Each summer, folks traveling to Rhode Island beaches for a getaway agree that the Ocean State whole heartedly lives up to its name. With 40 miles of coastline that offer a truly beautiful and diverse array of culture, vibes, and sights to see, there are plenty of family beaches in Rhode Island that pack in everything your crew could want out of a trip. Images of rolling sandy dunes, mellow surf, historical architecture, quiet charm and local seafood rank these destinations high on our list of must visits. If you’ve never been or are looking for some place new, we’re here with a round up of a few of the best beaches in Rhode Island.
Narragansett Town Beach, Narragansett
Narragansett Town Beach in Narragansett is charming, historic, and one of the more surf friendly family beaches in Rhode Island from what we hear. Kids and parents can rent a board and take lessons from Narragansett Surf & Skate, a locally owned surf shop established 2 blocks from the beach in 1966. Beautiful architecture from the late 1800’s stands tall and proud among Central Street Historic District, a strip of gorgeous old houses, churches and schools preserved from days past. Beach side, parents can rest easy with a crew of tip top lifeguards and tons of fellow families keeping an eye ashore. Vacationers love The Break, a 16 room hotel rated by Conde Nast as one of the top hotels on the east coast several years running. This little gem of a town, lovingly nicknamed ‘Gansett, is a perfect spot to suit up in your Hermoza luxury beachwear and simply soak up the history, sights, and sun of this Rhode Island beach town.
East Beach, Watch Hill
With lifeguards, cute restaurants, and purportedly “the softest sand ever” according to one Yelper, East Beach in Watch Hill is high on our list of must go to beach towns in Rhode Island. If you or your littles are fans of Taylor Swift, this also happens to be the place where she purchased her “Holiday House”, a towering palatial estate atop a hill that is also the subject of her song ‘The Last Great American Dynasty”. If this cozy, quiet getaway beach town is good enough for T-Swift, we think it’s good enough for our Hermozas too. Simply slide on your old fashioned bathing suits, listen to Taylor’s song and soak up one of the more famous, best beaches in Rhode Island.
Easton's Beach (First Beach), Newport
The largest public beach in Newport, Easton’s Beach or “First Beach” is maybe one of the best beaches in RI for kids. With a playground and nearby Save the Bay Exploration Center for interactive learning, as well as rentable cabanas, chairs, paddle/boogie/surf boards, there is plenty to do on this gorgeous, large swath of beach for your whole brood. Whether you’re stopping for lobster rolls at Easton’s Beach Snack Shop, or some delicious seafood from 1930’s mainstay Flo’s Clam Shack, you’ll eat well on your trip too. Stroll street to shore in your favorite resort wear and enjoy all the charm Easton’s Beach has to offer.
East Mutunuck Beach, South Kingstown
East Mutunuck Beach in South Kingstown is a favorite of family beaches in Rhode Island for those who enjoy peace and quiet, world class surfing, and incredible local eats. Their 102 acres of saltwater beach have limited crowds, showers, lifeguards, and restrooms for all your beach comfort needs. Head to State Pier Dock for mellow fishing and boat watching upon the marina, while your littles play on the cute sandy beach next to the dock. If you’re hungry, head to Jim’s Dock just a skip and a hop down the road for delicious, cheap local seafood with outdoor seating and a view of the marina. The easy-going atmosphere and walkable nature of South Kingstown makes Mutunuck a lovely shoo in for this list of best beaches in Rhode Island.
Goosewing Beach, Little Compton
In Little Compton, one of the only places in Rhode Island where you and yours can walk on a large, grassy farm while looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find the quaintest, sweetest beach in Goosewing Beach. Under nature conservancy protection, Goosewing is a pristine, crescent-shaped alcove filled with wildlife and stellar views, making all the other best Rhode Island beaches seem developed and commercial by comparison. It’s breezy dunes, tidal pools, and shore birds make for a perfect place where families can munch on farm goods and enjoy nature in its purest form.
Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly
On this stretch of beach spanning 7-miles of clear blue ocean, expect plenty of fun that begs the question - is this the best beach in Rhode Island? Up for a tight debate. With rentable jet skis, surf boards, paddle boards, and nearby carnivalesque bumper boats, batting cages, carousel, and water slides, you and your family will feel ultra entertained as the folks of Westerly intended. Should you stay the night, you can find beach concerts and karaoke from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Nature wise, there is no shortage of beauty in Misquamicut. The unique basin design of this beach allows for direct flow of Atlantic waves and incredible sunrises and sunsets. The sandy, grassy dunes control the wind coming off of the water, and are protected for their irreplaceable, fragile nature. This beach has it all, and rounds out our list of potentially the best beaches in Rhode Island.
Besos,
Hermoza