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Clapboard captains' houses, a snug harbor full of sailboats and a church older than the nation set the tone in Wickford, the village at the heart of North Kingstown. The town stretches along the western shore of Narragansett Bay in Washington County, and its roots go back to a trading post Richard Smith set up in the 1630s near the site of today's Smith's Castle.
Much of the town's past is still standing. Wickford keeps one of the largest collections of eighteenth-century homes in New England, the Old Narragansett Church dates from 1707, and the painter Gilbert Stuart, famed for his portrait of George Washington, was born in a snuff mill in Saunderstown. In the twentieth century the Navy built bases at Quonset Point and Davisville, where the curved Quonset hut got its name and the Seabees trained.
Visitors browse the village shops, paddle the harbor, watch harbor seals at Rome Point in winter and turn up each July for the Wickford Art Festival. Newport and Jamestown are a short drive across the bay bridges.
The historic heart of North Kingstown, where Main Street and Brown Street are lined with eighteenth and nineteenth century homes, galleries, boutiques and cafes beside a working harbor. Park once and explore on foot, then walk out to the small bridge over the cove for the classic view of moored boats and old houses.
A sheltered harbor off Narragansett Bay filled with sailboats, lobster boats and marinas, edged by the gardens of Wickford's old houses. Kayak and paddleboard rentals operate in summer, and calm water makes it friendly for beginners. Late afternoon light on the harbor is the best time for photos.
One of the oldest Episcopal church buildings in the United States, this plain white wooden church was built in 1707 and moved to its present Wickford site in 1800. Inside are box pews, a wineglass pulpit and an early organ. It opens for summer services and special events, so check the schedule ahead.
A rare seventeenth century plantation house on the shore of Narragansett Bay, rebuilt in 1678 after being burned during King Philip's War. Guided tours explain colonial trade, Narragansett history and the people enslaved on the plantation. It is open seasonally, and the waterfront grounds are lovely for a walk.
A historic coastal farm in Saunderstown owned by Historic New England, with stone walls, an eighteenth century farmhouse and fields still farmed organically. A Saturday farmers market runs in season, and trails lead past the pastures toward bay views. Check the calendar for tours and seasonal events.
The 1750s house and working snuff mill in Saunderstown where Gilbert Stuart, painter of the famous George Washington portrait, was born. Guides show the restored mill wheel, period rooms and reproductions of his work, and the millpond draws herring in spring. Open seasonally; check days before visiting.
At Davisville, where the Navy's construction battalions trained during World War II, this museum tells the Seabee story with tools, uniforms, photos and an original Quonset hut. Outside, a large Seabee statue anchors the memorial park. Volunteers staff it, so confirm the limited opening hours first.
A wooded walk through the John H. Chafee Nature Preserve leads to a rocky point on Narragansett Bay where harbor seals haul out on the rocks from late fall to early spring. The trail is about a mile each way and fairly flat. Bring binoculars, keep your distance from the seals and time your visit near low tide.
Each July, artists from around the country set up booths along the streets and parks of Wickford for one of the longest running outdoor art festivals in New England, with painting, jewelry, photography and crafts. It draws big crowds, so arrive early in the morning and use the shuttle or remote parking.
A small sandy beach near Wickford on the shore of Narragansett Bay, with gentle water, a playground and picnic tables that make it popular with young families. Views stretch across the bay toward Jamestown. Summer parking is limited and may require a resident sticker or a daily fee, so check before you go.
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