A Cloudy Spring Day on 3 of Rhode Island’s Gorgeous Beaches
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Rhode Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in New England. Although spring isn’t the ideal time to visit due to the cold winds and chilly temperatures, this season does bring forth a few benefits, namely no parking fees and no crowds!
As a recent transplant of neighboring Massachusetts, I appreciate any opportunity to explore the state minus heavy tourist crowds. After a few visits to Newport, you will see what I mean! While I love exploring all the touristy historic sites and attractions, sometimes it is too much. This is when Mike and I head to local beaches and preserves to enjoy a little bit of peace and quiet.
This weekend, Mike and I visited several of the state’s most picturesque beaches: Gooseberry in Newport, Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett, and Teddy’s Beach in Portsmouth. The dark cloudy skies and desolate surroundings left us in awe of the natural beauty. Although we were freezing cold, we were glad to have the opportunity to explore before the summer tourists arrived.
One of the benefits we have enjoyed since becoming New England locals is exploring all the wonderful recreation and historical sites during the offseason. It’s so much easier to find parking this time of year. I personally love the cooler, gloomier weather. And, most of all, I love parking for free.
Gooseberry Beach
Gooseberry is one of the numerous beaches found along Newport’s scenic 10 mile Ocean Drive. I would make a half day out of it, enjoying the drive, the historic Newport Mansions, and various detours along the route. The beach is primarily popular for swimming during the summer months. The sand here is probably the softest I have encountered at any beach in the region. Somehow, the scenery is even more enchanting on an overcast day to me. I love cloudy weather and I think it fits in perfectly with the vibe of this region.
This beach is popular with birdwatchers and hundreds of species have been sighted thus far including warblers and swallows according to the Buzzards Bay coalition. Also, piping plovers (which are rare) often nest on the beach. You will see a sign alerting you not to disturb their environment. Please respect all the signs.
On a cold April day, there was no one in sight. Seriously, we had the entire beach to ourselves and we actually love this weather so it was a win-win for us. Gooseberry feels like a private beach, however, it is open to the public for a $30 parking fee. It’s quite a fee, however, you can park off season on the side streets for free. Again one of the benefits of living in the area year-round!
- Address: 130 Ocean Ave. Newport
- Parking Fee: $30
Scarborough State Beach
Scarborough is the top beach to visit during the summer months. Narragansett is a popular summer destination thanks to its’ many beautiful beaches. This area is home to a number of gorgeous beaches, parks, waterfront restaurants, and a historic lighthouse (Port Judith). I am really not surprised that this beach is so popular with both tourists and locals due to the smooth sand, nice waves, and well-maintained grounds. However, the vibe can be a bit too noisy during peak season.
Whereas, if you visit during the off-season, you are treated to a stunningly beautiful beach all to yourself. The weather may be cold, however, the views are incredible (especially with no one in the background). Half of the beach features incredibly soft, smooth sand; the other half is a bit more rocky and photogenic and great for beachcombing. This is one of many great places in the state to search for seaglass, especially after a storm. We had a great time searching for these frosty gems and found a few nice pieces to add to our collection.
The 2000 ft shoreline is the perfect distance for a nice long stroll or jog, especially on a mild spring or fall day. This time of year, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the off-season with the attractive benefits of fewer crowds and uninterrupted photo opportunities.
- Address: 970 Ocean Rd. Narragansett.
- Parking fee: Fees vary based on residency and time of year and range from $7-10. Cash only.
Teddy’s Beach
Unlike the other 2 beaches we visited, Teddy’s in Portsmouth does not feature smooth sand and ideal swimming conditions. However, it does offer something unique of its’ own: plenty of seaglass. Beach glass are small pieces of frosted gem-like glass pieces, derived from trashed bottles that have been tumbled smooth over the course of time.
We found all different types and colors of glass here, including a few cobalt blue and lavender pieces (which are very rare). Most of the time you will find brown, white, and green pieces which are common because of beer bottles. We had a great time strolling the beach searching for former discarded trash (beaches were often public dumping sites) which now resembles gems.
SeaGlass collectors will find plenty of craft and even a few jewelry grade pieces to add to their collection! As a bonus, the beach was very clean and quiet. The views were gorgeous, especially right before a storm when the clouds started to darken. As a an avid seaglass collector, I was impressed with this find and would love to time my next visit after a big storm (the intensity of the waves tends to bring up more pieces).
- Address: Park Ave & Point Rd, Portsmouth.
- Parking fee: Free street parking available.
