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, now selling Narragansett Candle Co. products. Queen of Cups is 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 retailer, for jeans and local gear. Gansett Goods (142 Boon St.) and 123 Boon Studios (123 Boon St.) carry local art and treasures, while SunStruck Gift Boutique (1171 Boston Neck Rd.) 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 Medical 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 first opened as a solar-powered food truck and continues its mission of sustainability and preparing delicious seafood bowls in Pier Marketplace. For on-the-go sipping, visit Fuel Coffee Bar (904 Boston Neck Rd.) and Cool Beans Cafe (18 Kingstown Rd.) to get your snack and caffeine fix.
Take a global journey right in South County starting with coastal European fare celebrating the bounty of the Atlantic at newly opened Celeste (15 Kingstown Rd.). The Surf Shack (83 Narragansett Ave.) is a B&B with a restaurant serving French Polynesian-inspired food. Indulge in Mediterranean bites and sips from Spain (1144 Ocean Road), and on the sweet side, Galleria Dolce (140 Point Judith Rd., #13) is a Neapolitan cafe dishing charm and fresh pastries.
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 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.
Housed at Canonchet Farm, the South County Museum (115 Strathmore St.) is a seasonal attraction that features a living history farm, maritime gallery, print shop, one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and more. For more old-fashioned fun, visit Sunset Farm (505 Point Judith Rd.), the oldest working family farm in the area known for its pies and all-natural veggies and beef (watch for the Sunset food truck popping around town).
The area around Narragansett Town Beach (39 Boston Neck Rd.) is bustling this time of year. Come prepared with cash – it’s one of Rhode Island’s only beaches that charges admission per head, rather than for parking. Watch for beach concerts on most Monday evenings, movies on the big screen select Wednesday nights, and nearby, the Gazebo Summer Concert Series hosts live music (find schedules at NarragansettRI.gov). Within view, the Narragansett Towers (35 Ocean Rd.) might be South County’s most Instagrammed landmark; inside find tourist info. One of the town’s signature events, the Blessing of the Fleet Celebration takes place July 26-28 in Memorial Square next to the Towers.
Chart a course for aquatic adventure with a visit to Warm Winds (26 Kingstown Rd.), a surf shop that also has surf and stand-up paddleboard rentals and lessons, and Narragansett Surf and Skate (74 Narragansett Ave.), which stocks equipment for both warm-weather recreations, plus surf classes and camps for adults and kids are available through Peter Pan Surfing and SUP Academy. Unwind with Natural Fitness Yoga (76 Narragansett Ave.), which leads early morning beach classes on Town Beach, or join the fun, friendly cycling community for a spin at So Co Cycle Studio (140 Point Judith Rd., Unit A-14), and pick up a racket for a lively game with Ocean State Pickleball (360 S Pier Rd.). You must take the kiddos to Adventureland (112 Point Judith Rd.) for a day of bumper boats, mini golf, go-karts, and more.
This corner of Narragansett is best known as the fishing port of Point Judith – home of Rhode Island’s famous calamari – but the village of Galilee has a lot more to offer in fun and food.
Galilee serves as the transportation hub for Block Island, though the Block Island Ferry (304 Great Island Rd.) also sails from Newport; the busiest boats come and go from this port. Arrive early to ensure good parking, and spend that extra time strolling, souvenir shopping, and grabbing a latte at BRU Coffee Bar (296 Great Island Rd).
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, beach chair service, 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.), and whale watch with Frances Fleet (33 State St.), which operates four fishing vessels out of the Port of Galilee.
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