Perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Rhode Island is the three-mile-long East Beach, located near Charlestown's Ninigret Conservation Area. This remote, unspoiled barrier beach has sugar-white sand, gentle surf and clear, turquoise waters, all adjacent to Ninigret Pond, a saltwater pond renowned as one of New England's best wind surfing areas. The pond also supports a great variety of wildlife, as does the adjacent Kimball Wildlife Refuge. Nearby Ninigret Park, situated on 172 acres, features picnic grounds, ball fields, a 10-speed bike course and tennis and basketball courts. The park also includes a three-acre, spring-fed swimming pond and the Frosty Drew Memorial Nature Center with walking trails on the park grounds.

The Big Apple Circus delights children of all ages every July with its one-ring European-style circus held on the Ninigret Park grounds. Each August at Ninigret Park, the Charlestown Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Seafood Festival, a roll-up-your-sleeves feast featuring quahogs, clam chowder, clam cakes, lobster and other Rhode Island seafood specialties.

Blue Shutters Town Beach
A popular family beach located on East Beach Road. Clean and sandy with moderate surf. (401)364-1206

Burlingame State Park
Route 1. 2,100 acre facility by Watchaug Pond, off Route 1. Includes boating, swimming, and 755 campsites. (401)322-7994

Charlestown Breachway
Route 1A. Opening to Ninigret Pond. Limited camping facilities. Excellent fishing. (401)364-1208

Cross' Mills Public Library
Route 1A. Library features a one-room schoolhouse restored and authentically furnished. Special summer activities. (401)364-6211

Frosty Drew Observatory
Located in Ninigret Park, Route 1. A unique facility for providing hands-on experience in observational astronomy. (401)364-9508

Frosty Drew Nature Center
Ninigret Park, Off Route 1. Environmental exploration in a seaside setting for ages 6 to 10. (401)364-9508

Kimball Wildlife Refuge
Off Prosser Trail. 29-acre Audubon Society refuge on Watchaug Pond. Trails, waterfowl, migrating birds. Dawn to dusk. (401)231-6444

Ninigret Conservation Area
East Beach Road. Beautiful, wide beach and wildlife preserve. Great for walking and fishing. (401)322-0450

Ninigret Park
Off Route 1. 172 acres including trails, picnic grounds, ball fields, bike course, tennis and basketball courts, and three acre, spring-fed swimming pond. (401)364-6244

Quonochontaug Beach
Off West Beach Road. Excellent fishing at the breachway.

Royal Indian Burial Ground
Located on Narrow Lane, off Route 1. Resting place of the Narragansett Indian Tribe.

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