Misquamicut is an oceanfront community in Westerly that packs a ton of activity into a small area on Atlantic Avenue. If you’re lucky enough to secure a nearby vacation rental, you can spend your days relaxing in the sand or experiencing the other sites that make this special place.
Atlantic Avenue is nestled between Block Island Sound and Winnapaug Pond, providing a stunning backdrop for your South County vacation.
Here’s a look at some of the top attractions you’ll find in Misquamicut, Rhode Island.
Misquamicut State Beach
There are a few beaches along Atlantic Avenue, but by far the most prominent is Misquamicut State Beach. This long stretch of sand is extremely popular with families and gets quite busy in the summer.
Once you reach the beach, you’ll find amenities like concessions, a playground, pavilions, outdoor showers, and a large parking lot. There are lifeguards on duty in the summer, and you’ll even have access to an electric vehicle charging station while you lounge in the sand.
A parking pass at Misquamicut State Beach is $10 per day during the week, $15 on weekends, and $30 for the entire season for Rhode Island residents. Non-resident parking is $20 per weekday, $30 per day on the weekend, and $60 for the season.
If you plan to spend multiple days at the beach during your South County vacation, picking up a seasonal pass is probably worth the investment.
Nearby Dining
You’re sure to work up an appetite while enjoying the beach, and, fortunately, you’ll have plenty of nearby dining options.
Sam’s Beach is a snack shack with ice cream, milkshakes, coffee, breakfast, and lunch sitting right beside the main beach.
Directly across from Sam’s is Two Little Fish, a small seafood shack with lobster rolls, fish and chips, crab cakes, and hamburgers. You can also get beer or wine with your meal.
The Windjammer Surf Bar is the place to be after the beach, as they frequently have live music well into the evening in the summer. You can also order from their pub-style menu or take advantage of the full on-site bar.
For ice cream, you can’t beat The Original Dusty’s Dairy Bar, a small shop with dozens of frozen flavors and a beachfront location.
Those lucky enough to book a vacation rental near Misquamicut State Beach will also have easy access to these bars and restaurants, providing notable late-night activity in the summer.
Atlantic Beach Park
The Windjammer and Dusty’s Dairy Bar are part of Atlantic Beach Park, a venue featuring a carousel and arcade for the kids.
The carousel dates back to 1915, and the arcade features all kinds of classic video games from your childhood. You’ll also find pool tables and bumper cars at Atlantic Beach Park.
Bayview Fun Park
Atlantic Beach Park isn’t the only fun center on Atlantic Avenue, as Bayview Fun Park sits across the street.
This facility is a little larger and has attractions like go-karts, bumper boats, mini-golf, trampolines, and a massive slide. You can book sightseeing tours and fishing charters or rent standup paddleboards and kayaks from this location, too.
Boat Rentals
It’s also possible to rent jet skis, kayaks, hydro bikes, paddle boats, and paddleboards from Purple Ape, which enjoys a location on the western shores of Winnapaug Pond.
You can take the jet skis into the pond or Block Island Sound, depending on your preferences, at a cost of $100 per half hour or $175 per hour.
Keep in mind that Purple Ape doesn’t take reservations and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. If you rent a vacation home nearby and get there early, though, you shouldn’t have any trouble securing a boat.
Enjoying Your South County Vacation
Misquamicut State Beach and its surrounding area provide more than enough fun in the sun while vacationing in the Westerly area.
Those lucky enough to secure a beachfront vacation rental in this area will be about a ten-minute walk from Misquamicut State Beach, ensuring you can take full advantage of this beautiful location without having to worry about parking.
Misquamicut State Beach and the attractions on Atlantic Avenue are just a few more things that make South County, Rhode Island, such a special place to spend your summer vacation.