Jamestown (Rhode Island)



Jamestown is village on Conanicut Island, a small parcel of land that connects mainland Rhode Island to Aquidneck Island in Narragansett Bay. Jamestown is 25 miles (40 km) south of Providence and offers plenty of shopping, dining and recreation. Accessible by bridge, via car or bus, this small coastal gem is a great place to visit any time of the year.

Understand
Despite its tiny size - nine miles long and one mile wide - the island is packed with sights to see and things to do. Jamestown’s main commercial area is Narragansett Avenue, where there is an array of restaurants and shops. An attraction in Jamestown is that there are no chain restaurants or stores. There is only one gas station. Jamestown prides itself on its locally owned businesses.

The island town also has an interesting historical background. In the early 1300s Native American's made their home on Conanicut Island and were the lone settlers until the 1600s. English settlers began arrived after making arrangements with the Narragansett tribe to use the land for grazing their sheep. In 1775 during the Revolutionary War, the British Navy arrived in Newport and shortly after invaded Jamestown. They attacked Fort Getty and Fort Wetherill. The island's history as a strategic defense point is still visible in the remains of these fortifications and others dating from the 18th to the 20th century.

Get in
Jamestown is 20 minutes from Kingston train station and 25 minutes from T.F. Greene airport.

By plane

 * T.F. Green Airport , Warwick, (Exit 13 off Interstate 95), Phone: +1 401-737-4000 ext 283.

By car
Jamestown is an island that is accessible through two bridges.
 * The Jamestown Bridge connects to Route 95 via Route 138 and goes to South County.
 * The Newport Pell Bridge connects to Route 24 via Route 138, has a four dollar toll/EZ Pass and goes to Newport and Aquidneck Island.

Get around
A car is recommended because public transportation is extremely limited once you arrive on the island. However, much of the shopping and dining is located in a small radius close to hotels, so it is possible to take taxis from the business area out to the recreational spots.


 * Jamestown and Newport Ferry, Ferry Wharf, Phone: +1 401 423-9900 The 45-passenger Jamestown-Newport Ferry is a great way to visit Newport without the usual parking problems. It's also an inexpensive way to spend the day exploring the bay with an all-day ticket. You can get on and off in Jamestown Village, Rose Island Lighthouse, historic Fort Adams, the Museum of Yachting, Bowen's Wharf, and Goat Island.  It's rarely crowded and there's a bar on board. Check the website for seasonal schedules and ticket prices.
 * Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has buses that travel around the state. Bus fare is $1.75, $.85 for seniors with identification, and free for children under five. It also costs $.50 to switch bus lines.

See
The island is rich in open space and a tour around its rural roads reveals farms, salt marshes, and stunning water views. Jamestown is full of hidden treasures such as small beaches and winding trails. Beavertail Lighthouse juts dramatically into Rhode Island Sound from a rocky southern tip of the island.

Jamestown is home to three marinas and many residents and visitors are sailors. Narragansett Bay is ideal for sailing, fishing, and kayaking. The village center is Narragansett Ave. which runs from east to west with a marina at each end and is lined with restaurants and stores.

When you're not at the beach or on the water enjoying the ocean views, this small island town offers museums, art shows, concerts and sporting events.

Events

 * Jamestown Jack-o-Lantern Jog, +1 401 423-7260. A 5K road race run usually on the last Sunday in October at 1PM. Features costumed runners and prizes for best costumes and age categories.  Benefits the Jamestown Recreation Department scholarship fund.
 * Summer Music Live music is played by the water at East Ferry every Thursday night from 8-11PM. Admission is free and listeners are encouraged to bring a blanket, beach chair, or picnic.
 * Memorial Day and 4th of July Parades Taking place mainly on Narragansett Avenue and North Main Road, the holiday parades are a hit in Jamestown.
 * Jamestown Jack-o-Lantern Jog, +1 401 423-7260. A 5K road race run usually on the last Sunday in October at 1PM. Features costumed runners and prizes for best costumes and age categories.  Benefits the Jamestown Recreation Department scholarship fund.
 * Summer Music Live music is played by the water at East Ferry every Thursday night from 8-11PM. Admission is free and listeners are encouraged to bring a blanket, beach chair, or picnic.
 * Memorial Day and 4th of July Parades Taking place mainly on Narragansett Avenue and North Main Road, the holiday parades are a hit in Jamestown.
 * Memorial Day and 4th of July Parades Taking place mainly on Narragansett Avenue and North Main Road, the holiday parades are a hit in Jamestown.

Do
The island is only 9 miles long by 1 mile wide and the parks, swimming and recreation are located at the tips of the island a bit away from the shopping and dining.


