Summertime Guide | 2023

to the East Bay and Southcoast

n Let’s go to the beach!

n The sounds of summer

n Fresh from the farmers

n The great outdoor places

n The 5 best local day trips

Pomham Rocks ready for prime time

BY SCOTT PICKERING spickering@eastbaymediagroup.com

A century ago, five lighthouses lined the East Providence shoreline, lighting the way for ships passing from the upper reaches of Narragansett Bay into the Providence River and the busy port of Providence.

Only one remains.

On a scrabble of vertical rock about 800 feet from the Riverside shore sits Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, whose rich history stretches back more than 150 years. It has survived countless storms, brutal winters, several fierce hurricanes and decades of neglect, but the most dramatic chapter in its history book might cover the last 20 years, when a group of local residents decided they should save the thing before it fell into the bay. Literally, that came close to happening.

In most cases, these preservation stories have a familiar arc. A group of folks get together and dream of something that seems unimaginable at the time. They limp along, raising what money they can, making small gains through their own labor and sweat equity, until they finally win big support and big money. Eventually they reach the point when they’re ready for prime time.

The Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse have reached that point.

After two decades of hard work and creativity, the volunteer group has invested about $1.6 million of donations and grants into the preservation and restoration of the lighthouse. Freshly painted on the outside, restored as a gleaming showpiece on the inside, Pomham Rocks is ready for prime time.

The Friends have their own customdesigned boat, Lady Pomham II, and they are running tours multiple times per week, both weekends and weekdays, all summer. Launched from the Edgewood Yacht Club in Cranston, which is directly across the bay from Pomham Rocks, the excursion begins with a 10-minute boat ride to a dock on the north side of the island. From there, visitors get a tour that lasts about an hour and a half, where they can see all three levels of the lighthouse. If they’re willing, they can ascend a vertical ladder to the top of the tower, climb on

hands and knees through a hatch, and stand on the metal ring outside the actual light to soak in sweeping views of the bay.

A visit to the rock

On a sunny weekday morning last week, three members of the Friends led

a private tour for reporter and photographer. Captain of the launch and lead tour guide was Dennis Tardiff, chairman of the board of Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse and a retired Coast Guardsman.

Tardiff joined the Coast Guard as a

young man more than 50 years ago, and his first duty assignment was at the tiny Pomham Rocks Lighthouse off the shore of East Providence. He was 19 years old when he started, and he lived in the lighthouse with one or two other Guardsmen from 1971 to 1974.

“It was set up to have three people stationed here — two people at all times, with the third off for a week. It was called semi-isolated duty. So after being here two weeks, you would have a week off,” Tardiff said. Later, the Coast Guard reduced the staffing to two. “So there were just two of us left. We were doing three days on, three days off, by ourselves.”

Tardiff was the last actual keeper of the light, before the Coast Guard decommissioned the tower on June 5, 1974, and automated a new light built atop a skeleton tower. The magnificent “Fresnel” lens that beamed red light across the bay was carefully packed up and moved to a museum in Newburyport, Mass.

Eventually the Coast Guard had no

After two decades of hard work, generous donations and big triumphs, Pomham Rocks

Lighthouse is looking better than ever and is open for tours all summer

PHOTOS BY RICHARD W. DIONNE JR.

Dennis Tardiff, chairman of the board of Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, stands atop the lighthouse tower, with the East Providence shoreline visible behind. Once lit by a magnificent, century-old glass lens, the tower today remains an official U.S. Coast Guard “aid-to-navigation,” powered now by a red LED light.

Dennis Tardiff describes how the “Fresnel” lens worked when it shined for more than 50 years at the top of the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. Comprised of 54 separate pieces of glass, it would emit parallel beams of light that could be seen up to 17 miles away. "Pomham Rocks Friends" Louis Paiva (left) and Rick Lux look on.

POMHAM ROCKS: The little lighthouse has lit the way for 150 years

From Page 3

use for the Pomham Rocks lighthouse or property anymore, and it put the island up for sale. Exxon Mobil Corp., which owns a large terminal just across the water on the Riverside shore, bought it in 1980 for just $40,100.

