Located about 40 miles southwest of Providence, Charlestown is a small town in Washington County, Rhode Island. The area around the town has a long history that dates back to 1660, when a private company purchased a piece of land called Misquamicoke from a Native American chief. The land included the present-day communities of Westerly, Richmond, Charlestown, and Hopkinton. It was incorporated as the Town of Westerly in 1669 and became the fifth oldest town in Rhode Island. At that time, the area was home to about 30 families.
In the 1730s, Charlestown separated from Westerly and became its own community. It was named after Charles II, the king of England who granted Rhode Island its charter. In the following years, the young colonial town prospered with its many farms and mills. The construction of the Old Post Road made it more accessible and further boosted its growth. Similar to other early towns in Rhode Island, Charleston underwent a lot of growing pains over the next three centuries. However, it managed to retain its rich cultural and historical heritage. Today, the town is home to about 7,800 residents.
When is the most pleasant time to visit Charlestown, RI?
Charlestown experiences warm and humid summers and very cold, windy, and wet winters. Over the course of a year, temperatures typically range from 24 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and seldom fall below 9 degrees or rise above 86 degrees. For warm-weather activities, the ideal time to visit Charlestown is from mid-June to mid-September, when average temperatures vary from the mid-60s to mid-70s.
Similar to other coastal communities in Rhode Island, Charlestown receives the largest number of tourists from June to August. If you plan to be in town during this time of the year, you'll have access to more attractions and activities. However, you have to be prepared to spend more for accommodation as most hotels will raise their rates significantly. Then again, you can avoid paying peak-season rates by booking your accommodation ahead of time. Alternatively, you can visit Charlestown in September, when hotel rates are lower and the weather is cool and pleasant.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Charlestown, RI:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average rate trends by star rating class in Charlestown, RI. Analyze these charts to evaluate the cheapest time period to stay in Charlestown throughout the year.
What luxury hotels are near Charlestown, RI?
4 Star Average Prices: $196.20
If you're in the mood to splurge, book a room at Blueberry Cove Inn. This hotel is about 11 miles east of Charlestown in Narragansett, less than a mile from Narragansett Town Beach, 7.2 miles from Fort Adams, and 8.3 miles from the historic Blithewold estate. Housed in a 19th century home, Blueberry Cove Inn offers nine individually decorated rooms featuring complimentary Wi-Fi, cable programming, DVD players, microwaves, refrigerators, a private balcony or patio, sofa beds, and premium bedding. In addition, it has amenities such as a terrace, library, and elevator. Complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is available daily.
Aqua Blue Hotel & Conference Center is another highly sought-after high-end hotel. Located 12 miles east of Charlestown in Narragansett, it's less than a mile from South County Museum, 1.1 miles from John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge, and 8.1 miles from Belcourt Castle. This hotel has 62 rooms that feature complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, cable programming, and refrigerators. During your stay, you can test your skills on the golf course, take a dip in the indoor pool and spa tub, enjoy a nice meal in two on-site restaurants, and relax over a drink at the bar and lounge.
What are some budget-friendly hotel options in Charlestown, RI?
3 Star Average Prices: $181.02
If you want to save money during your Charlestown vacation, consider staying at Americas Best Value Inn Stonington Mystic. Located 10.8 miles west of Charlestown in Stonington, this hotel is less than a mile from Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, 1.6 miles from Old Mystic Village, and 2.9 miles from Elmridge Public Golf Course. It has 30 air-conditioned rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi, cable programming, microwaves, refrigerators, pillowtop beds, and premium bedding. Its amenities include TV in the common area and express check-in and check-out.
Budget Inn in North Stonington is another popular option among budget travelers. Situated 8.1 miles northwest of Charlestown in North Stonington, this hotel is within a 15-minute drive to popular attractions such as Mystic Seaport, Foxwoods Resort Casino, and Misquamicut State Beach. Each of its 22 rooms comes with free Wi-Fi, cable programming, and a coffee maker. Free parking is available on-site.
