Here’s a sampling of South County beaches and activities, west to east. For fees, seasonal schedules, and other details, visit park and venue Web sites, listed below. For more on South County, see our feature story The Beaches of South County.
WATCH HILL BEACHES (a village of Westerly)
NAPATREE POINT CONSERVATION AREA. Hidden like a secret, with two miles of beach, plus meandering trails and birding. thewatchhillconservancy.org/
EAST BEACH. Brilliant and expansive, with views of Watch Hill Lighthouse. watchhilleba.org
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FLYING HORSE CAROUSEL. At Watch Hill Beach, a vintage herd of tiny horses dangling on chains; costs a pittance to fly. 401-348-6007; visitwatchhill.com
THE BOOK & TACKLE SHOP. The smell of 50,000 old volumes mingles with the sea. 401-315-2424; bookandtackle.com
COMINA. Beautiful beach-themed furnishings and accessories. 401-315-0335; comina.com
OCEAN HOUSE. Sets a high bar for elegance, with expansive views of East Beach. 401-584-7000; oceanhouseri.com
OLYMPIA TEA ROOM. Pull up a seat outside, order up a plate of mussels, and gaze out at the harbor. 401-348-8211; olympiatearoom.com
ST. CLAIR ANNEX. Favorite spot for homemade ice cream and lobster rolls. 401-348-8407
WESTERLY BEACHES
MISQUAMICUT BEACH. Seven miles of family fun, with water slides, carousel, free Tuesday movies, concerts, and bonfires. riparks.com/misquamicut.htm, misquamicut.org, atlanticbeachpark.com
WEEKAPAUG BEACH. Where the sea meets the sky, a private bit of paradise, more accessible if you’re renting a cottage in the off season. weekapaugfoundation.com
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SHELTER HARBOR INN. Comfy 19th-century converted farmhouse with rights to a private stretch of sand on Weekapaug Beach. 800-468-8883, 401-322-8883; shelterharborinn.com
CHARLESTOWN BEACHES
QUONOCHONTAUG. A.k.a. “Quonnie,” an undeveloped, privately owned barrier beach. Trails allow public access at specified times. crmc.ri.gov
NINIGRET CONSERVATION AREA/EAST BEACH. East of Blue Shutters Town Beach, pick your parking lot and find a patch of sand. charlestownri.org
CHARLESTOWN BREACHWAY. Fishermen cast off here, at this beautiful channel between the ocean and Ninigret Pond. riparks.com/charlesbreach.htm
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THE FANTASTIC UMBRELLA FACTORY. International bazaar with a ’60s vibe, set in a 19th-century farmyard. 401-364-6616
VINTAGE EYEWEAR. A don’t-miss shop at The Fantastic Umbrella Factory. 401-213-6870
NINIGRET NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE & KETTLE POND VISITOR CENTER. Kids and windsurfers love the gentle salt pond. fws.gov/ninigret
WILCOX TAVERN. Revolutionary general Joseph Stanton’s birthplace serves calamari and stuffed quahogs in an elegant but casual colonial setting. 401-322-1829; www.wilcoxtavern.com
RAMBLIN’ ROSE. Jammed with appealing vintage items for your beach cottage. 401-322-1111; ramblin-rose-antiques.com/
SOUTH KINGSTOWN BEACHES
EAST MATUNUCK STATE BEACH. Strong surf, picnicking, pavilion, and concessions. riparks.com/eastmatunuck.htm
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TRUSTOM POND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. 787 acres open year-round, with visitor center, trail info, and RI’s only undeveloped salt-pond shoreline. fws.gov/trustompond
LIGHTHOUSE CRUISE. Hits a bit of the South County coast, and then goes all around Narragansett Bay, past 10 different lighthouses in 90 minutes. 401-295-4040; rhodeislandbaycruises.com
MATANUCK OYSTER FARM. In East Matunuck, take a guided tour of oyster beds and belly up to the oyster bar. 401-783-4202; rhodyoysters.com
WILLIAM C. O’NEILL BIKE PATH. A six-mile ride from Kingston Station to South County Museum in Narragansett. 401-783-8886; southcountybikepath.org
NARRAGANSETT BEACHES
SALTY BRINE (GALILEE) & ROGER WHEELER (SAND HILL COVE) STATE BEACHES. Fine sand, gentle surf, great views, picnicking. riparks.com/saltybrine.htm, riparks.com/wheeler.htm
SCARBOROUGH NORTH & SOUTH STATE BEACHES. A long, popular stretch with moderate surf, picnic tables, boardwalk, and pavilions. riparks.com/scarborough.htm
NARRAGANSETT TOWN BEACH. Surfing paradise (sign up for lessons), with a sand, concerts, and a kite festival. narragansettri.gov
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CAMP CRONIN FISHING AREA. Great angling along the rocky shoreline and breakwater, plus hiking and birdwatching. narragansett.patch.com
POINT JUDITH. A stoic old lighthouse looms over one of New England’s own “graveyards of the Atlantic” and a wild, stony shore, home to surfers and fishermen.
BLACK POINT CLIFF WALK. Hugs the coast off Ocean Road, with paths to boulders by the water, a top fishing area. narragansett.patch.com
CHAMPLIN’S SEAFOOD, GEORGE’S, AUNT CARRIE’S, IGGY’S. In Galilee and Point Judith, the big-cahuna seafood shacks; don’t miss the “stuffies” (stuffed clams). champlins.com, georgesofgalilee.com, auntcarriesri.com, iggysdoughboys.com
THE RICHARDS B&B. A romantic stone house, built in 1884, with meandering garden paths. 401-789-7746; therichardsbnb.com
CRAZY BURGER. A hint of Key West, with tropical outdoor seating. 401-783-1810; crazyburger.com
WICKFORD (a village of North Kingstown)
“Ten Best Main Streets USA” designation; wickfordvillage.org
THE KAYAK CENTRE OF RHODE ISLAND. Flagship store and paddling instruction; head out into Wickford Harbor. 888-732-5292, 401-295-4400; kayakcentre.com
TAVERN BY THE SEA. Dine indoors or on the deck, overlooking Wickford Cove. 401-294-5771; tavernbytheseari.com
Please Note: This information was accurate at the time of publication. When planning a trip, please confirm details by directly contacting any company or establishment you intend to visit.
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