What Narragansett is known for

The Narragansett Destination has three main attractions: the city of Providence, the town of Narragansett, and New Shoreham, which is also referred to as Block Island. Narragansett, the namesake of the destination, is a town located in southeastern Washington County in southern Rhode Island. Situated at the entrance to Narragansett Bay, the city was settled around 1675 and was named after the Narraganset Indians. The economy of Narragansett is based highly on tourism.[3] There is a population of around 14,532 people during most times of the year, but that doubles up to nearly 34,000 during the summer, Narragansett population has reportedly 95.84% of white citizens.[4] Narragansett Bay receives over 12 million visitors a year. Because of its proximity to the bay, Narragansett also receives around the same amount of visitors annually.[5] It is known for its beaches, the Pier, various dining options, and its proximity to Block Island.[10] Activities that are available in the city include the Scarborough State Beach, Galilee, the Point Judith Lighthouse, the Towers, Salty Brine State Beach, Fishermen's Memorial State Park and Campground, and the South County Museum.[1] 

Providence, the main city in the Narragansett Destination and Rhode Island's capital city, has a wide variety of attractions. Some of these are the Roger Williams Park Zoo, WaterFire, the RISD Museum of Art, the Rhode Island State Capitol, Federal Hill, the Providence Performing Arts Center, the Rhode Island Children's Museum, and the Swan Point Cemetery. Pawtucket, Cranston, and Warwick are also a part of Providence, and each has unique features. Providence, however, receives more visitors and is better known than the three subcategories.[2] 

Block Island, a 9.7-square-mile island located off of the coast of mainland Rhode Island, has served as a retreat for famous people such as Amelia Earhart, President Roosevelt, Charles Lindbergh, and President Eisenhower. Some of the most well-known or popular things to do are going to Ballard's Beach, the Block Island Historical Society Museum, the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, and the Fishing Academy. The Clayhead Nature Trail, along with other hiking trails, receives visitors often. Block Island is also known for its fishing, cycling, and sailing.[12]

Geography

Within the Narragansett Destination are multiple cities such as New Shoreham and other features such as an island located at the base of the region and beaches. Providence is the largest city within the area, followed by Pawtucket, Cranston, and Narragansett. Generally, the Narragansett Destination has a rectangular shape that follows a path along with cities and other landmarks. Towns that go along the border include Woonsocket, Pawtucket, Providence, and Westerly. As a common rule, the natural areas within the vicinity are made up of forests, lakes, rivers, or bays. Beaches are typical on the southern side of the district. 

Because of the multiple bays in the Narragansett Destination, sea creatures can be found in the area, some of which are animals like star tunicates, chain tunicates, northern sea porks, and stalked sea squirts. Aquatic mammals that dwell in the region include short-beaked common dolphins, harbor seals, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, harp seals, and grey seals. Land mammals are commonly seen in the forests of the Narragansett Destination, though some dwell closer to lakes or cities. Virginia opossums, southern flying squirrels, groundhogs, American beavers, wild boars, North American river otters, American minks, fishers, bobcats, and northern short-tailed shrews are some of the more well-known mammals that can be found. Birds are another type of animal that is common, especially near forested areas. Some of these birds are multiple types of cuckoos, woodpeckers, northern flickers, monk parakeets, eastern screech owls, short-eared owls, soras, rails, common gallinules, and north bobwhites. Various plants, such as horsetails and ferns, thrive in the Narragansett Destination.[7] 

Temperatures in the city of Narragansett vary, with an average low of about 30 degrees Fahrenheit and an average high of around 76 degrees Fahrenheit. February tends to be the coldest month of the year, while June, July, and August tend to be the hottest. The city receives rain throughout the year, especially in December. June and July have the second-highest chance of rain, with September having the lowest. The region isn't especially humid, but in December, the humidity rises to around 68%, the highest amount of the year. Because of these factors, it has been suggested that people who are interested in visiting Narragansett should plan to go between the middle of April to the beginning of July.[6]

History

Narragansett, a city in the Narragansett Destination, is named after the Native American tribe called the Narragansetts. When Roger Williams, one of the first settlers of the destination namesake, fled from the Massachusetts Bay, he founded a settlement named Providence, which later became the central city of Rhode Island. After creating Providence, he was befriended by the dominant Narragansett Native American tribe, along with their great sachem Canonicus. These Native Americans were respected by Roger Williams, along with the English settlers who followed him. However, this friendship would not last because of contentions over the tribal lands.[8] 

During the 17th and 18th centuries, several events occurred in the region including the King Philip's War, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the slow expansion of the population of Narragansett. Large plantations appeared, mills were erected, shipbuilding commenced, and commerce evolved as the area became known for its produce. Cheese, horses, sheep, and grain were the most popular of the produce in Narragansett. Shipments departed from Narragansett Bay into the center of the village located close to what is now known as The Towers.[9] 

Over the next few years, many changes occurred in the city of Narragansett. Events such as the Rockingham Fire, the Hurricane of 1938, and the construction of several famous buildings and marinas would cause Narragansett to gain more popularity, especially among those in Rhode Island. Though Narragansett is not the main tourist attraction today, it receives visitors from a few different places. Because of its change from a farming and fishing community to a dominant tourist economy to a suburban categorization, it has become known for its history and current way of life.[8] 

The Narragansett Destination's main attraction is the city of Providence, which is located in the northeast section of the region. Providence was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a man who would later have influence over the city of Narragansett. Providence was given its name by Roger Williams as thanks to God for protecting him during his exile from Massachusetts.[11]

Because of its easy access to water, Providence became a major New World seaport. During the Revolutionary War, the craftspeople and merchants in Providence supplied goods to the Continental and French armies. By 1781, Providence businesses were financing expeditions to the Middle East, Mediterranean, and the Far East. The city continued to grow as time went on because of factors like efficient trading and the creation of local businesses. Eventually, brick mansions would be built, the main ones that still exist today being the Providence Public Library and the Rhode Island State House.[11] Other things that influenced Providence were the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, the upgrading of infrastructure of the neighborhoods, commercial district, and downtown in the 1970s, the moving of two rivers in the 1990s, and the creation of attractions such as the Providence Performing Arts Center, the Trinity Rep, Brown University, Providence College, and the Johnson & Wales Univesity.[11]