Smithfield (Rhode Island)

Smithfield is a small town in Northern Rhode Island that was founded in the 1600s. The town still has the charm of an old farming village with orchards and farms scattered throughout, but it has been modernized to a mid-size suburban town. The town is a great place to visit especially in the autumn months for its farms and orchards (known for their apple orchards especially). It is also has many unique places and family-owned businesses that make visitors feel like they are home no matter how far they’ve traveled from.

Understand
Smithfield is a small town in Northern Rhode Island that was founded in the 1600s as a farming town. Smithfield was named after John Smith, "The Miller", who was granted land by the founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams. Prior to his arrival, Smithfield was known as Wionkhiege by the Wampanoag Tribe who utilized the land for its vast hunting and fishing land.

The town is also known for its historic mill history. It is made up of six historic villages including Georgiaville, Mountaindale, Esmond, Greenville, Hanton City, and Stillwater.

By plane

 * T.F. Green Airport, 2000 Post Road, Warwick. . Rhode Island's major airport is 19 miles from Smithfield, and about a 20-minute drive on the highway.

By train

 * Amtrak, 100 Gaspee Street, Providence. . This is also a 15-20 minute drive to Smithfield depending upon traffic which is abundant in Providence, especially, around 5PM and 6-9AM

By bus

 * Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), 265 Melrose Street, Providence. . Routes to and from Smithfield. The cost is $2 per ride. Bus lines include:
 * Line #9 Pascoag-Wallum Lake
 * Line #52 Admiral-Branch
 * Line #58 Mineral Spring - North Providence
 * Line #90 Smithfield Commons Park N' Ride

By car

 * Take 295, then exit 7A or 7B
 * Route 44 is a major highway that runs through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the heart of Smithfield.
 * Route 7 is another major highway that runs through Connecticut and Rhode Island, just outside of Smithfield. It provides access to Bryant University and the outskirts of the town of Smithfield.

Get around
The easiest way to travel in Smithfield is by car or taxi. Biking is a reasonable alternative, but walking is not suggested. Car rental services are limited within Smithfield, but near-by city Providence has all of the major car rental corporations including: Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis.

Car rental

 * Hertz Rent A Car, 380 Jenckes Hill Road,.

Do

 * Stump Pond. Also known as the Stillwater Reservoir, this is a great local spot for fishing and kayaking.  A fishing license must be obtained for about $20.  Licenses are sold in Dick's Sporting Goods in the Smithfield Crossings.
 * Apple picking. (Seasonal) The town has many farms for apple picking in the fall. They each have their own charm, whether it is apple picking, peach picking, pumpkin picking, historic stone walls built by early farmers, hay rides, homemade pies and cider and many more great seasonal treats. Here is a list of orchards to check out. Steere Orchard 150 Austin Ave, which claims to be the largest apple orchard in Rhode Island. Knight Farm on Rt. 116 , Jaswell's Farm on Swan Road , and Appleland Orchard on Smith Avenue .  Some of the orchards have picking and their other activities available by appointment only.
 * Georgiaville Pond. It is a small town beach right on Georgiaville pond, which is open in the summer months for families and friends to go swimming. It is a small beach with town lifeguards to escape on a hot summer day. There is also a boat launch perfect for small fishing boats, canoes, or kayaks. There is a natural freshwater waterfall if you take a walk past the beach and around the water's perimeter.
 * Deerfield Park. This is a beautiful park with recreational facilities such as basketball courts, soccer fields and a baseball field. There is also a playground for children. Every Fourth of July there is also a great fireworks display put on by the town in this park.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.

Learn

 * Greenville Public Library- 573 Putnam Pike, Greenville. . This library consists of a children’s area, a senior citizens area, an adult section, and teen zone. The library has all major reference books and has a computer lab. There are also a variety of programs offered to children and adults including multicultural classes, art classes, and library use classes.
 * East Smithfield Public Library- 50 Esmond Street. . This library is in the small village of Esmond offering a good selection of books and quiet place to read.
 * East Smithfield Public Library- 50 Esmond Street. . This library is in the small village of Esmond offering a good selection of books and quiet place to read.

Buy

 * The Crossing at Smithfield. Putnam Pike. This is an outdoor shopping center that has many nationally acclaimed retailers such as Target, Barnes & Noble, Home Depot, Kohl’s, FYE, Old Navy, The Gap, American Eagle and Dick’s Sporting Goods, as well as others.
 * Apple Valley Mall. Putnam Pike. This is a strip mall where you can find the movie theater as well as stores such as TJ Maxx, CVS and Radio Shack.

Eat
Smithfield has many chain restaurants and fast food restaurants as well as some unique family run establishments. Most of these restaurants are just off of Putnamn Pike. Most are off of Putnam Pike.


 * A&W. 460 Farnum Pike. . This is a chain restaurant but the only A&W root beer location in Rhode Island. It is also the only "car-hop" service restaurant in Rhode Island with tray on the window service. It is a fun place to pull up and get some great hot wieners! Every Tuesday during the summer months, local classic car collectors bring their vintage vehicles to showcase them at A&W. There are menu specials every day; and the restaurant opens at 11AM daily.
 * Del's Lemonade. 109 Pleasant View Ave . Del’s frozen lemonade is a Rhode Island exclusive. A summer time favorite of almost everyone in the state, there are multiple stores and even more carts and cars located all around the state. To truly experience Rhode Island during the late spring and summer, a cup of Del’s is a must. This particular store has a drive through, and a walk up window, and sells soft serve ice cream.
 * Such-a-bagel. 445 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI (Near the Apple Valley Mall). . This is a small café that makes a variety of fresh bagels everyday. You can go there and sit down and eat some freshly toasted bagels and coffee or take home a dozen to your family along with their own cream cheeses.
 * The Powder Mill Creamery. 777 Putnam Pike, Greenville. . A hot spot in the summer months for homemade ice cream in original flavors. It sits across from the scenic Waterman’s Lake.

Sleep

 * Holiday Inn Express & Suites Smithfield - Providence 1010 Douglas Pike. . Clean, quiet, and cheap. The bathrooms are a bit on the small side, but this hotel has a friendly staff, good breakfast, a fitness center, and it's close to Providence.
 * Holiday Inn Express & Suites Smithfield - Providence 1010 Douglas Pike. . Clean, quiet, and cheap. The bathrooms are a bit on the small side, but this hotel has a friendly staff, good breakfast, a fitness center, and it's close to Providence.

Go next
Visit Newport, Narragansett or Providence.
 * Lincoln Mall- This is a strip mall about five minutes from Smithfield on George Washington Highway. It has several stores including a Target, Starbucks, Marshalls, Home Goods, Stop and Shop, and several restaurants. It also includes Cinemaworld, a large stadium-seated cinema where movie tickets go for about $10.