Coming up with content for a personal blog can be a challenge, especially as time passes, getting older, and carrying more responsibilities in life and work.
… so when I realized that I had never written a dedicated blog post on Narragansett, I was shocked. Shocked.
I have been writing for over a decade and have focused on the travel guide format for at least six years. How did this happen?!
Anyways.
Narragansett—and Newport—are the reasons why I can never be bothered with the hype of the Hamptons.
Originally from Narragansett, I take great pride in my family belonging to the community for decades. Narragansett Town Beach has been in the background of my entire life—it’s hard to imagine what it would have been without it.
While I cannot claim to have fully grown up in town, I am grateful to have roots here and be able to call Narragansett home.
- About Narragansett
- Where to Stay in Narragansett
- Restaurant Recommendations in Narragansett
- Shopping Recommendations in Narragansett
- Popular Events in Narragansett
About Narragansett
One of the most sought-after towns in the Ocean State, Narragansett is a family-friendly beach town that is also a favorite place to live for college students attending the University of Rhode Island.
Residents and visitors enjoy being outside—aside from hitting the beach in the warmer months, it’s common to see people running or biking on Route 1A very early in the morning, year-round.
The historic downtown area of Narragansett highlights the town’s historic character. The Towers—the stone structure that arches over the main road—is the last remnant of the former casino built in the 1880s that once occupied the pier during the Gilded Age. The Coast Guard House—the former Narragansett Pier Life Saving Station—and the local postal office along the same street are other examples of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.
Narragansett is divided into several villages—Narragansett Pier, Point Judith, and Galilee are home to most of the attractions and restaurants for visitors. The Block Island Ferry is located in Point Judith.
Narragansett is roughly 15 minutes from the University of Rhode Island in Kingston; 30 minutes from Watch Hill; and 45 minutes from Providence and Mystic, CT.
The Block Island Ferry is also located in Narragansett and takes about an hour round-trip on the traditional ferry or 30 minutes on the high-speed ferry.
Where to Stay in Narragansett
The Break Hotel
The 16-room boutique hotel is located by Scarborough Beach in the Point Judith area of Narragansett. The Break Hotel has on-site dining at Chair 5 Rooftop Bar & Bistro, an outdoor heated saltwater pool, an outdoor sauna, and a microspa.
There are two things that I appreciate about this hotel—the clever nautical yet-not-too-literal design and, more importantly, the attentive staff. Family members have stayed at this property several times, and they cannot say enough good things about their experiences.
The Shore House
This building has been many different businesses, but The Shore House has settled nicely as the go-to boutique hotel in Narragansett Pier. The property takes full advantage of its oceanfront views with the on-site restaurant’s welcoming porch and patio that is also open to the public. With 31 rooms spanning across three buildings, guests can enjoy walking to Narragansett Town Beach and exploring the town.
Vacation Rentals
Many people who plan on spending time in Narragansett for the summer splurge on a vacation rental. Given the limited inventory of hotels available in Narragansett, as well as the nature of hosting large gatherings of family or friends, it makes sense to give everyone the freedom to settle in as they wish.
For the best bookings, make sure to start planning at least a year in advance—plenty of groups come back to Narragansett and tend to rebook their favorite rentals.
Restaurant Recommendations in Narragansett
The summer diet in coastal Rhode Island consists of iced coffee, clam cakes and “stuffies,” chowder, lobster, and ice cream.
My favorite places are FUEL Coffee Bar for my iced dirty chai; Iggy’s or Monahan’s for clam cakes, stuffies, and chowder; Coast Guard House for lobster; and Brickley’s or Baron’s for ice cream.
When you’re in the mood to order something more elevated, The Coast Guard House is the top recommendation, followed by Celeste, Plum Point Bistro, or Seacraft at The Shore House.
Shopping Recommendations in Narragansett
Crosswynds Traders
My obligatory stop for fun and affordable fashion every time I come home to visit family. For nearly 30 years, Crosswynds Traders has been a family-owned business that has always balanced bringing in trends while staying true to the classic, coastal New England aesthetic. If you want to instantly look like a local, pick up a “Gansett” sweatshirt and a few graphic tees for the family at Crosswynds Traders.
