If you’re in the mood to shop, check out Pier Marketplace. The seaside complex is home to boutiques, Special T Shop (for ‘Gansett wear), Shades & Pier Optical, and Nauti Girl Boat Decor. New to the Pier is Queen of Cups, a tarot-inspired cafe serving tea, coffee, treats, and good vibes. In Mariner Square, The Cigar Box (140 Point Judith Rd.) covers all your stogie smoking needs. Stop at Crosswynds Traders (1175 Boston Neck Rd.), a family-owned clothing retailer, for local gear. Gansett Goods (142 Boon St.) and Studios at 123 Boon St. carry local art and treasures, while SunStruck Gift Boutique (1171 Boston Neck Rd.), which opened last summer, is your go-to for uniquely Rhody trinkets, mostly from women-owned businesses. Show your local love with souvenirs and gifts from Gansett Goods (142 Boon St.) Get pampered with a visit to Maura’s Hair Salon (750 Boston Neck Rd.) for a fresh cut, or a facial at Inspire Med Spa (14 Woodruff Ave., #10).
You definitely won’t go hungry here – this seaside town has tons of delicious dining options. Twin Willows (865 Boston Neck Rd.) has a huge menu boasting seafood and comfort food favorites, as well as an outdoor bar. Gansett Wraps (70 Point Judith Rd.) specializes in fast-casual fare – and has locations in Westerly (160 Granite St.) and Middletown (510 East Main Rd.), too. Gansett Poke, which is moving to Pier Marketplace, first opened as a solar-powered food truck and continues its mission of sustainability and preparing delicious seafood bowls. For on-the-go sipping, Smoothy Booty Cafe (134 Boon St.) whips up fruit, green, and java smoothies in their upbeat juice bar; Fuel Coffee Bar (904 Boston Neck Rd.) is ready with a caffeinated cup as an afternoon pick-me-up; and Cool Beans Cafe (18 Kingstown Rd.) has everything from paninis to acai bowls to go with your caffeinated drink. In Mariner Square (140 Point Judith Rd.), located just steps from each other is Mariner Grille, offering the freshest steak and seafood; Arturo Joe’s, dishing out classic Italian; and Pancho O’Malley’s Mexican fare served in a lively pub setting. Crazy Burger Cafe and Juice Bar (144 Boon St.) is a favorite for breakfasts and burgers with plenty of vegan options.
Aunt Carrie’s (1240 Ocean Rd.) and Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House (1151 Point Judith Rd.) are two venerable can’t-miss seafood restaurants across the street from one another, over which generations of Rhode Islanders have debated their personal preference. Or, grab take out from Monahan’s Clam Shack (190 Ocean Rd.) and sit on the sea wall and enjoy the ocean view. Ice cream isn’t hard to find in this beach town – Nana’s Ice Cream (28A Pier Market Pl.) also serves gelato and candy, and Brickley’s (921 Boston Neck Rd.) is a Rhody staple.
For fine dining, 1230 Ocean Bistro (1230 Ocean Rd.) has waterfront dining and a huge deck, while Chair 5 at The Break Hotel (1208 Ocean Rd.) has poolside gourmet dining and a more casual menu on its roof deck. The Coast Guard House (40 Ocean Rd.), directly next to the Narragansett Towers, has views for days. Their roof deck offers casual fare, while downstairs (including a patio and some cocktail-ready Adirondack chairs) serves upscale options. The rustic yet refined Coastal Cabin Restaurant (945 Boston Neck Rd.) is known for creative takes on seafood and seasonally inspired entrees, and Trio (15 Kingstown Rd.) is a relaxed venue for a breezy night out – with half-price raw bar Mondays through Wednesdays, 4-9pm.
As the hub of Block Island transportation, Galilee sees the most tourist traffic; though the Block Island Ferry (304 Great Island Rd.) also sails from Newport and Fall River, MA, the busiest boats come and go from this port. Get there early to ensure good parking, and spend that extra time strolling around and shopping for souvenirs.
George’s of Galilee (250 Sand Hill Cove Rd.) and Champlin’s Seafood (256 Great Island Rd.) are so close together they share a parking lot. Champlin’s, serving traditional New England clam shack fare since the 1930s, has an attached seafood market and a second-floor restaurant where almost all of the seating is outdoors (including the Channel Lounge where you can watch the boats go by). Founded in 1948, George’s has a walk-up window for beach snacks – they also offer service to your beach chair – full restaurant, and even two tiki bars! Jimmy’s Port Side Restaurant (321 Great Island Rd. #5627), a few steps down the road, serves day-caught seafood in their large dining room and outdoor patio.
There’s a reason you see Point Judith calamari on almost every restaurant’s menu in Rhode Island – it’s simply the best. The state’s freshest, most coveted seafood is brought into this port. Get it right from the source at the fishing docks, where you can pick up lobsters, squid, clams, and whatever other seafood is fresh.
Salty Brine State Beach, named after one of Rhode Island’s most beloved radio and TV icons, is a little patch of shore that’s great for families. Catch some fish from a custom yacht with Seven B’s V (30 State St.), plus whale watch with Frances Fleet (33 State St.), which operates four fishing vessels out of the Port of Galilee.
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