The Daytrip Diaries: Watch Hill, Rhode Island

It’s been a minute since I’ve added a chapter to the Daytrip Diaries! We’ve been spoiled the past couple summers, sneaking away for a night or two on most occasions. But we were feeling nostalgic for our Zipcar days. So with no plans and no more money in the travel budget, we forwent our gift of an actual day spent at home—God forbid—and took to the road for a Watch Hill, RI day trip over Labor Day weekend.

While I would have loved to blow $700 spend a night at the Ocean House hotel and make a weekend out of this place, one day was plenty to soak in the sweet little Ocean State town. We, like peasants, ended up spending a few hours on the Ocean House property anyway, stalking weddings indulging in the restaurants open to the public and creeping on first looks wandering the pretty grounds.

Here’s my Watch Hill RI day trip guide, with some eats, sweets, and other to-do’s if you’re planning on spending a few hours in this Rhode Island gem:

Breakfast & Caffeine // Sift Bake Shop
Crazy creative lattes, baked breakfast treats, macarons, and cookies the size of your face. If we’re day tripping, we know we have a lot of drinking eating to squeeze in, so we try to start conservatively with a café breakfast, but if you’re in need of some two-eggs-any-style-with-extra-crispy-bason, get yourself to The Cooked Goose instead.

Lunch // The Verandah
A raw bar with other summery fare overlooking Ocean House’s croquet court.  I would cry right now if someone offered me another bite of their braised short rib sandwich, and that day’s oyster offerings might have been my favorite of the entire summer.

Happy Hour // Secret Garden
A Veuve Clicquot-sponsored champagne bar located on a sneaky little terrace and accessible only through the Ocean House. Slightly ashamed to say this, but it is well worth the $32 glass of champagne for the view AND complimentary truffle popcorn.

Dinner // Olympia Tea Room
T-b-perfectly-h we didn’t stay for dinner. Some homemade goodness was waiting for us back on the other side of the border. But based on some trustworthy anecdotal evidence, I feel confident as ever recommending this Italian-meets-the-sea bistro in town.

Sweets // St. Clair Annex
If you’re going to spend calories on ice cream, it better be here. Hop on the Flying Horse Carousel post-cone to remind you that your body doesn’t process sugar & cream like it used to!

Beach //
East Hill beach is public, with the exception of a section reserved for the upper class hotel guests. Watch Hill Beach is right behind town, but requires a $9 day pass. First world problems.

Stroll //
The walk from town to the Watch Hill Lighthouse was sweaty stunning, with views of Taylor Swift’s house both East and Watch Hill Beaches on either side.

Lilly Pulitzer Stuffed Shells Mila Dress | Similar J. McLaughlin Wicker Purse {more straw bag options here} | Bow Sunhat | Jack Rogers Lauren Slides 

And you gotta gotta gotta visit the Lilly Pulitzer Watch Hill store! Maybe the cutest of all, and that’s coming from a girl who has worked in seven of them around New England.

WHICH brings me to the most fantastic opportunity to remind you that today is the start of the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale 2018. Here’s last year’s prep post for all you newbs. LMK how it goes for ya.

Its one downfall? Watch Hill parking is a royal b*tch. Even if you find a street spot, it’s not worth the wrath of the parking attendant pricey ticket risk unless you’re positive you won’t overstay your 2-hour welcome. Your best bet is a $5/half hour lot on Larkin Road between the Ocean House and town.

Other than that, and Taylor Swift’s underutilized mansion, Watch Hill is bliss!

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