Overview
Barrington is a scenic town of 17,000 (2020) in Bristol County, Rhode Island with many great waterfront properties and activities.
7 sights · 9 things to do · 5 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Barrington
Barrington Civic Center Historic District
Built in 1887 by Stone, Carpenter and Wilson, architects of Providence. It was renovated in 2009 due to the deterioration of the outside stonework. The old style of this building offers a medieval feel through its unique…
Barrington Town Beach
Four acres of beachfront overlooking Narragansett Bay. Lifeguards on duty from June to September. The cost of a resident parking sticker is $15 for the season (June–August). Unfortunately this beautiful spot cannot be en…
Nayatt Point Lighthouse
Built in 1828. The rationale behind building this lighthouse was to mark the narrow channel between Nayatt Point and the reef off Conimicut Point. As a result of poor a poor design, the lighthouse deteriorated rapidly an…
Barrington Preservation Society Museum
This museum contains a fine collection of artifacts and memorabilia from Barrington's rural past and industrial background. Exhibits change frequently.
Haines Memorial Park
Include 75 acres of athletic fields, picnic sites, dog park, boat dock and launching ramp. The park can get crowded especially on weekends where it is the location of many recreational sporting events. A great place to s…
Osamequin Nature Trail
A conservation area maintained by the town consisting of 38 acres of nature trails and a bird sanctuary.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Dec. (climate data from nearby Providence)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 6 mi away (major hub). Directions
- NPT Newport State Airport, Newport — 15 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Barrington Civic Center Historic District, Nayatt Point Lighthouse, Walker Farm
- Lunch Bagels etc.,
- Afternoon Body Natural Fitness Center, Latham Park
- Dinner Newport Creamery
- Evening Bluewater Bar + Grill
Day 2
- Morning Barrington Town Beach, Barrington Preservation Society Museum, Osamequin Nature Trail
- Lunch Vienna Bakery
- Afternoon East Bay Bike Path, Striper Marina
- Dinner Daily Scoop
Day 3
- Morning Haines Memorial Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Barrington Yacht Club
- Lunch Golden Bowl
- Afternoon Kids Cove, Brickyard Pond
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Barrington was established as its own town back in 1717 and is named after Barrington, Somerset where many of the original English settlers came from. Barrington is not a very large town as it spans only 15.4 square miles. However, of the 15.4 square miles, 8.4 of it is land and 7.0 of it is water. Much of Barrington's history comes from the brick industry and small businesses clustered along the main street, which helps it maintain its friendly and comfortable atmosphere.
Bordered on three sides by water, this small town on Narragansett Bay retains the leisurely feel of its days as an early 20th-century summer resort, and its proximity to Providence and Newport allows easy access to both city and beaches. Entering from either side of Barrington, either from Seekonk, Massachusetts, or from Warren, Rhode Island, you will run across or next to the Barrington River. In the summer, many people enjoy days of waterskiing, fishing, and sailing on the river. Other main attractions during the summer are the Barrington Beach and Rhode Island Country Club.
Due to its coastal New England climate, Barrington experiences all four seasons, with a long summer, blooming spring, scenic autumn, and snowy winter. In the summer, it offers quick getaways to the beaches in Newport, the Cape, and the Islands, and in the winter, ski trips to New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont are just a few hours north. Barrington offers the best parts of New England living, while offering a quiet haven with easy access to the nearby action.
Get in
By plane
- T.F. Green Airport (PVD) in Warwick offers low cost regular flights from many cities in the United States.
- Boston's Logan Airport (BOS) is much larger and is generally used for international flights.
By rail
By bus
By car
Get around
Barrington is easily navigated either by car or by public transportation. The RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority) has eight stops within the town. Barrington is also home to a bike path that runs through some of its more scenic locations such as Brickyard Pond, the YMCA softball field, and through the center of town. This makes it easy to get around Barrington either by bike, walking, running, or driving. Travel by boat along the Barrington River by way of the Yacht Club. Barrington's waterside location also makes the town easily accessible to Narragansett Bay boaters looking to dock up and grab a bite to eat.
See
See Barrington Civic Center Historic District (Barrington Town Hall)
Built in 1887 by Stone, Carpenter and Wilson, architects of Providence. It was renovated in 2009 due to the deterioration of the outside stonework. The old style of this building offers a medieval feel through its unique masonry, towers and gables.
See Barrington Town Beach
Four acres of beachfront overlooking Narragansett Bay. Lifeguards on duty from June to September. The cost of a resident parking sticker is $15 for the season (June–August). Unfortunately this beautiful spot cannot be enjoyed all throughout the year: due to high levels of bacteria, the beach is often closed since it is not safe for swimming. Despite this and the fact that it's not known for large waves or surfing, it is still noteworthy as a small, quiet beach.
