North Kingstown is a picturesque coastal town known for its historic waterfront scenery and classic New England charm. Home to a Thomas Dambo giant troll, a vibrant arts community, coastal recreation, historic landmarks, and scenic stretches along Narragansett Bay. North Kingstown was founded in 1674 as part of early Kings Towne, the town grew through colonial trade, shipbuilding, and later military activity centered at Quonset Point, which played a significant role during World War II.
Iver Mudslider, the Ryan Park Troll, was created by Danish recycle‑artist Thomas Dambo as part of the Rhode Island Troll Trail. Unveiled alongside two other new Rhode Island trolls in 2025, Iver Mudslider serves as a playful landmark, encouraging visitors to get outdoors while highlighting creativity and sustainability.
What to Do
Wickford Village, established in 1709, is one of New England’s most beautifully preserved colonial seaside communities and features one of the largest collections of eighteenth‑century Colonial and Federal‑style homes remaining on their original foundations. Wickford Village is celebrated and nationally recognized for its historic streetscapes, waterfront shops, art galleries, restaurants, and year‑round cultural events.
Wickford Village Annual Events
Daffodil Days, a joyful spring tradition, is celebrated each April along Brown and Main Streets. The multi‑day festival features historical walking tours, sidewalk chalk art, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, live music, food trucks, and the popular Daffy Dog Parade. Organized by the Wickford Village Association, the festival welcomes visitors of all ages and has become a cherished marker of spring.
The Wickford Art Festival held each July for 62 years is one of New England’s longest‑running outdoor art festivals that brings together artists and visitors for a weekend of exhibits and community celebration. Recognized as a top New England fine art festival, it features over 200 artists showcasing painting, sculpture, jewelry, and more. It is a premier, free-to-attend summer event.
Each October, Wicked Weeks fills the village with Halloween festivities such as spooky paddles, the Horribles Parade, wine tastings, face painting, trick‑or‑treating, food trucks, and the dramatic Wickford Harbor Fire featuring floating fire pits and live music.
In early December, the Wickford Festival of Lights transforms the village into a winter wonderland drawing visitors from around New England. Complete with thousands of white lights, Santa’s arrival by boat, tree lighting, horse‑drawn hayrides, the Elf Parade, and extended evening shopping the holidays come to life in south County.
Coastal Queen Cruises provides memory-making on‑the‑water experiences. The spacious vessel offers panoramic views, a covered top deck with roll‑down curtains, and a glass‑enclosed lower deck designed for comfortable, all‑weather cruising across Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. Cruise options include scenic bay tours, seal watching cruises, lighthouse and mimosa cruises, evening cocktail cruises, and a variety of themed or seasonal special event cruises. The vessel features an ADA‑accessible main deck, a full bar, restrooms, and comfortable seating. Coastal Queen Cruises is perfect for experiencing South County’s maritime scenery and coastal character for a romantic evening or a lively themed outing.
Narrow Lane Orchard in North Kingstown is a family‑run U‑pick farm that is one of the area’s most popular seasonal attractions. The farm produces more than twenty varieties of apples along with peaches, nectarines, blueberries, blackberries, and kiwi berries, attracting families and fruit enthusiasts throughout late summer and fall. Visitors can enjoy traditional pick‑your‑own experiences from August through October, and a mile‑long nature trail winding through orchard rows and wooded areas, complete with a well‑known Sasquatch statue that provides a favorite photo opportunity.
Wicked Tulips Flower Farm transforms spring in South County into a colorful oasis where you can wander through fields of blooming tulips. Vibrant rows of flowers are planted in waves for an ever-changing experience through the season. Buy tickets and stroll the paths, snap photos, and hand-pick your own bouquets. Visiting Wicked Tulips Flower Farm is a spring tradition worth travelling for.
