Charlestown, Rhode Island: The Essential Guide

Charlestown, Rhode Island, doesn’t quite get the same amount of attention as splashy Newport does—but that’s precisely the point. The nights are dark enough for you to see. Milky Way overheadThe beaches here are still unspoiled and the seafood restaurants keep it simple but delicious. The pace of life here is a bit slower.

Charlestown’s picturesque coastline, salt ponds, and wooded pathways are all places where you can experience a sense of unhurried amazement. For many, however, the best time of the year is after Labor Day. Locals call it “locals’ summer”— those golden weeks when the summer crowds have gone home, but the temperature is still pleasantly warm. Anyone craving a beach getaway on the East CoastCharlestown is a great place to unplug.

You should consider the following before you plan a trip to Charlestown in Rhode Island.

What to do

The star of the show here—literally—is the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center. While Charlestown doesn’t have an official International Dark Sky designation, local lighting ordinances and regulations help keep light pollution low, making the night sky here among the clearest on the East Coast. Public stargazing nights Every Friday, powerful telescopic devices bring the Milky Way, planets and galaxies into focus. You can also enjoy a similar experience by simply stepping outside at night and watching the Milky Way swirl and stretch above you.

The focus of the day shifts from the stars to the sand. East Beach Ocean State is a state in the United States. most pristine stretches of shorelineThe road runs nearly three miles. It is surrounded by open dunes and surf. There’s plenty of room to spread out. To the west Blue Shutters Town Beach, overlooking Block Island Sound, has a more traditional setup, with lifeguards, showers, and a seasonal snack bar—a favorite among families. The nearby Charlestown Breachway A small state campground and the tidal lagoon that connects Ninigret Pond Lagoon to the Atlantic attracts boaters, anglers and campers.

The landscape changes in the interior to woodlands and salt ponds. At Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, trails wind through salt marshes, shrublands, and forests teeming with migrating birds—from sandpipers and plovers to herons and owls—as well as the occasional New England cottontail rabbit. Five miles more, Burlingame State Park Watchaug Pond is a great place to fish, paddle or float away the day.

Visit the Fantastic Umbrella Factory. It’s part open-air market and part whimsical farmyard. There are bamboo groves, flowers gardens, small shops, and everything from textiles to jewelry. There are chickens and ducks running around, and perhaps even an emu. There’s also a café on site, so you can grab a sandwich or coffee and take your time. It’s as much about meandering as it is about shopping—and it works just as well on a drizzly afternoon as a sunny one.

Best Restaurants

Start your day at Dave’s CoffeeLocally popular for its baked goods and lattes with homemade syrups like sea salt maple and toasted almond butter. The blueberry matcha lattes are perfect with the large blueberry muffins. It’s just up the street. Quonnie Farms There are baskets full of freshly-picked fruits and vegetables, warm baked goods, as well as grab-and go sandwiches. While you may come for the food, it’s worth staying for the fresh-cut bouquets—and when it’s the right time of year, the chance to pick your own berries.

Charlestown is a sprawling, wooded area. The Nordic This family-run seafood buffet offers a variety of fresh lobsters and oysters as well as king crab legs. It is served in an energetic and communal environment. If you’re looking for something more casual, The Charlestown Rathskeller serves hearty comfort food, including local fried calamari—Rhode Island’s official state appetizer—alongside burgers, wings, and sandwiches in a rustic tavern setting. Visit for more seafood. Monahan’s Clam ShackThis restaurant offers a wide variety of classic dishes such as lobster rolls and chowder. They are served in a relaxed picnic area.

No night in Charlestown would be complete without a visit to Tropic Frost. Soft-serve cones are best enjoyed under the string lights and warm evening air at this roadside stand.

What to Do in the Area

Lodging options in Charlestown are limited—but that’s part of its charm.

The only place to stay in Charlestown is the 18th century-era hotel. General Stanton InnThe inn has been welcoming guests for over three centuries. Its 15 rooms are each decorated with subtle nods to the inn’s colonial past—from small fireplaces to original wood beams—while still having all the modern comforts travelers have come to expect. It also has a restaurant on the property, so it’s a great choice for locals.

Most visitors looking for a variety of accommodation options head to nearby Westerly, Rhode Island or Narragansett. These towns are both about 20 minutes drive from Charlestown. Westerly offers a wide range of accommodations. Shelter Harbor Inn This bed and breakfast has a relaxed and homey atmosphere, and is also home to a local restaurant. The waterfront, retreatlike Weekapaug Inn Quonochontaug Lake is framed by large windows and expansive porches. Watch Hill’s bluffs are perched high above the ground. Ocean House is the region’s grand dame—a restored yellow Victorian hotel known for its private beach, sweeping lawns, and full-service spa. Taylor Swift has her summer house right next door.