After that, the lighthouse remained mostly untended and forgotten for the next 20 years — though not forgotten by the folks living nearby. In 2000, a small group of them approached Exxon Mobil to ask about saving and restoring it. The corporation was accepting of the idea and even got the group started with a $25,000 donation. In 2004, Exxon Mobil leased the lighthouse and island to American Lighthouse Foundation, which is a parent organization for the Friends, for no cost.

When the Friends began working on the property in earnest, they found the tower was leaning 7 degrees off-center. They were warned that a good nor’easter could send it tumbling into the water below.

“It’s just sitting out here exposed on a rock. It’s exposed to every weather con-

dition imaginable,” said Louse Paiva, a Friends board member, grant writer and

public relations chair.

The Friends have celebrated several milestone moments in the past decade. In 2006, they gathered to watch as the lighthouse tower returned to life, its red light beaming for the first time in 32 years. In 2018, they gathered again to celebrate the end of an interior renovation funded largely by a Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission grant.

Better than ever

It’s not hyperbole to say the lighthouse today is better than ever. Tardiff suggested that the 19th-century Coast Guard did not devote a lot of energy to interior decorating, as everything inside the building was gray and plain. Today the wood floors shine, and bright walls bring life to the space.

The lighthouse tower has been been fixed and fortified, and the accompanying building has undergone a major renovation. The interior is authentic as it can be. The kitchen has been restored to what it would have looked like in the 1950s. The gleaming kitchen table dates back to 1947. The working refrigerator is from 1946. The stove is from 1953.

The small rooms are filled with historical pieces, the walls lined with photographs and descriptions of the items and their place in history.

Their most prized display is the lens that beamed out to mariners from 1926 to 1974. Called a “Fresnel” lens, because

RICHARD W. DIONNE JR

After more than 20 years of effort and with about $1.6 million in donations and grants, the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse have carefully preserved and restored the property to a condition that is perhaps better than ever.

it was invented by French physicist Augustine-Jean Fresnel in the early 20th century, it looks like a beehive of glass. Comprised of 54 separate glass pieces, it emits parallel beams of light that could be seen 17 miles away.

After the Coast Guard decommissioned it in 1974, it was moved to a museum in Newburyport, Mass., and remained there for decades, until Tardiff and the Friends made some calls and convinced the Coast Guard to return it to its original home. It has been back at Pomham Rocks since 2021.

“Before radar, these Fresnel lenses were a key lifesaver for people who traveled the oceans and rivers. Otherwise, there was no way to get enough light to guide people, so it was high-tech in the day,” said Rick Lux, a member of the Friends who served as First Mate and assistant tour guide on the recent trip to Pomham Rocks.

In early years, the lens would have been lit by lard oil. Then it became kerosene. Today the Fresnel lens remains on display on the first floor, while a small LED light shines from atop the tower, powered by electricity running through an underwater cable from the Riverside mainland.

The historical displays continue on the second floor of the building. One room is devoted to the history of the lighthouses along the East Providence

POMHAM ROCKS: Friends are running lighthouse tours all summer

From FACING PAGE

shoreline. Gone are lighthouses at Sassafras Point, Sabin Point, Fuller Rocks and Bullocks Point, all destroyed by fire, storm or time.

The work continues

For as much as they’ve accomplished, the Friends know the work will never end. Just last week, they reconnected the gutters that feed from the roof of the lighthouse into a 4,900-gallon cistern in the basement. It is the only source of water on the island, so reconnecting the system is a big deal.

One of the next big projects will be to install replica wooden shutters over all the windows — both for authenticity and for protection during big storms.

They also plan to replace areas of chain-link fencing with wooden picket fencing reminiscent of what was there originally. An 80-year-old dock also needs repairs. Its pilings are rotting beneath and the deck timbers lift and move under the strain of big storms.

The Friends now have more than 200 active members. They sell T-shirts, hats and other paraphernalia from a gift shop inside the lighthouse. And they are always accepting donations for future

maintenance and repairs. For more information about tours, the lighthouse and its history, go to: pomhamrockslighthouse.org/

The view from atop the tower, looking down on the island home with Riverside in the background.

Fresh from the farm …

Every weekend, there are plenty of opportunities to get something fresh for dinner (or snack, or lunch, or breakfast, or the home). Check out these farmers’ markets taking place regularly throughout the region …

1. The Hope Street Farmers Market

Filling a large green space at the intersection of Hope Street and Chalkstone Boulevard on the East Side of Providence, this market has been happening for many years and has a large following. Expect dozens of vendors with produce, meats, plants and homemade products. It also pairs most weeks with the Providence Artisans Market, with booths and tables from dozens of artists.

