Step into Wickford, and you've stepped into a village that seems to have scarecely changed in the past 200 years.

Well, maybe a little.  Wickford has managed to keep its Colonial charms (with serveral interesting historical sites) whilte adding the good stuff from modern life....

Wickford is a lot like Newport without the T-shirt shops, the crowds, the inflated prices - and the attitude.  It's pretty, but not precious. It's obvious that real people live here. 

Located 60 miles south of Boston on Narragansett Bay, Wickford most of the eyar is a well-ket secret.  But its arts festival in July has become a New England attractions and several other upcoming eents offer a good family getaway for a day trip or a weekend.

With its blend of old and new, Wickford offers the advantages of both without the disadvantages of either.  There are narrow, tree-lined streets with Colonial homes, any of them bearing plaques with 18th c-century names and dates.  But you don't have to steer your cart over potholed dirt paths.  There's plenty of free town parking.

There are charming stores, most of them owner-operated.  But no big chains.  Start on Main street, where the stores are all in vintage buildings.  These days, pansies fill the flower boxes, and flowering baskets hang from the telephone poles.  Stroll east as the shops give way to old homes, some listed in the National Register of Historic Places...