Places to visit in Warwick, RI.
There are a variety of things to do in Warwick, Rhode Island. This city has several state parks, beaches, and museums. It is also close to Providence and Newport. You can find some great dining options, including seafood.
When you travel to Rhode Island, Warwick may be one of the places you’re interested in visiting. This city is in Kent County, only 12 miles south of downtown Providence.
The city has a population of 83,000 as of the 2021 census. It is the third largest city in Rhode Island.
Rocky Point State Park
Rocky Point State Park is a National Historic Landmark in Warwick, Rhode Island. It is a popular attraction that has been open to the public since 1847. Located on Narragansett Bay, it is a scenic park that offers a wide range of activities.
The park is open to the public and features a mile-long walking path. The trail also offers panoramic views of the Rhode Island ferry system and Poughkeep Beach.
Rocky Point is also home to the lighthouse. This park is great for picnicking, hiking, fishing, and swimming. Visitors can even enjoy food trucks.
In recent years, the Rocky Point Foundation has worked with other organizations to open the historic property to the public. It has hosted events that attracted thousands of people to participate in one-day excursions.
Buttonwoods Beach – Warwick City Park
Buttonwoods Beach is a scenic and quaint community in Warwick, Rhode Island. This beach is on a peninsula surrounded by quiet bay coves. It is an excellent place for families.
Various recreational opportunities include a large pond, playground, baseball fields, tennis courts, a bathhouse, and a stone circle for meditation.
The area was initially settled by the Budlong and Greene families around 1700. Today, the Greene/Budlong farm homestead stands on Buttonwoods Avenue. They were among the original Warwick colonists.
As the settlement grew, the Greene family owned a large portion of Nausauket Neck, a long finger of land running south from Warwick Bay. Other Warwick residents like the Sweet family, the Hohler/Maynard family, and the Kinnecom family also lived here.
Oakland Beach
Oakland Beach in Warwick, Rhode Island, is a popular beach destination. This area is known for its sandy beaches, restaurants, and activities. There is even a small amusement park on the peninsula.
Oakland Beach is a densely populated community of cottages. In the late 1800s, the Rhode Island Militia built a camp on the bay’s shores. The camp was later moved to Quonset Point. First, however, the town was a famous summer colony for the middle class of Providence.
The area received a significant boost with the development of the railroad. In addition, railroad tracks ran across the peninsula, making it easier for residents to access the beach.
In the 1930s, the Oakland Beach area was a thriving resort. Some of the local attractions were a roller coaster, a carousel, a Ferris wheel, and a bathing beach. There were also dodgem cars and a carousel movie theater.
Warwick City Hall
Warwick City Hall is the municipal headquarters for Warwick, Rhode Island. Located in the Apponaug Village, it houses the city’s government offices. It also provides public records and municipal services.
During the American Revolution, Warwick was a substantial settlement. At that time, the site of the Gaspee Affair was the first act of armed resistance against the British. In 1781, the town was one of the forces that defeated the British at Yorktown.
Warwick City Hall is a symmetrical structure that contains a two-story council chamber. It is the perfect emblem of civic identity.
The city of Warwick is the third largest in Rhode Island. It is located near Narragansett and Newport. At the same time, the town itself is small but still a thriving commercial center. Many retail chains have relocated into the city, creating a shopping hub.
Other sites to visit in Warwick include the Warwick Museum, which presents historical subject matter. You can also launch kayaks at Salter Grove Memorial Park.
The Gaspee Days Festival celebrates the town’s colonial heritage. It includes an arts and crafts fair, a road race, and a reenactment of the burning of The Gaspee.
Varnum Memorial Armory
The Varnum Memorial Armory in Warwick, Rhode Island, is a stately building once home to the State Guard during World War II. Today, it is a museum filled with interesting artifacts that date back to the Revolutionary War. There are also some unusual items, like a functioning 1883 Gatling gun.
Aside from the museum, the Varnum Memorial Armory is also home to the Warren Varnum Continentals, a past and present military organization. They have a plethora of events and activities to keep their membership occupied.
Among their notable accomplishments is constructing a medieval-style armory in East Greenwich, RI. In the words of the president of the Warren Varnum Continentals, “It is a great privilege to be able to honor our founder, Colonel Warren.”
Other notable attractions include a museum containing more than 600 historical posters. There is also a library of training manuals.