Charlestown (Rhode Island)

Charlestown is a seacoast town in South County, Rhode Island.

By plane

 * TF Green International Airport located in Warwick (Rhode Island). About half an hour from Charlestown. Parking for TF Green starts at $11.

By car

 * From I-95 N take exit 92 for Route 2 towards Route 49 / North Stonington. Merge onto CT-78 East. Take a left at Route 1 and follow into Charlestown.
 * From I-95 S take Exit 9 (on the left) in Rhode Island onto Route 4. Follow Route 4 into Route 1, and follow for about 17 miles.

Get around
Many attractions in Charlestown are spread out, so travel by car is usually the best option. If you are renting a house in one of the many beach suburbs, then beach access is almost always easier by foot. Bicycle travel is also the method of transport favored by many locals, and offers a great experience to view the flora and fauna. There are no real means of obtaining (renting, buying, etc.) a bicycle in town, so it is recommended that any visitors bring their own for the best method of transport to a beach. Water Travel is also very popular. Renting a canoe, or other form of boat is a good way to see the true beauty of Rhode Island. These are easily rentable at many bait and tackle places listed below.

See
Charlestown’s real main attraction are its beaches, which have all varying levels of surf, but are all amazingly beautiful and are almost certainly some of Rhode Island’s best beaches.



Eat
There is an admittedly limited selection for food within Charlestown due to its size, but there is a wide selection along Route 1 in either direction: Narragansett or Westerly.

Emergency contact numbers
If you are not sure of these numbers, calling 911 will always work in this town and in its surrounding neighborhoods.
 * Emergency Operations Center Phone: +1 401 364-1212
 * Fire Phone: +1 401 364-7711
 * Police 4901 Old Post Rd Phone: +1 401 364-1214

Safety tips

 * Pack water—there are plenty of shops in town, but if you’re going to be vacationing on the beach or in the parks for a day or two, you need to make sure you don’t get dehydrated.
 * Follow the buddy system—as a tourist beach community, you should be pretty safe walking around by yourself at night, but it’s best to keep a phone with you and go with friends just in case.
 * Be careful of ticks-check yourself and family regularly. If you are unfamiliar with ticks, this website can give you some more information.  http://www.tickencounter.org/

Day trips

 * Block Island is a small island about a dozen miles off the mainland. Take a ferry there for the day to see the National Wildlife Refuge, take a tour, swim in the ocean, or just wander through the shops.
 * The University of Rhode Island is 20 minutes away (follow Route 1 east then connect to 108 north). Sporting events, home shows, and concerts occur often at the Ryan Center and elsewhere on campus, so be sure to check out the school’s website to find out how to get tickets.  http://www.uri.edu/.
 * Mystic is a 30-minute ride, Route 1 South to 95 South.  aquarium, historic sightings, and shopping.

Onward

 * Newport is a famous city on another island nearby. To get there, you’ll need to follow Route 138 over the bridge; there is a toll both ways, so bring some change.  The main road is tourist-centered, so find a place to park and just walk your way up the strip.  There are plenty of budget-friendly motels around, but also some hotels and timeshares; get a room and wake up next to the beach.
 * Providence, the state capital, is a fun place to visit for shopping and entertainment. You can drive or take the RIPTA bus.