Some Rhode Island Beaches not named Bailey's.
If you've been by Bailey's Beach in Newport you know the beach itself isn't that great. Grey sand. It's Narragansett Bay so the waves are tiny. OK for a little kid, but not the real ocean beach experience. Yes can do better.
Head down to the south shore. The real ocean. Check out a place called Blue Shutters Beach, the town beach of Charlestown, RI. Anyone can go there (not true of a lot of New England town beaches). Best to get there early. Way early on a weekend. The parking lot is adequate but not huge. It has facilities and a snack bar. Because the parking is limited the beach is never crowded. Great waves and on a nice day a view all the way to Block Island that the wealthy in Newport can only envy.
Another nearby spot is East Beach. Just keep driving around the bend from Blue Shutters and go for a little bit. It's a state beach. Go early because it's a very small parking lot. The facilities are just portable toilets. But the beach! A very long stretch of sand. Maybe a mile. And because of the limited parking it's always deserted. Same waves and great view as Blue Shutters.
Still insist on hanging with the wealthy? I have an answer. Look for the town of Watch Hill. This time go incredibly early. Drive through the main drag until you get to the old carousel. Take the left up the hill. Your looking for a little parking lot on the left. It's tiny, that's why have to get there way early. Pay the fee, park and grab your stuff. Make the little hike the rest of the way up the hill and you'll come to the marked right of way to the beach. It's the very same beach that's used by the owners of the enormous mansions on the hill. If you feel like it, stick your beach umbrella right next to the ones belonging to the Ocean House Hotel on top of the cliff. Your umbrella is free. Theirs is costing north of a $1000 a night. The only down side is no facilities. I've got an answer! Pack up your gear in the early afternoon, head to the car and drive down to the main drag. During the week, and always go during the week, you should be able to find a parking spot.
You're looking for a place called the Olympia Tea Room. Been there forever. Wood booths. Order the lemonade. It comes in a big glass and is fresh squeezed right in front of you. For desert order an Avondale Swan, an ice cream concoction in the shape of a swan, swimming in a sea of chocolate.
And while you're there check out your fellow diners. That enormous white mansion you saw at the top of the cliff? It belongs to a young lady named Taylor Swift. The Tearoom is a favorite hangout. And Conan O'Brien bought his parents' place. He might be in town too
Enjoy!
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