10 Things to do in Washington County That You Shouldn't Miss

July 31, 2021 Janean Rudisill

Explore 100 miles of beautiful coastline, stroll through historic villages, taste fresh from the boat seafood, hike or bike to places of undisturbed beauty, kayak a winding river or sheltered cove. These are just a few ways to enjoy one of New England’s favorite vacation spots. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking for adventure or you want a peaceful setting where you can simply relax and unwind, South County is the perfect vacation destination.
Restaurants in Washington County

1. Mohegan Bluffs

Mohegan Trail, New Shoreham, Block Island, RI 02807 +1 800-383-2474 http://www.blockislandinfo.com/island-events/mohegan-bluffs
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 718 reviews

Mohegan Bluffs

Two-hundred-foot cliffs with great views of the Atlantic.

Reviewed By stevendO6647JP

Beautiful! We got there at 10am only a few people there but right after that people kept constanlty coming (probably because the ferry arrives around this time which i believe is the first of the day). Honestly, even with more people its pretty big and its not crowded. Tip - keep walking right or even left to walk along shoreline and away from people. It is very rocky (small uneven rocks) so wear good shoes. As a billion other people said, there is alot of stairs but unless you have difficulty with normal stairs, this will be fine for you. Going up is of course more tiring but will only take a few minutes if you go at a slightly brisk pace. There are plenty of taxis from the ferry to take you there. I believe it was 16 or so around there bucks one way for 2 people and only takes like 5-10 minutes to get there. It is got friendly, the taxis are dog friendly and the ferry is dog friendly. **If you have a drone and want to fly it here such as a DJI drone you have to do special authorization before flying. I did not and could not fly it here due to airport nearby. Only place i could fly my drone was the northern part of the island where the other lighthouse is (there is southeast lighthouse by Mohegan bluffs) and they have a nice quiet beach area up this way too. Have fun!!

2. Napatree Point

Fort Road, Westerly, RI 02891 +1 401-348-2500 http://www.rifamiliesinnature.org/2015/08/18/napatree-point-conservation-area/
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 144 reviews

Napatree Point

Watch Hill bird sanctuary.

Reviewed By Davidcarmytraveler - Coventry, United States

We came for Memorial Day and got there about 10:30. Thankfully it wasn’t very crowded. You pass the watch hill yacht club and walk over the dunes and drop down on to this beautiful beach. It goes way out into the water and has beach on both sides. There are great views of the watch hill light house and all the boats. It’s the only place we have been that you can play on the dunes. There isn’t much public parking so go early. 2 hours free on the street and 2 hours free in the shopping parking lot; or spend 20-30 dollars for all day in the paid lot. This is a must visit beach in RI, off season or now during covid is probably the best time to go.

3. Rhode Island Bay Cruises

1347 Roger Williams Way, North Kingstown, RI 02852-7426 +1 401-295-4040 [email protected] http://rhodeislandbaycruises.com
Excellent
83%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 790 reviews

Rhode Island Bay Cruises

Rhode Island Lighthouses & Newport Harbor Tours Take a narrated cruise past 10 Rhode Island Lighthouses in Narragansett Bay along with a complete Newport Harbor Tour. This 30 mile cruise also takes you past 10 beautiful islands, under the breathtaking Jamestown & Newport Bridges, past mansions, historic Fort Adams and many other famous Rhode Island sights. Whether you live in Rhode Island or are here on vacation, Rhode Island Bay Cruises will provide you and your guests with the best way to see Narragansett Bay! There is no other sightseeing cruise like it in New England!

4. Narragansett Beach

Narragansett, RI http://www.narragansettri.gov/323/Narragansett-Town-Beach
Excellent
55%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 538 reviews

Narragansett Beach

Long flat beach, ideal for surfing.

Reviewed By T3482MMsamanthac - Greenwich, United States

So we just got got back from our trip. We spend 2 days on Narragansett town beach. I was worried about parking, you can't park in the beach parking lots this year (residents only) but both days I found free street parking pretty easily. It's a 2 hr slot, but this ends at 4. We got there at 2 on one day and stayed until 5 and another day got there at 3. I think going later may help find parking. It was a short walk to the beach from the parking. On the beach my son decided he wanted to rent a boogie board and there was a tent in the parking lot where you can rent surf or boogie boards so we did that. The next day he got a surf lesson, it was 60 for an hr. He loved it. When I called they said they were full. But when we arrived at the beach they said come back in an hour to see us and he can have a lesson. A short drive down from this beach is Monahan's Clam Shack. Order online and pick up or go and sit outside. Great food.

5. Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry

1347 Roger Williams Way Quonset Point, North Kingstown, RI 02852-7426 +1 401-295-4040 [email protected] http://www.vineyardfastferry.com
Excellent
77%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,371 reviews

Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry

We operate the newest most luxurious fast ferry to Martha's Vineyard. The "Ava Pearl" offers all Business Class seating with interior luggage areas and the most advanced Ride Control System in the world offering the smoothest ride possible. Depart from Quonset Point, Rhode Island and avoid all the Cape Cod traffic - we will save you 3-4 hours in travel time each way! Closest daily ferry to Connecticut, New York & New Jersey. Dockside parking $10/day. Seasonal ferry service operating May through October.

