AROUND SURF HOUSE
The coffee we come back for, dinners worth going out for, and a few favorite ways to spend the day. These are the places we recommend to friends staying at Surf House.
Travel times are our approximate estimates from Surf House; allow extra time for summer traffic. Places without a time listed are in Ninigret Park.
Charlestown
7 min driveOne of our favorite stops for coffee, sandwiches, pastries, pizza, fresh bread, and farm-fresh fruits and vegetables.
Our order: medium-roast drip coffee. Pick up some of their excellent sourdough to bring back to the house.
Charlestown
10 min driveA local coffee favorite, with fresh-roasted coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. Definitely worth a stop.
Leave a little time to browse the clothing boutique next door.
Charlestown
3 min driveAn easy nearby option for coffee, breakfast, or lunch. We like the bagels, too.
Charlestown
3 min driveA convenient stop for açaí bowls and lunch sandwiches before heading back to the beach.
Wakefield
15 min driveHomemade ice cream and a favorite way to finish a meal in Wakefield.
Make an afternoon of it: lunch at Purslane, then ice cream next door.
Westerly
20 min driveA beautifully renovated independent bookshop with a lovely coffee shop inside. A good place to linger on a rainy day.
With kids, explore the children’s corner and look for the little dollhouses tucked into the bottoms of the bookshelves.
South Kingstown
15 min driveAlways one of our top recommendations: excellent seafood, oysters from the pond, and equally excellent service.
Seasonal al fresco dining is offered. Check the restaurant’s current dining location and reservations before heading over.
Wakefield
20 min driveA highly recommended restaurant from the owner of Matunuck Oyster Bar, with refined seafood and house-made pastas.
Westerly
20 min driveA great all-around choice, especially for cocktails and dinner by the Pawcatuck River.
Named to Esquire’s 2024 Best New Restaurants in America list.
Westerly
20 min driveA fun, very casual take on tacos that we really enjoy. Good for all ages, with outdoor dining along the Pawcatuck River.
Close to River Bar if you’re exploring downtown Westerly.
Wakefield
15 min driveOne of our newer favorites for a great lunch or happy-hour food and drinks in Wakefield.
Brickley’s Ice Cream is next door—an easy pairing for dessert.
Westerly
20 min driveGreat cocktails and New American food in downtown Westerly.
Wakefield
15–20 min driveOur pick for traditional Neapolitan-style pizza, with New York-style pizzas, salads, and pastas as well.
Our recommendation: dine in for the Neapolitan pizzas; choose New York-style pizza or other menu items for takeout. Confirm the current takeout menu when ordering.
Wakefield
15–20 min driveGreat Thai food and a favorite for takeout.
In South County Commons, the same complex as Pasquale’s, Taj, and Pokémoto. This is separate from Thong Thai in Westerly.
Wakefield
15–20 min driveReally good Indian food in South County Commons.
In the same complex as Pasquale’s, Tong-Ta Thai, and Pokémoto.
Wakefield
15–20 min driveHawaiian-style poke bowls for an easy meal.
Look for the South County Commons location, in the same complex as Pasquale’s.
Westerly
20 min driveA great casual Thai spot with really good food.
This is the Westerly restaurant, separate from Tong-Ta Thai in South County Commons.
Westerly
20 min driveA favorite for lunch or dinner, especially their sourdough pizzas and house-made bread.
Charlestown
8 min driveCasual outdoor dining with seafood, plenty of choices for kids and adults, and ice cream.
Choose the Charlestown location at 5402 Post Road. Seasonal—check opening dates before visiting.
Westerly
12 min driveA small local fishmonger we love. Their Friday fish and chips are always a highlight for lunch or dinner.
Our Friday routine: call in the morning, request a pickup time, and order early—they tend to sell out. Bring it back to the house or take it to the beach.
Charlestown
5 min driveA very well-curated wine selection with reasonable pricing. A handy stop for a bottle to enjoy back at Surf House.
For an indoor family outing, see Martin House Books and its children’s corner.
Charlestown
2 min walkWalk over to rent kayaks, paddleboards, or a pontoon boat and spend some time out on the pond.
Just down the road at 523 Charlestown Beach Road. Check availability and reserve your rental directly.
Charlestown
A fun outing for kids, with swings, climbing equipment, and plenty of room to play.
Be sure to look for the giant troll sculptures while you’re there.
Ninigret Park, Charlestown
Highly recommended: Friday-night stargazing through telescopes, with an educational experience for all ages.
Weather dependent. Check the event calendar for the start time, weather updates, and tickets. Admission is not always free; ticket requirements and prices vary by event.
Charlestown
8 min driveA wonderfully unusual shopping stop, with a plant nursery, gardens, and animals to discover.
4820 Old Post Road. Usually 10am–5pm, until 6pm in July and August; weekends only in January and February. Check holiday hours.
Watch Hill
20 min driveA classic stop on Bay Street in Watch Hill and one of the oldest carousels in the country, with horses that swing out as it turns.
A seasonal children’s ride—check opening dates and rider requirements before making the trip.
Mystic, Connecticut
35 min driveA great family outing with lots to see. The beluga whales are always a highlight for kids.
Check admission and opening hours on the aquarium’s website.
Map locations are based on business addresses. Use Directions for your route and check seasonal locations before visiting.