Compass Rose Beach is a small, scenic shoreline located off Roger Williams Way at Quonset Point. The beach is known for a quiet atmosphere and sweeping views of the Narragansett Bay West Passage. Formerly used as a sea‑plane beach, it is now a popular spot for launching small craft such as Hobie Cats and kayaks. While not a licensed swimming beach, Compass Rose Beach is perfect for wading, walking, fishing, and picnicking. A year-round, dog‑friendly beach with picnic tables, a grassy area and portable restrooms make it an ideal spot to get outdoors all year.
Seabee Museum and Memorial Park is dedicated to the men and women who served in the Battalion. It aims to highlight the deeds, and notoriety of the Quonset Huts, and of the United States Naval Construction Battalions during both times of war and peace.
Where to Eat-North Kingstown’s dining scene offers a wide range of options, from casual cafés and breakfast spots to popular pizza shops and water front dining.
Rome Point Café is a local favorite serving hearty breakfast and lunch dishes such as home fries, French toast, avocado toast, tofu scramble, and their famous blueberry pancakes.
Jitters Café, a longtime staple, offers fresh coffee, baked goods, smoothies, and breakfast sandwiches,
Roy Boys Clam Shack was voted the best clam shack in RI in a readers poll from the Providence Journal in 2025. If you know anything about Rhode Island, and Rhode Islanders, you know that clam shacks are serious business. Visit Roy’s and get your fill of fritters, chowders, fried clams and more. If you want to learn more about Rhode Island clam shacks click here.
Wickford on the Water Right in the heart of Wickford Village, Wickford on the Water offers classic coastal dining with boats drifting by just beyond your table. Watch the harbor sparkle while lingering over lunch or settle in for a picture perfect sunset dinner. The menu celebrates New England flavors where fresh seafood is the star — think lobster, scallops, local fish, and hearty chowders — alongside steaks, pasta dishes, and seasonal specials that make it just as appealing in January as it is in July.
Tavern by the Sea is the kind of place where dinner comes with a side of ocean breeze. With water views and a coastal-inspired interior it's perfect after a beach day or for a date night. A favorite among locals and visitors you're guaranteed a good fresh meal at Tavern by the Sea.
Where to Stay-North Kingstown has a range of lodging options to suit the differing needs of travelers.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott, located in the Quonset Point area, offers suites with kitchens, free internet, continental breakfast, an indoor pool, and convenient access to nearby attractions including the complete Rhode Island Troll Trail.
Blue Beach Motel is a budget‑friendly option with recently updated rooms and proximity to Providence, Newport, Jamestown, URI, Narragansett Beach, and Wickford Village.
Additional nearby options include the Holiday Inn South Kingstown – Newport Area and the Hampton Inn South Kingstown – Newport Area, both offering convenient access to beaches and local attractions.
Little Rhody, being 48 miles north to south makes visiting all five trolls in one day manageable. From East Providence to Charlestown you can see five of Thomas Dambo’s giant trolls in a day, although we highly recommend an overnight in South County so you can see for yourself why “we put the ocean in the ocean state”.
Learn more about Young Boulder in Richmond. Learn more about Erik Rock and Greta Granit in Charlestown.
Fun Facts
North Kingstown is the birthplace of Gilbert Stuart, who painted the portrait of George Washington that appears on the one-dollar bill.
Quonset Hut Origin: The lightweight, prefabricated Qonset hut was designed and manufactured at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in 1941.
Historic Sites: Smith's Castle, built in 1678, is one of the oldest plantation houses in the United States.
Revolutionary History: The town was originally named "Kings Towne" and was incorporated in 1674 before being divided into North and South Kingstown in 1722.
North Kingstown covers a total area of about 58.3 square miles (151.1 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 43.6 square miles (112.9 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 14.8 square miles (38.2 square kilometers), is water. The town is located right next to Narragansett Bay on its eastern side.
Famous People from North Kingstown
Elizabeth Beisel: A talented swimmer who won two Olympic medals.
John Cole (1715–1777): A lawyer who became the 12th Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
Gilbert Stuart (1755–1828): A famous painter. His portrait of George Washington is on the one dollar bill.
Dee Dee Myers (born 1961): She served as the 19th White House Press Secretary.