Reviewed By Snowbird607 - New Jersey, United States

Once on board the Julia Leigh fast ferry to Martha's Vineyard, an announcement came on informing us this was the very first sailing of this new boat. We looked at each other with trepidation, as "maiden voyage" immediately brings to mind the Titanic, lol. But, no worries, the ride was smooth as silk, the weather and seas were calm (no icebergs to be seen anywhere) and everything on the boat was shiny and clean. On the way back home, we ran into quite a bit of fog, but we felt very safe and secure. The crew was friendly and helpful, and we were pleased with our decision to use this ferry for our day trip to the island.

6. Block Island Ferry

304 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882-5622 +1 401-783-7996 [email protected] http://www.blockislandferry.com
Excellent
58%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 531 reviews

Block Island Ferry

The Block Island Ferry is your fastest link to Block Island, Rhode Island. Interstate Navigation Company, Inc. operates the Block Island Ferry, and is the only year-round ferry service to Block Island. Based in Point Judith, (Narragansett), Rhode Island, the Block island Ferry offers Traditional ferry service, (55 minute voyage) as well as the fastest ferry trip from the mainland on the High speed ferry service, (30 minute cruise)from Pt. Judith,. RI. Block Island Ferry also offers seasonal service from Fall River, Ma (2 hour cruise) & Newport, RI (1 hour cruise) to Block Island.If your trip to Block Island is for business, a family vacation, or an island weekend getaway, the Block Island Ferry will get you to Block Island quickly and easily. The Block Island Ferry is the only vehicle ferry service to Block Island. We transport passenger vehicles, commercial trucks as well as shipping freight. The Block Island Ferry is your full service ferry company. We have the most departures and convenient ferry schedule from the mainland which allows you greater flexibility when traveling to and from Block Island on our traditional or high speed ferry!

Reviewed By Leesandro - Riverside, United States

Hi! It’s well worth a visit anytime. Stay at the 1669. There is a ferry from Newport, New London and another from Galilee in the summer and the one in Galilee runs all year. Took forever before they had their first case of COVID 19 and it’s basically non-existent there. It’s just under an hour by ferry. Definitely rent a bike or bring your own. From where the ferry lets you off you can pedal round the rolling hills either on the eastern side past the Southeast light or up the western side to the North lighthouse. Lots of great hikes. If you just want to relax and see the major scenic points of interest there are cheap tours by local characters in beat up limos who will also fill you in on the smuggling and houses of ill repute that flourished there during Prohibition. They should know since their families have been there forever if you check out the your tour guides names on some old gravestones in the only cemetery on the Island that overlooks both Old and New Harbor. Have fun!!

7. Watch Hill Lighthouse

Lighthouse Rd., Watch Hill, Westerly, RI http://www.watchhilllighthousekeepers.org/
Excellent
59%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 166 reviews

Watch Hill Lighthouse

Reviewed By davidlW4375FM - Middletown, United States

Great place to enjoy the ocean and views. From the light house grounds on a clear day you can see Napatree Point , RI, Misquamicut Beach, RI, Stonington, CT, Fishers Island, NY, the north and south forks of Long Island, NY, Block Island, RI, and Tyler Swift's 22 room house. Quite a vista.

8. East Beach

US Route 1, Charlestown, RI +1 401-322-0450
Excellent
62%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 84 reviews

East Beach

Reviewed By rockfender - Somerville, United States

We arrived at just before 3pm on a cloudy Saturday in July and was able to park fine. $14 for out of state visitors, paid cash. There was a sign farther up the road saying the lot was full, but we took a chance figuring that other people had left and, sure enough, there were spaces available. I think the beach is above average for the area. The beach was wide, clean, and long, with enough room to have plenty of space between groups. The water was refreshing and pretty choppy, which is the way I like it; more fun than the calm CT beaches farther west on the Sound. There is no housing or commercial development so only dunes were behind us, making for a very relaxing atmosphere. No amenities beyond some composting toilets and port-a-potties in the parking lot. We'd definitely come back!

9. Abrams Animal Farm

1 Spring Street New Shoreham, Block Island, RI 02807 +1 401-466-2421
Excellent
60%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Abrams Animal Farm

Reviewed By LisaHarlow

Four of us spent a great time visiting the Abrams Animal Farm on Spring Street in Block Island. There were a variety of animals (black pig, small pony, donkey-zebra, large turtle, emu, etc.) in a natural setting. We enjoyed it immensely.

10. Misquamicut State Beach

257 Atlantic Ave, Misquamicut, Westerly, RI 02891-4300 +1 401-596-9097 http://misquamicutbeach.com
Excellent
48%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 541 reviews

Misquamicut State Beach

Rhode Island's largest and most popular beach will be handicap accessible.

Reviewed By traveladdict045 - Omaha, United States

I had no idea Rhode Island beaches were so beautiful. A hidden gem when so many might crowd Nantucket and Cape Cod, this place is special. The beach is well cared for and frequented by locals. Covid definitely left it’s mark on things but also likely we were a bit late in season. Nonetheless there are good options for places to stay. I found this a great area for short day trips too - Block Island, Boston, Newport etc.

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