Narragansett is one of Rhode Island’s best-known vacation destinations and for a good reason, as the town is full of history, beaches, dining, and entertainment options.
Visitors also appreciate Narragansett’s proximity to Providence, Jamestown, and Newport, making it possible to explore other popular sections of Rhode Island from your vacation rental.
When booking a vacation rental in South County, Narragansett will likely be at the top of your list, and you won’t be disappointed if you can secure a property in this idyllic location overlooking Narragansett Bay and Block Island Sound.
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Neighborhoods and Villages
Narragansett has a few different neighborhoods and villages, with each providing a different vacation experience.
Narragansett Pier acts as Narragansett’s downtown area. You’ll find Narragansett Town Beach in this village, in addition to numerous restaurants, a historic district, and a large section of the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge. You can’t go wrong by selecting a vacation rental in Narragansett Pier.
The south end of Narragansett features three villages: Point Judith. Galilee, and Great Island. These three areas are interconnected and feature three significant beaches, some great dining options, and numerous residential areas. Those looking for a location away from downtown’s bustle but close to the beach might opt for a vacation rental in one of these communities.
Bonnet Shores is a residential neighborhood north of Narragansett Pier overlooking Narragansett Bay. This area offers outstanding views and is close to North Kingstown. There’s a private beach club in the community, too.
Mettatuxet is west of Bonnet Shores along Boston Neck Road. The community is mostly residential but has a few restaurants, and the beaches are easily accessible from this location because of its proximity to the highway.
Other smaller neighborhoods in Narragansett include Salt Pond, South Ferry, and Jerusalem.
Beaches and Outdoor Areas
Narragansett has three famous beaches – Narragansett Town Beach, Scarborough State Beach, and Roger W. Wheeler State Beach – that people flock to every summer. These facilities get busy, but they’re some of the nicest in the entire state and worth the effort.
Narragansett Town Beach enjoys a central location in Narragansett Pier and is the town’s main entertainment hub. The beach is large with numerous facilities, including picnic tables, change rooms, two pavilions, lockers, concessions, and showers. There are also two large parking areas, plenty of restaurants nearby, and the Narragansett Gazebo, which hosts concerts throughout the summer.
Scarborough State Beach is another large facility with two sizable parking lots, indoor washrooms, a boardwalk, and an observation tower. There are lifeguards on duty here, and you can walk down the beach a bit to find a private section of sand. This beach is in the Point Judith area.
Over in the Galilee-Point Judith section of town is Roger W. Wheeler State Beach, another large expanse of sand with a sizable parking lot, playground, picnic area, and shower facilities. There’s a concession there, too, and the calm water provides a relaxing place to spend a few hours.
Salty Brine State Beach sits in the heart of Galilee and is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a quiet day in the sun and access to some of the town’s freshest seafood. That’s because Galilee is a fishing village that’s packed with seafood shacks and markets, all of which are steps from the sand. The beach itself is small but has calm, shallow water and numerous viewpoint for enjoying the scenery. There’s a pavilion, as well.
Kelly Beach isn’t an official beach, but people hang out there from time to time. It’s located beside the private club in Bonnet Shores and is popular with university students.
For some hiking, be sure to check out the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge. This area features trails through the inland woods and meanders over to the shores of Point Judith Pond, where you’ll find outstanding bird-watching opportunities.
Black Point is another excellent place to hike, as its trail sits atop some rocky cliffs overlooking Narragansett Bay. The path starts at the intersection of Ocean Road and Rhode Island Avenue and runs to Scarborough State Beach.
History and Culture
There’s a great deal of history in Narragansett thanks to its strategic location near the Providence River’s mouth. Europeans first settled the region in the 1630s, and there is history left behind from those early days.
One area with a significant amount of living history is the Central Street Historic District in Narragansett Pier. This area is full of old mansions from the 1880s and was the town’s core in those days. Today, many of these old houses remain, and great dining experiences surround them, as well.
The Towers are a historic structure on Ocean Road, just south of Narragansett Town Beach. This building was a casino between the 1880s and 1900, but today The Towers are an event center where you can take in a play or concert during your vacation.
Point Judith Light is a historic lighthouse at the mouth of Narragansett Bay. The water in this area is cold and dangerous, so building a lighthouse became necessary. The lighthouse remains active and is a neat structure to experience while on vacation. You can also wander the park that surrounds it.
Places to Eat and Drink
Narragansett has an incredible dining scene, with each neighborhood having unique venues to grab a bite.
In Narragansett Pier, places like Coast Guard House, Monahan’s Clam Shack, PJ’s Pub, and The Bike Stop Cafe are all worth a visit, and you can make your decision based on what you’re in the mood to eat. Your best bet is wandering around the neighborhood and seeing what you can find.
The waterfront area in Point Judith is home to Spain of Narragansett, Iggy’s Doughboys, and Aunt Carrie’s, while Galilee has George’s, Buster Krab’s, and Jimmy’s Port Side.
Up in the Bonnet Shores-Mettatuxet area, dining options include Twin Willows and Leo’s Pizza.
The restaurants in Narragansett are as endless as they are incredible, so take some time to browse the selection or, better yet, head to Galilee and cook some fresh-off-the-boat seafood from one of the markets at your vacation rental.
Spending Time in Narragansett
You really can’t go wrong with a vacation rental in Narragansett, Rhode Island, because this community has activities in every corner. No matter where you stay, you’re never far from a beach or restaurant, and there are enough secluded spaces to let you escape the crowds, as well.
Vacationing in Rhode Island is full of perks, and once you book a vacation rental in Narragansett, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it your go-to summertime destination sooner.
Vacation Rental Offices
Charlestown 4009 Old Post Road Charlestown, RI 02813 401-552-7856
Watch Hill 124 Bay Street Watch Hill, RI 02891 401-552-7848
S. Kingstown 235 Main Street South Kingstown, RI 02879 401-552-7844
Westerly 241 Post Road Westerly, RI 02891 401-552-7864