Major city · United States
WakefieldWakefield, Rhode Island
Base here 2 nights for South County beaches and the bike path; skip it as a standalone sight — Main Street takes an hour, the coast needs a car.
Wakefield is a village of the town of South Kingstown, a compact Main Street with a working downtown, 10–15 minutes by car from the South County beaches. It is a practical base for the coast rather than a destination in itself: one evening for Main Street and dinner, then days out to Matunuck, Narragansett and the bike path. A car makes the stay; without one you are tied to the Route 66 bus and a thin local network.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for beaches; May and Sep–Oct for lower prices and quiet roads
- avoid Jul–Aug weekends (beach traffic and full rooms); Jan–Mar (many seasonal places shut)
- Airports
- PVD · BOS
- Nights
- 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 Wakefield911 ▾
- 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 Wakefield, 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
- SafetyWakefield is a low-crime village and fine on foot by day and evening.
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.
- Getting aroundWalk the village centre — Main Street is about 10 minutes end to end.
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 mealPizza or casual dinner main$12–22
- Street or quick mealBreakfast diner plate$10–16
- BeerDraft beer at a bar$6–9
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or rideshare$12–20
- Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed, a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
- High-end bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$350
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$165 · 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 30–40 min by car via I-95 and RI-4/Route 1; RIPTA bus connections run to Providence, not direct to Wakefield) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 1 h 30 min by car in light traffic; longer on summer Fridays)
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
Avoid
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
Care
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
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Jan–Mar. 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
Wakefield: 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)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°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
Walk the village centre — Main Street is about 10 minutes end to end. For beaches, Matunuck, Narragansett and the ferry at Galilee you need a car or a bike; the William C. O'Neill Bike Path runs about 8 miles from Kingston station through Peace Dale and Wakefield toward Narragansett. RIPTA Route 66 links Wakefield with Providence and the Galilee ferry, roughly 6:00–22:00 on weekdays and slightly later at weekends (check the current timetable).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Narragansett and Point Judith
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive Route 1 south to Route 108, about 15 min
Beach and lighthouse; pair with lunch at Galilee.
Block Island
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min to the island
Drive to Galilee, then the ferry
Day-tripping works but is rushed; one night is better. Book the ferry ahead in summer.
North Kingstown and Wickford
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive Route 1 north, about 20 min
Wickford's harbour village makes a half-day; see things to do in Wickford, Rhode Island.
Westerly and Watch Hill
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive Route 1 south-west, about 35–45 min
Beaches and the Watch Hill carousel; a full day with traffic.
Newport
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Drive Route 1 north then Route 138 over the bridges, about 45 min
Mansions and harbour; go early in summer.
Providence
goDoor to door: About 1 h by bus
RIPTA Route 66 from Wakefield, or drive I-95, about 40 min
Useful rainy-day swap; check the bus timetable.
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.
Wakefield village centre (Main Street)
Walk to dinner, coffee and shops; limited rooms, so book summer weekends early.
Route 1 / Wakefield Mall strip (Old Tower Hill Rd)
Chain motels and the mall; car-first, 5 min drive to Main Street.
Narragansett and Galilee/Snug Harbor
Closer to the beaches and the Block Island ferry; 10–20 min drive from Wakefield.
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$190 | US$380 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$165 | US$660 |
| RIPTA Route 66 day pass2 × US$6 | US$12 |
| Rental car, one day, compact1 × US$70 · fuel and tolls extra | US$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$116 |
| Trip total≈ US$320 per person per day, bed included | US$1,278 |
2026 estimate in US dollars, before sales tax and tips; prices shown before tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Breakfast diner plate | $10–16 |
| Ice cream cone | $5–8 |
| Pizza or casual dinner main | $12–22 |
| Draft beer at a bar | $6–9 |
| RIPTA single ride / day pass | $2 / $6 |
| 5 km taxi or rideshare | $12–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer weekend traffic on Route 1 and Route 108 backs up near the beaches; leave before 10:00.Summer weekend traffic on Route 1 and Route 108 backs up near the beaches; leave before 10:00 AM.
- Many seasonal restaurants and ice-cream stands close or cut hours from October to May.
- Parking near Matunuck and Moonstone fills early on hot days; some beach lots charge a fee for non-residents.
- Ticks and poison ivy on the bike path and in the Great Swamp: use repellent and stay on the paved trail.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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WakefieldWakefield, Rhode Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Rhode Island; consulates-general are in Boston, about 1 h 30 min by car.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- RIPTA Route 66, Providence ↔ Galilee via Wakefield: single ride about $2, day pass about $6
- PVD airport → Wakefield by taxi or rideshare: about $45–70, 30–40 min
- Galilee → Block Island ferry, passenger return: about $30–40 in season
Say or show
- Where is the beach parking? — Where is the beach parking?
- Is this lot for residents only? — Is this lot for residents only?
- One day pass, please — One day pass, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the ferry running today? — Is the ferry running today?
- Thanks, have a good one — Thanks, have a good one
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% 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 Wakefield. 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; May and Sep–Oct for lower prices and quiet roads · avoid Jul–Aug weekends (beach traffic and full rooms); Jan–Mar (many seasonal places shut) · month by month →
- 2 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 connections, taxi and rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for Main Street with rescue anchors: coffee, dinner, ice cream, pharmacy.
- Beach-day pages with parking rules and fees for Matunuck, Moonstone and Narragansett town beach.
- Ferry-day fixture for Galilee–Block Island with booking windows and weather cancellations.