WHEN: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. hopestreetmarket.com/

2. Mount Hope Farmers Market

This popular market takes place yearround (winters in the barn and summers in the field) at one of the most iconic properties in the region. Dozens of farmers and makers attend every week.

WHEN: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

mounthopefarm.org/farmers-market

3. Tiverton Farmers Market

Another year-round market with a growing following, it spends winters inside Tiverton Middle School, but this time of year it enjoys the fresh air at the Tiverton Town Farm Recreation Area, just north of Tiverton Four Corners.

WHEN: Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tivertonfarmersmarket.com/

This popular market takes places twice a week at two different locations. On Saturdays, it happens at 25 Enterprise Drive in Middletown. On Wednesdays, they set up on Memorial Boulevard, between Chapel and Edgar in Newport.

WHEN: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays, 2 to 6 p.m. aquidneckcommunitytable.org/aquidneck-growers-market

The newest entry in this space is courtesy of the Barrington Business & Community Association. It takes place five times this summer on Thursday nights –June 29, July 13 and 27, and Aug. 10 and 24. Times: 4 to 7 p.m.

WHERE: St. John’s Church, 191 County Road, Barrington

4. Aquidneck Growers Market

5. Barrington Farmers Market

The Tiverton Farmers Market

The Mount Hope Farmers Market

The great outdoors …

There are countless destinations if you’re interesting in being outside this summer in beautiful spaces. Here are 9 great spots to consider visiting if you never have (or even if you have) …

1. Weetamoo Woods - Tiverton

This enormous 650-acre, wooded area in the heart of south Tiverton borders another 250-acre conservation area, Pardon Gray Preserve. From the entrance and small parking area off East Road (less than a mile east of Tiverton Four Corners), visitors can access 7 miles of trails, pass by streams and climb (carefully) to the top of “High Rock.”

East Road, Tiverton, R.I.

2. Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge - Warren

The Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, managed by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, offers picturesque views of the Kickemuit River that are well worth the trip. The property is full of hardwood forests and fields of flowers that attract butterflies in the summer months. The shorter length and flat terrain make this an easy stroll for children and families. A one-mile trail traverses the property.

99 Touisset Road, Warren, R.I.

3. Osamequin Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary - Barrington

This large area off the northbound lane of the Wampanoag Trail (Route 114) has 42 acres of trails and pristine saltmarsh property along the western shore of the Barrington’s majestic Hundred Acre Cove. The property is jointly managed and maintained by the Barrington Garden Club and the Barrington Land Conservation Trust.

4. Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium - Bristol

The Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is home to a natural history museum offering interactive exhibits that explore local habitats and wildlife found in the Ocean State. Visitors discover creatures that live in a tidepool, observe marine life from Narragansett Bay, visit with Common Raven Zach, and peek inside a 33-foot life-size model of a North Atlantic Right Whale.

Situated on the 28-acre Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, ADA-certified walking trails start in at the Palmieri Pollinator Garden and wind through upland meadows to a ¼-mile boardwalk through fresh

and saltwater marshes to a majestic view of Narragansett Bay. Located along the East Bay Bike Path, the trails allow bikers and walkers access to the refuge's natural beauty.

1401 Hope St., Bristol, R.I.

5. Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge - Tiverton

The Audubon’s Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge is a lovely parcel of woods and salt marsh with winding trails that run along the Sakonnet River. The trail system weaves through deciduous woods and red maple swamp with many places to stop and enjoy the beautiful view of the river. There are 1.6 miles of easy trails.

116 Seapowet Ave., Tiverton, R.I.

6. Caratunk Wildlife Refuge - Seekonk

From the white barn to the meandering trails and crystal-clear brooks, the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge is a place frequented by nature enthusiats and wildlife alike. With nearly 200 acres of fields, forests, streams, and ponds, Caratunk offers

miles of well-marked trails is one of Audubon's most popular properties.

301 Brown Ave., Seekonk, Mass.

7. Fort Barton - Tiverton

Lesser known but equally spectacular is this large wooded area in the heart of Tiverton. Accessible by a small parking area across from Tiverton Town Hall, this area is both natural and historic. Fort Barton itself includes a tower and fortifications from the Revolutionary War and the 1778 Battle of Rhode Island. The open space includes 83 acres, with 3.5 miles of trails.

