Travel Keepers: An Ode to The Ocean State
Issue 11: Rhode Island's Best Towns for Summer Fun
The trees are starting to bud in Washington D.C., which means it’s time to fill in summer travel plans. We have our big trip anchored, and other summer plans mostly in place, so all that’s left to do is fill in the gaps with one or two of the “keepers” we return to again and again. While each one has a different feel, our family’s travel keepers all share a few hallmarks:
Accessible: the destination is easy to get to from DC and enjoyable at different price points
Adaptable: the location is fun for different ages and offers new things to explore every visit
Nostalgic: the place has special memories or traditions that we enjoy each time we go
Rhode Island hits all three of these hallmarks, and so we visit nearly every summer. Here are a few spots in the ocean state we’ve come to love over the years.
Narragansett
Narragansett is frequently overlooked for its fancier cousins, Newport and Block Island. But New Englanders have long flocked to what I think is the best beach town in the northeast. Narragansett hosts three RI state beaches and a number of smaller private beaches, even though the whole town is only 37 square miles. It is also home to Narragansett Town Beach, one of my favorite beaches in Rhode Island. The beautiful white sand extends one mile down the shore, and even on busy summer weekends you can find usually find space away from the crowds if you’re willing to walk.
Summer is not complete without Del’s frozen lemonade at the beach.
Black Point Trail
Just north of Scarborough State Beach is Black Point Trail. Black Point is an easy but beautiful 1.5 mile hike that includes grassy forest, rocky cliffs, old mansion ruins, and spectacular ocean views. The trail ends at Scarborough Beach with a lovely view of the Point Judith lighthouse. The trail is navigable for grandparents while still giving kids offshoots to explore rocks, tide pools, and the beach.
Rock scrambling on Black Point Trail
Block Island
Before children, my husband and I had a great long weekend in Block Island. We’ve returned with our family several times for an easy day trip while in Narragansett. Block Island is an hour ferry ride from Point Judith, and we usually rent bikes once there to navigate the island. Mopeds are popular too, and my parents have also rented a taxi to explore the island with our kids.
Beach at Mohegan Bluffs
On my last trip to Block Island, we rode our bikes to Mohegan Bluffs, a rocky three-mile stretch of sand with black clay cliffs stretching 200 feet above the coast. After cooling off in the water, we looped around and up the center of the island to Shoreham for a late lunch at Block Island institution Dead Eye Dick’s. We finished the day with ice cream and window shopping downtown before a late afternoon ferry back to Narragansett.
Westerly
I’m always itching to try new beach towns in Rhode Island. Westerly, the last “new” town we visited is home to my favorite Rhode Island beach, Napatree Point. Napatree is definitely a pain to get to, but also totally worth the effort. The beach is accessible only by foot over sand dunes, no easy feat with children in tow. But our last trip there accidentally coincided with a magical sunset that erased most of the memories of that trek.
Swimming at Napatree
Westerly is also a great home base for exploring other Rhode Island towns, like South Kingstown, Matunuck, and Charlestown. I reread this poetic guide to the beaches in these South County towns every year, and have not yet run out of places to discover.
Bookmarks
My recommendations, all in one spot.
Bookmarks
Narragansett
Eat: We visit the Coast Guard House nearly every summer, even if we are not staying in Narragansett. Reservations are a must, and it’s one of the few spots that can host large parties. We’ve gotten dressed up for dinner, but have also thrown on our nicest cover-ups and walked over from the beach. During the summer months, make reservations a month or more in advance.
No trip to Narragansett is complete without stopping at Iggy’s for doughboys and a lobster roll or fried clam strips at Monahan’s Clam Shack.
Play: My son fell in love with surfing at Narragansett Town Beach where it’s easy to book a lesson. Both kids also spent a week at Warm Winds Surf Camp, a day camp held at Narragansett Town Beach.
Definitely allot a couple of hours to walk Black Point Trail. Pro tip: the tiny (and free) parking lot at the trailhead fills up fast, but you can also walk the trail by starting at Scarborough Beach, a state beach with a huge lot.
Block Island.
Eat: The food and view at Dead Eye Dick’s are terrific.
Play: Renting mopeds or bikes after you dock gives you the best means for exploring the island. The best parts of Block Island are not on any map so do your best to get lost until you get hungry or it’s time to get on the ferry home.
Westerly/South County
Play: Napatree Point is my favorite Rhode Island beach, but getting there is not for the faint of heart. There is no parking at Napatree, so plan on parking at one of the three private lots in Watch Hill (two on Bay Street, and one on Larkin Road) and pack light for the hike to the beach.
Blue Shutters Town Beach is another beautiful, and more accessible, choice. Pack your coolers no matter which of these you decide to visit, because there are no concessions at either.