Things to do / Travel Guide
Scenic ocean views, quaint country roads, and views of imposing Gilded Age mansions, are the main draws of driving through Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island is so rewarding.
Scenic Drives in Massachusetts
You can find great drives in Massachusetts northern shore land, and also around Cape Cod. In the north, you'll find yourself in one of the most historic districts in the United States. Start at the tip of Cape Ann, on Route 127. It's a small road, but it gets the job done! You'll pass through the three towns of Rockport, Gloucester, and Manchester-by-the-Sea. These towns are ancient, all settled before 1630, but their histories are different from one another. You'll see old summer homes by the sea, ancient ports, great views of the ocean (especially at sunset), and the sites where several movies were filmed (such as “The Perfect Storm”). From the tip of Cape Ann down to Manchester-by-the-Sea is all of 15 miles.
Farther south, travel to Cape Cod. For a taste of the Cape's Old World charm, of the quiet side of the Cape, head down the Old King's Highway from Sandwich to Orleans. Also known as Route 6A, the “Highway,” as the locals and all Cod-lovers call it, is actually a lane that passes by the quaint antique shops and captivating bed and breakfasts that give the Cape its special atmosphere.
Scenic Drives in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, Newport's Ten Mile Drive, which combines Ocean Drive and Fort Adams, is one of the most popular drives in the United States. The route will take you past opulent summer “cottages,” public parks, and miles of spectacular shoreline.
Route 77 is a 15-mile scenic drive that will begins in the quaint town of Tiverton Four Corners and meanders through the farmlands of Little Compton before ending in the fishing village of Sakonnet Point. In Little Compton you can stop at the Sakonnet Vineyards for a tour and tastings.
For a more laid-back drive, take a tour of some of the quaint towns in Rhode Island's South County:
- Start in the Victorian town Watch Hill, located at the southwestern tip of the state and site of one of the region's prettiest beaches. Continue east along Route 1A and U.S. 1 to Misquamicut State Beach, where they sell great saltwater taffy. Keep heading east to the seaside community of Weekapaug.
- In Weekapaug there's a salt pond called Quonochontaug and also the Quonochontaug Barrier Beach, where you can see the locals fish and hike along the sand.
- From there either head back to Watch Hill or continue along the coastal road until you reach Narragansett.
From Watch Hill, on the south-western tip of the state, to Narragansett, on the south-eastern tip before the Rhode Island Sound, it's a bit shy of 30 miles. Take it slow though, and enjoy the frequent stops and great views.
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