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Rhode Island might be the smallest and one of the least populous U.S. states, but what it lacks in size and population it makes up for in natural beauty, and vibrant towns with well-preserved architecture and history. A trip to the Ocean State will open your eyes to new vacation and relaxation possibilities. If you’re unsure where to start, any of these eight towns in Rhode Island that were ranked among US favorites in 2024 would make for a good first step.

Narragansett

Narragansett has been a popular summer resort since the 1840s because of its beautiful scenery and beaches. It boasts several of Rhode Island’s most popular beaches, with Scarborough State Beach and its 2,325 feet of beachfront being the most popular. This large beach complex is perfect for long walks on the sand and along its boardwalks, picnicking with the family, sunbathing, and swimming. Roger Wheeler State Beach and Salty Brine State Beach are also great spots, especially if you love vistas featuring a lighthouse in the background, provided by Point Judith Lighthouse.

Narragansett is also a great destination for architecture buffs who appreciate 19th-century American architecture. The town’s most famous landmark is The Towers (a monumental granite porte-cochere), the only remaining remnants of Narragansett Pier Casino, which burned down in 1900. A walk along the town’s Central Street Historic District will transport you back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, featuring well-preserved summer homes from those eras. Even though tourists and college kids swarm the town year-round, Narragansett offers visitors a safe environment with the perfect balance of liveliness and chill.

Jamestown

Jamestown offers serenity and coastal beauty that will rejuvenate any weary traveler craving a respite from urban living or any artist who needs inspiration. Its rural feel and well-preserved historic farms will make it seem as if you’re time-traveling back to the colonial period, providing a brief escape from modernity. Whether you walk, run, bike, or drive, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of this town’s landscape, which includes the James River, forests, coastal fronts, marshlands, and lush green rural fields. It’s also a haven for bird watching because it’s home to many species of birds, including bald eagles. Jamestown is also rich in history and features colonial landmarks that serve as time capsules of architectural history. The Jamestown Windmill and Watson Farm, both built in the late 1700s, are key landmarks that remind visitors of the rich history of this state.

Middletown

Beaches, nature, and history are the themes of many Rhode Island towns. But Middletown offers more of a romantic feel — so much so that some of its locations were used to film the 2012 romantic drama "Celeste and Jesse Forever." You don’t, however, have to be a character in a Hollywood movie to enjoy the restful town, as it’s a welcoming place for couples who love beach walks and nature and history lovers.

Middletown’s Second and Third beaches are perfect for long romantic walks and spellbinding sunsets. Overlooking these beaches is the 325-acre Norman Bird Sanctuary, where the most avid birdwatcher will feel right at home. The town is also home to the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge which houses the largest winter population of harlequin ducks on the East Coast and is known to avid fishermen as a great place for saltwater fishing.

History lovers will adore Middletown's diverse array of colonial and 19th-century buildings and architecture. Its oldest historic site is Prescott Farm, which contains buildings dating back to 1715. It features an operational windmill that was originally built in 1812. The site was occupied by British General Richard Prescott prior to the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778; his original guard house still remains on the property.

Westerly

For those who prefer a town with a lively downtown scene mixed with historic buildings from America’s past, Westerly is the town for you. It's also a vibrant beachfront community with many beaches to choose from. The Old Town Hall, the Westerly Railroad Station, and the Westerly Memorial and Public Library are among the historic downtown buildings in Westerly’s Downtown Historic District. You can also absorb more history from its six other districts, such as the Wilcox Park Historic District or the Watch Hill Historic District. Once you’ve had your fill of history, you can sit down and enjoy fresh, locally sourced food at restaurants like Farmhouse Kitchen + Bar or Cinder Restaurant. Then take a slow sunset stroll on one of its many beaches. Compared to towns like Narragansett, Westerly beaches like Watch Hill Beach and Weekapaug Beach provide a quieter seaside vibe that is more suited for quality family time.

Tiverton

During the American Revolutionary War, Tiverton played a pivotal role, especially during the Battle of Rhode Island and Freetown. But today it’s a peaceful seaside community with breezy beaches perfect for wind- and kite-surfing and historic districts and sites dating back to the 18th century. Fogland Beach and Grinnell's Beach are both located on the Sakonnet River. The former is great for visitors who love wind- and kite-surfers while also providing stunning views of the Sakonnet River and Portsmouth shoreline. For history enthusiasts of colonial and 19th-century America, the Tiverton Four Corners Historic District and Osborn-Bennett Historic District will not disappoint. These historic districts have well-preserved houses and mansions like the Osborn House and the Soule-Seabury Mansion, providing an intimate glimpse into the detailed craftsmanship and architecture of the time.

Bristol

Bristol’s walkable charming harbor area, stunning beaches, and nature views might fool you into thinking it’s just another picturesque Rhode Island town. However, it’s also rich in pilgrim, Native American, shipbuilding, and American Revolutionary War history. If you can’t get enough of the maritime and military history of the United States, Bristol is the town for you. The Bristol Waterfront Historic District, Herreshoff Marine Museum, Mount Hope Farm, and Bristol County Jail are among the many historic sites in Bristol that will take you back to a time that shaped the very fabric of this state and country. You’ll also have your fair share of architectural designs with symmetrical facades, grand staircases, multipaned windows, and steeply pitched roofs.

Bristol is also the home of the Bristol Fourth of July parade, the nation’s oldest Independence Day celebration. The festivities begin on June 14th (Flag Day), kickstarting concerts, soap-box races, and more. The climactic July 4th parade often draws crowds of over 200,000 people, and its elaborate celebrations have earned the town a fitting nickname: America’s most patriotic town.

Little Compton

For most of the year, this close-knit community of around 3,500 people gets to keep to themselves and carry on with their lives, but in the summertime, Little Compton turns into a fun tourist town. Its surf-friendly beaches, trails, gardens, guided tours, and local farms make it come to life in the middle of the year. South Shore Beach has long stretches of sand and waves ideal for surfing. Goosewing Beach is more for nature lovers and birdwatchers as it’s part of a nature reserve.

Because Little Compton is a Rhode Island town, you can’t leave without exploring its historical landmarks and districts. The Wilbor House Museum is one of its main historical attractions, and tours of the Little Compton Commons Historical District are also worth the time if you love 19th-century architecture.

Block Island

This island of the Outer Lands coastal archipelago is your answer if you’re looking for an island getaway in the United States. Its white sand beaches, rolling hills, and cliffs with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean will take your breath away and instantly put you in vacation mode. Block Island is a great vacation spot for snorkeling, fishing, sailing, parasailing, biking, kayaking, and biking.

It’s also home to two historic lighthouses, the Block Island North Light at Sandy Point on the island's northern tip, and the Southeast Lighthouse on the Mohegan Bluffs on the island's southeast corner. The Southeast Lighthouse’s gothic revival architecture makes it one of the most unique 19th-century lighthouses in the United States, and you can take a deep dive into this architectural marvel through guided tours in the summer or a visit to its on-site museum.

The island also throws a stellar Fourth of July celebration, an annual LGBTQ+ pride celebration called Block Island Pride, and a competitive week-long sailboat race known as the Block Island Race Week. This island is perfect for fun-seekers and outdoorsy individuals and is easily accessible by various ferry routes and planes.

Conclusion

Rhode Island is filled with a tremendous amount of variety considering its relatively small size compared with other states in the US. From beautiful beaches and historic architecture to nature explorations and activities out on the waterways, any of these eight towns in Rhode Island that were ranked among US favorites in 2024 will keep you coming back for more.