343 Highland Road, Tiverton, R.I.

by woods and open meadows. The preserve also includes a fully accessible, wooden boardwalk, which is particularly suitable for younger children and anyone with limited mobility. Forested wetlands, swamps and old fields support a changing variety of wildlife throughout the year.

374 West Main Road, Little Compton, R.I.

9. Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge – Middletown

8.

Whitehead Preserve at Dundery Brook - Little Compton

The 188-acre Whitehead Preserve is a charming hideaway managed by The Nature Conservancy. Careful, historic plantings of native shrubs and wildflowers host a multitude of birds, butterflies and other pollinators. An easy, winding path circles three farm ponds surrounded

One of the most grand outdoor spaces in all of Rhode Island, Sachuest is home to a rocky coastline where visitors can see more than 200 bird species throughout the year. Nearly 3 miles of trails loop around Sachuest Point. The refuge includes 40 acres of salt marsh lands and steep rocky shorelines around the perimeter. Most visitors enjoy year-round birdwatching, and elevated observation platforms along the trails provide unobstructed views of the refuge.

769 Sachuest Point Road, Middletown, R.I.

Weetamoo Woods in Tiverton

Whitehead Preserve at Dundery Brook in Little Compton

Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk Osamequin in Barrington

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum

Let’s go to the beach …

’Tis the season for sunscreen and shades, sun and sand. Here’s a guide to some of the region’s beaches — the big and the small — and what you need to know before going.

The big and the bold (these face the Atlantic Ocean)

1. Sachuest Beach (“Second Beach”) - Middletown

Perhaps the busiest and most popular of all, it’s very likely this parking lot will fill up by late morning on a gorgeous weekend day. So get there early, or get there late (when the early crowd starts to pack up and go home), or go during the weekend when it is likely to be less crowded. Visitors will find a mile of some of the best sand and best waves in the region, a snack bar, restrooms and a surfing area. The beach is managed by the Town of Middletown. A seasonal pass is $140 for non-residents; daily fees are $30 on weekends and $20 on weekdays.

2. Easton’s Beach (“First Beach”) - Newport

This beach literally welcomes visitors to Newport, at the beginning of Memorial Boulevard. Overlooking the beach’s western end is the famous Cliff Walk, and nestled at the center is the Save the Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium. If Second Beach is 1a in the region, this beach is 1b. With the aquarium, nearby bathroom facilities and a playground, it often draws families. Parking fees are also slightly lower: $100 for a season pass; $25 per day on weekends; $15 per day on weekdays.

3. Horseneck Beach - Westport

Horseneck is a state beach managed by the Massachusetts Parks & Recreation Department. Located at the western end of Buzzard’s Bay, the beach extends for 2 miles and is accompanied by an enormous parking area. There are great waves and wonderful sandy areas, but areas of the beach can also be rocky (get there early to get the best spots). Parking passes are $13 for Massachusetts residents but $40 for out-of-state residents.

4. South Shore Beach - Little Compton

One of the hidden treasures of this region, this town-managed beach gets rave reviews — if you can get there. With preference given to locals, and with a relatively small parking area, it isn’t easy for out-of-towners to get a spot to enjoy a

great beach. If they can, beach passes are $250 for the season; $25 per day on weekends; and $20 per day on weekends.

The small and intimate

(These face bays and rivers)

Barrington Town Beach - Barrington

1. This is one of the nicer “town beaches” anywhere, with a long stretch of sand facing Narragansett Bay. There is an area monitored by lifeguards and a fairly large parking area. Non-resident parking fees are $10 per day. Barrington residents can purchase a season pass for $30.

2. Warren Town Beach - Warren Very small and intimate, this beach has

a particular draw for families. It features a recently improved playground and a very calm, lifeguard-monitored swim area along the Warren River. Parking fees (for the parking lot at Burr’s Hill Park across the street from the beach) are: $10 per day on weekdays and $20 per day on weekends for non-residents. Warren residents can purchase season passes.

