Exploring Warren, Rhode Island

The small seaside town of Warren, Rhode Island, could easily be overlooked, nestled as it is next to the better-known tourist draw of Bristol, and located about 20 minutes outside Providence and some 30 minutes from the glam of Newport. But this former whaling and shipbuilding port still boasts a working waterfront and is home to outdoor-recreation options and an eclectic collection of enticing locally owned shops, restaurants, antiques dealers, and art galleries—all worthy of a visit.

EXPLORING WARREN, RHODE ISLAND

Like so many of these old seacoast towns, parking in Warren, Rhode Island, can be a challenge, and many downtown roads are narrow enough to make one regret owning a full-size sedan. But on this fall weekend there were plenty of open spaces in the free municipal parking lot behind the town hall, which left us just a short walk to the shops along the Main Street and side streets—including Woof! Woof! (a pet boutique and biscuit bar), Whimsies, and oh, the shoe selection at Savon, and the quirky ambience of Imagine.

If you find yourself on Main Street, know that a coffee cabinet will be hard to resist if you cross the threshold of the charming Delekta Pharmacy—complete with old-fashioned soda fountain. Word has it that the syrup used in the making of said cabinet is an old family recipe—closely guarded, too.

Downtown dining options are plentiful, from the classic Federal Hill Brick Oven Pizza, to the warm and inviting Coffee Depot, to the red-and-black diner décor of the c. 1955 Rod’s Grille, where you can get their signature wiener (don’t call it a hot dog)—layered with Coney Island sauce, meat sauce, and onions—and play your Keno number all in one stop.

It was a tough decision, but our lunchtime choice this day was the long-established Wharf Tavern, which extends right into the Warren River—a good option for taking in some of the waterfront scene while also satisfying your hunger.

With our energy recharged, it was time for a tour. Pick up a map of Warren, Rhode Island, and you’ll see its Wampanoag heritage reflected in the names of streets (Metacom, Massasoit, etc.) and geographic points. Settled in 1653 as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and transferred to Rhode Island in 1747, Warren is bounded by the Warren River to the west, the Kickemuit River (said to mean “at the large spring”) to the east, and the Palmer River to the north. In fact, in 1913 a partial excavation of Burr’s Hill Park, located across from the Town Beach, led to the discovery of numerous Wampanoag artifacts.

Many of the homes around town boast a history that dates back to the 1700s, even if they’ve been through a number of incarnations over the years. The oldest brick home in town, the Maxwell House, is now home to the Massasoit Preservation Society. The organization was first established in 1907, when members spearheaded the effort to establish a monument to Massasoit at the site of the spring on Baker Street—believed to be the location of an original native village.

We can’t talk about the history of Warren, Rhode Island, without mentioning Blount—a company that’s part of both the town’s past and its future along the waterfront. The Blount family has worked in the food industry since the 1880s—the 1880s!—beginning in the oyster trade before transitioning to clams. But it was 1943 when Nelson Blount purchased the Warren waterfront property that the company occupies today. The clams processed here in town can be found in the chowders made by some of the country’s biggest names in the soup business. (That’s why the signage boasts “World Headquarter of Clam Chowder.”) As purveyors of award-winning soups and fine seafood, the operation utilizes two historic buildings on one side of Water Street and a retail store on the other (also the Blount Clam Shack, a seasonal operation that had already closed for the season).

With so much water all around, kayakers and boaters enjoy plenty of recreational options, but Warren is also set in the midst of the East Bay Bike Path, a sweet 13.8-mile paved path that wends its way from Bristol through Warren and on to East Providence, with scenic views of Narragansett Bay along the way. And there’s no shortage of snacking options along the route either.

With time for one last stop, we made our way out of town and over to the Audubon Society’s Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge for a quiet walk. The trail is wide and well-marked, an easy stroll down to the water’s edge.

Hmmm … not sure what to make of this, but it was an interesting find along the path:

Well, it was a fine day of discovery in Warren, and as seems to happen so often, our time there was just too short. Armed with the knowledge of what’s here, we’ll be back to shop and nosh and bike and stroll another day. For now, here’s one last parting shot from Touisset Marsh:

Have you ever visited the charming coastal town of Warren, Rhode Island? Let us know! This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated.

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