Overview
Little Compton is a rural farming town in Newport County in southeastern Rhode Island. It includes the villages of Adamsville and Sakonnet. It is between the Sakonnet River on its west and Massachusetts and the West Branch of the Westport River to the east. Little Compton is one of the only places in the state where you can walk on a large, grassy farm while looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean. Its claim to fame is that it is where the famous Rhode Island Red (a breed of fowl and the Rhode Island state bird) was developed.
2 sights · 4 things to do · 11 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Little Compton
Wilbor House, Barn, and Quaker Meeting House
Historic early 1700s building, maintained by Little Compton Historical Society. The Wilbor House was built during 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries and restored in 1956 by the Historical Society. Barn contains historical Ne…
Sakonnet Light
Erected in 1884, the Sakonnet Light House was actually once marked for demolition. When Hurricane Carol hit the small town in 1954, Sakonnet Light was rendered inactive. Under heavy protest, residents Carl and Carolyn Ha…
Gray's Store
Built in 1788, one of the oldest continuously operating stores in the country. It contains an old 1804 post office, an original soda fountain, candy and tobacco cases, and ice chest.
Sakonnet Vineyards
Tours, tastings and self-guided vineyard walks.
South Shore Beach
This beach is a popular attraction. There are days when "Lot Full" signs are posted along the road. However, it is worth the trip down to the beach to see the accuracy of the sign. It's often filled with both residents a…
Simmon's Mill Pond
This area caters to hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, nature walking, fishing, and canoeing.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 24°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Oct. (climate data from nearby Newport)
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.
- NPT Newport State Airport, Newport — 6 mi away. Directions
- EWB New Bedford Regional Airport, New Bedford — 16 mi away. Directions
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
In order to get to Little Compton, travelers must either go through Tiverton, RI or Westport, MA. Some common routes are:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Wilbor House, Barn, and Quaker Meeting House, Sakonnet Vineyards
- Lunch A-1 Pizza
- Afternoon Simmon's Mill Pond
- Dinner Earl's
- Evening Goulart's Package Store
Day 2
- Morning Sakonnet Light, Gray's Store
- Lunch Simmons
- Afternoon South Shore Beach
- Dinner The Last Stand
- Evening Adamsville Wine & Spirits
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.
Get in
In order to get to Little Compton, travelers must either go through Tiverton, RI or Westport, MA. Some common routes are:
- From Boston Area:
Route 93 South to Route 24 South. EXIT Tiverton/Little Compton - Route 77 South on Route 77. At the traffic light at Tiverton Four Corners most travelers go straight, but Little Compton and Adamsville can be reached by going left.
- From Providence Area:
Route 195 East to 24 South. EXIT Tiverton/Little Compton - Route 77 from 24 south directions are the same as from Boston Area.
- From Newport Area:
North on East Main Road (Route 138) or West Main Road (Route 114) to Route 24 North. EXIT Tiverton/Little Compton - Route 77 From here, directions are the same as Providence and Boston Areas
Route 77 runs through the center of Little Compton all the way to the coastline. Once on route 77, anywhere in Little Compton can be easily accessed within twenty minutes.
Get around
Little Compton is a small town, but spread across a big portion of land. Because of this, travelers will desire a car or motorcycle. For the athletic and/or light packers, a bicycle will suffice. Little Compton is a bicycle-friendly place because of the long, low sloping roads which travel throughout the area. There aren't many hills in Little Compton. Also, there is very little traffic running along Little Compton's main road (Route 77) which makes cycling, walking, and running a more practical means of transportation. If exploring The Commons, walking will suffice as it is in a small area.
See
See Wilbor House, Barn, and Quaker Meeting House
Historic early 1700s building, maintained by Little Compton Historical Society. The Wilbor House was built during 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries and restored in 1956 by the Historical Society. Barn contains historical New England farm items and tools.
See Gray's Store
Built in 1788, one of the oldest continuously operating stores in the country. It contains an old 1804 post office, an original soda fountain, candy and tobacco cases, and ice chest.
