Jamestown Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Time to Visit & Itinerary

Connected to the mainland and Newport by two soaring bridges, Jamestown, situated on Conanicut Island, feels a world away from the bustle of its famous neighbor. While Newport dazzles with Gilded Age mansions and busy wharves, Jamestown offers a pastoral, maritime tranquility that captures the authentic spirit of coastal New England. It is a place of stone walls, historic farms, and dramatic rocky shores that have stood guard against the Atlantic for centuries.

Visitors here quickly fall into ‘island time.’ The village center is compact and walkable, lined with independent shops and restaurants that look out over the marina filled with bobbing sailboats. Whether you are watching the fog roll in over the Pell Bridge or exploring the ruins of old military forts, Jamestown invites you to slow down and breathe in the salt air.

A Legacy of Defense and Agriculture

Jamestown’s strategic location at the mouth of Narragansett Bay has defined its history. For centuries, it served as a critical defensive point, resulting in a landscape dotted with military history, from the earthen berms of the Conanicut Battery to the massive concrete casemates of Fort Wetherill. These sites, once built to keep people out, now serve as some of the most fascinating public parks in Rhode Island.

Beyond its military past, the island maintains a strong agricultural tradition. Unlike many coastal resort towns that have been fully developed, Jamestown has preserved hundreds of acres of working farmland. The sight of sheep grazing in green pastures against a backdrop of blue ocean is a signature view that highlights the community’s dedication to preservation.

The Icons You’ll Want to See

Beavertail Lighthouse Museum - Located at the southernmost tip of the island, this is the premier attraction. The park is free to enter, though the museum accepts donations. It is approximately 4 miles from the town center.

Fort Wetherill State Park - Situated on high granite cliffs, this park offers hiking trails through graffiti-adorned ruins and spectacular views of the ocean. It is a free state park located 2 miles from the village.

Jamestown Windmill - A beautifully preserved 1787 windmill that stands as a testament to the island’s farming roots. Located on North Road, roughly 1.5 miles from the center, it is open for tours on summer weekends.

Conanicut Battery - A historic fortification site on the west side of the island offering wooded trails leading to a scenic overlook. It is free to visit and located about 3 miles from the ferry landing.

Planning Your Visit

Getting to Jamestown is part of the adventure. Most visitors arrive by car via the Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge from the west or the Newport Pell Bridge from the east. Note that there are tolls on the Newport bridge. For a more scenic entry, take the seasonal ferry from Newport, which drops you right in the heart of the village at East Ferry.

Once on the island, a car is helpful for reaching the far ends like Beavertail, but the village itself is very walkable. Cycling is arguably the best way to see the island; the terrain is rolling but manageable, and the views from the road are unmatched. Be sure to bring layers, as the wind off the water can be chilly even in July, and comfortable shoes are a must for exploring the rocky coastlines.

Jamestown is a destination that offers a different kind of luxury, the luxury of space, silence, and untouched natural beauty. Whether you are climbing the rocks at Beavertail or enjoying a quiet coffee by the marina, you will leave with a deep appreciation for this unpretentious island gem.