Wickford Harbor, RI is the place to go, where you can strike off on your own from the shore or take a tour with The Kayak Centre in Wickford (www.kayakcentre.com). Out in Narragansett Bay you’ll see plenty of docked luxury yachts, fisherman at work and the centuries-old architecture that makes up Wickford Village. There are also oyster beds that lead out to islands like Rabbit and Cornelius. Stop for a picnic lunch, some swimming or a shell-finding mission with the kids. Guided tours are just $40 per person (3 hours) and leave from The Kayak Centre twice daily in July and August.
If you choose to paddle on July 12-13, you can also check out the Wickford Art Festival. On July 19, the village offers its annual Garden Tour. And don’t miss Smith’s Castle (www.smithscastle.org) on Richard Smith Drive in Wickford, which dates back to the 17th century. The castle is surrounded by gardens, including a dye garden and an 18th century garden. Docents in period clothing offer tours Thursday through Sunday for $5.
The quaint village, where “Normal Adolescent Behavior” was filmed in 2006, offers plenty of shopping options. Find antiques at Wickford Antique and Estate Liquidators. Gift spots include Blue Hydrangea, Mystic Scrimshanders and Peafunk Designs. Find culinary and tea herbs at The Herb Wyfe and get treats for the family pet at Shaggy Chic.
Walking around town you’ll see homes and buildings that still stand from the 1700s and 1800s when Wickford was a key port for shipping produce from southern plantations to the Newport markets.
You’ll need a place to stay, so check out Crosswinds Bed & Breakfast in Kingstown (401-294-3031), a Federal-style farmhouse near a 230-acre wildlife preserve, Haddie Pierce House in Wickford (401-294-7674), which is on the National Historic Register, or the Wickford Junction Inn (401-295-2242), also in Kingstown, which offers a family suite.
For drinks and dining near the water, try Tavern By The Sea in North Kingstown. Gregg’s Restaurant and Pub offers homemade pastries.
— Karen Beaudoin