3. Bristol Town Beach - Bristol

This relatively large beach on Narragansett Bay is located near the entrance to Colt State Park. Accompanied by a playground and the town’s large sports complex, it draws both families and adults. Parking fees are $30 on weekends and $20 on weekdays for non-residents. Bristol residents can purchase season

passes for $20.

4. Sandy Point Beach - Portsmouth

This shallow, natural beach is located on the Sakonnet River at the end of Sandy Point Avenue and is great for families. Sandy Point Beach is equipped with picnic tables, and changing rooms and restroom facilities, which are open when the beach is staffed with lifeguards. Portsmouth residents can get a beach sticker for free parking. Out-of-towners pay $15 Monday to Thursday and $20 Friday to Sunday.

This small, family-oriented beach in the heart of Tiverton has a small, lifeguard-monitored swim area facing the Sakonnet River. There is parking for about 50 cars. Parking fees (which apply to both Grinnell’s and Fogland) are: $150/year for non-residents; $20 per day on weekends; and $10 per day on weekdays.

6.

A larger beach off Fogland Road in south Tiverton, this area is very popular with windsurfers and sunbathers. The parking lot holds about 200 vehicles. It includes restrooms, picnic tables and a playground. Parking fees are the same as Grinnell’s (above).

5. Grinnell’s Beach - Tiverton

Fogland Beach - Tiverton

ABOVE: Sachuest “Second” Beach in Middletown. LEFT: Barrington Town Beach.

The 5 best Rhode Island day trips …

Sometimes familiarity leads us to overlook and under-appreciate what’s right in front of us. Such is the case with Rhode Island’s premiere destinations.

We’ve all been to Newport before, so it feels all too familiar. Think again.

Rhode Island is home to beautiful spaces with unique appeal. There’s a reason why the Ocean State attracts more than 20 million visitors every year.

Close your eyes, clear your head and open your mind to these five great daytrips right here at home …

door restaurants.

Galilee

our knowledgeable

Newport

The City by the Sea is a remarkable hive of activity in the summer. Stroll down the 3.5-mile oceanside Cliff Walk, take in the sights of the Gilded Age as you tour the iconic mansions, and take a ride down Ocean Drive to see the opulence and magnificent vistas. Head downtown to explore the vast array of shops and boutiques along Thames Street and America’s Cup Boulevard, hop on a charter boat for a harbor tour, catch a Newport Gulls baseball game at cozy Cardines Field, or stop in for a bite and a cold cocktail at hundreds of delicious waterfront or out-

FOUR PRESIDENTS THOUGHT LINDEN PLACE WAS WORTH THE TRIP

Nestled by Point Judith, Narragansett, is the quintessential coastal town of Galilee. Complete with charter boats, fresh seafood markets, locally owned shops, and some of the most authentic Rhode Island seafood in the state, this bustling fishing village is the perfect spot to spend a day. Home to two state beaches and the Block Island Ferry, there’s no better place to go if you want a jampacked day of summer fun! If you’re looking for a more relaxed outing, Galilee still has you covered; enjoy delicious food and drinks at George’s as you watch a parade of boats by.

Back for 2023: popular walking

Westerly / Watch Hill

Westerly, the southernmost town in Rhode Island, is the perfect place for a day trip. Explore Napatree Point Conservation Area, swim and relax at East Beach, take a boat tour, or wander through the shops of Watch Hill. For some classic summer fun, take to Misquamicut, where you’ll find not only the state beach, but an arcade, bumper cars, a water park, and a

seaside drive-in movie theater.

Tiverton Four Corners

FOUR PRESIDENTS THOUGHT LINDEN PLACE WAS WORTH THE TRIP

Block Island

A staple Rhode Island summer adventure, just off the coast, is Block Island! Whether you choose to hop right off the ferry and spend the day beach-side or at the famous waterfront watering holes, or explore the vibrant array of boutique shops downtown, Block Island is the perfect day trip destination! While on the island, you can try horseback riding, parasailing, snorkeling or many more activities. Or escape the hustle-bustle as you walk, bike, or scooter towards the bluffs, lighthouse, and the Clay Head Preserve.

Discover over 200 years of history at Linden Place Mansion.

