Narragansett, RI

Narragansett is a small coastal town in Washington County, Rhode Island, home to approximately 15,000 residents. With a classic New England shoreline character, it stretches along the southern edge of the state and is best known for its sandy beaches, surf culture, and as the mainland jumping-off point for ferries to Block Island. The town sits roughly 30 miles south of Providence, Rhode Island's capital and largest city, making it an easy drive for weekend visitors and day-trippers from across the broader Northeast.

The town's marquee draw is Narragansett Town Beach, a wide, well-maintained stretch of sand that anchors the community's identity. Located in the heart of town, the beach draws swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers throughout the summer and serves as a social hub for visitors staying in the area. Adjacent Scarborough State Beach and Salty Brine State Beach extend the coastline options for guests looking to explore a bit further along the shore.

A short drive south of the main beach area, within the village of Galilee, travelers can catch the Block Island Ferry from Point Judith, which runs seasonal service across roughly twelve miles of open water. The ferry makes Block Island — known for its preserved Victorian architecture, bicycling culture, and dramatic clay bluffs — a feasible day trip or overnight excursion from Narragansett, adding a second destination to many guests' itineraries.

Just up the coast from the ferry terminal stands Point Judith Lighthouse, a historic beacon marking the western entrance to Narragansett Bay. The lighthouse has guided mariners since the early nineteenth century and remains an active aid to navigation, offering visitors a compact but evocative glimpse of New England's working maritime heritage.

In the historic Narragansett Pier area, The Towers stands as the most recognizable architectural landmark in town. Once part of a grand nineteenth-century oceanfront casino that burned in 1900, the surviving stone gatehouse is a popular stop for visitors exploring the pier district and a frequent backdrop for community events and weddings throughout the warmer months.

With its combination of accessible beaches, ferry access to Block Island, and proximity to Providence, Newport, and the wider Rhode Island shoreline, Narragansett offers short-term rental owners a market that blends summer beach traffic with shoulder-season charm and a steady year-round base of regional visitors.