Smithfield, RI Road Trips

Smithfield is a small town in Northern Rhode Island that was founded in the 1600s as a farming town. Smithfield was named after John Smith, "The Miller", who was granted land by the founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams. Prior to his arrival, Smithfield was known as Wionkhiege by the Wampanoag Tribe who utilized the land for its vast hunting and fishing land. The town is also known for its historic mill history. It is made up of six historic villages including Georgiaville, Mountaindale, Esmond, Greenville, Hanton City, and Stillwater.

1 Smith Appleby House, 220 Stillwater Rd, ☏ +1 401 231-7363. This historic house was built in 1696, it is a house museum and is home to the Smithfield Historical Society. Elish Smith, grandson of one of Rhode Island’s co-founders, John Smith, built it. Tours are available on scheduled days, otherwise they are done by appointment. When major events are held here, the Smithfield Historic Society dresses up in colonial garb and gives tours to the public. Foliage. Smithfield is a town that thrives in the fall season with the many apple orchards and farms. As with most of New England, the Autumnal leaf changing is considered by many to be extremely beautiful. The wooded back roads of the town are excellent for a slow drive to admire the foliage. Audubon Society, 12 Sanderson Rd, ☏ +1 401-949-5454. The Audubon Society is a collection of small nature preserves around Rhode Island. It was founded in 1897 to slow and stop the killing of native birds. Separate from the National Audubon Society, this collection of protected natural habitats contain a series of hiking paths that are open to the public and free. Historic Mills. Smithfield has many historic mills such as the Georgia Cotton Mill (in Georgiaville near Higgins St.) and the Allenville Mill. The Georgia Cotton Mill was built in 1813, and is one of the earliest stone factories in RI. Some mills are interesting to see for their historical construction/techniques. J.S. Sweet Octagonal Home, 108 Farnum Pike. This house was built in 1865.

Stump Pond. Also known as the Stillwater Reservoir, this is a great local spot for fishing and kayaking. A fishing license must be obtained for about $20. Licenses are sold in Dick's Sporting Goods in the Smithfield Crossings. Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink, 109 Pleasant View Ave, ☏ +1 401 233-1051. The ice rink rents ice time to local youth, high school and adult groups. They also have open skate times for the general public. During the winter months, the ice rink is popular because of the local hockey games that are played on the weekends. Apple picking. (Seasonal) The town has many farms for apple picking in the fall. They each have their own charm, whether it is apple picking, peach picking, pumpkin picking, historic stone walls built by early farmers, hay rides, homemade pies and cider and many more great seasonal treats. Here is a list of orchards to check out. Steere Orchard 150 Austin Ave ☏ +1 401 949-1456, which claims to be the largest apple orchard in Rhode Island. Knight Farm on Rt. 116 ☏ +1 401 949-0234, Jaswell's Farm on Swan Road ☏ +1 401 231-9043, and Appleland Orchard on Smith Avenue ☏ +1 401 949-3690. Some of the orchards have picking and their other activities available by appointment only. Georgiaville Pond. It is a small town beach right on Georgiaville pond, which is open in the summer months for families and friends to go swimming. It is a small beach with town lifeguards to escape on a hot summer day. There is also a boat launch perfect for small fishing boats, canoes, or kayaks.

Smithfield has many chain restaurants and fast food restaurants as well as some unique family run establishments. Most of these restaurants are just off of Putnamn Pike. Most are off of Putnam Pike. A&W. 460 Farnum Pike. ☏ +1 401 949-9892. This is a chain restaurant but the only A&W root beer location in Rhode Island. It is also the only "car-hop" service restaurant in Rhode Island with tray on the window service. It is a fun place to pull up and get some great hot wieners! Every Tuesday during the summer months, local classic car collectors bring their vintage vehicles to showcase them at A&W. There are menu specials every day; and the restaurant opens at 11AM daily. Del's Lemonade. 109 Pleasant View Ave ☏ +1 401-233-9259. Del’s frozen lemonade is a Rhode Island exclusive. A summer time favorite of almost everyone in the state, there are multiple stores and even more carts and cars located all around the state. To truly experience Rhode Island during the late spring and summer, a cup of Del’s is a must. This particular store has a drive through, and a walk up window, and sells soft serve ice cream. Such-a-bagel. 445 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI (Near the Apple Valley Mall). ☏ +1 401 233-0100. This is a small café that makes a variety of fresh bagels everyday. You can go there and sit down and eat some freshly toasted bagels and coffee or take home a dozen to your family along with their own cream cheeses. The Powder Mill Creamery. 777 Putnam Pike, Greenville. ☏ +1 401 949-3040. A hot spot in the summer months for homemade ice cream in original flavors.

Blackie's Bull Dog Tavern, 181 George Washington Hwy, ☏ +1 401 231-4777. M-F 4PM-1AM and Sa Su noon-1AM. This is a family-style tavern and restaurant that serves typical comfort food. This includes pizza, sandwiches, burgers, salads, wraps, and other options are also included on the menu. A drink menu is also available. This consists of a wine selection, cocktail, and beer list. There are high tables, chairs, booths, a bar seating area, and the restaurant also has several televisions throughout the interior of the tavern to create this casual atmosphere. Prices vary for the lunch, dinner, and drink menu.

SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Smithfield, 355 George Washington Hwy, ☏ +1 401 232-2400. The BW is clean and comfortable, the staff members are friendly, and the breakfast choices are excellent. However, some visitors have complained about the smell of some of the rooms. It's close to Providence so if that's where you're coming in from, you won't have to travel too far. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Smithfield - Providence 1010 Douglas Pike. ☏ +1 401 231-6300. Clean, quiet, and cheap. The bathrooms are a bit on the small side, but this hotel has a friendly staff, good breakfast, a fitness center, and it's close to Providence. Hampton Inn, 945 Douglas Pike, ☏ +1 401 232-9200. Hotel on Douglas Pike. Right off of 295, minutes from Lincoln, North Providence, Providence. Bryant is 3 minutes away.

T.F. Green Airport, 2000 Post Road, Warwick. ☏ +1-888-268-7222. Rhode Island's major airport is 19 miles from Smithfield, and about a 20-minute drive on the highway. Amtrak, 100 Gaspee Street, Providence. ☏ +1-800-872-7245. This is also a 15-20 minute drive to Smithfield depending upon traffic which is abundant in Providence, especially, around 5PM and 6-9AM Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), 265 Melrose Street, Providence. ☏ +1 401-781-9400. Routes to and from Smithfield. The cost is $2 per ride. Bus lines include: Line #9 Pascoag-Wallum Lake Line #52 Admiral-Branch Line #58 Mineral Spring - North Providence Line #90 Smithfield Commons Park N' Ride Take 295, then exit 7A or 7B Route 44 is a major highway that runs through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the heart of Smithfield. Route 7 is another major highway that runs through Connecticut and Rhode Island, just outside of Smithfield. It provides access to Bryant University and the outskirts of the town of Smithfield.

The easiest way to travel in Smithfield is by car or taxi. Biking is a reasonable alternative, but walking is not suggested. Car rental services are limited within Smithfield, but near-by city Providence has all of the major car rental corporations including: Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis. Hertz Rent A Car, 380 Jenckes Hill Road, ☏ +1 401 353-8317.