Saturday, August 10, 2013

Vacation Or Play For The Day At Watch Hill Beach RI

By Nita McKinney


For an idyllic holiday or vacation, plan a trip to Watch Hill Beach RI. This little village is famous for its upscale mansion-sized summer "cottages". During the summer, the enchanting coastline attracts vacationers and day trippers. Walk to shopping, dining, and the seashore. Enjoy hiking, birdwatching, fishing, boating, sailing, swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.

While most homes are summer mansions, Watch Hill Beach RI is also an affordable summer tourist destination. Located between New York City and Boston, it's an ideal spot for a day trip. There are Inns, hotels, vacation cottages and condos to rent for longer stays. This enchanting resort community is also a popular boating destination with ample anchorage for yachts.

The dunes of Napatree Point Conservation area are a haven for migratory birds and several endangered species. In spring, part of the seashore is closed during the nesting season of the Piping Plover bird. Sandy footpaths along this peninsula offer an enchanting view of the ocean, village, mansions along the coastline, and Fishers Island, New York. Napatree Point is a favorite of birdwatchers. It also attracts boaters, anglers (on shore or from a boat), surfers, water skiers, and swimmers.

East Beach is a popular recreation area on the Atlantic Ocean. Take the right of way leading from Bluff Road to the coast, then follow the shore from the old lighthouse past the renovated Ocean House Hotel. Some of the coastline on either side is private. There's plenty of public access as well, but no amenities or lifeguards. Enjoy fishing, hiking, swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.

The Flying Horse Carousel is the 2nd oldest carousel in the United States. The 20 horses are suspended on chains from the center frame so they swing out or "fly". From the carousel take a left and walk up the hill. Carousel Beach, at the end of Bay Street, is favored by families with small children. It offers lockers, showers, and a lifeguard.

Seven miles of beautiful seaside stretches between Watch Hill and Westerly. The shoreline is perfect for a variety of water sports such as swimming, surfing, and kayaking. Shops along the way offer surfing lessons, or rent kayaks and jet skis. Half way between Watch Hill and Westerly is Misquamicut State Park with lifeguards, concessions, shade pavilions, picnic areas, separate swimming and surfing areas, and plenty of parking.

Families may want to take a drive along the Misquamicut shoreline towards Westerly. Stop at Bayview Fun Park, a water park with water slides and a recreation area with miniature golf, batting cages, and go-karts. Next door is Atlantic Beach Park, a children's amusement park with an antique carousel, kiddie roller coaster, and ferris wheel. Walk to the public seashore to swim in the surf.

The shoreline is a fisherman's delight with surf fishing available on East Beach and the Napatree peninsula. This is a yachting community with fishing boats, charters, moorings, and dock facilities available during the busy season, Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are hotels, cottages, and condos to rent for extended stays. Once there, everything is in walking distance. Enjoy hiking and bird watching as well as boating, swimming, and surfing at Watch Hill Beach RI.




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