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If you’re staying in eastern Connecticut (around Mystic, perhaps), you’re wonderfully close to the Rhode Island coast, and it makes for a brilliant day trip.
Going to Rhode Island wasn’t on my itinerary for my New England road trip but we were so close that it felt silly not to pop over the border, and I’m so glad we did.
This easy day trip takes you along the gorgeous South County coastline, from a lovely roadside cafe to giant hidden trolls, beautiful beaches and one of the prettiest villages in the state.
Here’s exactly how to spend a perfect day in Rhode Island from Connecticut.
Please note that it would also work perfectly from Providence but you need to do it the other way round.
🚗 Good to know: You’ll need a car for this one. If you got to Connecticut by train, you’ll need to hire a car at this point. I personally recommend Discover Cars as they always find amazing deals and their customer service is very good.
☕ Stop 1: Breakfast at Dave’s Coffee
Start your day the right way with breakfast at Dave’s Coffee, a lovely spot right on the side of US Route 1 near Charlestown.
I found this one on Instagram and it was definitely one of our favorite coffee spots.
It’s wonderfully rustic and relaxed, with a big outdoor area full of tables (and even a cornhole game).
You can grab a coffee (my iced latte was excellent) and a baked treat, and enjoy the serene, peaceful setting.
This was quite unexpected for a roadside cafe as it tends to be a lot louder but this is truly one of the highlights of the day.
🧌 Stop 2: Ninigret Park and the Trolls
Just a few minutes down the road, head to Ninigret Park in Charlestown to hunt down the famous giant trolls.
These enormous, whimsical sculptures are hidden in the park, and you follow painted troll footprints along the path to find them. The first, Eric Rock, is far bigger than you’d expect! Keep going around the lake and you’ll find a second one too.
It’s a fun, peaceful walk.
The park even hosts stargazing nights in summer so that’s something to bear in mind if you’re interested.
🌊 Stop 3: Charlestown
Next, explore a bit more of laid-back Charlestown. The town is quite spread out, but it’s well worth driving down to the beautiful Charlestown Beach.
My favorite part was cruising along Charlestown Beach Road, lined with lovely houses on stilts.
Honestly, it felt like the epitome of a summer holiday, peaceful, pretty and utterly relaxing. It’s a gorgeous stretch of coast.
You can go all the way down to east beach which is absolutely beautiful. It’s a great place to relax and go for a swim.
🏄 Stop 4: Narragansett
Continue along the coast to Narragansett, one of Rhode Island’s best-loved seaside towns, famous for its beaches and surf.
Once you’re parked, walk towards Veterans Memorial Square and to The Towers.
This striking stone landmark looks like something out of a European castle.
From there, you can stroll the promenade down to the beach, where you’ll likely spot surfers riding the waves, and make your way down to the beach.
It’s a lovely spot for a walk, a swim or a bite to eat.
⚓ Stop 5: Wickford Village
Finish your day in Wickford Village, often called one of the prettiest villages in Rhode Island, and the perfect charming finale.
This was one of my favorite places in Rhode Island. It’s so quaint and peaceful. It’s a more relaxed version of Essex village in Connecticut in a way.
You can wander the historic main street, full of little shops (I loved the pottery and the cute pearl shop), cafes and restaurants.
There is a self-guided Wickford Walk (you’ll find the sign on Main Street) to learn about the village’s history as you go, and enjoy the peaceful waterfront, where people kayak and potter about on boats.
It’s small, serene and absolutely lovely.
🗺️ Map of this Rhode Island Day Trip
💡 A few practical tips
- You’ll need a car, and the route follows the scenic US Route 1 along the coast.
- Everything is close together, so it’s an easy, relaxed day with no rushing.
- Summer is best for the beaches, but the coast is lovely year-round.
- Bring swimwear if it’s warm, the beaches here are gorgeous.
❓ Is Rhode Island worth a day trip from Connecticut?
Absolutely!
Rhode Island’s coast is beautiful, laid-back and easy to reach, and this route packs a lovely cafe, quirky trolls, gorgeous beaches and a charming historic village all into one relaxed day.
If you’re staying nearby in Connecticut, it’s well worth crossing the border.
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