WindCheck Magazine

A Pair of Day Trips from Jamestown

Several harbors on scenic Narragansett Bay are an easy daysail from Jamestown. Among them are the village of Wickford, located a few miles north of Jamestown on the west side of the bay, and Bristol, situated on the eastern shore of the bay northeast of Jamestown.

Wickford

Established in 1709, Wickford is a quintessential fishing village with waterfront streets lined with unique shops, art galleries, cafés and restaurants nestled amongst beautifully maintained churches, colonial homes and gardens. Known as “the Venice of New England,” picturesque Wickford boasts more houses on the National Historic Register than any town in the country.

From the south, enter the West Passage east of Fl G 4s GONG “3” at Whale Rock. As you approach Wickford, stay at least 500 yards off Dutch Island, pass under the Jamestown Bridge and head due north, staying east of Fox Island, where you’ll see GONG R “2” marking the entrance to Wickford Harbor. There’s a nice town dock at the head of Wickford Cove, and you can tie your boat there for two hours free of charge while you explore the town. The town maintains several moorings, which are available on a first come, first-served basis. Contact Wickford’s Harbormaster on VHF channel 65 or at 401-294-3316 x 255 for availability and guidance through the harbor, which is shallow in places.

Overnight dockage and moorings are available at Brewer Wickford Cove Marina (401-884-7014), a full service marina with gasoline, diesel, pumpout station and a ship’s store. They monitor VHF channel 9. Johnson’s Boat Yard (401-294-3700) is a full service yard with transient dock space. Pleasant Street Wharf (401-294-2791) has dockage, moorings, gas and diesel.Wickford Shipyard (401-294-3361) has dockage moorings, and gas and diesel. Transient dock space is available at Wickford Marina (401-294-8160). They monitor VHF channel 10. Wickford Yacht Club (401-294-9010) has five guest moorings available on a first come-first-served basis. The club monitors VHF channel 9.

Stop into the Beach Rose Café (401-295-2800) at 85 Brown Street for breakfast or lunch, and enjoy chowder or clam cakes on their waterfront deck. The Harborside Grill (401-295-0444), at 46 Tamarack Circle, is open from 6am to 3pm for breakfast and lunch. Bagelz (401) 294-6366), at 21 West Main Street, serves breakfast and lunch with a large selection of bagels, fresh sandwiches, coffee and more. The Place (401-294-0800), at 95 Brown Street, serves up hot and filling fare at reasonable prices. Tavern by the Sea (401-294-5771), at 16 West Main Street, serves lunch and dinner from burgers and grilled pizza to international cuisine, and their deck offers a great view of the harbor.

Wickford has several oneof- a-kind shops. Mystic Scrimshanders (401-294-2262) at 14 Main Street, where you’ll find scrimshaw, Nantucket baskets, marine art, bird carvings, sailor’s Valentines, amber jewelry and more. The Hour Glass (401-295-8724), at 15 West Main Street, has an amazing selection of clocks, compasses, weather instruments…and hourglasses. Nautical Impressions (401-295-5303), at 16 West Main Street, has Rhode Island souvenirs, ship models and gifts for sailors and landlubbers alike. Blue Hydrangea (401-295- 2583) at 2 Main Street has gifts, home décor items, natural stationary and whimsical jewelry. Canvasworks (401-295-8080), at 10 Main Street, sells the latest Life Is Good clothing, stationery, home furnishings, sturdy and stylish canvas bags and more. Different Drummer (401-294-4867) at 7 West Main Street, has an unusual collection of pottery, glassware and unique jewelry. The Grateful Heart (401-294-3891), located in a house built in 1728 at 17 West Main Street, sells books on such subjects as meditation, Eastern philosophy and alternative healing, as well as jewelry, crystals, candles and incense. They can even take a Polaroid photo of you and your aura!

Be sure stop into Marine Consignment of Wickford (401- 295-9709), located at 7725 Post Road. Sam and Kathy Angelini maintain a huge inventory of outboard engines, parts for all kinds of powerplants, winches and deck hardware, rigging, pumps, electronics and one-of-a-kind vintage items. With new stuff arriving every day, Marine Consignment is an amazing place to browse and they just might have that “no longer available” part you need to salvage your vacation. They’re open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

Among Wickford’s special events are the Strawberry Festival (June 20), the 47th Annual Wickford Art Festival (July 11 & 12) and the Wickford Harbour Festival (September 20 & 21).

