I have received many emails lately about people wanting to come to our tiny state for a visit, how exciting! I am so happy that everyone is curious. There are many terrific things to do here, but I thought that I would give you some of our personal favorites, and just because we spend a lot of time at home and we are kind of picky on what is going to take us out, this will give you a few ideas and then I would suggest Edible Rhody for good tips (I do just about everything they tell me to do! and I love it all!) or if you are on your way up to New England in general, check out Yankee Magazine.
As you know we live in Matunuck, which has some of the best beaches in Rhode Island. I have a friend who once rented a house in Quonnie (I can't even spell the long version of this name), and I have to say that it is probably the most beautiful beach anywhere, it's completely private, so if you are not a homeowner there you are out of luck (except in the off season! :)). Right near Quonnie is the best coffee in Rhode Island (read: don't even try anywhere else!) at Daves Coffee but don't shop there, shop at MY store! East Beach is the closest you are going to get to Quonnie, and it's great, white soft sand beaches and really small so you have a family feeling. Next is our beach South Kingstown beach, waves are pretty treacherous there, but it's a nice little beach (with a small park, playground and showers) and right next door is the best ice cream in the state, The Vanilla Bean (lot's of people will tell you otherwrise). The waves at East Matunuck Beach are nice so we go there for good boogie boarding.
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| oysters from Matunuck Oyster Bar |
Just down the same stretch of road as East Matunuck Beach is the Matunuck Oyster Bar, AMAZING oysters (I was in NYC at Balthazar and they were serving them!) it's a simple place, great food but very busy! If you are planning on cooking Lobsters yourself you can get them at Skips Dock almost at the end of this road. Our little town of Wakefield, is sweet and charming, and if you are like me when you get to a new place you always seek out the local heath food store, that would be Alternative Foods Co-op they have all your needs and delicious soup is home made every day. If you need a spot of yoga visit All That Matters, also on Main Street for almost any type of yoga class and the like, our town would be nothing if it didn't have All That Matters, it keeps us together.
The best beach for kids is Narragansett Beach, it is flat and shallow and there are lots of surfers to watch! The problem is that everyone knows this and it's almost impossible to park there! We go after 5pm and the parking lot opens to anyone! It's the perfect time for kids, no sunscreen necessary, and not crowded.
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| Windmist Farm, Jamestown RI |
On Saturdays the Farmers Market at Casey Farm is wonderful! (from 9 - noon) and then many times we go onto Jamestown for brunch or lunch. We love the Village Hearth Bakery, great for sandwiches or bread and you can take it out to Beaver Tail, our favorite spot for looking at Beautiful Rhode Island from the rocky cliffs (in ANY season). We are also big supporters of Slice of Heaven and you will find us there just about every Sunday for Brunch. If you stay all day on Sunday, the Village Hearth makes amazing brick oven pizzas on Sunday night only from 4 - 8pm (?) THE BEST! Also in Jamestown is Windmist Farm, which has homegrown beef, lamb, chicken, pork (even home made hot dogs!), and eggs, these guys are wonderful people and a real Rhode Island treasure. Open to the public Friday and Saturdays.
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| 41 North in Newport |
In the past we have always shied away from Newport, it's very busy and lot's of tourists. But if you want to see the Mansions it's worth a visit. If you do go to the Mansions it's nice to take the Cliff Walk around the back side of them. Recently opened is 41 North, which is a beautiful place to stay, but if you don't way to lay down the big bucks just go for a drink, it's a beautiful deck restaurant, the kids will have a blast and because of the prices it's not too busy (love that... sorry ;). Worth a mention and if you have an extra day it's completely worth it to go out to Block Island, just take the ferry boat (45 mins.) and then you can rent bikes out there or just walk to the beach. The Block Island beach is the clearest most beautiful beach.. you will love it! If you rent bikes take a long hike and adventure on the small but beautiful island.
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| I happen to like this one in Jamestown! (sleeps 2 families!!) |
Which brings us to places to stay... yikes... I would suggest to rent a house, try HomeAway but always have a great time and easy going in Rhode Island!
Don't miss in Rhode Island: Lobster Roll, Clam Cake, surfing, Quahogs, and clam chowder!
Have Fun!
Edible Rhody online
