You can also go kayaking or swimming in the inlet of Ninigret Pond.
755 campsites, fishing, swimming, boating, and hiking trails. There is also a small beachfront along Watchaug Pond and the Kimball Wildlife refuge.
Public docks and launch ramp, new and used boat sales and rentals, bait & tackle shop.
Charlestown Beaches
Charlestown is home to some of the best public beaches in Rhode Island. Each provides great views of the Block Island Sound and has lifeguards on duty. Very family-oriented and friendly for all!
Block Island
Shopping & Things To Do in Block Island
As soon as you arrive on the ferry to Block Island, you’re in the thick of Old Harbor. It’s lined with restaurants and shops of all kinds — bookstores, jewelry shops, artist studios, fudge shops, and more. Almost all of these independently owned and operated, and filled with cool trinkets and memorabilia to bring home. It’s also a very walkable area and easy to explore.
There are plenty of businesses on Block Island that offers tourists and vacationers a fun way to enjoy their stay. You can rent mopeds and explore the island, or go parasailing, kayaking, fishing, sailing, or horseback riding. There is never a shortage of possibilities while visiting during the peak season.
A great way to learn the history of the island, including a broad array of artifacts, photo archives, and a detailed timeline dating back hundreds of years.
The Storm Trysail Club annual race has been going on for 27 years to date. It’s a week-long competitive boat race with navigational courses and boat showcases.
Block Island is truly is a huge tourist destination for the 3rd and 4th of July. The island’s population often triples the normal summer vacation crowds. There is a parade, firework celebrations, and all day partying in the streets. Huge destination for boaters, and the ferry tickets get sold out quickly.
Recreation & Activities in Block Island
Scenic views from the top on natural clay bluffs on the south side of Block Island. A short trip down 141 step boardwalk leads to a quiet and secluded beach. Great area for a small hike and look out over the ocean.
One of two lighthouses located on the island. Built in 1875, the lighthouse has a 52-foot brick and granite tower and has been named a National Historic Landmark. Its gift shop is open to the public during the summer.
A 25-acre parcel of land that was purchased by the Block Island Conservancy in 2002. The preserve has several trails that leads through fields down to Middle Pond. Ocean views are visible and the area is very popular with photographers and bird watchers.
Easy hiking trails through wooded and open areas, scenic view of Black Rock Beach and natural landscapes.
190 acres of protected lands on the northeastern end of the island. It’s an easy hike with great views. According to The Nature Conservancy, Clay Head is one of the best places to observe migratory songbirds in North America during the autumn season.
Block Island Beaches
Washington County, in Rhode Island, is known for its quaint charm and scenic landscapes, also boasts a vibrant food and nightlife scene that could entice anyone considering a move to the area.
Washington County offers a variety of culinary delights ranging from fresh seafood to classic American dishes. Notable restaurants like The Nordic in Charlestown serve top-tier American and seafood dishes in a high-end setting, perfect for those special occasions.
The nightlife in Washington County, particularly on Block Island, provides a blend of activities from laid-back evenings in cozy bars to more lively music and dance venues. Captain Nick's Rock N' Roll Bar, for instance, is a staple for music lovers and a place where you might find yourself wanting to visit more than once during the week.
Keep reading to learn about more of our favorites
Block Island
If there’s one thing you can count on when vacationing on Block Island, it’s trying the sheer variety of restaurants and bars packed into a few square miles. Between Old Harbor and New Harbor, you’ll find numerous seafood spots, sports bars, specialty food shops, and more.
Additional spots you should check out
charlestown
The Fantastic Umbrella Factory is a well-known “shoppers paradise” in Charlestown. You’ll find cafes, artist cooperatives, animal farms, and a bamboo forest all wrapped into one fun experience. There are also several consignment shops and specialty stores in the town center, perfect for collectibles and seeing the fantastic work of local artisans.
Additional spots you should check out
exeter
Although it’s not necessarily a “foodie town”, Exeter has a few dining spots that are well-known and populated throughout the year. Plus, it’s very easy to travel from Exeter to Wickford or East Greenwich for more dining and bar varieties.
Additional spots you should check out
North Kingstown
The local dining hot spot would be a few miles north to East Greenwich or heading south Galilee, but North Kingstown does have a handful of notable restaurants and classic RI fare.
