Narragansett Bay
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
The defining feature of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay is New England’s largest estuary, where more than 30 islands dot the chilly waters. Colonists met Indigenous tribes here way back in the 1500s, giving the area an interesting human history—in addition to the area’s Gilded Age glamor and scenic views. Today, nearly 12 million annual visitors flock here for sailing, fishing, and kayaking.
Here, life centers around the water—and maybe crabcakes from Iggy’s Doughboys. With dozens of protected inlets and harbors, there’s usually somewhere suitable for canoeing, kayaking, boating, and any other on-the-water adventure you can think up. Of course, no need to bring your own watercraft, as dozens of rental purveyors can be found up and down the bay. When you need to be on solid ground, go hiking on Black Point Trail, tour lighthouses (such as the famed Point Judith), and visit museums, like The Museum of Primitive Art & Culture, in South Kingstown.
You’ll probably hear locals referring to the bay and the eponymous town as ’Gansett.
Westerly, Narragansett, Jamestown, Bristol, Wickford, and New Shoreham are all cute towns worth a stop on your bay adventures.
Should you need, a ferry runs from Jamestown to/from Newport; the Block Island Ferry runs from Point Judith to/from New Shoreham.
For summer visitors, pack sunblock, good walking sandals, and a sunhat.
The nearest airport to Narragansett is Westerly (WST), but many visitors simply drive in from Boston or Providence. There are ferries that run from Newport to Jamestown and back, plus the Block Island Ferry from Point Judith, but other than that, you’ll likely want a car to get around. What’s more, road-tripping around the bay is a quintessential ‘Gansett adventure, so having your own wheels is best.
In the early 1900s, wealthy visitors would arrive in June and leave in August—today’s visitors are also summer visitors, though they don’t tend to stay nearly as long. If you’d like to avoid the crowds, come in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, though be prepared for crispy weather.
On the southeast side of the bay lies Newport, Rhode Island, the famed Gilded Age getaway of America’s turn-of-the-century elite. It’s here you’ll find the fabulous mansions lining the town’s famous Cliff Walk, from The Breakers to Rosecliff, Rough Point, Marble House, and more. The town is great for a long weekend, or it’s just a 30-minute drive from Narragansett.
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