South County, Rhode Island, is home to numerous places to check out when vacationing in the area. It’s a diverse region featuring beautiful beaches, scenic vistas, dense forests, secluded ponds, and incredible restaurants, making it a top-notch destination when you take a trip.
Narragansett is one of South County’s favored towns with vacationers because it’s conveniently located at the mouth of Narragansett Bay, only half an hour from TF Green International Airport, and easily accessible from the region’s other towns. It’s also home to the Narragansett Pier village, the playground for the area’s elite in the late 1800s.
Booking a vacation rental in Narragansett Pier allows you to experience everything this community has to offer while having all the at-home amenities you need to be comfortable. Here’s a look at some places you’ll want to visit while exploring the area.
Hit the Beach and Shoreline
If you visit Narragansett Pier during the summer, there’s no doubt you’ll end up at Narragansett Town Beach at some point during your stay. Simply put, this is the best beach in Narragansett. It’s also one of the most popular in all of South County, attracting 10,000 people daily in the high season.
The beach is about a mile long and features surfing and swimming areas, picnic facilities, snack bars, and two pavilions. Lifeguards are on duty, too, and you’ll find something fun to do every time you visit.
Keep in mind that the beach has limited parking for nonresidents, so you’re better off walking or taking public transit, if possible.
Visit The Towers
The most iconic structure in Narragansett Pier is, without a doubt, The Towers, a historic and resilient building constructed in the 1880s. As the story goes, The Towers was originally part of the Narragansett Pier Casino, a popular haunt in the late 1800s. However, the Great Fire of 1900 saw most of the building destroyed, except for its tall granite walls.
A building was eventually reconstructed around these walls, and today The Towers is an event venue that hosts theater performances, concerts, conferences, and private events all year-round.
Check out the building’s calendar of events to see if something is going on at The Towers when you’re on vacation in South County.
Go For a Bike Ride
The western edge of Narragansett Pier is home to Sprague Memorial Field, some tennis courts, and a playground. It also provides access to the South County Bike Path, a 7.8-mile trail passing through Wakefield, Peace Dale, and finally ending at Kingston Station in West Kingston.
It also connects with alternate trails you can take to the University of Rhode Island and the shoreline in Narragansett.
You can rent a bike for anywhere between four hours and an entire week from Stedman’s Bike Shop in Wakefield, and they’ll even deliver it to you if you don’t have a bike rack on your car.
Cycling South County Trail is a must-do while on vacation in the area because it’ll take you through deep tree cover, past ponds and streams, and to parts of Rhode Island that few people get to experience.
Explore the Central Street Historic District
Central Street, and its surrounding area, was perhaps South County’s most desirable location in the late 1800s, and evidence from that era remains thanks to its abundance of old mansions. Visitors love taking walking tours through this neighborhood, including Rockland Street, Caswell Street, and Boon Street, and gazing at the massive turn-of-the-century homes still occupied today.
St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, at the corner of Central and Caswell, is also worth a look, as it’s an impressive stone structure from the early 1870s that completes the neighborhood’s luxury motif.
Grab a Bite to Eat
Narragansett Pier is full of great restaurants, headlined by the iconic Coast Guard House. This seafood spot that opened its doors in 1940 sits in a US Coast Guard building from the late 1800s and features a deck overlooking the ocean. It also has a diverse menu and is a must-visit during your South County vacation.
Other popular Narragansett restaurants include TRIO, PJ’s Pub, and The Bike Stop Cafe, while the Cool Beans Cafe is the place to be in the morning and Nana’s Ice Cream & Gelato is worth a try for dessert.
No matter your preference, you’re sure to find a great meal somewhere in this bustling village.
Make the Most of Your Time in Narragansett Pier
As you can see, despite its small geographical size, Narragansett Pier is loaded with places to visit and explore. Beach lovers can spend their time in the sand, foodies can hit some restaurants, and history buffs can tour the historic district, as there’s something for everyone in this community.
Before your visit, get to know Narragansett Pier to ensure you don’t miss out on any of this village’s top attractions.