Is North Kingstown Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Rhode Island : Safety by City

United States - safety as a country Rhode Island - state review

North Kingstown, Rhode Island, is a charming town with a rich history and a plethora of attractions that make it a compelling destination for visitors today.

Established in 1674 (350 years in 2024!), North Kingstown has deep roots in American history, playing significant roles in both the Revolutionary War and the Industrial Revolution.

One of the town’s notable historical sites is Smith’s Castle, a 17th-century fortified farmhouse that offers insights into colonial life through guided tours and exhibits.

Visitors can also explore the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum, which commemorates the renowned portrait artist who painted famous figures like George Washington.

Beyond its historical significance, North Kingstown boasts scenic landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities.

The town’s proximity to Narragansett Bay makes it ideal for activities such as boating, fishing, and kayaking.

Additionally, hiking enthusiasts can explore trails in Ryan Park or enjoy birdwatching at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Nature Center and Aquarium.

North Kingstown’s vibrant downtown area offers a blend of quaint shops, art galleries, and eateries, providing visitors with a taste of local culture and cuisine.

Events such as the Wickford Art Festival and the North Kingstown Town Beach Summer Concert Series add to the town’s appeal, showcasing its community spirit and creativity.

Overall, North Kingstown combines its historical heritage with natural beauty and modern amenities, making it a captivating destination for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a picturesque New England getaway.

Warnings & Dangers in North Kingstown

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here and plenty to do in safe spaces with enjoyable activities for all interests.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has several routes through North Kingstown and South County. Just to the north, Warwick has many routes. Taxis, rideshares, and car driver services are plentiful. Use the Chamber of Commerce website to find the best options for your needs. Rental cars are another great way to explore on your own schedule.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

North Kingstown has seen just three pickpockets or purse snatchings in the past decade. That's a wonderfully low risk, but one that shouldn't make you ease up on personal safety steps. The potential for theft is prominent in such a tourism-based community.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The medium risk becomes evident when a story is approaching, but it's the smaller things like knowing the tide schedule and the potential for rip currents on a sunny day. Winters can bring huge storms with flooding risks, too, and those can be packed with rain or snow and a powerful storm surge. The majority of issues here come with plenty of warnings, but you need to pay attention and sign up for alerts.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

In the past decade, no more than four robberies have been reported in any given year, and four of those years had not been reported. The risk is low, but keep it that way by staying in well-lit areas after dark.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, as it's a spread-out residential community with some great tourist spots that wouldn't draw too much attention from international terrorists.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The scams here most often reported are focused on the locals, and the police department has a list of common scams and fraud prevention on its website. The risk is low, but always keep your guard up for deals that seem too good to be true. In an affluent community such as this, you won't find rock-bottom prices on a summer rental.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low-risk, with plenty of safe places for women of all ages to explore. It's also a safe enough community for solo travelers and elderly travelers. Kids have plenty to see and do, but be sure they understand water and tide safety.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2022 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations. With the strict water stands in the United States, you can feel comfortable using tap water in just about every city.

Safest Places to Visit in North Kingstown

The North Kingstown city website has a section for Tourism with links to the best groups that promote tourism in the region, like the Chamber of Commerce.

You can also use the SouthCountyri.com website, as this region is known as South County and includes all the coastal communities.

The pros of staying in North Kingstown include being closer to Providence, outdoor activities, and historic charm.

The biggest con is that other communities have more (and better) beaches.

North Kingstown tends to have a quieter and more laid-back atmosphere compared to the bustling beaches of South Kingstown and Narragansett.

Let’s look at some of the best things to do in North Kingstown.

Take a leisurely stroll through Wickford Village, a charming historic district filled with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.

Admire the well-preserved colonial architecture and browse for unique gifts and souvenirs.

This is a must-see destination when visiting North Kingstown.

You can download the self-guided walking tour of the Wickford Walk on the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce site.

Step back in time to Smith’s Castle, a historic estate dating back to the 17th century.

Explore the colonial-era house, learn about the region’s history, and enjoy scenic views of Narragansett Bay from the castle grounds.

The local main beach here is the North Kingstown Town beach, a picturesque stretch of sand overlooking Narragansett Bay.

Calf Pasture Point Beach is a great place to ride a bike, explore the wildlife, or drop in a kayak for water exploration.

A ferry leaves from Quonset Point, which covers lighthouses, islands, and Newport Harbor.

Visit FastFerry.com to learn more about the options.

The BIOMES Marine Biology Center offers a hands-on experience exploring the largest collection of New England marine species available to the public.

Feeding sessions are held throughout the afternoon with creatures like the octopus, dogfish shark, and seahorse.

Have you heard of a Seabee?

A Seabee, also known as a U.S. Navy Seabee, is a member of the United States Navy Construction Battalion (CB).

The Seabee Museum & Memorial Park can help you learn more about the efforts of these brave sailors.

The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum is a historic site dedicated to preserving the legacy of Gilbert Stuart, one of America’s foremost portrait painters.

Stuart is best known for his iconic portrait of George Washington, which appears on the one-dollar bill.

This museum is located in a picturesque rural setting, surrounded by rolling hills and natural beauty, with a colonial-era home and art gallery to tour.

Two restored grist mills are on the property as well.

Places to Avoid in North Kingstown

Other than staying off private property or in gated communities where you don’t have permission to be, you can safely and freely explore North Kingstown.

There aren’t bad parts of town or dangerous neighborhoods.

One thing I’m going to help you avoid is the confusion about the names of cities, towns, and villages here.

