10 Breathtakingly Beautiful Rhode Island Attractions
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6. Scarborough Town Beach
Narragansett is a beautiful coastal town home to 3 gorgeous beaches. I only wish I would have found out about Scarborough Town Beach sooner!
If you are lucky enough to visit during the off-season (spring and fall), you will basically have the entire beach to yourself, especially on weekday mornings. This means you can enjoy your leisure activities sans noisy tourists. A quiet walk along the water, a jog surrounded by amazing views, and long hours hunting for SeaGlass are just a few of the activities you can engage in peacefully during the off season.
The sand here is smooth, soft, and without a trace of any litter – one of the cleanest beaches I have visited. Half of the beach consists of a more rocky landscape, which is great for photography and beach combing. The other half of the beach is perfect for: walking, jogging, and relaxing.
Scarborough is a great all-around beach with photographic opportunities at every angle, endless opportunities for relaxation, and plenty of clean, smooth sand.
7. Jamestown Island
Jamestown Island, located on Conanicut island and accessible by bridge, is a simple 40 minute drive from Newport. Or, you have the option of taking the Jamestown Newport Ferry. After arriving on the island, you will find a range of fun activities, including: state parks, beaches, restaurants, shops, and cruises. It’s an easy daytrip away from the tourist crowds that congregate around Newport.
Being an avid SeaGlass collector, Jamestown was high on my list of places to explore (we actually found out about this island via our Newport tour guide). Seaglass is a term given to ocean trash (glass) that has transformed into “gems” via the hands of time. This island is known as one of the top East coast beaches for collecting rare and unique pieces. Let’s just say I didn’t leave disappointed! While the glass here can’t compare in quality to the gems I found while living on the Maine Coast, nevertheless I still discovered plenty of beautiful rare cobalt blue pieces.
8. East Bay Bike Path
The 14.5 long East Bay Bike Path has made “The Rail Trail Hall of Fame,” a distinction given to the best rail trails in the country. Rail trails are basically former railroad routes converted into multi use recreational paths. I’ve enjoyed quite a few of these since moving to the New England region. Honestly, these incredible recreation paths are what I love most about this area.
This award comes at no surprise. The East Bay Bike Path is one of the best bike paths I have ever come across. Not only are the views outstanding (think water on both sides, forests, skylines, and lighthouses), but the ride itself is very peaceful and never too overly congested.
Because the route follows an old railroad route, the ride is really flat and fast. Apart from 2 hills, the rest of the ride is quite enjoyable and easy. I think it is in your best interest to plan a ride during the milder late spring, summer, and early fall months. Being in New England, you know there are going to be a lot of trees. Fortunately, there is plenty of shade coverage here for summertime bike rides.
I love this ride. It’s a great way to see a lot of fabulous Rhode Island sights that you may not have encountered otherwise. A definite A+ winner in my book! Scenic, free, and a great workout – what more could you ask for?!
9. Gooseberry Beach
Newport has so many fantastic beaches that it can be hard to decide on just one. Gooseberry Beach, located on Newport’s Famous Ocean Drive, is a good place to start. This unique beach is actually a private beach club, however, it is still open to the public.
It’s a beautiful beach to visit any time of the year. Obviously, the summer months are more crowded. I prefer the laid-back atmosphere of a spring or fall visit. My favorite time to visit these rocky types of beaches is on a gloomy spring day.
10. Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge
Nestled away in quaint Tiverton, Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge offers a pleasant, calm setting to take a nature walk. I enjoy the opportunity to take a solitary walk through the woods whenever I can, and this is one of the better preserves in the region. The scenery includes peaceful views of: forests, marshes, and the Sakonnet River. Bird watching opportunities are ample, with Snowy Egrets and Great Egrets frequently spotted in the marsh.
The hiking trails are easy, even for beginners, allowing you to concentrate on the scenery and wildlife as opposed to struggling through a rough workout. Sometimes a peaceful nature walk is all you need. However, the refuge is also a great place to take a refreshing jog if you feeling like getting in a more vigorous workout. I often used this beautiful oasis to train for 5ks. What a perfect setting for jogging: fresh air, no traffic noise, shade, and most of all: peaceful natural views.
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