Coventry (Rhode Island)

Coventry is the largest town in Kent County and the state of Rhode Island, with a population of approximately 34,660 as of 2007 and a total area of 62.3 sq mi. Coventry is bordered by Sterling, Connecticut to the west, West Warwick to the east, East and West Greenwich to the south, and Foster, Scituate and Cranston to the north. It was founded in 1741 after the population of settlers was significant enough to separate from Warwick and form a new town. Much of Coventry is of historical note as home to many villages and homesteads from the 1700s, including those of Nathaniel Greene and Thomas Paine. Some of the villages include Greene, Washington, Anthony, and Hopkins Hollow. There are two main commercial areas in Coventry. The first is Route 3, which is also known as Tiogue Avenue or Nooseneck Hill Road. Most of the stores and restaurants can be found on this main road. The second large commercial area is called the Centre of New England, which has many stores, restaurants, and hotels.

By plane
T.F. Green Airport is roughly a 20-minute drive to Coventry. Follow I-95 South and take exit 7.

By bus

 * RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority). Bus transportation from anywhere in Rhode Island. Visit the RIPTA website to see rates and bus schedules.

By car
If you are traveling from the northern part of Rhode Island or from Boston, take I-95 South toward Providence and take Exit 6 to enter the Coventry/West Greenwich area (Route 3), exit 6a to enter onto Hopkins Hill Road in Coventry, and exit 7 to enter the Coventry/West Warwick area (New London Turnpike). If you are traveling from the south take I-95 North from any of these exits.

Get around
There are five major roads in Coventry: Route 3 (Nooseneck Hill Road), Route 102 (Victory Highway), Interstate 95, Route 116 (Knotty Oak Road), and Route 117 (Flat River Road). I-95 skirts the edge of downtown and has exits to most prominent areas in town. Route 3 runs through downtown Coventry and sees considerable traffic, but is still the easiest and quickest way through downtown. Route 102 runs through the Western end of town, from West Greenwich to Foster/Scituate, and intersects both I-95 and Route 3 near West Greenwich. Route 116 runs through the northern end of town, from Coventry to Cumberland. Route 117, one of the state of Rhode Island’s original highways, runs from Coventry to West Warwick, Warwick, and Cranston.

Do

 * Foster Memorial Park, 1/4 mile north on Station Street from intersection of Main Street in Washington village. There are four baseball/softball fields, three soccer fields, a hiking trail, and a volleyball court. Seasonal food concession and restrooms available. It is also accessible through the Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School of Coventry.
 * Rice Field, 7 Knotty Oak Road, (Rte. 116). Offers a lighted football field, baseball/softball field, tennis court and playground. Seasonal food concession and portable restrooms available. Proposed Restrooms, Pavilion, Basketball court and Gazebo.
 * Briar Point Beach and Picnic Area, on Lake Tiogue, the end of Briar Point Avenue off Arnold Road. Offers swimming and picnic facilities with lifeguards on duty from June 19th thru Labor Day. Playground facility and seasonal portable restrooms.
 * Johnson's Pond Flat River Road. Johnson's Pond is a great spot for fishing and watersports. Wakeboarding Magazine rated Johnson's Pond as the best spot for wakeboarding in Rhode Island.
 * Briar Point Beach and Picnic Area, on Lake Tiogue, the end of Briar Point Avenue off Arnold Road. Offers swimming and picnic facilities with lifeguards on duty from June 19th thru Labor Day. Playground facility and seasonal portable restrooms.
 * Johnson's Pond Flat River Road. Johnson's Pond is a great spot for fishing and watersports. Wakeboarding Magazine rated Johnson's Pond as the best spot for wakeboarding in Rhode Island.
 * Johnson's Pond Flat River Road. Johnson's Pond is a great spot for fishing and watersports. Wakeboarding Magazine rated Johnson's Pond as the best spot for wakeboarding in Rhode Island.

Eat
Chain restaurants are well represented including Applebee's, Burger King, Cracker Barrel, Denny's, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's and Subway.



Go next

 * Providence, a half-hour away, is the regional transit hub for trips further away, such as Boston, Massachusetts. Boston is a drive away on I-95 North, or take the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) for $7.75 one way or Amtrak from the Providence Station, at 100 Gaspee Street, Providence..