North Kingstown and South Kingstown are separate towns.

Each one has a series of villages.

Kingston is a village in South Kingstown.

The North Kingstown villages are:

Allenton
Davisville
Hamilton
Lafayette
Quidnessett
Slocum
Belleville
Saunderstown

However, for the most part, no matter what village you are in, the locations will still have a North Kingstown address.

Then there are places like Quonset, where the ferry departs, that isn’t a village or town – but a location within North Kingstown.

Safety Tips for Traveling to North Kingstown

North Kingstown does have its own police department. You can follow them on Facebook at @nkpolice. Feel free to call (401) 294-3316 with specific safety questions.
Sign up for CodeRED emergency alerts to get severe weather, winter weather, weather damage, and other public safety threats sent to your email, voicemail, or text message queue. Also, confirm you have WEA Alerts activated on a modern mobile device, and location tracking is on.
Civic Alerts from the city are available to anyone who signs up for an account on the website. While a weekend guest might not care too much about this, if you’re staying for a week or a season, it’s a great way to learn about events and public information during your stay.
Yet another option is the Notify Me function on the city’s website, where you provide an email address and then select the topics you want to get notifications about. I recommend choosing Closings, EMA, Parking Ban Alerts, Road & Bridge Closings, and Police News.
You can review the police logs on the department’s website to see the most recent crimes, arrests, and calls for service. This can help spot a new crime trend closer to your visit.
Fishing requires a license in Rhode Island. You can pick that up at a local approved vendor or buy it online at the Rhode Island Outdoors website. Be sure you get the right fishing license, as saltwater and freshwater are two different permits.
Parking at the Town Beach is going to cost twice as much for non-residents, though many of the city streets have free parking.
Check the state Department of Health website before deciding on a beach to visit. The water quality is tested weekly at all public beaches. You don’t want to go through the hassle of driving to the beach only to find it closed.
If a big storm is coming, be it a hurricane or a nor’easter, and power outages are possible, strongly consider if you want to relocate. You can also check before booking a hotel if they have a generator. While nobody wants to cut a beach trip short, it’s not going to be fun sitting in the dark for potentially days at a time surrounded by storm cleanup.
Review the Shoreline Access Bill that Rhode Island passed in 2023 because it makes it very clear where the line is between public and private property on a beach. This is a battle across New England, as private homeowners don’t want the public on “their” property, but the new law states that the public can access up to 10 feet from the high tide line.

So... How Safe Is North Kingstown Really?

North Kingstown is overall a very safe community.

Violent crime rates are 60% lower than the state average and 83% lower than the national average.

Over the past five years, just 13% of violent crimes happened against strangers.

Two things stood out to me while researching this city.

First, the number of violent crimes over the past five years involving victims between the ages of 10-19.

Second, seven sexually violent crimes were reported in 2023, down from 15 in 2022.

However, when figured out per 100,000 people, it’s still well below the national average.

In addition, most crimes were between people who knew each other.

The risk of random acts of violence is low here.

It’s just worth reinforcing stranger danger avoidance with your kids if they’re coming with you.

Thefts are 63% lower than the national average, with 37% of those being shoplifting.

While car break-ins happen, those account for just 17% and are largely due to people leaving their cars unlocked or valuable items (even the keys!) inside.

Beyond that, you’ll want to know how to check the beach water quality, read the beach flag warning signs, and weather safety for hurricanes, flooding, and winter weather to have the safest experience here.

Overall, you’re going to love North Kingstown and South County.

How Does North Kingstown Compare?

City	Safety Index
North Kingstown	83
Houston	59
Atlanta	58
St. Louis	58
Los Angeles	56
Oakland	57
New Orleans	57
Sao Paulo (Brazil)	45
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)	43
Sofia (Bulgaria)	73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87

Useful Information

Visas

A visa or visa waiver is required for all international visitors to get through Customs and Border Patrol. Only certain residents of particular countries can be eligible for the waiver. Learn more at the U.S. State Department website. Be sure to have a passport that is valid for at least six months after your trip.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the currency of the land. You can exchange currency at the Providence airport. Check with your hotel or resort to see if they offer that service, too. Using credit cards is the best way to avoid fraud and reduce the risk of identity theft.

Weather

While this is a beach destination, it doesn't get sweltering hot in the summer. You'll still want some layers for the cooler evenings and mornings. Winter at the beach can be beautiful, but you need all the typical winter layers and accessories.

Airports

Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is just 20 minutes north of North Kingstown. If you're flying out of Boston Logan International Airport, plan for at least 90 minutes on the road.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance just makes sense when visiting a place that can be so heavily impacted by weather throughout the year. Also, consider supplemental health insurance for emergencies or else you'll have to pay out of pocket.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

North Kingstown Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 1° C

Feb 1° C

Mar 4° C

Apr 10° C

May 14° C

Jun 20° C

Jul 23° C

Aug 23° C

Sep 19° C

Oct 14° C

Nov 8° C

Dec 4° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	4	4	7	13	17	23	26	25	22	17	11	7
Low °C	-3	-3	1	6	11	16	20	20	16	11	5	1
High °F	39	39	45	55	63	73	79	77	72	63	52	45
Low °F	27	27	34	43	52	61	68	68	61	52	41	34

Rhode Island - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Burrillville	79
Cranston	88
Cumberland	84
Jamestown	82
Johnston	79
Little Compton	81
Narragansett	82
Newport	80
North Kingstown	83
Pawtucket	80
Providence	68
Warwick	85
Westerly	82
Woonsocket	65

Is North Kingstown Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report