South County

One of New England's best known and return-to vacation area, the South County stretches from the Connecticut border to Newport. It possesses 14 wonderful sandy beaches and boasts of 18 public golf courses, and its great saltwater fishing. The region has historic sites, museums, lighthouses, sailing, swimming, windsurfing, shopping and whale watching. A great vacation area for the entire family in all seasons. Things to See and Do Attractions Flying Horse Carousel in Watch Hill; unlike today's carousels, The Flying Horse has the horses suspended from a center post and swing out as the carousel goes round and round. This carousel is one of the oldest still operational in the nation. On every child's "must see list". International Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame in South Kingston; exhibits memorabilia from Hall's inductees. Interactive exhibits for all ages. Misquamicut Beach at the southwest end of the state has been for years a magnet for vacationers. White sandy beach, shopping, evening entertainment, fine restaurants. University of Rhode Island Coastal Institute Visitor Center in Narragansett; interactive coastal exhibit featuring a video, computer activities, stream table, and dune machines for children and adults. Historic Sites Casey Farm in North Kingston; mid-18th century homestead. Excellent example of a Colonial era plantation farm. Gilbert Stuart Birthplace in North Kingston; the artist of the portrait of George Washington that is on the dollar bill. This site exhibits the works of the renown portrait artist, and an 18th-century snuff mill and its water wheel. Smith's Castle in North Kingston; provides a recreated look of plantation life in 1600's Rhode Island. Locations Wickford Village- a historic picture-book New England village. Tree lined streets, relax at one-of-a-kind boutique shops and antique shops, and enjoy casual, delightful lunches at local establishments. Museums General James Mitchell Varnum House Museum in East Greenwich; an 8-room mansion built in 1773. Revolutionary period furnishings and artifacts. On the National Register of Historic Places. New England Wire & Steam Museum, Inc. in East Greenwich; exhibits early communication items as radio, telegraph and television equipment. Also, stationary steam engines, hot air,gas and oil engines. Reference library. South County Museum in Narragansett; exhibits life in Rhode Island's past with its antique toys and dolls, old country kitchen, and cobbler shop. Varnum Military Museum in East Greenwich; featuring military weapons from the 16th-century to present days. Historic military uniforms and photos. Military medal and ribbon collection. Historical documents. Science & Nature Related Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown; a true observatory, not a planetarium, was constructed in the late 1980's Dome has a retracting roof to allow unobstructive view of the sky. Staff assist in and explain the viewing.

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