I always head to the denim wall to find Levi’s jeans priced less than half of the full retail value, then hit the racks to see if I can score a deal on activewear from Athleta or a cashmere sweater from J. Crew.
Warm Winds
There are several surfshop strongholds in Rhode Island, including Warm Winds, that have proudly championed the sport since its founding in 1973. The only place to get gear for surfing and water sports in Narragansett, the shop also offers surfboard rentals and surfing lessons.
NBX Bikes
This is not your average bike shop—NBX has built real enthusiasm for cycling and getting out there to “ride for the fun of it.” Whether you’re a professional cyclist or outfitting a child for their first bike, NBX is the only place to buy a bike in South County. If you’re staying in the area, you can also check out the yoga class schedule above the shop.
Wakefield Books
Did you forget to pack a few books for the beach? Wakefield Books probably has what you’re looking for—this small bookshop has a great range of various genres for adults, pre-teens, and children.
HomeGoods/Marshalls Narragansett
As much as I prefer promoting small businesses, this HomeGoods/Marshalls superstore location in Narragansett has an impressive selection of goods. I have found Theory, Vince, Rag & Bone, 360 Cashmere, a YSL scarf (still unsure how that got there), and several other solid brands at reasonable prices.
Popular Events in Narragansett
To experience Narragansett in its full glory, plan a week-long escape during the summer. There’s something to do every weekend, and all of the events are family-friendly.
Even if you’re not able to plan a trip during June, July, or August, it’s also a treat to stay in Narragansett during the spring or early fall—this would be an amazing opportunity to plan a “Rhode” trip and visit other towns, especially if it’s too cold to spend a day at the beach.
Another great thing about Narragansett is that most businesses remain open beyond the summer months. Unlike beach towns that are further flung out from major cities—think Provincetown—Narragansett has a strong base of full-time residents who support their community and neighbors year-round.
Narragansett Restaurant Week (late March – early April)
Enjoy lunch and dinner specials from participating Narragansett restaurants! This is a great way to explore the local restaurant scene before the summer starts and the seasonal crowd arrives.
Narragansett Art Festival (June)
For over 40 years, the Wakefield Rotary Club has held the Narragansett Art Festival in support of local artists. Visitors can expect to see a range of artwork at the outdoor festival, including illustrations, paintings, photography, and other media.
Fourth of July
There are several fireworks displays in Narragansett and neighboring towns, but the most popular show takes place on Narragansett Town Beach. Spend the whole day with friends and family at the beach, then stay for the fireworks!
Check local publications, the Town of Narragansett’s calendar, or the Narragansett Parks & Rec website for official dates.
Narragansett’s Blessing of the Fleet (late July)
The two-day event—which includes the blessing, road race, and a festival throughout—has been hosted by the Narragansett Lions Club since 1972.
Rhode Island Lifeguard Tournament (August)
An iconic summer event, the Rhode Island Lifeguard Tournament allows beaches across the Ocean State to showcase their top talent. The six-day event pushes all participants to put their life-saving skills to the test in a marathon format.
The tournament serves as a friendly competition amongst surf and rescue teams in Rhode Island, but it’s also a reminder to onlookers that being a lifeguard takes a lot of effort and attention.
Calamari Festival (mid/late September)
The Rhode Island Calamari Festival is held by the iconic Narragansett Towers shortly after Labor Day weekend. What used to be a smaller local event for the Narragansett community has expanded into a popular state event to encourage residents of southern New England to celebrate one of Rhode Island’s favorite dishes. The main attraction is the calamari cook-off!
Rhode Races (late October)
In 2026, the Rhode Races organization will be celebrating 10 years of building a running community in Rhode Island. There are multiple races held throughout the year, but the 10th Annual Ocean State Rhode Races will be held in Narragansett on Sunday, October 26, 2026.
For more information, visit South County’s website to learn more about Narragansett and the surrounding towns in South County
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