Till Duff Do Us Party
Things To Do
Eat | TwoTen Oyster Bar & Grill
Local oysters & seafood dishes served in an airy, casual bayside hub. Fun outdoor area in the front with lounge seating and bar, plus inside of restaurant looks out over pond. We always make an effort to come to TwoTen (at least once every time we travel to RI) to get our oyster fix.
Beach | Blue Shutters Town Beach
Very popular family-oriented town beach and our go-to beach in Charlestown, near Nicky and Steve's beach house. This is where our post-wedding "Beach Day" will be held on Saturday, 9/8. It's a pretty spot with spectacular views of Block Island Sound. FYI: this beach will be "closed" after Labor Day, meaning free parking, no lifeguard, and no public access to the restrooms (just portable ones).
Eat | Holy Cow, A Heavenly Experience
This cute little gem of an ice cream shop IS heavenly. You MUST stop here while you're in Charlestown, RI. They have a variety of flavors suitable for all. Don't be surprised if there is a line out the door!
Tour | Newport Cliff Walk
A world famous 3.5 mile walk along the eastern shore of Newport. This walk combines the rugged Atlantic coast/Rhode Island shoreline with the mansions of Newport's gilded age. It's a walk, a hike, a little bit of both with breathtaking scenery from the waves of the Atlantic to the manicured lawns and gardens. This is the only National Recreational Trail within a National Historic District in the United States.
Shop | Thames Street
Stroll along Thames Street to indulge in a variety of cute boutiques, countless bars, restaurants, museums, and historic homes.
Shop | Lemon and Line
We stumbled upon this store on a stroll down Thames Street in September 2017. The store caught Emily's eye and so we went in, and left with two symbolic rope bracelets to celebrate having just booked our wedding venue.
Drink | Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company
The first distillery in Rhode Island in 135 years. They produce more than 100 distinctive beers, whiskey, single barrel rum, and an overproof white rum. Visit their website for more information on tastings and tours.
Tour | Fort Adams
Drive 15 minutes to Fort Adams, a fort built around the time of the Civil War to defend the US coastline from threats across the Atlantic. It stayed in action until WWII, and is now a historic site and museum. You can walk around the exterior of the fortress on your own, but you must tour the fortress to go inside.
Activity | Castle Hill Inn
Just around the corner from Fort Adams is Castle Hill Inn, a gorgeous hotel perched on the hilltop with a top-notch restaurant. The dining room has an amazing view over Narragansett Bay and is known for its seafood dishes, so this is the perfect place to try some local lobster, clams, fish, or oysters.
Activity | Castle Hill Lighthouse
This is a very quick little 3-minute hike from the Castle Hill Inn parking lot. If you park toward the back of the lot you'll see an opening for the trail that will bring you to the lighthouse. It's amazing at sunset so make the effort to walk on the rocks to get a unique view of the lighthouse in the setting sun.
Tour | Newport Mansions
Newport houses a variety of mansions including The Rosecliff (where The Great Gatsby was filmed), The Breakers, Marble House and The Elms. Visit newportmansions.org to purchase tickets.
Visit | Block Island
Block Island is just south of mainland Rhode Island. It's one of the dreamiest day trips you can take while in Rhode Island. We've been twice (once over Labor Day Weekend 2015 and again Labor Day 2017). Pick a date, ferry, and your means of getting around the island. Recommendations to follow...
Activity | Island Moped & Bike
We've rented mopeds from here twice, and think it's the best way to scoot around the island for a day.
Activity | Southeast Lighthouse
Visit the Southeast Lighthouse. (Bonus points if you can bike all the way up the hills without having to stop.) You can take a tour to the top of the lighthouse or walk around and take in the breathtaking views from the ground. Take a break in the shade and then head back out to explore.
Block Island | Ferry
One of our favorite day trips is out to Block Island. We have a number of Block Island recommendations, but first, hop on a quick ferry ride out to this cute island for the day. Caution: it *can* be choppy on the high-speed ferry.
Drink | Charlestown Wine & Spirits
This quaint liquor store has an impressive beer and wine selection, with artisan cheeses and snacks. Stop here before the beach if you'd like some nice cheese and unfamiliar (but delicious) beer/wine.
Coffee | Dave's Coffee
Our favorite place to grab coffee and pastries when visiting and staying in Charlestown. This cozy coffee shop has quirky decor, seating outside, and a small boutique attached. We once walked here from Nicky and Steve's house and got caught in a torrential thunderstorm (word of advice: check the weather before going on a long walk). FYI: Expect for there to be a bit of a wait, but it's well worth it!
Shop | Fantastic Umbrella Factory
A quirky roadside attraction with oddball knick-knacks, stores, and some farm animals (emus, ducks, and goats). It's a Rhode Island landmark and National Treasure in Charlestown since 1968 and is open year round.
Shop | Hope Artiste Village
Hope Artiste Village is one of the largest successful mill restoration projects in Rhode Island. This thriving mill space boasts cafes, a coffee roaster, a live music venue, fitness studios, designers, artisans, event spaces, and a bustling wintertime farmer’s market.
Eat | Matunuck Oyster Bar
While there are many fantastic oyster spots in RI, this one is by far our favorite. This place has it all - the ambiance, the views, the food, the drinks. Be prepared to wait for a table - they don't take reservations, but fear not because they have a beautiful patio bar overlooking the water where you you can wait, order drinks, and relax until your buzzer buzzes.
Drink | Ocean Mist
Beachside deck, live music, and dive bar (for all ages) all in one. This is a fun spot to visit either at night or during the day, especially on a rainy day. You can't go wrong coming here.
Activity | Rent a SUP or Sea Kayak
If you're staying on the beach and want some toys, you can call this place and rent a stand-up paddleboard or sea kayak.
Visit | Watch Hill
Watch Hill is an affluent coastal village and census-designated place in the town of Westerly. It sits at the most-southwestern point in all of Rhode Island. We spent Labor Day 2015 at Nicky and Steve's Watch Hill condo and have visited numerous times since. (Keep an eye out for Taylor Swift's mansion: it sits on the highest point of Watch Hill.)
Eat | Sunny Side Up
This is a great spot for a quick breakfast sandwich and some pastries. You can eat there, or take your sandwiches to go and eat them by Weekapaug Beach, down the road!
Activity | Go Clamming
Clamming is one of our favorite pastimes in RI. VisitNewEngland.com has a round-up of shellfishing locations in Rhode Island, where you can dig for clams. Be sure to heed any posted warnings about the closure of shellfish grounds due to pollution. Please note non-residents need to carry a permit.
Activity | Rent Surfboards
There's a few places to surf if you'd like to try that out. Warm Winds Surf Shop rents surfboards for the hour or the day. They'll also have recommendations of where to go to catch the sickest break.
Eat | Coast Guard House
The Coast Guard House has a pretty amazing rooftop patio that you can use for afternoon drinks and watching the ocean! Their food is also very good if you'd like to get dinner or lunch here!
Activity | Go Fishing!
This is just one fishing charter, but there are many that head out from the Port of Galilee. This place will take you fishing for fluke (summer flounder), cod, squid, and sea bass.
Eat | Rhode Island Seafood Festival
The Rhode Island Seafood Festival will take place over the course of our wedding weekend. You’ll get a taste of the best local seafood straight from the water, a great selection of brews, wines and spirits to wash it all down and live music that complements the sounds of the ocean. You can purchase admission for $5 per adult over 12 at the entrances to India Point Park on Saturday and Sunday.