Rhode Island's Scenic Suburb Is A Quiet Getaway With Bayside Views & New England Charm

It doesn't take long to leave the city behind in Rhode Island. Barrington sits just a few miles outside Providence. The attractive little suburb is full of pretty historic buildings and gorgeous water views. It's exactly what you dreamed a picturesque escape in New England would look like.

Much of southeastern New England — what's now eastern Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts — was originally the home of the Wampanoag people. In the 17th century, English settlers arrived and established a trading post. The area was soon named Plymouth Colony, their first permanent community in New England. The Wampanoag's biggest tribe, the Pokanokets, were living on the eastern side of Narragansett Bay at the time. Their land on two peninsulas along the bay was named Swansea in 1667 by the Massachusetts Bay Company. It was later incorporated into the Rhode Island Colony's town of Warren. Since 1770, that town has been called Barrington. The suburb of Providence is now home to about 17,000 people.

Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD), which receives nonstop flights from cities all over the country, sits right across the Providence River from Barrington. The easy-to-navigate little New England airport takes the crown as one of America's best. The drive from the airport is less than 20 miles, but can feel much longer, depending on traffic, since you have to go through the state capital. Providence is one of the underrated cities in the Northern U.S. you shouldn't skip visiting, though.

Barrington sits just eight miles outside Providence along the Massachusetts border. Though the small town spreads across 15.4 square miles, much of its land is actually water. Nearly half, 8.2 square miles, is set on Phebe's Neck and New Meadow Neck, two peninsulas indented with little coves. The rest of the town is in Narragansett Bay and multiple rivers. That means Barrington is practically surrounded by water. 

Since Barrington was established before the 13 American colonies issued their Declaration of Independence in 1776, it's not surprising that the town has not one, but three historic districts. The Barrington Civic Center Historic District overlooks Barrington River. It's home to the 1887 Barrington Town Hall, a medieval-style building that housed the town offices, a public library, a classroom, and a community meeting room. A cemetery, where American Revolution soldiers are buried, is also in this area, plus the Barrington Congregational Church, a Neo-Romanesque church from 1871, is less than a mile away.

The Alfred Drowne Road and Jennys Lane Historic Districts are both peaceful neighborhoods filled with trees and green parks. The former is old farmland that was turned into smaller lots when the railroad arrived in the mid-19th century, while the latter has 25 historic homes from the late-19th and early-20th centuries. You'll find well-preserved Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne architecture oozing with New England charm here. All three are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Since Barrington is bordered by so much water, you are never far from a spectacular bay view. There are plenty of spots around town from which to enjoy these vistas. Osamequin Nature Trails and Bird Sanctuary overlooks Hundred Acre Cove near the northern tip of town. The 42-acre coastal preserve was named after the leader of the Pokanet tribe. It now has 1.5 miles of easy, color-coded trails for wildlife viewing. You might see great blue herons and mute swans along the way.

The Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge is on the opposite side of the cove. The historic spot atop Nockum Hill was the site of Wampanoag homes, and then America's first Baptist meetinghouse. Its 70 acres now add an additional two miles of easy trails along the tidal marshes. If you follow Woodland Trail Loop, you'll find a peaceful spot with a stunning view.

On the opposite side of Barrington, you shouldn't miss Barrington Town Beach (seasonal, non-resident parking passes from $15 per day). The long stretch of golden sand boasts a terrific view of Narragansett Bay. It's a popular spot to look for colorful sea glass. The beach is easy to reach from the East Bay Bike Path. The 14.5-mile path passes through Barrington as it connects Providence to the north and Bristol to the south. Bristol, by the way, is the perfect destination for scenic views and outdoor adventures. It's almost as charming as Barrington.