- Monument to Elizabeth Pabodie, Commons Burial Ground. Gravesite of first white girl born in New England, a daughter of Pilgrims John and Priscilla Alden.
- Rhode Island Red Monument, Main Street, Adamsville.
- The Commons, This town common area is where one can find a bite to eat, a bank, convenience stores, etc. It is actually the only town commons in the entire state of Rhode Island. The commons is where the people of Little Compton can meet and relax with a plethora of things to do, all within walking distance from one another.
- Spite Tower, Another distinctive feature of the town is the “Spite Tower” found in the village of Adamsville. Locals claim that the tower was constructed to throw off the line-of-site of the townspeople. While most stories involve members of the local Manchester family, there is no consensus as to the true history of the structure.
Do
Do South Shore Beach
This beach is a popular attraction. There are days when "Lot Full" signs are posted along the road. However, it is worth the trip down to the beach to see the accuracy of the sign. It's often filled with both residents and people who travel a great distance to grab a bit of sand in the small hamlet. Once parked, most visitors sit right by the parking lot, and it gets crowded. If travelers desire more space or desire a calmer body of water to play in, walking to the "Second Creek" where South Shore turns into Goosewing Beach is an option. Second Creek is a little pond in the middle of the beach that will often after a rain connect to the ocean. There are deep sections of this pond, but it is calmer than the ocean. It's not as developed as a state beach, but port-a-johns and a renowned hot dog cart are more than enough to keep the beach goers happy.
Do Simmon's Mill Pond
This area caters to hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, nature walking, fishing, and canoeing.
Do Sakonnet Light
Erected in 1884, the Sakonnet Light House was actually once marked for demolition. When Hurricane Carol hit the small town in 1954, Sakonnet Light was rendered inactive. Under heavy protest, residents Carl and Carolyn Haffenreffer actually purchased the lighthouse from the town in 1961. It has since changed hands a few times, but was finally reactivated in 1997. It has been a landmark and frequent tourist attraction for much of its life, and continues to function as such.
Buy
Shop Living Water Surf Co.
Shop Thursday Thrift Shop
Shop Wilbur's General Store
Eat
Eat Earl's
Gas station, movies, drinks, and snacks.
Eat Simmons
Small scale grocery store, with an attached sandwich shop.
Eat The Last Stand
Seasonal market. Sandwiches, fish, drinks, fruit, vegetables.
Eat The Young Family Farm
Flowers, fruit, vegetables.
Eat Walker's Roadside Stand
Vegetables, fruit, corn, drinks, some packaged food items.
Eat Margaret's Corner Cones
One of the most beloved destinations in Little Compton is the town ice cream shop. Serving many flavors of real ice cream, it's packed from opening Memorial Day weekend until they close up shop on Labor Day. Locals and tourists turn up in droves to taste the constantly rotating flavors, which are all delicious and always served with a smile. Tip: bring bug spray. While there is a small sitting area inside, the majority of the seating is made up of little picnic tables located outside of the Ice Cream shop.
Eat The Art Cafe
A small coffee shop. Little trinkets are on display for sale.
Eat Pietra (Stonehouse Club)
Tuscan-inspired cuisine with a local flair; open May-September. It has yet to be reopened in the summer of 2011.
Eat 1854 (Stonehouse Club)
Serves modern comfort food.
Drink
There are no bars or clubs in Little Compton. However, there are package stores listed below.
Sleep
Stay Land End Bed and Breakfast
Go next
- Neighboring towns are Tiverton and Westport (Massachusetts). Also, Newport is a short drive away and provides tourists and site-seers many options. Newport has an extensive night scene and is approximately thirty minutes from Little Compton.
Nearby
Middletown
City / town · 34 listings · 7 mi away
Newport
City / town · 127 listings · 8 mi away
Portsmouth
City / town · 19 listings · 8 mi away
Tiverton
City / town · 19 listings · 9 mi away
Brenton Point State Park
Park · 1 listings · 10 mi away
Jamestown
City / town · 48 listings · 11 mi away
Westport
City / town · 15 listings · 11 mi away
Dutch Island
Park · 12 mi away
My experience
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