See Haines Memorial Park
Include 75 acres of athletic fields, picnic sites, dog park, boat dock and launching ramp. The park can get crowded especially on weekends where it is the location of many recreational sporting events. A great place to spend a weekend morning with the family.
See Nayatt Point Lighthouse
Built in 1828. The rationale behind building this lighthouse was to mark the narrow channel between Nayatt Point and the reef off Conimicut Point. As a result of poor a poor design, the lighthouse deteriorated rapidly and was not tall enough. With only a height of 25 feet, the Nayatt Point Lighthouse was permanently deactivated in 1868.
See Osamequin Nature Trail
A conservation area maintained by the town consisting of 38 acres of nature trails and a bird sanctuary.
See Veterans Memorial Park
A 245 acre town park bordering historic Brickyard Pond. Facilities include a baseball field and picnic areas.
See Walker Farm
A town park that offers thirty acres of open land including boating and fishing accesses. Permit Required.
Do
Do Barrington Yacht Club
The Barrington Yacht Club offers the finest yachting facilities on Narragansett Bay. It consists of two marinas, a fuel dock, a clubhouse (including a full bar), a sailboat jungle gym, a pool, and a snack bar. Members enjoy a full range of services including a yacht racing program, social activities, club cruises, and sail training program. Slips and moorings are available to non-members for a fee, on a space available basis. The fuel dock is also open to non-members as well as members. A longtime employer of Barrington's youth, the staff is both professional and personable. The Barrington Yacht Club is a great place for kids to spend their summer! Members Only.
Do Body Natural Fitness Center
A gym and smoothie bar is open for one day use and its new age equipment makes for a great time.
Do East Bay Bike Path
A bike trail running from the town of East Providence to Bristol using what used to be an old railroad bed. It is open to bicycles and foot traffic and has some entertaining sights.
Do Latham Park
Both a public boat launch and kids playground. Offers the possibility of fun and breathtaking views of the Bay.
Do Striper Marina
A fishing marina, offers boat ramp and fuel if you have a boat, or catch a fishing charter if you don't!
Do Brickyard Pond
Brickyard Pond gets its name from the clay deposits in the pond that were used by Nayatt Brick Company starting in the mid-1800s. While the clay is no longer harvested, the pond is home to large and small mouth bass and numerous sunfish, making it a great place for a novice fisherman to relax and cast a line on a summer day.
- Boating and sailing lessons: Narragansett Sailing School, at Cove Haven Marina, offers a variety of American Sailing Association certified classes to help beginners and experienced sailors be prepared to sail on the open water.
Buy
Shop Feminine Fancies
Features designer women's clothing and undergarments. Suitable and tasteful for younger women and older women.
Shop Weird Girl Creations
Decorate your own pottery or buy from the wide assortment of creations.
Shop Hidden Gardens
Located on the main road, it is a secluded place to buy trees, plants, and flowers. Also a store that offers various gifts and decorations. Especially popular during the holiday season.
Eat
Eat Bagels etc.,
'The Bagel Shop', as the locals call it, offers a great variety of fresh bagels and unique cream cheese flavors, plus great coffee.
Eat Newport Creamery
Amazing ice cream and sundaes.
Eat Vienna Bakery
Great selection of authentic Italian baked products. Items baked daily include breads, rolls, pastries, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, Italian specialties, cheesecakes, tarts, calzones, éclairs, cannolis and specialty cakes. Great aroma in the store!
Eat Daily Scoop
Great ice cream. Try the key lime pie and the Chocolate Fudge Brownie.
Eat Golden Bowl
Mediocre Chinese food and great service.
Drink
The Democratic Club, Rhode Island Country Club, and Yacht Club feature bars, but all three only serve members. Liquor can be bought locally at Grapes and Grains in the Center Marketplace just off of county road. Liquor stores are also available a short drive over the border to East Providence, Seekonk, or Warren.
Drink Bluewater Bar + Grill
Waterside dining and refreshments.
Sleep
There are no hotels located in Barrington, the closest one is approximately 15 minutes away in Seekonk, Massachusetts.
Go next
While there is very little to do in Barrington concerning nightlife, the surrounding towns offer numerous options. Upscale dining can be found on Federal Hill in Providence, or on America's Cup Ave in Newport. Providence, Newport, and Bristol all feature a vibrant nightlife with a wide variety of bars, restaurants, and clubs, 30 minutes or less from town.
Nearby
Warren
City / town · 15 listings · 2 mi away
Seekonk
City / town · 22 listings · 4 mi away
Bristol
City / town · 34 listings · 5 mi away
Warwick
City / town · 80 listings · 5 mi away
Swansea
City / town · 20 listings · 7 mi away
Cranston
City / town · 69 listings · 7 mi away
Providence
City / town · 21 listings · 8 mi away
Goddard Memorial State Park
Park · 9 mi away
My experience
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