Pedal or paddle the scenic island with rentals from Jamestown Outdoors (35 Narragansett Ave.) and shop their lines of apparel and swimsuits for the whole family. (Pro-tip: visit online at JamestownOutdoors.com for Sunset and Full Moon Kayak Tour dates and details, plus standup paddleboard lessons.) Swing by Latitude Custom Apparel (61 Conanicus Ave.) for printed T-shirts and crew gear, Fuller Art & Frame Gallery (42 Narragansett Ave.) for fine art and gifts along with custom framing, Curiosity & Co (14 Narragansett Ave.) to gather in a space where literary and culinary sensibilities converge, and Conanicut Gift Shop (20 Narragansett Ave.) for your vacay essentials – from outdoor gear to sneakers, flip flops, and clothing for all ages – and nautical tokens to remember your Jamestown outing. For even more beachy styles, there’s All Ashore Cottage Outfitters (47 Conanicus Ave.), and a summer soiree isn’t complete without floral arrangements from The Secret Garden (12 Southwest Ave.)
For an island with a little over 5,000 residents, Jamestown has plenty of impressive dining. Rising stars in the dining scene are Beech (13 Narragansett Ave.), opened by a born-and-raised Jamestownian serving upscale casual fare, from fresh-cut pasta to local seafood; 1 Ferry Wharf (3 East Ferry Wharf) an oceanside oasis in the Conanicut Marina (with ice cream from the Sugar Shack inside); and JB’s on the Water (150 Conanicus Ave.) for fans of Wickford on the Water. J22 Tap and Table (22 Narragansett Ave.) is a great example of keeping things small and doing them right; the restaurant is cozy, the small menu changes often, but ingredients are local and at the peak of freshness, and everything – down to the cocktail sauce – is housemade. Tallulah’s Taqueria (35 Narragansett Ave.) brings Providence cult-favorite counterserve tacos, nachos, and burritos, plus an outdoor patio.
The Narragansett Cafe (25 Narragansett Ave.) hosts some of the area’s best live music during the summer. Bands range from jazz and blues to rock, and are always danceable. Find a menu of approachable pub fare – from fish and chips and clam cakes to reubens and hot dogs – along with refreshing bevvies.
If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, Slice of Heaven (32 Narragansett Ave. #1166) is a European-style bakery that serves breakfast and lunch, plus coffee, pastries, and cocktails. Village Hearth Bakery & Cafe (2 Watson Ave.) serves up sweet and savory light fare made from scratch and baked on site in their rustic, cozy cafe, plus catch Pizza Night Fridays for take-away pies. East Ferry Deli (47 Conanicus Ave.), open for breakfast and lunch daily, is known for their specialty sandwiches and sweeping waterfront views. Come for the elevated appetizers and stay for the desserts at Angel’s Kitchen (23 Narragansett Ave.), and at Scuttlebutt Snack Bar (252 Narragansett Ave.) in the Dutch Harbor Boat Yard, pizza, sandwiches of the day, and breakfast bites are a hit for the whole family. Island living isn’t complete without sweet scoops, so stop by The Wicked Whisk (79 North Rd.) for an icecream cone or candy-infused milkshake.
Beer lovers and history buffs: don’t miss out a flight of crushable craft brews from The General’s Crossing (34 Narragansett Ave.) – which is named for Jamestown’s historic claim to fame when General George Washington crossed Conanicut Island to meet with the French to plan the final battles of the Revolution.
Beavertail State Park (Beavertail Rd.) is notably one of the most beautiful pieces of scenery in New England. The rocky coastline offers views of Newport and the Atlantic Ocean from any of its four overlooks and from the hiking trails throughout. The park is also home to Beavertail Lighthouse & Museum, the third-oldest lighthouse in North America, open weekends all summer (with opportunities to climb the tower July 4, 15, and 29; August 7, 12, and 26; and Labor Day), and a small aquarium includes exhibits on local sea life. Director Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums) was so taken with Beavertail that he filmed scenes from Moonrise Kingdom there. Spend an afternoon exploring, or enjoy their environmental interpretive program with guided excursions.
Jamestown is only nine miles long and one mile wide, but there’s a lot of history on the island. Pack a basket of cheese and nibbles from charcuterie and organic wine business Grapes and Gourmet (9 E Ferry Wharf) (or ask about their pre-assembled picnic baskets), and head to Fort Wetherill (3 Fort Wetherill Rd.), an abandoned military fort and must-see destination. Besides the fort itself, which has become something of a graffiti art museum, the views from the cliffs of this 100-foot vantage are stunning. It’s also a popular spot for scuba divers.
Conanicut Battery National Historic Park (Battery Ln.) is home to several earthen fortifications dating back to the Revolutionary War, built by both colonists and the British. Explore the trails, which have information on the park’s history. Fort Getty Park (1050 Fort Getty Rd.), another piece of Jamestown’s military history, has fishing areas and a campground.
Watson Farm (455 North Rd.) has been in operation since 1796, and offers self-guided tours of livestock, wildlife, and farm history. The Jamestown Historical Society (92 Narragansett Ave.) is a hub for all of the island’s historic preservation, including the Jamestown Museum, Meetinghouse and Jamestown Philomenian Library. Be sure to see the windmill, located on North Road near Weeden Land, open weekends or by appointment (JamestownHistoricalSociety.org).
Skip the Newport traffic by parking in Jamestown and then taking the Jamestown Newport Ferry (1 East Ferry Wharf Unit 2) across the harbor. Hop aboard a Coastal Queen Cruise (1 East Ferry Wharf) for a leisurely voyage around Narragansett Bay and the Newport Harbor while enjoying live music ranging from jazz tunes to sea shanties, wine and cheese spreads from Grapes and Gourmet, and even the chance to see Newport’s Fourth of July fireworks display from the water (visit online at CoastalQueenCruises.com for a full line-up). Whether you captain your own vessel or enjoy harbor views, there’s plenty of marinas to choose from, including Safe Harbor Jamestown Boatyard (60 Dumpling Dr.) and TPG Marinas Dutch Harbor Boatyard (252 Narragansett Ave.). Take a sailing lesson from (for members and non-members) with Conanicut Yacht Club (40 Bay View Dr.).
For landlubbers, pay a visit to Jamestown Arts Center (18 Valley St.) for their summer exhibition, Book as Muse: Language & Image, plus events and workshops all season. Let the kids blow off some steam swinging and sliding at the Jamestown Community Playground (North Rd.).
If your idea of fun is more aligned with relaxation, Island Heron Yoga (34 Narragansett Ave.) offers vinyasa, meditation, and more for all levels, and sells curated accessories from their shop. Sign up for a therapeutic or ayurveda massage from a licensed practitioner at Jamestown Wellness (49 North Rd.), a range of yoga classes from West Ferry Yoga (15 Melrose Ave.), and manicures, pedicures, reflexology, and more from Cathryn Jamieson Salon and Day Spa (16 Narragansett Ave.).
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