8 Best Sights in South County, Rhode Island

Vigorous waves, white sands, and views of Block Island on crystal-clear days account for the popularity of this 144-acre beach. Crabs, mussels, and starfish populate the rock reef that extends to the right of the strand, inspiring visitors to channel their inner marine biologist. A wind turbine provides power for the Daniel L. O'Brien Pavilion, named for a police officer killed in the line of duty while rescuing people stranded in this area during Hurricane Carol in 1954. Currents can be strong, so keep an eye on kids Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

In the 18th century, this Saunderstown farmstead overlooking Narragansett Bay was the summer residence of the Casey family, who leased the land to tenant farmers. Today, this community-supported farm, managed by Historic New England, is operated by resident managers who raise organic vegetables. More than 10 miles of stone walls divide the 300-acre farmstead's fields. Guided tours are offered on Saturdays from mid-May through October. Hiking trails offer access to the wooded back end of the property along the Narrow River.

A weekly farmers' market takes place on Saturday, May–October.

Built in 1750, the authentically restored childhood home of one of America's foremost portrait artists—his image of George Washington graces the $1 bill—is set on 23 woodsy acres in Saunderstown containing a scenic millpond and stream, Colonial herb gardens, nature trails, and a fish ladder. The fully restored gristmill here has the original granite millstones used to grind local whitecap flint corn into cornmeal. Inside the Stuart home is a snuff mill, used to grind tobacco and still turned by water power. Stuart painted more than 1,000 portraits, including those of the first six U.S. presidents. The Welcome Center and Bell Art Gallery exhibits the works of Stuart and his daughter, also a painter, along with works by local and other artists. Guided tours take place at 11 am and 1 pm; self-guided tours are also available.

On the banks of the Queen's River, this circa 1886 mill still grinds cornmeal for johnnycakes the old-fashioned way, with enormous granite millstones quarried in Westerly. You can arrange group tours lasting up to 90 minutes, or wait until the weekend and request an individual tour. Special tour weekends in the summer and fall are combined with kayaking and a clam cake and chowder festival, respectively. Products may be purchased in the mill shop during business hours.

Originally the site of a trading post established by Roger Williams, founder of the Rhode Island colony, the Smith's Castle grounds include a marked mass grave where 40 colonists killed in the Great Swamp battle of 1675 are buried. The land just outside Wickford village was part of a large plantation during the 18th century, spanning more than 3,000 acres worked by tenant farmers and—yes, even in Rhode Island—enslaved people and indentured laborers; later, it became a large dairy farm. Saved from the wrecking ball by preservationists in 1948, the beautifully preserved saltbox home—one of the country's oldest plantation houses—appears much as it did in 1740. Docents in period costume provide interpretive tours of the house several times a day, Friday through Sunday from May to mid-October.

The ⅓-mile-long town beach—with a playground, a boardwalk, a volleyball court, and picnic tables—cannot be seen from the road and doesn't fill as quickly as the nearby state beaches. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

Rhode Island's first and only museum devoted to Native history and culture contains crafts, historical items, and photos related primarily to the Narragansett, Niantic, Wampanoag, and other southeastern New England tribes.

Dating to 1709, Wickford began as a fishing village, later a modestly busy port, and today retains its colonial charms with street after street lined with preserved buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, including a number of sea captain's homes. One of the oldest Episcopal churches in America, the circa 1707 Old Narragansett Church, was originally located about five miles away but moved to Wickford in 1800. Wickford Harbor is a popular haven for pleasure boaters, and the calm waters also attract kayakers and standup paddleboarders. Fresh fish can still be bought off the town dock at the end of Main Street, and a pair of petit bridges over tidal coves help define the pleasantly walkable shopping area on Brown Street. Several walking trails access undeveloped areas on the outskirts of town, and the town beach is a short walk or bike ride south along scenic route 1A. Wickford hosts Daffodil Days in the spring, the Wickford Art Festival in July, Wicked Week Halloween festivities late October, and the Festival of Lights in December.