Major city · United States
North Kingstown
Base here 1–2 nights only if you want Wickford, the beaches and a ferry to Martha's Vineyard; otherwise day-trip from Newport or Providence.
North Kingstown is a coastal town in Washington County, Rhode Island, with about 30 miles of Narragansett Bay shoreline and roughly 26,000 residents. It is 20 miles south of Providence, 12 miles northwest of Newport and 60 miles south of Boston. The historic village of Wickford sits inside the town but has its own guide. Most visitors use North Kingstown as a quiet base for beaches, colonial history and the Quonset Point ferry, not as a sightseeing destination in itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for beaches and ferries; May and Oct for lower prices and quiet trails
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, many attractions closed); peak July weekends for beach parking
- Airports
- PVD · BOS · QUO
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for North Kingstown911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about North Kingstown, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime, quiet town; the real risks are unguarded water, dark rural roads at night and deer on Route 1A.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPVD Rhode Island T.F.
- Getting aroundA car is close to essential: sights are spread across 58 square miles and buses are sparse.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealCasual dinner main$16–28
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–16
- BeerDraught beer$6–9
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or farm admissionCasey Farm and Gilbert Stuart charge modest fees; the Seabee Museum is free.$4–12
- Budget bedHostel or shared bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PVD Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, Warwick (About 30 min by car; RIPTA bus links to Providence and Wickford Junction) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 1 h 30 min by car; train to Providence then onward) · QUO Quonset State Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled airline service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Jun, Aug–Oct. Mixed: Jul. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Mar (11 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
North Kingstown: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
10 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is close to essential: sights are spread across 58 square miles and buses are sparse. Route 4 links to Providence and I-95. RIPTA runs regional buses through Wickford and along Post Road, and there are two Park & Rides (Ten Rod Road and Frenchtown Road). Wickford Junction station has commuter rail to Providence. Enterprise has a rental desk on Post Road (drivers must be 25 or older).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wickford Village
goDoor to door: 10–15 min by car
Drive or RIPTA bus along Post Road and Route 1A
The town's historic seaport; walk the waterfront and Main Street.
Newport
goDoor to door: About 30 min by car
Route 138 over the Jamestown and Newport bridges
Mansions, harbour and Cliff Walk; a full day.
Narragansett
goDoor to door: About 25 min by car
Route 1 south
Town beach and Point Judith for seafood.
Providence
goDoor to door: 30–45 min
Route 4 north to I-95, or Wickford Junction commuter rail
Museums, WaterFire and restaurants; easy half-day.
Block Island
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min including ferry
Drive to Point Judith, then the year-round ferry
Day-trippable in summer but rushed; one night is better.
Martha's Vineyard (Oak Bluffs)
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 35 min crossing plus terminal time
Vineyard Fast Ferry from Quonset Point
Seasonal service; check the sailing calendar and book ahead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Wickford Village
Walkable historic centre with inns and B&Bs; best for a car-free evening. See the Wickford guide for specifics.
Post Road / Quonset Point
Chain hotels and motels near Route 4 and the business park; cheapest rooms, but you need a car for everything.
Saunderstown and Boston Neck
Quiet rural stays near Casey Farm and Rome Point; good for couples, few services within walking distance.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $130–200 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or chain-hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$180 | US$360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$160 | US$640 |
| Compact car hire, one day1 × US$80 · check | US$80 |
| Vineyard Fast Ferry, return2 × US$90 · check; seasonal | US$180 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$129 |
| Trip total≈ US$355 per person per day, bed included | US$1,419 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–16 |
| Lobster roll | $20–30 |
| Casual dinner main | $16–28 |
| Draught beer | $6–9 |
| Museum or farm admissionCasey Farm and Gilbert Stuart charge modest fees; the Seabee Museum is free. | $4–12 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Beaches at Quonset Point and Rome Point have no lifeguards: swim with care, the bottom at Rome Point is rocky.
- Alcohol and open fires are banned at the Quonset Point beaches; pets must be leashed.
- Belleville Pond allows non-motorised boats only; fines apply.
- Many small museums and farms run seasonal hours only — confirm before driving out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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North KingstownNorth Kingstown
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; consulates are in Boston and New York. Check your country's nearest office.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PVD airport → North Kingstown, taxi or rideshare: about $45–65, 30 min (check)
- RIPTA bus, single ride: about $2, exact change (check)
- Vineyard Fast Ferry, Quonset Point → Oak Bluffs: about $45 one way, 1 h 35 min (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for North Kingstown. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for beaches and ferries; May and Oct for lower prices and quiet trails · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, many attractions closed); peak July weekends for beach parking · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PVD: last RIPTA and taxi fallback, plus the Wickford Junction rail option.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Wickford, Quonset Point beaches, Saunderstown and Rome Point, Post Road services.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs for Casey Farm, Smith's Castle, Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and the Seabee Museum.
- Seasonal ferry and beach-parking fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialTown of North Kingstown
- officialHistoric New England — Casey Farm
- officialSmith's Castle
- officialGilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum
- officialSeabee Museum
- officialBiomes Marine Biology Center
- officialRhode Island Bay Cruises
- officialVineyard Fast Ferry
- secondaryWikivoyage: North Kingstown, revision 5237838 (CC BY-SA 4.0)