Jamestown, RI Road Trips

Despite its tiny size - nine miles long and one mile wide - the island is packed with sights to see and things to do. Jamestown’s main commercial area is Narragansett Avenue, where there is an array of restaurants and shops. An attraction in Jamestown is that there are no chain restaurants or stores. There is only one gas station. Jamestown prides itself on its locally owned businesses. The island town also has an interesting historical background. In the early 1300s Native Americans made their home on Conanicut Island and were the lone settlers until the 1600s. English settlers began arrived after making arrangements with the Narragansett tribe to use the land for grazing their sheep. In 1775 during the Revolutionary War, the British Navy arrived in Newport and shortly after invaded Jamestown. They attacked Fort Getty and Fort Wetherill. The island's history as a strategic defense point is still visible in the remains of these fortifications and others dating from the 18th to the 20th century.

The island is rich in open space and a tour around its rural roads reveals farms, salt marshes, and stunning water views. Jamestown is full of hidden treasures such as small beaches and winding trails. Beavertail Lighthouse juts dramatically into Rhode Island Sound from a rocky southern tip of the island. Jamestown is home to three marinas and many residents and visitors are sailors. Narragansett Bay is ideal for sailing, fishing, and kayaking. The village center is Narragansett Ave. which runs from east to west with a marina at each end and is lined with restaurants and stores. When you're not at the beach or on the water enjoying the ocean views, this small island town offers museums, art shows, concerts and sporting events. 1 Beavertail State Park and Lighthouse Museum, ☏ +1 401 423-3270. June-early Sep 10AM-4PM. Beavertail Rd. One of the oldest lighthouses on the east coast, it now houses a small museum and aquarium. Also offers four overlooks, hiking trails and a naturalist program for anyone interested in local ecology. Free. Beavertail Aquarium, Beavertail Rd., ☏ +1 401 423-9941. Mid-April to the end of October 9AM - 5PM. A variety of sea life native to Narragansett Bay is located at the free to the public aquarium in Beavertail State Park. Occasional guided tidal pool explorations are available by request. Watson Farm, 1796 North Road, ☏ +1 401 423-0005. June 1-Oct 15: Tu Th Su 1-5PM. Take a step into the past and get a glimpse of what farm life was like over two hundred years ago.

The island is only 9 miles long by 1 mile wide and the parks, swimming and recreation are located at the tips of the island a bit away from the shopping and dining. Beavertail State Park, ☏ +1 401 423-3270. Beavertail Rd. New England's oldest lighthouse serves as both an active beacon and as a museum. The light also has an indoor, free to the public aquarium that showcases a wide variety of marine life commonly found in Narragansett Bay. The light offers a spectacular 180 degree look over Narragansett Bay including views of Newport, Bonnet Shores, and Point Judith. Jagged cliffs and coves provide excellent fishing and sheltered swimming areas. Paved paths provide beautiful walks and bike rides. Picnicking, kite flying, and hiking. 1 Fort Getty Recreational Area, ☏ +1 401 423-7264. West of Mackerel Cove Beach off or Beavertail Rd. It was used as and observational look out and protection of Narragansett Bay during World Wars I and II, Fort Getty is now a park that offers a fishing area, boat ramp, hiking trails and is an overnight camp ground. 2 Fort Wetherill State Park, 3 Fort Wetherill Rd, ☏ +1 401 423-1771. Situated on 100-foot-high granite cliffs, this former coastal defense battery and training camp is known for its spectacular view of Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. Family and group picnicking, boating, fishing, and hiking. It is 1.5 miles south of the downtown, so you can easily walk, bike or drive. Jamestown Country Club, 245 Conanicus Road, ☏ +1 401 423-9930. 9 holes, par 72, 6096 yards, rating 69.7, slope 110.

