
The quaint village of Wickford, Rhode Island, nestled in the town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island offers an untouched glimpse into historic New England.
The village was just named the second best “historic small town in America,” by USA Today 10Best. Only about 23,000 residents inhabit the small village of Wickford.
USA Today quantified small towns as those with a population at or below 25,000. A panel of experts selected the final nominees and over 200,000 readers voted for the top 10 best historic small towns in the nation. Wickford pulled second on the list, just behind Ludington, Michigan.
Europeans first settled this Rhode Island community around 1637. Today, it features one of the northeastern United States’ most significant collections of 18th-century dwellings, most of which are on their original foundations. The Old Narragansett Church was established in downtown Wickford in 1707 and today stands as the oldest Episcopal church building in the region. One of the area’s most visited historical locations is Smith’s Castle, built in 1678 by the son of one of Wickford’s earliest European settlers, notes USA Today.
The best historic small towns in America
These towns were selected for their availability and preservation of history.
- Ludington, Michigan
- Wickford, Rhode Island
- Abilene, Kansas
- Ruston, Louisiana
- San Elizario, Texas
- Winslow, Arizona
- Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
- Cumberland, Maryland
- Jonesborough, Tennessee
- Winterset, Iowa
Things to do in historic Wickford, Rhode Island
Wickford is a beautiful seaside village in Rhode Island. It’s about one mile from the main beach. Take a historic home and garden tour and explore the village by horse carriage! Finish the day with a tour of the 17th-century Smith’s Castle.
You can also explore Wickford Cove by walking, biking or kayaking. Check out the abundance of 18th-century architecture, quaint shops, and more for a full Wickford tour!