You may not be able to spend an entire day at historic Tiverton Four Corners, but you can easily get lost for half the day and then head down the road to visit a winery, hike in a conservation area or spend the second half in the quaint village of Padanaram in south Dartmouth. Tiverton Four Corners is a quiet and relaxing destination for shops, eats and art. Dine in a rocking chair on an historic porch, relax in Adirondack chairs, or sit on a stone wall to enjoy some of the best homemade ice cream in the region — plus find the works of spectacular artists. If you haven’t been, Tiverton Four Corners is a mustsee.

For more information

• Experience our new audio tour or explore with one of our knowledgeable guides.

• Discover over 200 years of history at Linden Place Mansion.

• Experience our new audio tour or explore with one of our knowledgeable guides.

• Back for 2023: Slave Trade Walking Tours. Our most popular walking tour of Bristol, RI

• Back for 2023: Slave Trade Walking Tours. Our most popular walking tour of Bristol, RI

For more information visit: LindenPlace.org

For more information visit: LindenPlace.org

500 HOPE STREET, BRISTOL

Thames Street in Newport

Tiverton Four Corners

Dining at the shack …

A few experiences must be part of every summer in this region — softserve ice cream, a Del’s lemonade and a true New England clambake. Add a trip to the local clam shack to the list. The Narragansett-Point Judith region is home to some of Rhode Island’s most famous clam shacks, but these places rival any of them and are much closer to home …

Blount Clam Shack – Warren

Set atop a layer of white clam shells (as it should be) and sitting neatly along the Warren River, Blount has everything one would expect: clamcakes, chowder, lobster, clam strips, beer, wine, picnic tables, live music and a dock for boaters. blountretail.com

Evelyn’s - Tiverton

Evelyn’s has been a local favorite for more than 50 years. Tucked off Main Road alongside Nanaquaket Pond, it has all the favorites, outdoor dining and an indoor dining space. They’re open seven days a week this time of year. evelynsdrivein.com/

Set in the charming Island Park area, Flo’s has everything you’d expect in a clam shack, as well as a rich history that began back in 1936 — and survived mul-

tiple devastating hurricanes. flosclamshacks.com/

Flo’s Clam Shack - Middletown

Located at the border of Middletown and Newport (across from “First Beach),

Flo’s is open five days a week this time of year.

https://www.flosclamshacks.com/

Flo’s Clam Shack - Portsmouth

Blount Clamshack in Warren

Flo’s in Portsmouth

The region is bursting with opportunities to enjoy live music this time of year. Here are 9 venues for outdoor concerts …

1. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum (Bristol) hosts a summer-long concert series on Wednesday nights. The “Music at Sunset” series takes place on the great lawn, with Narragansett Bay as a backdrop. Gates open at 5 p.m., concerts begin at 6 p.m. www.blithewold.org/event/music-atsunset-summer-concert-series/

2. The Bristol Fourth of July Concert Series returns to its waterfront venue at Independence Park alongside Bristol Harbor. Concerts are nightly from June 20 to July 2, with acts ranging from classic rock to country to today’s hits and Jimmy Buffet and Dave Matthews cover bands. fourthofjulybristolri.com/concertseries-line-up

3. Westport Rivers Winery hosts a popular Friday night concert series in a gorgeous setting beside their vineyards, with shows 6 to 8 p.m. through

August. www.westportrivers.com/ events-sunset-music

4. The City of Newport hosts a “Family Night Concert Series” on Tuesdays in July and August at Easton’s Beach (“First Beach”). Shows begin at 6 p.m., and parking is free. www.cityofnewport.com/visiting-newport/east-

ons-beach/special-events/familynight-concert-series

5. Newport Live and the Norman Bird Sanctuary collaborate on a concert series featuring shows in June, July and August. All shows are at 7 p.m. at the sanctuary. Learn more at: https:// www.eventbrite.com/cc/newportlive-summer-outdoors-norman-birdsanctuary-2208699

The sounds of summer … Summer Fun

6. Herreshoff Marine Museum hosts a “Summer Sunset Music Series” every Thursday beginning July 13. Enjoy concerts along the water, under the large tent, with shows beginning at 7 p.m. Info: herreshoff.org/concerts/

7. East Providence hosts "Concerts in the Park" on Thursdays at 6 p.m. through Aug. 31 at Rose Larisa Memo -

rial Park, across from the Looff Carousel in Riverside. eastprovidenceri.gov/ news-announcements/recreation/ east-providence-recreation-announces-2023-summer-concert-series

