Scituate (Rhode Island) - town in Rhode Island, United States

Scituate is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island. Scituate offers suburban conveniences and proximity to Providence, and a tranquil, rural environment of unspoiled forests and pristine streams and ponds.

Understand

Scituate was founded in 1710 by emigrants from Massachusetts. Scituate was considered to be a part of Providence until 1731. Encompassing 52 square miles, Scituate is bounded by Glocester to the north, Johnston and Cranston to the east, Coventry to the south, and Foster to the west. The Scituate Reservoir supplies drinking water to over 60% of the state's population.

Get in

By Car Route 6 will take you through the heart of Scituate. From I-95 N, take 295 N to Route 6 W. From I-95 S, take Route 10 S to Route 6 W. The easiest way to get to Scituate is by Rt. 6 North off of 295. Take exit 6C toward US-6 W/FOSTER. This will take you through the middle of Scituate. Another road that allows you to get into Scituate is Plainfield Pike, going through Cranston. The best way to get to Scituate from the north is Rt. 6 off of 395 as well as Rt. 101.

Get around

RI as well as other New England states is infamous for axle damaging and tire popping pot holes caused by frozen water during the winter time. Scituate has numerous pot holes in the its rural out skirts nevertheless traveling by car is the best way to get around Scituate. Biking is an option on the less congested roads,but due to narrow streets in the residential areas it is not suggested. There is some bus service in the area RIPTA bus #90 goes to Scituate but is not ideal.

See

• Scituate Reservoir. It is the largest body of water in Rhode Island, covering roughly 5.3 miles. It supplies 60% of the states drinking water. When it was created it flooded the old town of Scituate as well as Kent, Richmond and Ashland. Surrounding the reservoirs 66 miles of shoreline are acres and acres of protected land, which allows for beautiful views and much wildlife.
• Gainer Memorial Dam. Built in 1926, it spans 976 meters and is 55 meters tall. It was built to create the Scituate reservoir, blocking the Pawtuxet River.
• Andrews-Luther Farm.
• Dexter Arnold Farmstead.
• Battey-Barden House.
• Clayville Historic District.
• Amos Cooke House.
• Hope Mill.
• Double L Site.
• Hope Village Historic District.
• McGonagle Site.
• Millrace Site.
• Moswansicut Pond Site.
• Old Congregational Church.
• Smithville Seminary.
• Smithville.
• Woonasquatucket River Site.

Do

Parks and Recreation (dead link: December 2020). All parks are for public use. Many of them are used for team sports as well. The parks are open from 7M to 10PM, 7 days a week, unless otherwise posted.

• Berkander Field, Greenville Road. Featuring four lighted tennis courts, a lighted basketball court, a little league field, and volleyball courts.
• Dean Andrews Memorial Field, Battey Meeting House Road. Little league field and playground.
• Gorham Field, Route 101. Softball field, little league field, and two tennis courts.
• Hope Memorial Field It is located walking distance from the heart of Scituate Village. It has 4 tennis court, 2 softball fields, as well as 1 basketball court. All of the venues are lighted, and during the summer there are basketball tournaments held weekly. Right across the street there is a Gazebo that every month holds local events, including outdoor concerts and local car shows., Clinton Avenue. Two little league fields, two tennis courts, a softball field, basketball court, and a playground.
• Hope Pond Recreational Area, Route 116. Teen center, tennis court, and swimming area.
• Walking Trail, Rockland Road. Approximately one mile in length through Scituate's scenic wooded areas.
• Westconnaug Meadows, Washington Highway. Little league field and soccer field.

Events

• Scituate Art Festival. Held every year during Columbus Day weekend (early October), the festival features hundreds of arts and crafts dealers, various other vendors, musical entertainment, raffles, and food and refreshments. It is often the largest event for the town of Scituate; it brings in hundreds of people. The art festival is held in the center of town, closing down West Greenville Road up until it crosses Rt. 101. Parking is very limited, most often you can find a spot on the side of Rt. 116, Rt. 101 or Rt.6. For those passing through, it is better that you avoid the center of town entirely unless you are attending the art festival.
• Old Home Day An array of family events, such as teddy bear judging and a dunking pool, taking place every July 4 at Tourtellot Memorial Common.

