10 Reasons to Love a Romantic South County Getaway in Rhode Island

While South County in Rhode Island is renowned for its beaches, the area offers a lot more for vacationers and those that want a simple and relaxing getaway.

It shares the popular vote for best beaches and romantic getaway destinations with Newport just a few miles to the east across the bay. But it wins outright on scenic villages.

Here then are my ten favorite reasons to spend a Getaway in South County Rhode Island…

South County Beaches:

At the height of the summer these beaches can get clogged up quickly with both people and cars so get their early to reserve your spot.

In the fall you'll have them mostly to yourself.

Noteworthy beaches include: East Beach in Charlestown is a three-mile barrier beach; the Scarborough State Beaches are the most popular in the state with a boardwalk, observation tower and pavilion.

In South Kingstown there is East Matunick State Beach and South Kingstown Town Beach which because of their location attract large student population from URI. Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly may not be the prettiest but it has a large pavilion and an array of family activities.

Antiquing:

Bird Havens of South County:

Spring and fall are the best times of the year to catch the migratory species using this section of the Atlantic Flyway.

Popular locations include: Napatree Point in Watch Hill, the Kettle Pond Visitor Center and trails in Charlestown, and Trustom Pond Wildlife Refuge in South Kingstown.

Also in South Kingstown you’ll find the Great Swamp Management Area with wetlands and forest cover attracting Osprey for nesting and bluebirds. And back down on the coast near Point Judith is Galilee Bird Sanctuary where you can delight in spotting many species of shorebirds.

Boating and Fishing:

And they do, especially in South County. Options include chartering a boat for the day in Wickford or Charlestown, to renting a kayak and traversing the five mile Narrow River as it empties into the ocean at Narragansett Town Beach.

Do you prefer to cast into the surf or stream, or from a boat?

For surf fishing try Charlestown Breachway a popular beach spot.

But the locals will tell you that for surf fishing you need to get stone underneath your feet and not sand. Premier spots are Watch Hill Lighthouse and Fresh Pond Rocks at the end of Each Beach Road in Charlestown. For deep water fishing take your pick from any number of charters operating out of Galilee.

Lighthouses of South County:

Plum Beach Lighthouse sits in the west passage of Narragansett Bay and was originally built using the Caisson method.

The Caisson method is an engineering process that creates a watertight structure so a foundation can be built in mid-water. The lighthouse is not used anymore and was rescued from vandalism and restored by a private group.

Whale Rock Lighthouse was destroyed in the hurricane of 1938 leaving only the caisson to see today. You can take a lighthouse cruise from North Kingstown which will take in the South County lighthouses along with those at Jamestown and Newport.

Narragansett:

Other destinations in the area include South County Museum with exhibits covering agricultural life in coastal Rhode Island, the port of Galilee which is an important commercial fishing center in New England and where you can catch a ferry to nearby Block Island, and Point Judith Lighthouse. Other points of interest are the Narragansett Indian Monument – a 23-foot wood sculpture - and the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge.

South Kingstown:

Kingston Railroad Station isn’t just another Amtrak station but has been beautifully restored and houses a museum open at weekends, and the start of the William C. O’Neill Bike Path. Other historical interest can be found at the Old Washington County Jail which is now a historical museum, and Kenyon’s Grist Mill dates back to early 1700’s. As mentioned earlier the town has a number of great beaches and the Great Swamp Management Area offers wildlife viewing.

Westerly:

And if you’re a beach lover than Westerly delivers up Misquamicut Beach with tons of family summer activities even if personal space on the beach can be limited on weekends.

Considered part of Westerly, Watch Hill is one of those hidden gems you’re not sure you want to share with anybody else. But if you promise not to tell… read on. You’ll love the specialty shops on the harbor, and one-step away is the beach – get there early for a prime spot – and the historic Flying Horse Carousel. Napatree Point at one end of the beach is a wildlife refuge and at the other end is the distinctive Watch Hill Lighthouse. The lighthouse is home to a museum open in July and August only.

Historic Towns of South County:

The historic village of Wakefield nestles itself just down from URI campus on the Saugatucket River Walkway, and is a must stop for your shopping and dining pleasure, and the picturesque village green.

South County Lodging:

If your stay is longer then Realty offices in Narragansett and Charlestown offer summer rentals, and there are private campgrounds and public camping areas in Burlingame State Park and Fisherman’s Memorial State Park.

For a large selection of vacation and getaways lodging deals in South County click here.

More Romantic Getaways in South County Resources...

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