48 Hours in Narragansett, Rhode Island
Judy Koutsky | Forbes Travel
Narragansett is a picturesque seaside New England town in Rhode Island and an ideal getaway for Northeasterners looking for a road trip getaway. Drawing travelers from New York City, Boston, and other driving destinations, Narragansett is known for its clean beaches and walkable downtown with plenty of boutique shops and culinary delights. Active-adventure enthusiasts will find it all here: biking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and sailing. There's plenty to see and do on a fun-filled weekend.
Where to Stay
The views from The Shore House rooms are instagram-worthy.
THE SHORE HOUSE
The Shore House, a boutique hotel, has a prime location in the heart of Narragansett overlooking the water. It's just a short walk to The Towers at Narragansett, the Narragansett beach literally just steps away from the ocean. The Shore House reopened after a complete renovation and name change (it was formerly the Ocean Rose Inn).
The historic property dates back to 1901, when it was built as a private residence. It then became a speakeasy in the 1920s, where the vacationing elite would come for some under-the-radar fun. There were secret passages in the basement, and the bedrooms were turned into small gambling rooms. As years passed, the property morphed into a hotel.
The Oceanside rooms evoke a seaside surf feel with surfboard wall art.
Today, the Shore House consists of three buildings: The Shore House, the main inn that holds nine recently-renovated rooms; The Oceanside, housing 18 unique and newly-renovated rooms that evoke a seaside surf feel with surfboard wall art and retro-chic mini-refrigerators (plus, rooms have either a patio or balcony); and The Shore Cottages, a traditional New England cedar shingle cottage offering four king-sized accommodations, including two ADA compliant rooms.
In total, the property has 31 rooms, giving it a very intimate and cozy feel. The modern, yet nautical design pays homage to the area through the vision of leading interior designer David Ashen, founder of Dash Design.
The goal of the renovation was to invoke laid-back elegance through a well-thought-out reimagination of the retro-beachside hotels found in seaside towns across the country. The property is upscale, yet welcoming, without feeling pretension. It attracts guests from all over New England including couples and groups of friends traveling together.
Common areas have a laid-back welcoming elegance.
The living room area, just off the front desk, has teas, coffees, and water all day as well as a variety of board games for guests. It's an ideal spot to chat or relax with friends; it has antique tables, wicker chairs, and Chesterfield sofas. Continental breakfast is served in this room daily and includes freshly brewed coffee, oatmeal, muffins, fruit, cereal and yogurt.
The downstairs library is worth a visit; it has oak trim wood floors that support shelves stocked with a wide range of books, some with a publishing date as old as the hotel.
The seaside patio and garden area often have live music. It's a good spot to enjoy a bite to eat or a cocktail at happy hour. Amenities at the hotel include complimentary WiFi; Keurig coffee in room; luxurious linens and pillowtop mattresses; Frette Kimono bathrobe and slippers; as well as Malin and Goetz bath products.
Rooms in the main inn combine antique furniture with colorful wallpaper and bed frames.
Guest rooms in The Shore House are equipped with king-sized beds, glass-walled rainfall showers, hardwood floors and marble vanities. Merging a connection between past and present, the rooms feature upholstered, antique furniture among a whimsical backdrop of quirky wallpaper, from beautiful botanicals to illustrations of the sea, as well as colorful walls and bed frames. An example of this is the Orange Room, which pairs eye-catching pops of orange with wicker chairs. Bathrooms are dressed in neutral tones and floored with glistening marble.
Drawing inspiration from Narragansett and the shore, the guest rooms in the Oceanside building exude beachside elegance and a natural simplicity, with light woods, both as floor material, and in unique forms including surfboard wall art that hangs above beds. The hotel maximizes its location as every room in this building has a view of the sea; first-floor rooms have private patios, and second-floor rooms boast standalone balconies.
The Shore House recently opened its on-site restaurant, Sea Craft. Like the Shore House, it's sophisticated, yet casual. Locals were anxiously awaiting the opening, as the stunning water views were a big draw. The restaurant was designed by interior designer Libby Slader. Slader's vision for Sea Craft's design concept is a beachy yet sophisticated design tapping into the best of classic, iconic beach destinations including Palm Beach, the Hamptons, and of course the nearby coastal scene of Narragansett, Newport and other New England waterfront icons. With dark woods, golden accents and pops of color, the design feels fresh and coastal.
Narragansett is famed for its impressive array of seafood restaurants and Sea Craft is sure to become a popular choice on that list. The menu features an expansive raw bar, as well as classic New England seafood dishes but with a unique spin, bringing something new to the Narragansett dining scene. Popular dishes include the lobster roll, locally caught day-boat fish, and creative ceviche and crudo plates. Sea Craft is also a popular spot for drinks, with hand-crafted cocktails and a nice wine and beer selection.
While Sea Craft is currently only open for dinner, it will soon be serving outdoor brunch on the weekends as well as private dining for up to 12. The restaurant is also slated to offer in-house hotel guests a special "Beach Fair" continental breakfast as well as takeout service. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating and fire pits are a nice touch for cooler temps.
What to do in Narragansett
Point Judith lighthouse
The Shore House has complimentary on-site bicycles which are a great way to get around. The four stylish Shore House Cruisers by Priority Bicycles, are lightweight, custom-designed and ready for an adventure. These bikes are available from 6 am to 8 pm on a first-come, first-serve basis. The hotel also offers complimentary helmets and day-use locks. Travelers can bike to Point Judith Lighthouse and Black Point Ruins. Hikers will enjoy rock scrambling along the Black Point trail.
Narrow River Kayaks offers a two-hour roundtrip sunset tour that explores the lower portion of the Pettaquamscutt Watershed, commonly known as the Narrow River. It's the ideal time of day to explore the peaceful John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge at Pettaquamscutt Cove as the sun is setting, the temps are cooler and the shorebirds are active, feeding along the salt marsh. The guide will explain the ecology, geography, and diverse history of the area as you navigate the estuary with your kayak. This tour is especially good for beginners and families and the water is calm.
For something a little unique, book a helicopter charter for two with Heliblock Tours. The Watch Hill Experience is an introductory tour lasting just under ten minutes. The pilot flies over Watch Hill Point, then down the Westerly shoreline, past Misquamicut Beach, Taylor Swift's estate, Weekapaug, and the Ocean House.
Where to eat in the surrounding area
Located near Narragansett are two great restaurants.
George's of Galilee overlooks the Block Island Sound in the picturesque fishing port of Galilee. The restaurant has been a town favorite since it opened its doors in 1948. The menu offers a wide selection of fresh local seafood, a new sushi menu, lobster specials, as well as hand-cut fresh rib-eye steaks.
The Matunuck Oyster Bar is bustling almost every night and for good reason. They use locally- sourced produce along with farm-raised and wild-caught seafood. Of course, people come from all over for their signature raw bar, which features Rhode Island oysters, crisp cherrystones, littleneck clams, and jumbo shrimp. In fact, the Matunuck Oysters are grown in Potter Pond, right off the waterfront patio. Additionally, many of the herbs and vegetables found in their dishes come from the organic vegetable farm on the north end of Potter Pond. There are three levels of seating, with amazing views from each vantage point. Couples, families, groups celebrating special occasions—all are seen at the always-crowded Matunuck Oyster Bar.