Ready for a quick beach getaway? Or perhaps, you’re looking to move to a beach town in Rhode Island. We’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best beach towns in Rhode Island and what they have to offer. We’ll take a look at average home value (just in case you want to move there{, potential itinerary selections, and even hotel prices.
Rhode Island has long been known as the go-to place for sandy shores and Colonial seaside towns; therefore, finding and choosing the best beach towns is no easy task.
We’ve narrowed the list down to the following…
Little Compton, Rhode Island
First up on our list of best beach towns in Rhode Island is Little Compton. Located adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and with the Sakonnet River flowing on the other side, it’s a gem of a town. The community within resembles more of a rural farming community; however, if it is beaches you want, you’re in luck. You have the option of venturing out onto the sandy shores of South Shore Beach or perhaps Goosewing Beach.
As you’d expect, Little Compton offers all the beaching amenities that you could desire. Ranging from simple sun lounging to boating activities. In town, there are also art galleries, an athletic club, and a bird sanctuary. Incredibly diverse, right?
House values in Little Compton vary; however, at the time of writing, the current average price is $831,132. So whether you’re inclined to purchase a property in Little Compton is up to you; however, it is definitely worth a visit.
Bristol, Rhode Island
Next up on our list of Rhode Island beach towns is Bristol. Initially named after a city with the same name in England, Bristol is home to a range of industries, from boat building to similar marine activities, and also tourism. With a deep-rooted community spirit, Bristol is known to be a pretty patriotic town. Beaches and scenery aside, Bristol is also home to Roger Williams University, which invites many students annually.
There are two beaches available to visit in Bristol, Juniper Trail Beach and Bristol Town Beach. Bristol Town Beach also has a grassy area that caters to those looking for a picnic area. Other things to do in the area include visiting Colt State Park for trails, views of the bay, and an on-site museum. Additionally, for those interested in sailing, you can see the Herreshoff Marine Museum for informative exhibits. Also, if you’re in Bristol during the summer, be sure to witness the 4th of July parade. It is the nation’s oldest Independence Day celebration.
For those looking to purchase property in Bristol, the current house value average is at $524,991, which has recorded an increase of 13.5% on the previous year.
If you’re looking to book a quick getaway, you’ll be delighted to know that accommodation options range from Bed and Breakfasts to fully-fledged hotel brands. Prices can range from as low as $250 for a weekend to $1000 for an entire house. Perfect for those looking to book Valentine’s weekend getaways.
New Shoreham, Block Island, Rhode Island
New Shoreham is the next addition to the list of best beach towns in Rhode Island. It is an incredibly unique town in the fact that it is the only town on Block Island. In fact, New Shoreham is the smallest town in the United States of America. However, this doesn’t stop just over 1000 people from calling it home. A further 20,000 and more tourists flock to the town and island throughout peak season for a vacation.
It’s no surprise why the Block Island sound is a popular vacation destination. It has 17 miles of unrivaled beaches. Famous beaches include Block Island State Beach, Frederick J. Benson Town Beach, and Crescent Beach. Additionally, be sure to visit the visually striking Mohegan Bluffs, which are absolutely stunning. With multiple restaurants, activities, and amenities, Block Island has covered all its bases in ensuring the island brings in visitors.
In terms of house values, pricing is as you’d expect for a small town with amazing views. The average home value in the area stands at around $1,609,479 and, in our opinion, is worth every cent and more!
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Next up. Narragansett makes it onto our list of top beach town destinations in Rhode Island. Located in Washington County, Narragansett is a popular tourist destination. More than 15,000 tourists flock in every year to admire everything the town has to offer.
Narragansett Town Beach is the most popular destination and provides impressive scenery of natural beauty with plenty of activities to keep the family entertained. Other famous beaches include the Scarborough State Beaches and the Roger Wheeler State Beach. If you’re looking for something more exhilarating, then you should consider visiting the highly-rated Narrow River Kayaks.
Regarding pricing, the current average home value stands at $786,148, which is almost 10% higher than the previous year. Regarding accommodation for a getaway, there are many options ranging from family-owned B&Bs to hotel chains. Of course, the pricing will vary depending on location and the type of hotel.
South Kingstown, Rhode Island
Our final entry on the list of Rhode Island beach towns in South Kingstown. Located close to Narragansett, South Kingstown is home to incredible beaches and rich history. Famous beaches to visit include South Kingstown Town Beach. Matunuck Beach, and East Matunuck State Beach.
Regarding house price values, prices currently stand at around $609,388. This is an increase of 10% from the previous year. However, with what’s on offer in this town, the pricing is definitely worth it.
Other Beaches and Attractions to visit in Rhode Island
Of course, with Rhode Island being home to many beaches, covering them all through a list of towns would be nearly impossible. However, we have made a list of some other pristine beaches that definitely deserve mention, at the very least.
Misquamicut State Beach
Located in Westerly, this beach offers incredible views and certainly deserves a special mention on this list. Unfortunately, the town of Westerly narrowly missed out on being featured on this list. However, if we were to do a top ten best beach towns in Rhode Island, it definitely would be included there. Located near Westerly are a plethora of other beaches to visit. Such as Blue Shutters Town Beach, Atlantic Beach Park, Wuskenau Beach, and Watch Hill Beach.
Aquidneck Island
Located in Narragansett Bay, Aquidneck Island is a must-visit location. It is the largest island in the bay. There are many attractions and notable amenities on offer, such as Sweet Berry Farm. The sandy beaches on Aquidneck island include Second Beach (Sachuest Beach) and Third Beach. Definitely, ones to add to the list.
Other places you should visit
- Easton’s Beach, Newport
- Napatree Point Conservation Area, Westerley
- East Beach – a barrier beach on the Quonochontaug Neck
- Beavertail State Park, Jamestown
- Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, Little Compton
Bottom Line
Rhode Island is home to some great beach towns. Unfortunately, we have had to narrow it down to our top five Rhode Island Beaches, but we hope you were able to find this helpful. Feel free to browse the rest of our site for even more informative articles.