Buy

• In 2008 Scituate underwent a major restoration project to many of the local shops and roads in the center of town. The new updates included the restoration of many town houses now used as small shops, as well as new sidewalks, and freshly paved roads through the center of town. All these updates really brought new businesses into Scituate and made the shopping experience more enjoyable, and just like old times.
• Charming Treasures 178 Danielson Pike, +1 401 764 5123 . Hours: M W F Sa Su 10AM-5PM, Tu Th 10AM-8PM. A unique country gift shop in the middle of Scituate town. Charming treasures open in 2009, in a Scituate Public Market two-story historical building. The merchandise varies from apparel, and candles to home furnishing, jewelry, and wedding gifts.
• Call Me Sweetheart, 179 Danielson Pike, +1 401 647-4200 , A small shop that specializes in woman’s dresses, including wedding and prom dresses.
• Enchanted Yesteryears, 143 Danielson Pike, +1 401 647-0600 . It is a small antique and collectable store that has many items to show the small town country living of Scituate. The store has 30 vendors, each of whom their own uniquely designed area filled with antiques, glassware, lines, furniture, artwork, reproductions, and countless one-of-a-kind items.
• Trinity Thrift Shop, 36e Danielson Pike, +1 401 647-2322 . Gently used clothing and housewares for bargain prices.

• The Country Gardener, 617 W Greenville Rd, +1 401 647-2208. Retail florist and garden center.

• The Aura Gift Shop, 180 Danielson Pike, +1 401 647-0074 .
• Bittersweet & Ivy LLC, 180 Danielson Pike, +1 401 647-2900 .
• Gifts & Things LLC, 32 Chopmist Hill Rd, +1 401 710-7233. This place has a lot nice little knickknacks and other various items.
• Barden Family Orchard, 56 Elmdale Road (north on Route 116 from Route 101, second left on Pole Bridge road go to end take a right onto Elmdale Road), +1 401-934-1413. late July-Thanksgiving 9AM-6PM. Apple, peach and berry picking. Freshly picked sweet corn, and other fruits and vegetables grown on the farm. Apple cider beginning mid Septmeber.

Eat

• Cindy's Diner, 46 Hartford Ave, +1 401 934-2449. Cindy's Diner is believed to have one of the best tasting breakfasts of all time by the people of Scituate Rhode Island. The diner is known for its large delicious pancakes and French toast. The diner has the much loved old school diner atmosphere very friendly waiters and waitresses. Cindy's diner is a nice family dinner. The waiters are very friendly and the food is great.
• Corner Bistro, 1115 Hartford Pike, +1 401 764-0860 . Corner Bistro is a family run restaurant that serves Classic Regional Italian Cuisine. Corner Bistro features chef specials nightly, and has a large selection of traditional Italian Cuisine.. All entrees are served with potato and vegetable or pasta and a soup of choice or salad. It also has a full wine list and a full bar.
• Cuozzo's Pizza & Restaurant, 27 Village Plaza Way, +1 401 934-3040. At Cuozzo's you will get a lot of bang for your buck. The portions are large at a competitive price. The subs are really good as well as their white pizza.
• Famous Creamery & Pizza, 92 Hartford Pike, +1 401 934-3900 . Good food but some menu items can be a bit to pricey

Drink

Sleep

• Golden Gate Motel, 50 Hartford Ave, +1 401 934-9831. The best way to go if you need a place to stay and have barely any cash. The Motels customer service could be better but, they also may need to get a exterminator for some of the rooms.
• Sky View Motor Inn, 2880 Hartford Ave, +1 401 934-1188. Probably one of the nicest places to stay on its part of RI. The rooms are very clean and affordable and it also has a separate large jacuzzi room for its guests.

Connect

All town department phone numbers can be found on the town website.

Go next

With its great scenery and small town living, it is a great place to get out and take walks or bike rides though the town and around the Scituate reservoir, taking in the clean air, and beautiful nature views of nice trees and beautiful flowers.