Additional spots you should check out
South Kingstown
Between South Kingstown and Narragansett, you have the best selection of RI restaurants along the South Shore. This part of Rhode Island is a hot spot for seafood restaurants and locally-owned taverns by the sea. The Wakefield-Peacedale historic districts and Matunuck are the places you’ll find local favorites.
Food spots to check out:
Narragansett
The restaurant scene in Narragansett is one of its biggest attractions. There are well-known seafood restaurants along Narragansett Pier, Galilee, and Point Judith. Plus a variety of “classic” Rhode Island spots, unassuming cocktail bars, and taverns by the sea.
Additional spots you should check out
Hopkinton
The villages of Hope Valley, Wyoming, and Ashaway offer the best variety of restaurants in Hopkinton. Being a rural area, many of the restaurants in Hopkinton are tavern or Inn-style places, though you can find “outside the box” concepts sprinkled around town (like Bail Village Restaurant). If you’re looking for fine dining or a night out, just head south to Westerly or cross over the state line into Stonington, CT.
Additional spots you should check out
Westerly
Westerly has one of the most impressive and diverse restaurant scenes on the South Shore. You can find very high-end dining spots here (Ocean House) and electric, local favorites with a unique vibe (The Cooked Goose). Downtown Westerly, Watch Hill, Misquamicut, and Weekapaug all have a variety of choices!
Food spots to check out:
Richmond
Richmond is quiet, rural town, so your best bet to find “nightlife” spots is further south into Westerly, Charlestown or South Kingstown. That said, there are a few restaurants that are popular with locals and nearby gems that are worth the drive.
Food spots to check out:
Beyond food and drink, Washington County's array of events and activities ensures there's always something to do. From live music and comedy nights across various venues to the local favorite, the Washington County Fair, which brings together the community with its array of performances, exhibits, and contests.
Living in Washington County means embracing a lifestyle where quality dining and diverse entertainment options are just a part of daily life, all set against the backdrop of Rhode Island's natural beauty. This unique combination makes it an appealing destination for those looking to relocate to a place with both small-town feel and vibrant community life.
Coventry Restaurants & Nightlife
In town, you can find local breakfast staples, pub-style dining, pizza, and more. Due to its close proximity to West Warwick’s downtown area, Coventry is one of the better towns in western Rhode Island for dining or a night out.
West Greenwich Restaurants & Nightlife
You'll find a few restaurants in West Greenwich that serve top-notch, casual fare. If you’re looking for something a little fancier, the various dining options in downtown East Greenwich are only a short drive away!
Notable Places:
Dan’s Place →
Tavern on the Hill →
Wood’s Tavern →
Wicked Good Pizza →
West Warwick Restaurants & Nightlife
You’ll find quite a few foodie “staples” in West Warwick. If you’re looking for fine dining and a classy atmosphere, Millworks Tavern or Aquilante’s Bistro & Tavern are two places to make a reservation. Or if you want a low-key place where locals love to eat and catch up, AJ’s Restaurant and Little Rhody Ice Cream always deliver that “hometown” charm.
More Places To Check Out:
Fresco →
Boomerangs Roadhouse →
Hour Bar →
Havana Cigar Club →
Warwick Restaurants & Nightlife
Nearby Cranston and East Greenwich may steal the limelight for local dining, but Warwick’s food scene is nothing to scoff at. There are plenty of choices beyond the “chain restaurants” along Bald Hill Road - many of which are highly rated among local foodies in RI.
Recreation & Activities in Coventry
Much like it’s neighboring towns in Kent County, Coventry offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The biggest attraction is the “Trestle Trail” or Washington Secondary Bike Path. This 19-mile bike path stretches from Cranston to the edges of Coventry and nearby Connecticut. Walkers and wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy this picturesque facility, which is easily accessed and provides a great location for casual exercise throughout the year.
One very popular area to buy a home in Coventry (and visit for recreation activities) is Johnson’s Pond. At 659 acres of fresh water, with an average depth of 19 ft., it’s one of RI’s best spots for swimming, fishing, and more.
Recreation & Activities in West Greenwich
Much like the rest of western Rhode Island, West Greenwich is largely made up of forests, farms and natural landscapes, so the area is rich with outdoor recreation opportunities. It’s home to several nature preserves, state parks, wildlife refuges, and freshwater ponds.
Big River Management Area
By far the largest outdoor recreation spot in West Greenwich at 8,319 acres. Here you’ll find fishing, numerous nature trails, and hunting opportunities if you’re licensed. There is also a freshwater quarry open for swimming!
Notable places in West Greenwich
Places you should explore
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