Submitted by lj23xo t3_117mlex in RhodeIsland
My boyfriend and I are looking to book a trip for a week or so in July. We aren’t sure where exactly, we just know we want to see the best beaches New England has to offer! We are both in our twenties and love to socialise. I love the idea of having a bbq and beers on the beach for sunset, carrying on late in to the night! Somewhere with plenty of bars and restaurants would also be nice! Any advice on where is best to stay? 😊
You'd advise against Newport in high summer, but not Misquamicut/Westerly? That area is gonna be just as crowded, might as well get the full experience and go to Newport.
Downtown, Mansions, beaches, Fort Adams, cliff walk, Ocean Drive, Brenton Point, etc... So much to do.
OP, here's a RI protip from someone who previously lived in Providence and now lives on the East Bay: Stay in PVD for the city experience and take the ferry to Newport. It's a beautiful ferry ride and is a great way to experience Newport without having to worry about parking. You can bring bikes too, which will open up a lot of activities once you get there.
Edit: PVD in the Summer is awesome bc all the college kids have gone home and everyone is vacationing or on the Cape. Super chill summer vibes.
I’ve lived here for years and somehow never knew there was a ferry to Newport. Now I have something to add to my summer list!
Stops in Bristol too, which is cool. Awesome service that more people should be taking advantage of for sure. And it's relatively cheap, less than $30 round trip, IIRC.
I prefer Westerly as it's slightly less touristy-trappy than Newport hence my rec. :) I also love the vastness of Misquamicut compared to Easton's Beach or 3rd beach. To each his own, however.
Ocean mist in matunuck has fire pits and it's a cool bar with live music
Got an Airbnb a few years ago around the corner from ocean mist, it was awesome. Quick walk to the beach
Definitely Woonsocket! You’ll love it
I dig your vibe
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So Misquimicut beach is nice scene, a lot of bars on the beach and places to go… if you want to hang on the beach late night with a fire you can go to Narragansett beach after 6 I think and drink, eat swim without the big crowd
The Windjammer in Misquimicut takes the cake for the best lobster roll I've ever had - warm or cold!
Newport is the perfect place for socializing and going to the beach. Lark Hotels are on the expensive side, but can’t be beat location wise or experience wise. The Attwater is within walking distance to a lot of great bars in Newport, and Middle Beach. Plus, you can walk to Thames St, where a lot of the touristy shops are. They also have a parking lot for guests!
Other than that, you can get anywhere in Rhode Island if you’re here for a week with a car, it’s about an hour +/- top to bottom of the state. You can also check out the Rustic Drive-in if you’re in northern RI, for movies. You get 2 movies for $25-ish a car.
Also, be sure to make Block Island a stop for a fun day trip with only about a 50-min ferry ride! Also has beautiful beaches and tons of bars.
I love RI and all but go to Cape Cod. Truro/Wellfleet/Provincetown. It may already be too late to book a place though.
I was gonna say go to Maine lol. Off season Provincetown is my favorite. I’ve never been in the summer.
Maine is great but the water is too cold for many. Not me necessarily, but many.
Off season Ptown is the best time to visit! The rates are lower and it really is beautiful in winter.
You know the thing about a shark…he's got lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll's eye. When he comes at ya, he doesn't seem be living, until he bites ya and the black eyes roll over white.
So true. The best beaches are NOT in RI.
RIer living in Cape here, best beaches in New England are not on Cape or the Islands, they are in Charlestown RI. Fact; not opinion.
Totally agree
Charlestown is the best, please keep that a secret!
I see that, but I think the overall vacation experience is better on the Cape.
As long as you aren't driving a car anywhere...
I've vacationed in Truro/Orleans/ptown the past decade and honestly have barely hit traffic even in the summer. You just have to plan when you arrive. As in don't leave for the cape at 3pm on a Friday ..
Agreed! You're gonna hit some traffic on the bridge but after that it's fine, even in high summer.
I worked in the cape all last year. Summer traffic would start Thursday mid day. Fridays were terrible from 7am on. I’d recommend going on a Wednesday and staying the weekend.
