Find great and fun things to do in South County

A summer of sun, fun, and surf is upon you and Paddy’s Beach Club on Misquamicut Beach. Join the crew as the sand and waves come alive and let the prime beachfront location and expansive tented deck overlooking the ocean keep you smiling, tanned and dry. There’s seating for 350 for your next party or event and a top-notch staff and casual, fun atmosphere. Paddy’s is kid friendly and there’s always lots of parking and great events including Monday Night Trivia, Wednesday night Kids Nights, Thursday Non-profit nights July 4th Fireworks and the always popular DJ Dance Parties. Enjoy great food, drinks, and entertainment in the Tikki Beach VIP area or Ocean Lounge. Book a cabana, daybed, or chaise Lounge and just chill.

South County is famous for its long, sandy beaches and non-stop beach fun in the summer. One of the best of them is Misquamicut, along Atlantic Avenue in Westerly, a 3-mile stretch of sand that encompasses several beaches, including Misquamicut State Beach. In summer, this is a place of classic, old-fashioned family fun. Misquamicut has a drive-in movie theater, and most nights in summer bring entertainment: live blues music on the beach and hermit crab races on Wednesdays, Classic Car Cruise Nights and family-friendly Magic on the Sea on Thursdays. Also: surfing lessons, kayaking and paddle boards, water slides, an amusement park Spring and fall festivals in Misquamicut bracket the season. Night life for adults is at The Andrea, Paddy’s Beach, Sandy’s Lighthouse, and Windjammer. 401-322-1026.

Gilbert Stuart was one of the leading portrait artists of 18th century America. He created the portrait of George Washington that appears on the one-dollar bill. His birthplace is on 23 acres in the woods of Saunderstown, next to a millpond that his family used to power a snuff mill, a major business of that time. An afternoon spent exploring the authentically restored 1750 house, functioning gristmill, gardens, trails, and art exhibitions of period works is a deeply satisfying learning experience of our Colonial forefathers. Open to the public late April to mid October. 401-294-3001

Pumpkin spice whiskey? Hop flavored whiskey? Seasonal whiskies? If you’re curious, here’s a way to taste these ideas. Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. at 1425 Kingstown Road in South Kingstown was born because of a few unanswered questions: “Why is no one distilling single malt whiskies from the beers we love?” and “Why are there so many seasonal beers, but no seasonal whiskies?” The distillery is the owners’ answer to this gap in whiskey tasting. And it also is brewing craft beers. Come for tours and tastings Thursdays through Sundays, and live music on weekend nights. Voted 2017 Craft Producer of the Year by Whisky Magazine. 401-284-4006.

Ocean House on Bluff Avenue in Watch Hill (Westerly) has been named a Five Diamond Lodging by AAA. This is among the most prestigious awards any lodging can receive, and the first received by a Rhode Island establishment, according to AAA. "Five Diamond lodgings feature extraordinary physical attributes and meticulous personalized attention,” said an AAA spokesman. The Ocean House is the last of the grand Victorian hotels, where life is still lived much as it was a century ago, a tranquil timetable of tides and sun, teatime and cocktails, sailing regattas and strolls on the beach. The hotel first opened in 1868 and was closed in 2003 in a state of disrepair. Later that decade it was restored to its original state and reopened. Phone: 401-584-7000

The Towers is a visual symbol of the lively and historic seaside town of Narragansett, dating from a grand casino and resort that thrived in the town from the 1880s into the 20th century. After a modern refurbishing, the Towers continues as a hub of culture and fun. Ballroom dancing and dance lessons happen ever Wednesday evening at the Towers. Lots of live music is performed at this iconic place, which also happen to be across the street from the Coast Guard House, where all of the state goes to drink and dine in the beach seasons.

Rent a canoe or kayak at Narrow River Kayaks at 95 Middlebridge Road in Narragansett and paddle up the river or to down to the ocean beach. The average depth of the river is a friendly one to four feet. The surroundings are perfectly beautiful, Don’t hesitate to wave at people fishing and relaxing on the riverbanks and beach. Season ends on Columbus Day.

Beavertail State Park, at the southern tip of Jamestown Island, is a refreshingly beautiful place starting with the fact that the commercial footprint is very light. The tip of the park has the neat Beavertail Lighthouse. Every side of this peninsula tip has great views of life on Narragansett Bay: sailboats, rocky coasts, distant shorelines with beautiful houses and harbors. It’s easy to clamber around on the rocks and visit the sea life in the tide pools near the water or to stay up on the higher ground and fly a kite. Provided you’re dressed for it, a trip to this park is fine in all seasons; people sometimes go here to watch big weather coming up the Bay. Phone: 401-884-2010.

ExploreRI offers great, easy maps and guides to walks and hikes all over this beautiful state, from the leafy woods of western Hopkinton to Narragansett By-side walks north of Newport. Find a trail scaled to your fitness and interests on an excellent interactive trail mapper or a list identified by town names. The icons on the map mark trailheads, meaning places to access a trail system. Note that some trail systems may be accessed via more than one trailhead.