Bristol

With a boatbuilding heritage dating back to the early 17th Century and the oldest Independence Day parade in the United States, Bristol is a great destination for yachting enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

From the south, the approach to Bristol’s wide harbor is easy. Follow the buoys on the East Passage and enter the channel on the west side of Hog Island, staying midchannel between N “2” SW Pt. Hog Island and RG Bell at Poppasquash Point and thence to a point between Castle Rocks to starboard and green can C “3” Usher Rocks to port. To approach the Herreshoff Marine Museum, keep RG nun at the Middle Ground to starboard then head easterly. To approach Bristol Yacht Club and Bristol Marine, head northerly along the western shore and you’ll find the well-marked fairway through the mooring field. There’s an anchorage located south of mooring field, near the old stone armory building on the east side of the harbor. You can go ashore and tie your dinghy (free of charge) at the docks at either Independence Park or Rockwell Park. Contact the Bristol Harbormaster with any questions at 401-253-1700.

Overnight moorings with reciprocal privileges for yacht club members are available for $40 at Bristol Yacht Club, located on the harbor’s west side. You’re encouraged to reserve a mooring, and the best way to do so is to email Chief Steward Chris Healey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also leave a message at 401- 253-2922. Bristol YC monitors VHF channel 68.

Bristol Marine (401-253-2200), north of the yacht club, has transient slips and moorings, and is a full-service boatyard offering mechanical, electrical, fiberglass and canvas repairs. They monitor VHF channel 69. Both have launch service.

Bristol has a wide range of dining options for hungry sailors, and those listed here are within two blocks of the harbor. Quito’s (401-253-4500), at 411 Thames Street, is a quintessential clam shack serving great clam cakes, fried clams and chowder. Their outdoor patios overlook the harbor, and they serve homemade root beer. Redlefsen’s Rotisserie & Grill (401-254-1188), at 444 Thames Street, features eclectic global cuisine with an emphasis on German and Alsatian-inspired specialties and fresh fish.

Located in a historic stone warehouse on the waterfront at 259 Thames Street, the DeWolf Tavern (401-254-2005) serves seafood, steaks and homemade pasta, with many dishes charcoal roasted in a traditional tandoor oven. Topside Lounge & Restaurant (401-253-1566), at 805 Hope Street, serves seafood and “pocket friendly” pub fare, and they have live bands on Saturday nights. Persimmon (401-254-7474), an intimate bistro at 31 State Street, serves fine American cuisine. Bristol’s oldest waterfront restaurant, the Lobster Pot (401-253-9100), at 119 Hope Street, serves a variety of fresh local seafood. Le Central (401-396- 9965), at 483 Hope Street, has an extensive menu featuring French cuisine. For breakfast, try Bristol Bagel Works (401-254- 1390) at 420 Hope Street or Sip N Dip (401-253-7970) at 775 Hope Street.

Named a “Distinctive Destination” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum (401-253-2707), located at 101 Ferry Road, is one of New England’s finest garden estates. To see what’s in bloom, visit blithewold.org. If you need to stretch your legs, you can walk or bike along the scenic East Bay Bike Path, an automobile- free trail that follows the shore 14 miles north to East Providence. At Colt State Park, located on Hope Street, you’ll find picnic groves, four miles of bike trails, and the beautiful Chapel-By-The Sea. First held in 1785, Bristol’s Fourth of July Celebration is the oldest continuous celebration of its kind in America. For a list of this year’s events, visit july4thbristolri.com. For shopping, head for Thames Street Landing (401-253-2016) at 259 Thames Street, where you’ll find a variety of shops and eateries.

A visit to Bristol is simply incomplete without a stop at the Herreshoff Marine Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame. Located on the harbor at One Burnside Street, the museum is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm until October 31 (closed July 4). The museum has transient moorings – call them on VHF channel 68 to reserve one. The museum’s Hall of Boats has more than 60 Herreshoff designs from dinghies to 12 Metres. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $2 for students with ID and free for children under 12. For more information, call 401-253-5000 or visit herreshoff.org. ✦