2 Star Average Prices: $146.55
What are the best discounts in Charlestown, RI?
If you're serving in the military or working with the government, you're eligible for a discount at The Coast in Westerly. This hotel is situated 5.4 miles west of Charleston, 3.2 miles from Wilcox Park, 7.4 miles from Stonington Vineyards, and 9.4 miles from Mystic Aquarium. All its 33 rooms are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, cable televisions, refrigerators, and hair dryers. Additionally, it has a picnic area and barbecue grills.
Quality Inn Mystic-Groton offers discounted rates for senior citizens. Located 14.4 miles west of Charlestown, it's less than a mile from Mystic Aquarium, 1.2 miles from Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, and 6.6 miles from Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park. This Quality Inn location features 120 rooms, each including free Wi-Fi, cable programming, a microwave, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, and a hair dryer. As a guest, you can take advantage of amenities such as a seasonal outdoor pool, bicycle rentals, a computer station, concierge services, and laundry services. Complimentary buffet breakfast is available daily.
What are the best value options in Charlestown, RI?
If you're looking for a hotel that offers great value for money, check out Holiday Inn South Kensington (Newport Area). This hotel is situated 14.3 miles northeast of Charlestown, 4 miles from Narragansett Town Beach, 6.8 miles from Naval War College Museum, and 8.1 miles from Beechwood Mansion.
All the 107 rooms in this Holiday Inn location come with complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, cable programming, a video game console, and a hair dryer. While you're staying here, you can relax in the outdoor pool, work out in the 24-hour fitness center, warm up by the fireplace in the lobby, grab a bite from the on-site restaurant, and get things done in the 24-hour business center. The hotel also offers event facilities, laundry services, and cooked-to-order breakfast.
Days Inn by Wyndham Mystic is another hotel that attracts many value seekers. Located about 14 miles west of Charlestown, it provides convenient access to popular attractions such as Foxwoods Resort Casino, Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, and Lyman Allyn Art Museum. This hotel has 122 rooms, each with free Wi-Fi, cable programming, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a hair dryer. In addition, it offers amenities such as an outdoor pool, several beach bars, a business center, travel assistance, and a complimentary casino shuttle. Free continental breakfast is served daily.
What are some popular attractions in Charlestown, RI?
Being a seaside town, Charlestown has a number of nice beaches in its vicinity. Charlestown Town Beach is the most popular among these beaches. Featuring miles of fine, white sand and shallow water, it's a great place for beach-combing, picnicking, swimming, and watching the sunrise. From the beach, you can get a clear view of the picturesque Block Island. If you're looking for a more secluded beach, head down to East Beach. This three-mile beach is one of the more underdeveloped beaches in Rhode Island, but it has a campground and lifeguards in the summer.
If you're looking for some outdoor action, you'll have plenty of options around Charlestown. Just two miles west of the town you'll find Burlingame State Park. This 3,100-acre park has a large pond, freshwater beach, nature trails, wildlife sanctuary, and more than 700 campsites. You can enjoy activities such as swimming, boating, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to about 80 species of birds and is a preferred stopover for migratory birds, making it a wonderful place for bird-watching. Other outdoor attractions worth checking out include Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge and South Shore Wildlife Management Area.
If you're a history buff, start exploring Charlestown's rich history with a tour of Fort Ninigret, one of the oldest military forts on the Atlantic coast. Dedicated in 1883, this fort was named after the Niantic tribe and operated by European settlers. It's believed that Europeans first arrived at the site as early as the 16th century as Spanish artifacts dating to the late 15th century were discovered in a nearby cemetery. Other historic sites you should visit include Carolina Village Historic District, Historic Village of the Narragansett Indians, Babcock House, Sheffield House, and Joseph Stanton House.
Charlestown offers an authentic experience of coastal living in New England. Its wonderful blend of rich history, natural beauty, and modern convenience makes it one of the best travel destinations in Rhode Island. To ensure that you'll have a hassle-free and pleasant vacation, look for a hotel that's situated close to the attractions in your itinerary.
FAQs about hotels in Charlestown