Narragansett is one of South County’s most popular vacation destinations because of its scenic location on Narragansett Bay, the abundance of beaches, and its proximity to South Kingstown, Jamestown, Newport, and Providence. In short, Narragansett is easily accessible from most of Rhode Island and provides all the activities you could ever want while on holiday.
The southern part of Narragansett is a little more remote, as it’s a fair distance from Route 1 and the bustle of Narragansett Pier and Wakefield-Peacedale.
This area, which nestles comfortably between Point Judith Pond and the mouth of Narragansett Bay, includes the village of Galilee, a tiny community with plenty of activity.
If you can find a vacation rental in the Point Judith area, making the quick drive to Galilee is a must-do on your South County vacation. Here are some reasons why:
Roger W. Wheeler State Beach
Galilee is a mostly quiet community, but Roger W. Wheeler State Beach is the lone exception. This beach is one of South County’s most popular and sits on Sandy Hill Cove Road, just before you reach Galilee village.
The beach has a massive parking lot, which costs non-residents $12 per day on weekdays, $14 per day on weekends and holidays, or $60 for the entire season. There’s also an on-site concession called Salty’s Burgers & Seafood, a playground, picnic tables, washrooms, a pavilion, and plenty of space to explore.
Despite the beach’s large parking area, it tends to fill up on weekends in the summer, so you’ll want to get there early if you’re driving. Alternatively, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s Flex Service Route 203 provides transportation to Roger W. Wheeler State Beach and the rest of Galilee from Narragansett and South Kingstown.
Salty Brine State Beach
For a quieter time in the heart of Galilee, you might visit Salty Brine State Beach. While this facility is far smaller than Roger W. Wheeler State Beach, as it’s only 100 yards long, it provides the same views of Block Island Sound. It’s also at the mouth of Point Judith Pond, so you can watch the fishing boats and ferries roll in throughout the day.
There’s a small parking lot at Salty Brine, in addition to picnic tables, a pavilion, washrooms, and lifeguards. Parking rates are the same as at Roger W. Wheeler State Beach, and the same bus service also stops nearby.
If you get hungry, George’s of Galilee and a second Salty’s Burgers & Seafood restaurant are located right on the sand and have patios you can use while you eat.
Restaurants in Galilee
Salty’s and George’s aren’t the only restaurants in Galilee, as the entire community is lined with seafood establishments. Many of these eateries get their ingredients straight from fishing boats that pull up to their docks, ensuring your meal is as fresh as possible.
Champlin’s Seafood is perhaps the community’s most popular seafood spot, having received an award for the state’s best fish through Rhode Island Monthly magazine’s reader’s poll. The restaurant has been around for about 70 years and features an outdoor deck, raw bar, and market where you can buy freshly-caught seafood to enjoy later at your vacation rental. Handrigan Seafood and the Ferry Wharf Fish Market are other great places to grab some fish to cook later.
Buster Krab’s Grill & Beach Bar is a trendy spot to grab some lunch or dinner in the summer. In addition to its fresh seafood, this restaurant has a great cocktail list, a kids’ menu, and live entertainment. If you’re going to make a night of your time in Galilee, Buster Krab’s is worth a visit.
Finally, Jimmy’s Port Side Restaurant is a seafood spot with indoor and outdoor dining areas. The outdoor eating area has several rides for the kids, making this the perfect eatery for families.
When seeking a fresh seafood meal in Narragansett, Galilee has more selection than any other village in town.
Block Island Ferry
Many South County visitors will head to Galilee to observe the fishing boats pulling in and out of Galilee Salt Pond Harbor. There are plenty of spaces to sit and watch throughout the harbor, and there’s no shortage of boats either.
If you want to get out on the water, you can catch a Block Island Ferry sailing. Galilee’s Point Judith terminal features traditional and Hi-Speed ferries to New Shoreham’s Old Harbor.
The traditional ferry takes 55 minutes each way and has some space for automobiles for those looking to explore the island. The Hi-Speed ferry reaches Block Island in 30 minutes but can’t carry vehicles.
You can purchase tickets for the Block Island Ferry at the terminal, but it’s recommended that you buy online in advance to ensure there’s room at your desired departure time.
Vacationing in Narragansett
Galilee only has a handful of residences, so booking a vacation rental in the village is next to impossible. However, there are vacation rentals in Point Judith village and the area around Scarborough State Beach that put you within minutes of this hidden gem on the south end of Narragansett.
Places like Galilee are what South County is all about, so you won’t want to miss exploring this small fishing village while vacationing nearby.