It’s finally starting to warm up in Southern Rhode Island. As such, there’s truly nothing like the first warm day of the year you spend outside. For most of the student population, that day is spent relaxing on the Quad with hundreds of others. There’s so much more to spring than that though, especially in a state with as much to do outside as Rhode Island. Because of this, I wanted to highlight some of the best ways to spend a warm spring day around this area.
I’ve limited my range for choices to approximately 10 miles around campus, a distance that should be relatively accessible, while still having plenty to choose from. I’m trying to keep my choices somewhat obscure as well. This means the traditional Rhode Island beaches or Block Island will not be mentioned beyond this point. Both are fantastic places for a warm day, but you didn’t need me to tell you that.
5. Meet some seals at Rome Point.
Just north of the Jamestown Bridge, deep within the John H. Chafee Nature Preserve, is a small cape called Rome Point. Until about mid-April, a collection of seals gather on the rocks, only a few hundred feet from the shore. While the seals are not always there, the best time to catch them is around low tide. Even if you aren’t lucky enough to run into any seals, the park is beautifully charming, and the rocky beach is quiet enough to find somewhere you like at the preserve.
4. Kayak from the University of Rhode Island sailing center.
Just south of the South County Hospital, on the north edge of Point Judith Pond is the URI Sailing Center. The center is open year-round, though on-water activities begin in early March, just in time for higher temperatures. At the center, anyone with a URI student ID can rent out kayaks or paddle boards and take them out onto the pond for free. The center also has sailboats for those with more experience on the water, alongside offering lessons and for-credit courses for anyone interested in learning how to sail.
3. Look for birds at Trustom Pond
About halfway between Ninigret Park and Point Judith, on Charlestown’s coast, sits Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge, an untouched space that covers a large woodland and a coastal salt pond. The park is pretty quiet, but has a lot of wildlife. Trustom is home to many species of birds throughout the year, and offers some unique sights to anyone willing to seek them out.
2. Feed the chickens at the Fantastic Umbrella Factory
Down the road from Trustom Pond is the Fantastic Umbrella Factory, an eclectic set of shops on an old farm property. The property isn’t just shops, however. The Umbrella Factory also has chickens, goats and an emu on site, along with a large bamboo forest to explore.
1. Explore the history and beauty of Jamestown.
Although Jamestown is a little further out of the way than any other option around, I would argue that it has the most to explore. The southern half of the island is home to Beavertail State Park and Fort Wetherill State Park. The former is home to a historic lighthouse on the southernmost tip of the island, and the latter is an old military battery that’s become known for its vast and colorful graffiti. Honestly, you could probably spend a whole week exploring the island, but Jamestown and Conanicut Island have always been my absolute go to places once the weather warms up around here.
