Barrington

Barrington is a scenic town of 17,000 (2020) in Bristol County, Rhode Island with many great waterfront properties and activities.

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 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

• 1 Barrington Civic Center Historic District (Barrington Town Hall), 283 County Rd. 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.  
• 2 Barrington Town Beach, Bay Road. 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.  
• Haines Memorial Park, Narragansett Avenue. 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. 
• 3 Nayatt Point Lighthouse (off Nayatt road along the water). 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.  
• Osamequin Nature Trail, Hundred Acre Cove (near country road). A conservation area maintained by the town consisting of 38 acres of nature trails and a bird sanctuary. 
• Veterans Memorial Park, West Street. A 245 acre town park bordering historic Brickyard Pond. Facilities include a baseball field and picnic areas. 
• Walker Farm (Located off County Road). A town park that offers thirty acres of open land including boating and fishing accesses. Permit Required. 

Do

• 1 Barrington Preservation Society Museum, Rte. 114 (on the lower floor of Barrington Public Library), ☏ +1 401 246-0999. Tu and Sa 10AM-2PM, and by appointment. This museum contains a fine collection of artifacts and memorabilia from Barrington's rural past and industrial background. Exhibits change frequently. Free.  
• Barrington Yacht Club, 25 Baton Ave (along Barrington River), ☏ +1 401 245-1181, byc@barringtonyc.com. Every day, 8AM-8:30PM. 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. Membership is very affordable and 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. 
• Body Natural Fitness Center, 306 County Rd, ☏ +1 401 245-0022. A gym and smoothie bar is open for one day use and its new age equipment makes for a great time. 
• 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. 
• Kids Cove, 283 County Rd (behind the Town Hall and next to the Barrington Pubulic Library). A brand new playground that can add hours of fun for kids of all ages. 
• Latham Park, Bay Spring. Both a public boat launch and kids playground. Offers the possibility of fun and breathtaking views of the Bay. 
• Striper Marina, 24 Tyler Point Rd, ☏ +1 401 245-6121. A fishing marina, offers boat ramp and fuel if you have a boat, or catch a fishing charter if you don't! 
• Brickyard Pond (behind the YMCA off the bike path). 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. 
• Safe Harbor Cove Haven, 101 Narragansett Ave (on Bullocks Cove at the head of the Narragansett Bay), ☏ +1 401 246-1600. A great place to keep your boat if you're looking for to get away from the hectic boating scene on the Bay. They offer summer slips as well as winter storage. 
• 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

• Barrington Books, 184 County Rd, ☏ +1 401 245-7925. A local book store that houses both best sellers and books of local authors. 
• Feminine Fancies, 290 County Rd, ☏ +1 401 247-1087. Features designer women's clothing and undergarments. Suitable and tasteful for younger women and older women. 
• Weird Girl Creations, 33 Kent St, ☏ +1 401 247-1397. Decorate your own pottery or buy from the wide assortment of creations. 
• Talbots, 180 County Rd, ☏ +1 401 247-4511. The women's chain clothing store, carries classic clothing. 
• Ann Taylor Loft, 180 County Rd, ☏ +1 401 245-0358. Fashionable women's clothing chain store. 
• Hidden Gardens, 212 County Rd, ☏ +1 401 247-9233. 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

• Bagels etc.,, 259 County Rd, ☏ +1 401 247-1213. Daily 7AM-7PM. 'The Bagel Shop', as the locals call it, offers a great variety of fresh bagels and unique cream cheese flavors, plus great coffee. 
• Newport Creamery, 188 County Rd, ☏ +1 401 245-2212. Amazing ice cream and sundaes. 
• Vienna Bakery, 110 Maple Ave, ☏ +1 401 245-2357. Tu-Sa 7:30AM-7PM, Su 7:30AM-6PM. 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! 
• Daily Scoop, 230 County Rd, ☏ +1 401 245-0100. Great ice cream. Try the key lime pie and the Chocolate Fudge Brownie. 
• Golden Bowl, 226 County Rd, ☏ +1 401 247-1800. 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.

• Bluewater Bar + Grill, ☏ +1 401 247-0017. Waterside dining and refreshments. (updated Jul 2023)

Sleep

There are no hotels located in Barrington, the closest one is approximately 15 minutes away in Seekonk, Massachusetts.

• Ramada Inn, 940 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, ☏ +1 508 336-7300. 
• Comfort Inn, 41 Highland Avenue, Seekonk, ☏ +1 508 336-7900. 

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.

Routes through Barrington

Providence via ← East Providence ←

N  S

→ Warren → Newport