Wickford

With its concentration of unique stores and beautiful scenery, Wickford is a natural gathering place for locals and visitors alike. This historic village (within the town of North Kingstown) is clustered at the confluence of Brown and Main Streets and Wickford Harbor, making for a setting that’s easily walkable in ten minutes, but where you could spend hours strolling, shopping and eating. Prolific author John Updike was so taken with Wickford that he based his novel The Witches of Eastwick on the town.

Good Taste

Dockside Fare
Set on the dock of Wickford Harbor, Beach Rose Café serves up locally sourced breakfast and lunch fare. Take a Smoked Gouda Panini or a Fried Clam Roll and some chowder outside to a picnic table and watch the sailboats float by. 85 Brown St. 401-295-2800, beachrosecafe.com

Gardner’s Wharf Seafood is a fish market with seafood fresh off the town docks – but can ship anywhere in the country. 170 Main St. 401-295-4600, gardnerswharfseafood.com

At Fresh Wave Frozen Yogurt, pick your flavor and get as creative with the toppings as you like. 78 Gate Rd. 401-667-7288, freshwavefroyo.com

Upscale Al Fresco
Tavern By the Sea’s Mediterranean and American cuisine are worth trying at any time of year, but taste that much better on their waterfront deck. Don’t miss the Olympus: shrimp sautéed in a white wine, tomato, garlic and feta sauce. in the summer months, tavern serves both lunch and dinner until late. 16 W. Main St. 401-294-5771, tavernbytheseari.com

Get Some Culture

One of the oldest homes in the state, Smith’s Castle houses 400 years of New England history. Costumed interpreters give tours of the place, along with regular events like their strawberry Festival (June 20) and live cannon demonstrations. 55 Richard Smith Dr. 401-294-3521, smithscastle.org

For over half a century, the Wickford Art Festival (July 11-12) has been bringing artists from all over New England together to display their paintings, ceramics, photography, sculpture and more. Plan to spend at least the afternoon – the huge event is worth savoring. wickfordart.org

Never heard of Gilbert Stuart? Check your wallet. Stuart painted the portrait of George Washington that’s on the $1 bill. The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum (in Saunderstown, another nearby village in North Kingstown) is a time capsule of Rhode Island in 1750. 815 Gilbert Stuart Rd., Saunderstown. 401-294-3001, gilbertstuartmuseum.com

The Quonset Air Museum, in a World War II airplane hangar, has a collection of almost 30 rescued and preserved historic planes. 488 Eccleston Ave., North Kingstown. 401-294-9540, quonsetairmuseum.com

Stroll and Shop

For Yourself
Indulge at Beauty and the Bath, which carries an impressive selection of products for your face and body, including thymes of London body lotions, Wish shaving products and Jack Black’s men’s line. 11 W. Main St. 401-294-3576, beautyandthebath.com

Style is always worth talking about, especially at Gossip, a chic boutique that carries flirty summer dresses, hard-to-find designer jeans and artful, affordable jewelry. 16 Main St. 401-294-7333, shopgossip.com

For Your Home
Blue Hydrangea is the kind of place that defies description, but that you can’t leave empty handed. the shop sells candles, gifts and home décor items that add the perfect finishing touches to a room. 2 Main St. 401-295-2583, 295blue.com

Henry Gauthier carves gorgeous wooden sailboat art, and displays the work of other local artists at Studio 460. 460 Tower Hill Rd. 401-640-9435, studio460gallery.com