While you’ll likely book a vacation rental near the beach when visiting South County, as there are great spots in Charlestown, Narragansett, Westerly, and South Kingstown, you might want to explore the region a little further, as well.
South County is full of historic venues and communities that are sure to make your time here more memorable, and many towns and villages have charming downtown areas waiting for you to experience them.
One such location is Wickford Village, a small community on the shores of Narragansett Bay that’s part of the larger town of North Kingstown.
Wickford was first settled around 1637 and features one of the northeast’s most extensive collections of 18th-century buildings, many of which house local businesses.
Here’s a look at some ways you can spend a day getting to know Wickford Village.
The Wickford Walk
If you want to experience as much of Wickford Village as possible, you can take a self-guided walking tour through the community.
There are historical markers throughout the village that assist as you explore, and you can print a map or download an audio file to guide you along the way.
The Wickford Walk starts at Updike Park and takes you past historic areas like Main Street, Fowler Street, Pleasant Street, and Hussey Bridge before finishing up at the North Kingstown Library.
Historic Architecture
Much of the historic architecture in Wickford Village sits near the aforementioned Main Street, Pleasant Street, and Fowler Street. You’ll also find old buildings on Brown Street, which is now a commercial zone.
You might want to check out specific houses, including 19 Fowler Street, which is believed to be the oldest home in Rhode Island built for an African-American family, and 19 Pleasant Street, which was built in 1745 for a descendant of the village’s founder.
Keep in mind that despite the age of these homes, they’re still inhabited, so you’ll need to be respectful of their current owners.
Other sites worth visiting include the Old Narragansett Church, the First Baptist Church-Wickford, and St. Paul’s Church.
Shopping in Wickford
The shopping scene in Wickford is surprisingly good, and the historic nature of the buildings adds to the experience.
Brown Street is where most retail shops sit, and you’ll find local staples like Green River Silver Company, Binnsy Boutique, Wickford Village Antiques, Spring Pottery, and Teddy Bearskins.
These shopping venues sit within a small section of Brown Street, making it easy to explore the area on foot after parking your car.
There are more shopping venues on Main Street, too, including Midnight Sun, Serendipity, World Store, and Vanessa Piche.
Parking is free in Wickford Village, so bring the car, park nearby, and spend the afternoon exploring this vibrant community.
Places to Eat
If you get hungry during your Wickford Village adventure, you’ll have numerous dining options available to you.
Alma Juice Bar + Market is a popular option with locals and visitors for a quick breakfast, lunch, coffee, or smoothie. In addition, Sweet Marie’s Tea Cottage is open between noon and 2:00 PM for a historic-feeling afternoon tea.
If you’re in the mood for pizza, you can check out The Place or Mickey’s Pizza, while Shayna’s Place has sandwiches, salads, and baked goods available between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
The crown jewel of the Wickford Village dining scene is probably Wickford on the Water, a seafood restaurant with indoor dining, a lively patio, and a full bar. This eatery also makes one of Rhode Island’s best lobster rolls, which is reason enough to give them a try.
Other Activities
Depending on your mood, you’ll come across plenty of other ways to spend your time as you wander Wickford Village.
Updike Park is a charming green space with a war memorial, benches, and views of Academy Cove that’s the perfect place to relax, while Wickford Town Dock is a great spot to watch boats pulling in and out of the harbor.
And speaking of boats, Wickford Boat Rentals offers full-day and half-day rentals of nearly a dozen different models, including the Catalina Capri 22 Wing Keel sailboat and the versatile Sea Fox Commander 266.
You can also visit Gardner’s Wharf Seafood for fresh items to cook at your vacation rental or wander over to North Kingstown Town Beach for some fun in the sun.
There’s no end to the activities available to you in Wickford Village, so it makes sense to visit during your Rhode Island vacation.
A Vacation in South County
Although the beaches and sun will likely draw you to South County, you’ll find much more to this unique part of the state than meets the eye.
Historic communities like Wickford Village provide a different vacation experience, making them worth your attention when spending time here.