Jamestown offers a great variety of restaurants so whether you are in the mood to splurge or just grab a bite to eat, you will be satisfied. Keep in mind, you will not find a Burger King or Chilis on the island. Note that even the most up-scale restaurants accept casual clothing. Ace's Pizza, 5 Clarke St, ☏ +1 401 423-2824. Right next to McQuade's Market. Offers pizza, sandwiches, and pasta for eat in or take out. East Ferry Deli, 47 Conanicus Ave, ☏ +1 401 423-1592. Sandwiches, salads, bakery items, soups and bagels. Patio seatings offers great waterfront views. Scuttlebutt Snack Bar, 252 Narragansett Ave, ☏ +1 401 205-6199. Dutch Harbor. In season offers sandwiches, soups and salads along with a breakfast menus which food that is able to be taken out or eaten at tables beside Narragansett Bay. Village Hearth Bakery, 2 Watson Av, ☏ +1 401 423-9282. Th-Sa 7AM-4PM, Su 7AM-2PM. Artisan breads and pastries fresh daily from hand-milled grains baked in a wood-fired oven. Brick oven pizza served Su eves. Chopmist Charlies, 40 Narragansett Ave, ☏ +1 401 423-1020. 1. Casual atmosphere offering New England Seafood. Slice of Heaven Bakery and Cafe, 32 Narragansett Ave, ☏ +1 401 423-9866. European-style bakery and deli offering gourmet sandwiches and fresh soups. Also serving coffee and smoothies. Full liquor license. Open year round. Bay Voyage Inn, 150 Conanicus Ave, ☏ +1 401 423-2160. Fine dining on the water offering great views of Narragansett Bay and the Newport Bridge. J22 Tap and Table, 22 Narragansett Ave, ☏ +1 401 423-3709.

The Narragansett Cafe, ☏ +1 401 423-2150. Aka "the Narry" or "the Gansett", 25 Narragansett Ave Great bar with live music every weekend. The weekend crowd is a mix of locals of all ages; visitors, sailors and motorcycle clubs. Good basic bar food: burgers, chili, sandwiches. Very casual. Never a cover charge.

You will not find any chain hotels, or large resorts in Jamestown. Instead, the lodging locations are mostly comprised of cozy bed and breakfasts, and small condos. In the summer the hotels and inns tend to reach full capacity rather quickly, so don’t show up on the island intending to score an empty room without a reservation. Bay Voyage, 150 Conanicus Avenue, ☏ +1 401 423-2100. A historical hotel with modern accommodations, and Victorian charm, complete with an award winning dining room. A more romantic choice for those looking for a getaway with a loved one. East Bay B&B, 14 Union Street, ☏ +1 401 423-0330. A beautiful Victorian with four guest rooms, which features homemade breakfast. It's in walking distance from novelty shops and restaurants on the island, and steps away from the ferry to Newport County. Newport Overlook, 150 Bay View Dr, ☏ +1 401 423-1886. A time share condominium property, a more expensive choice for visitors to the island. Fort Getty Campground, Fort Getty (opposite Mackerel Cove town beach), +1 401 423-7211. The campsites overlook the water in all directions. The park has a boat ramp, swimming beach, great fishing and picnic spots. RVer reserve early for the summer so plan ahead.

Jamestown is 20 minutes from Kingston train station and 25 minutes from T.F. Greene airport. T.F. Green Airport (PVD IATA), Warwick, (Exit 13 off Interstate 95), Phone: +1 401-737-4000 ext 283. Jamestown is an island that is accessible through two bridges. The Jamestown Bridge connects to Route 95 via Route 138 and goes to South County. The Newport Pell Bridge connects to Route 24 via Route 138, has a four dollar toll/EZ Pass and goes to Newport and Aquidneck Island. Clark Boat Yard and Marina Works, 110 Racquet Road, ☏ +1 401 423-3625. Full service boat yard since 1934, offers yacht repair and maintenance, seasonal and transient mooring rentals, private launch service, hauling and launching services, vessel storage, diving services and marine salvage. Conanicut Marina, ☏ +1 401 423-7157, fax: +1 401-423-7152. One Ferry Wharf, Dockmaster VHF: 71. Jamestown Boat Yard, 60 Racquet Rd, ☏ +1 401 423-0600, fax: +1 401 423-0060. A full-service boatyard that handles mooring, docking, storage and maintenance of power boats and sail boats. Dutch Harbor Boat Yard, 252 Narragansett Ave, ☏ +1 401 423-0630. VHF: 69. West Passage Marina equipped with wi-fi, showers and full-off season storage, along with The Shack which serves snacks and lunch.

A car is recommended because public transportation is extremely limited once you arrive on the island. However, much of the shopping and dining is located in a small radius close to hotels, so it is possible to take taxis from the business area out to the recreational spots. Jamestown and Newport Ferry, Ferry Wharf, Phone: +1 401 423-9900 The 45-passenger Jamestown-Newport Ferry is a great way to visit Newport without the usual parking problems. It's also an inexpensive way to spend the day exploring the bay with an all-day ticket. You can get on and off in Jamestown Village, Rose Island Lighthouse, historic Fort Adams, the Museum of Yachting, Bowen's Wharf, and Goat Island. It's rarely crowded and there's a bar on board. Check the website for seasonal schedules and ticket prices. Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has buses that travel around the state. Bus fare is $1.75, $.85 for seniors with identification, and free for children under five. It also costs $.50 to switch bus lines.