8. The Warren Summer Concert Series takes place at Burr’s Hill Park across the street from the Town Beach. Free shows are Sunday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. in front of the bandshell. Bring a blanket and chairs. www. townofwarren-ri.gov/town_government/departments/parks_and_recreation

9. The Barrington Summer Concert Series takes places Sunday nights in July and August. Free shows are 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Latham Park. More info here: www.barrington.ri.gov/440/ Summer-Concert-Series

The Bristol Fourth of July Concert Series

The “Music at Sunset” series at Blithewold

Several families have invested decades into preserving their land and cultivating their arbors to produce a rich array of local wines. These 4 belong on the summer “must-do” list …

1. Newport Vineyards

Despite bearing the Newport name, this winery is actually located in Middletown. Most people pass it while driving down to “Second Beach.” The winery is a hive of activity, with tours, many special events and live concerts. The property is also home to two restaurants, a brewery, a tasting room and more.

www.newportvineyards.com/

2. Greenvale Vineyards

Nestled off the beaten path along the Sakonnet River in Portsmouth, Greenvale is a sixth-generation farm producing small quantities of exceptional wines. They host food trucks and live music on

Fresh from the vine ...

the weekends, and they are always open for tastings and tours.

www.greenvale.com/

3. Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards

Set on 150 acres of land in Little Compton, this vineyard has been producing wines for more than four decades. They are open Friday to Monday for both tastings and grab-and-go food options. Guests are welcome to sit on the lawn or patio to enjoy.

hwww.sakonnetwine.com/

4. Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

Set on 400 acres of working farmland, this winery has been producing for four generations. They are open for tours, tastings and special events Monday to Saturday, they often have a food truck on site, and they are closed on Sundays. westportrivers.com

Greenvale Vineyards

Newport Vineyards

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

Fresh from the brewmaster …

If you haven’t noticed, there’s a beer movement spreading through the region, where nearly every town has a craft brewery already in operation or on the way. Here’s a quick tour of the stops …

Providence

1. The Narragansett Brewery, across from India Point Park, is a large facility home to a four-sided bar, large dining area, enormous deck for outdoor dining, kitchen, taps and special events. narragansettbeer.com/pages/providence-brewery

Warren

2. The Guild, nestled in the Tourister Mill complex, is a large facility with outdoor patio facing the Warren River and Barrington Yacht Club, big dining area, full restaurant and dozens of taps. theguildwarren.com/

Bristol

3. Six Pack Brewing. A nano brewery in the middle of Bristol, they are dogfriendly, offer 10 different brews, and are open five days a week. They hosts special events like a Tie-Dye Party, Pizza Night, Home-brew Workshop and more.

6packbrewing.com

4. Twelve Guns. Another small brewery in the middle of Bristol, they offer a rotating selection on eight taps, and they often partner with food trucks or pop-ups for food.

twelvegunsbrewing.com/

5. Pivotal Brewing. Pivotal has become one of the big draws to the newly Unity Park, a renovated former industrial park downtown. Pivotal typically has more than a dozen brews on tap, partners with food trucks and hosts an eclectic mix of special events, along with live music. pivotalbrewing.com/

Portsmouth

6. Ragged Island. Newly opened as a farm brewery, Ragged Island is open seven days a week with a robust schedule of special events. raggedislandbrewing.com/

Middletown

7. Rejects Beer Co. Located just around the corner from “First Beach” in Newport, Rejects is open seven days a week, hosts live music, outdoor parties, comedy nights and special events. rejectsbeerco.com/

8. Taproot Brewing. Taproot is on the

grounds of Newport Vineyards and is accompanied by its own restaurant by the same name. They’re open seven days a week, host special events and outdoor cookouts and are part of the winery’s regular festivals and concerts. newportvineyards.com/brewery/

Newport

9. Newport Craft Brewing and Distilling. Recently reopened after a large expansion and renovation, Newport has an enormous outdoor patio and beer garden, located not far from the Pell Bridge. newportcraft.com/

Westport

10. Buzzards Bay Brewing. Set in the rolling fields of south Westport, this brewery often has a dozen beers on tap, a food truck parked outside and live music on weekend nights. buzzardsbrew.com/

Pivotal Brewing in Bristol

Ragged Island in Portsmouth

Six Pack Brewing in Bristol