Marconi Beach would like a word.
Yeah, this is objectively not true. RI has some excellent beaches.
Ballard's on Block Island. Classy, upscale atmosphere for sophisticated people.
Their live music events are truly incredible.
Newport RI
That’s if you can find a parking spot
If you got legs good for four blocks, parking is no challenge on the worst of days.
Newport is exactly what you’re looking for
Newport, Narragansett has some great beaches, other places to check out is Tiverton, East Bay (Bristol) for things to see and do. Providence has some cool spots. Stay away from South Providence, Woonsocket, Central Falls
Where are you guys from?
narragansett has a lovely beach but doesn't have the scene OP seems to be looking for. eg, beach bars.
You'll have a tough time finding a rental house. I know because we won one in South Kingstown and people book far in advance. That said, there are still some out there I'm sure. Try VRBO. Matunuck in South Kingstown is where we have ours and it's fun with the Ocean Mist Beach bar within walking distance. You can't have fire on the beaches in a lot of places, but it's not impossible to find. Charlestown is also gorgeous but if you're looking for Bars, try Narragansett or Matunuck. Enjoy!
Based on what you're describing Misquamicut and Newport would fit your bill nicely.
That being said, you're behind the 8 ball if you're looking to get a place for July. I would be not m my decision first and foremost on what you can find that's stilll available to rent.
Newport! Folk Fest weekend if able. Bridge fest in between folk and in newport great week as well. Bike if you can. Pay a bit more to within Briadway to Harrison Ave if you Air BN B or afford hotels. Avoid Middletown cheaper hotels allur unless you drive Don't drink and drive. Newport being at tip of Aquidneck Island affords sunrise and sunset opportunities by the water. Pack a backpack byob on rocks somewhere all day. Hit lower Briadway at night then back to rocks and water at night. Of course if you plan for NFf - to Jazz weekends lots of free music after hrs adventurers to be had. UBer vs Drive
Msg me two weeks b4 you arrive I'll gift you swim spots and live music options.
Block Island is the best to go.
Bristol 4th of July is legendary!
Narragansett has some beautiful spots, point Judith lighthouse is a great spot for a sunset. Bring some chairs and a charcuterie board and you have a nice evening. The sea wall is there too, great walking. Newport is such a busy area, if you like low key don’t go there. RI is also great cause we have everything so close to each other. You could do a day in gansett and drive 40 minutes to providence and have a night in the city, get dinner at res American bistro for dinner and go to pastiche for dessert.
Pastiche for dessert and coffee at least once while you’re here is a must
Newport, RI is the no brainer, spot to visit if you’re settled on RI. If you’re wealthy, visit nantucket, MA.
block island, if you can find a room lol
I’m a huge lover of the Cape. I grew up going down there for a week every summer. West Dennis is amazing, but Provincetown is absolutely fantastic as is Truro. You can go to the National Seashore and literally feel like you’re in Heaven.
Oakland Beach!! The view is amazing the water is so clear i can't think of anything bad about that place. Definitely visit🏊♀️
Oakland beach, where the debris meets the sea
OP posted this on more than one state’s sub, and each one has at least one recommendation that is the absolute worst. You get the prize for RI.
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Don’t do it
Because of the sharks, right?
Please Stay home … we have enough tourists
No :)
skip connecticut - - - No waves at their beaches
Start exploring at Watch Hill where Taylor Swift has a huge beach house
You might not ever leave ---
to see the other thousand miles of beach coastline left
Oh I forgot Block Island
CT is just jealous of RIs beaches
Ok …. Woonsocket is beautiful. Definitely go to Woonsocket
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burgritto_22 t1_j9ctw7o wrote
I'm going to go against the majority of folks and say no to Newport in high summer. Gets very busy/touristy, which I find to be very unpleasant.
Newport-adjacent Jamestown or Middletown are, in my opinion, preferable to Newport. Middletown has the added advantage of being near enough to Newport to enjoy their beaches without being right in the middle of Newport insanity. The other recommendation I'd give is Westerly/Misquamicut Beach.