 * Jamestown Skate Park, McElroy Park. One of the best skateparks in RI, this is a concrete flow park. Not open during school hours.
 * Mackerel Cove Beach Beavertail Rd. A majority that Jamestown has to offer is the simplicity in life; many find strolling along to beach to be incredibly relaxing. Thus, Mackerel Cove is a vacation hot spot in Jamestown. It is of course busier during the hot summer days when beach goers enjoy boogey boarding and swimming, but is also incredibly popular for intimate nighttime strolls. Lifeguards are on duty from 10am to 5pm, and after those hours, surfing and dog walking is permitted on the beach. Located on a narrow neck of land, Mackerel Cove is a public town beach perfect for swimming and relaxing in the sun. Across the road from Sheffield Cove, and near the Fox Hill nature area, Mackerel Cove is where many residents and visitors spend the afternoon during the summer. Parking is $15 per day.
 * Conanicut Battery National Historical Park, Battery Lane on Prospect Hill south of Fort Getty on Beavertail Rd. Visitors are welcome to walk through trails that include remains of earthen forts built d in 1776 during the Revolutionary War. These forts were originally built by Rhode Island Colonists, but rebuilt and maintained British until 1779.
 * Jamestown Skate Park, McElroy Park. One of the best skateparks in RI, this is a concrete flow park. Not open during school hours.
 * Mackerel Cove Beach Beavertail Rd. A majority that Jamestown has to offer is the simplicity in life; many find strolling along to beach to be incredibly relaxing. Thus, Mackerel Cove is a vacation hot spot in Jamestown. It is of course busier during the hot summer days when beach goers enjoy boogey boarding and swimming, but is also incredibly popular for intimate nighttime strolls. Lifeguards are on duty from 10am to 5pm, and after those hours, surfing and dog walking is permitted on the beach. Located on a narrow neck of land, Mackerel Cove is a public town beach perfect for swimming and relaxing in the sun. Across the road from Sheffield Cove, and near the Fox Hill nature area, Mackerel Cove is where many residents and visitors spend the afternoon during the summer. Parking is $15 per day.
 * Conanicut Battery National Historical Park, Battery Lane on Prospect Hill south of Fort Getty on Beavertail Rd. Visitors are welcome to walk through trails that include remains of earthen forts built d in 1776 during the Revolutionary War. These forts were originally built by Rhode Island Colonists, but rebuilt and maintained British until 1779.
 * Mackerel Cove Beach Beavertail Rd. A majority that Jamestown has to offer is the simplicity in life; many find strolling along to beach to be incredibly relaxing. Thus, Mackerel Cove is a vacation hot spot in Jamestown. It is of course busier during the hot summer days when beach goers enjoy boogey boarding and swimming, but is also incredibly popular for intimate nighttime strolls. Lifeguards are on duty from 10am to 5pm, and after those hours, surfing and dog walking is permitted on the beach. Located on a narrow neck of land, Mackerel Cove is a public town beach perfect for swimming and relaxing in the sun. Across the road from Sheffield Cove, and near the Fox Hill nature area, Mackerel Cove is where many residents and visitors spend the afternoon during the summer. Parking is $15 per day.
 * Conanicut Battery National Historical Park, Battery Lane on Prospect Hill south of Fort Getty on Beavertail Rd. Visitors are welcome to walk through trails that include remains of earthen forts built d in 1776 during the Revolutionary War. These forts were originally built by Rhode Island Colonists, but rebuilt and maintained British until 1779.

Buy
Jamestowners are not anxious to spoil the small town ambiance with big box stores and chain restaurants and most businesses are owned or run by locals. Except for gas stations, Jamestown does not host a single "chain" or non-local business. Don't expect to find a Wal-mart; every restaurant and property on the island is, if not owned directly by a local, probably run by one. Some things require a trip off island but there are many large chain stores within a short drive.
 * Grapes and Gourmet, 9 Ferry Wharf. A store with a full service deli and food shop, along with selling wine and liquor.
 * Grapes and Gourmet, 9 Ferry Wharf. A store with a full service deli and food shop, along with selling wine and liquor.
 * Grapes and Gourmet, 9 Ferry Wharf. A store with a full service deli and food shop, along with selling wine and liquor.

Eat
Jamestown offers a great variety of restaurants so whether you are in the mood to splurge or just grab a bite to eat, you will be satisfied. Keep in mind, you will not find a Burger King or Chilis on the island. Note that even the most up-scale restaurants accept casual clothing.

Sleep
You will not find any chain hotels, or large resorts in Jamestown. Instead, the lodging locations are mostly comprised of cozy bed and breakfasts, and small condos. In the summer the hotels and inns tend to reach full capacity rather quickly, so don’t show up on the island intending to score an empty room without a reservation.


 * Fort Getty Campground, Fort Getty (opposite Mackerel Cove town beach), +1 401 423-7211. The campsites overlook the water in all directions. The park has a boat ramp, swimming beach, great fishing and picnic spots. RVer reserve early for the summer so plan ahead.
 * Fort Getty Campground, Fort Getty (opposite Mackerel Cove town beach), +1 401 423-7211. The campsites overlook the water in all directions. The park has a boat ramp, swimming beach, great fishing and picnic spots. RVer reserve early for the summer so plan ahead.
 * Fort Getty Campground, Fort Getty (opposite Mackerel Cove town beach), +1 401 423-7211. The campsites overlook the water in all directions. The park has a boat ramp, swimming beach, great fishing and picnic spots. RVer reserve early for the summer so plan ahead.
 * Fort Getty Campground, Fort Getty (opposite Mackerel Cove town beach), +1 401 423-7211. The campsites overlook the water in all directions. The park has a boat ramp, swimming beach, great fishing and picnic spots. RVer reserve early for the summer so plan ahead.

Go next
Newport makes a great day trip a ten minute drive across the bridge or by ferry in season. Providence is a 40 minute drive and offers a great cosmopolitan contrast.

North Kingstown is right across the Jamestown bridge, about 10-15 minutes away, offers historic landmarks such as Smith's Castle and the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace.