Rhode Island Beaches
Living on the East Coast, Rhode Island has always been one of my favorite weekend getaways. It may be the smallest state in the U.S., but its has so many incredible beaches and historic towns that are made for relaxing. I've updated my article with information from our recent four week road trip in time for summer. Here are the beaches I recommend and I hope you’ll love them too.
Newport, RI Beaches
We absolutely love the beaches around Newport, RI! In fact, I thought that Newport, RI (population approximately 24,500 people) was one of the best places to visit I first moved to the East Coast.
Why? Not only are Newport beaches some of the finest beaches in New England, but once you are done relaxing on the beach, you have heaps of exciting vacation things to do all around!
Now first things first, my favorite beaches in Newport are: Easton's (First) Beach, King Park Beach, Gooseberry Beach, and Fort Adams State Beach.
If you have only time for one beach, I definitely recommend Easton's (First) Beach. Lifeguards are stationed daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day which makes it easier on the parents of little kids. Easton's (First) Beach is located at the start of Cliff Walk, so you can also enjoy a scenic stroll during the day.
In addition to amazing time on the beaches, we loved Newport’s dining scene (of course!). There is fresh seafood at The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, local oysters at Midtown Oyster Bar, and romantic waterfront dining at The Black Pearl. For a casual bite, try Brick Alley Pub or grab brunch at Corner Café.
Westerly Beaches
From Misquamicut State Beach (my favorite!), to the family-friendly Napatree Point, and the scenic East Beach, Westerly is my second favorite place to visit in Rhode Island for a beach vacation.
With a population of around 23,000, it's comprable in size to Newport, though not nearly as famous. In a way it's better than Newport if you want a more relaxed beach vibe.
Downtown Westerly has cafes and local shops with the pace definitely being slower here than in Newport.
Local tip: Don't miss the sunset at Misquamicut Beach. Even in the off-season it's quite magical.
Bristol Beaches
I have to warn you that Bristol Town Beach isn't a sandy beach (it has pebbles). Even so, it's one of my favorite Rhode Island beaches and my family has made many happy memories here. In the summer, lifeguards make swimming safer. Plus, there is a large grassy area for kids to run around, with a playground if you have little kids.
The beach is actually near the entrance to 464-acre Colt State Park on Narragansett Bay. This means that you can do quite a bit of exploring if you get bored of relaxing on the beach.
Fun fact: Locals told me that Colt State Park has the honor of being home to the nation's oldest 4th of July parade!
Local tip: If you are based in Providence and don't have a car, you can take RIPTA Bus Route 60 to Bristol which takes about an hour.
Beaches Around Wakefield
When I'm in the mood for New England history, we head to Wakefield for the weekend. Here you'll find heaps of 18th century history, especially riverfront mills and historic Main Street. Wakefield is smaller than Westerly and Newport (under 10,000 people).
What about beaches around Wakefield? You'll have to drive about 11 minutes to reach the beaches in Matunuck. Two of my favorites are South Kingstown Town Beach in Matunuck, and East Matunuck State Beach.
If you are in the mood for something lively, definitely head to South Kingstown Town Beach which has a boardwalk (ice cream!) and pavilion. Need even more options? We also love Narragansett Town Beach which is only a few miles from Wakefield (about 15 minutes).
Local tip: If you like fresh seafood like we do, you absolutely can't miss Matunuck Oyster Bar in Wakefield.
And...if you want even more to do besides beaches, you can easily drive about 40-minutes to Providence, Rhode Islands's capital with over 1.7 million residents. I have to warn you that traffic into Providence can get heavy.
Portsmouth Beaches
Love the idea of Newport but want something more quiet? I adored Portsmouth's Narragansett Bay views when we stopped here on our road trip! Portsmouth is smaller than Newport with a population of around 17,000 and much quieter.
It's actually just a short 15-minute drive north of Newport, and you reach this quiet Aquidneck Island town easily.
I think the best beach here is Sandy Point Beach, a calm, family-friendly spot great for swimming and kayaking in the summer.
Beyond the beach, you can tour the grounds of the historic Glen Manor House, sip locally made reds at Greenvale Vineyards, wander along the scenic trails at Glen Park, see wind turbines set against salt marshes, and explore Prudence Island by ferry for a more off-the-grid escape.
When it’s time to eat, Portsmouth has plenty of local favorites. Enjoy waterfront dining at 15 Point Road (you'll find fresh seafood and sunset views). Or stop by Fieldstones Grille for hearty comfort food in a casual setting (it's better off-season when it's cooler out!).
What I loved best:
For me, Portsmouth, RI is one of the best places to vacation in Rhode Island because it's romantic, scenic, and still very much off-the-beaten path in New England!
My highlight was watching the sun set over Narragansett Bay from Island Park Beach.
