THE LOCAL: Deanna

WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST HIM/HER: 23 year old Deanna was born and raised in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Her family has lived in the town since 1962- in fact, her aunts were on the softball team that won the first ever State Championship for Narragansett High School! Deanna graduated from the University of Rhode Island and over the past year, has had the opportunity to travel the country. The more she’s traveled, however, the more she’s grown to appreciate her little beach town. As Deanna says, “Narragansett is as local as it gets due to all of our successful small businesses.” Read below for Deanna’s tips on what to do in Narragansett!

Quick Five

1. Best Place to Grab Beers or an Evening Cocktail?

If you’re looking to grab a drink with a calm vibe, Turtle Soup on the seawall is a great option. Sitting on their front lawn with a drink, gazing at the moon shining over the ocean… what could be better?!

2. Best Coffee Shop or Bakery?

Coffee n’ Bagel Connection offers the most bang for your buck- snag a large iced coffee and bagel for under $5! But know that this coffee shop is cash only. Cool Beans Café is more expensive but has a large, healthy menu, including delish açaí bowls.

3. Favorite Place or Street for a Walk?

Walking the seawall is an obvious choice, but to get a different perspective of the seawall, head to Black Point. This trail leads down to the rugged and rocky coastline of Narragansett and is a great place to enjoy the ocean breeze. If you’re not familiar with the ocean, I wouldn’t venture too close to the rocks. The parking lot for Black Point is located off Ocean Road just north of Scarborough State Beach.

4. Your Recommended Sunny Day Agenda?

Go to a beach! Narragansett has many beaches to offer to families, young adults, or anyone trying to get away. Because Narragansett Town Beach is private, there are fees for parking and admission (around $15-$20), but in my opinion the clean and accessible beach conditions make it worth the price. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, head to any of the states beaches!

5. Essential Tip for Visitors?

My recommendation for any tourist in Narragansett is to bring cash. Many of our favorite places don’t accept credit or debit cards, so it’s good to have plenty of cash on hand.

TripAdvisor’s Top Five Narragansett Attractions

1. Narragansett Beach– Thumbs Up.

Narragansett Town Beach is the heart of the town. ‘NTB’, as the locals refer to it, offers a sandy beach that keeps both the swimmers and surfers happy. The Warm Winds Surf Truck is down at the beach every day, renting surfboards, running lessons, and running the town’s youth surf camps. If you aren’t one to sit on the beach all day or if you have kids that want to learn to surf, renting from Warm Winds is an excellent option. At both pavilions, there are food shacks and Rhode Island’s famous Del’s Lemonade. Non-resident day passes are available for cash only, as are the parking fees.

2. Block Island Ferry– Thumbs Up.

Block Island Ferry offers both a slow and high speed ferry to the Island. Make sure to do your research on the ferry schedule, as well as give yourself plenty of time to park and purchase your tickets before departing. Also, if you aren’t bringing your car to the Island, make sure to have cash to pay at one of the lots around the ferry. And a final tip- don’t park at the first lot you see; there are many lots with different set price points, so give yourself some extra time to seek out the best lot.

3. Scarborough State Beaches (North and South)-

I have never been to Scarborough State Beach before, but I do know that they charge for parking, so driving in with a group is ideal to save on parking costs. The beach has a boardwalk and pavilions with benches if you don’t want to sit on the sand.

4. Roger W. Wheeler State Beach–

I’ve also never been to Wheeler State Beach but know they have parking fees as well. This beach has been known to have calmer waters than other beaches in Narragansett.

5. The Towers– Thumbs Up.

The Towers are one of the last historical buildings that survived the 1900 Casino Fire. The Towers remain to be the standing symbol of our town and its history. Inside is the South County Chamber of Commerce, which offers lots of information for travelers. It’s also a beautiful venue for weddings and events.

TripAdvisor’s Top Five Narragansett Restaurants

1. Brickley’s Ice Cream– Thumbs Up.

The best homemade ice cream! Prepare to wait in an absurdly long line, but Brickley’s is 100% worth it. All of their flavors are amazing and the only way to enjoy them is to order a scoop in one of their homemade waffle cones! Cash only, however they have ATMs at both locations.

2. Coast Guard House– Thumbs Up!

After Hurricane Sandy, Coast Guard was forced to renovate their lower floor and used this opportunity to rearrange the restaurant layout as well as revamp the menu. Order from their menu full of fresh seafood from the upstairs deck bar or downstairs for their full menu. Both spots offer panoramic views of the coast.

3. Crazy Burger Cafe & Juice Bar– Thumbs Up.

Crazy Burger Cafe will have the longest wait in town, but you’ll forget after your first bite! Crazy Burger is BYOB, and they serve more than just delish burgers (think vegan dishes, a gluten-free menu, fresh juices and an espresso bar) . In addition to lunch or dinner, this is also a go-to breakfast spot! Crazy Burger is famous for their sweet potato fries and homemade ketchup.

Psst: Crazy Burger Cafe has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives twice!

4. George’s of Galilee– I’ve never eaten at George’s but have heard positive reviews about their seafood, sushi and steak!

5. Monahan’s Clam Shack By the Sea– Thumbs Up.

Monahan’s is a classic New England seafood shack with a beautiful ocean view. Try the lobster rolls, clam chowder, and the clam cakes!

Featured Image: Point Judith Lighthouse

Warm Winds Surf Shop Info: http://www.warmwinds.com/

Are you a Narragansett local? Would you like to share any tips for visitors? Share with us in the comments below!

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