This Is The Most Charming Small Town In Rhode Island, New Report Says

RHODE ISLAND — A new report in the travel magazine Afar has named the most charming small towns across the nation — and Charlestown is its pick for Rhode Island.

The magazine chose Charlestown for "its picturesque, coastal village charm," golden-sand beaches, hiking and biking trails, and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, "a magnet for migratory birds."

"Perhaps the funkiest spot in town is the Fantastic Umbrella Factory, a historic farmstead that’s been transformed into a shopping complex with gardens, a bamboo forest, and a menagerie that includes chickens and emus," according to the magazine. "Particularly noteworthy is the complex’s Native American–owned Purple Shell boutique, which sells handcrafted wampum jewelry made from quahog clam shells."

Visitors to Charlestown can also stay at the same inn George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt once did, and sink their teeth into smoked scallops and fry bread tacos at the Sly Fox Den Too.

Other towns listed in the report include Hudson in New York, North Adams in Massachusetts, New Hope in Pennsylvania, and Los Olivos in California.

For the list, Afar said it defined a small town as a place with around 25,000 people or fewer. The pick for each state was chosen based on a unique attraction or characteristic to draw in visitors – whether it’s “singular streets or spectacular outdoor adventure opportunities,” according to Afar.

For example, the standout Maine small town, Belfast, was chosen for its “palpable hippie-meets-hipster energy,” while Waterbury, Vermont, got a nod for being the home of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory.

Meanwhile, ski towns (and ski-town "vibes") made several appearances on the list — including Whitefish in Montana and Leadville in Colorado, while Wyoming, Georgia, and South Carolina all featured towns with deep histories: Cody, Dahlonega, and Beaufort, respectively.

Looking to pick up a delicious block of cheese? The list has you covered there, too, suggesting a visit to Harman’s Cheese and Country Store in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, for its “beloved” white cheddar.

Read the full report in Afar.