Before gray weather takes its hold on Providence for the long winter months, those with a car and the inclination may want to try a different variation on the color: the light gray sand of Narragansett Beach, arguably one of the most scenic places in the state.
Located roughly 45 minutes to an hour from Providence, Narragansett boasts one of the most fulfilling and affordable getaways available to Brown students. For just the price of gas, parking and food (there are several cheap food stands near the water) students can enjoy a day away from the routine of College Hill.
The beach is owned by the town of Narragansett, meaning that you have to pay to get in and there are only certain hours when swimming is permitted. Trained lifeguards staff the entire beach and section off areas for surfing, boarding and swimming. Though they can become a little overaggressive with their whistles at times, the staff makes sure there's enough room for everyone to get at the waves, which can become so big at times that lifeguards forcibly remove people from the water for liability reasons.
Like any large public beach that attracts a high volume of tourists, Narragansett is a great place to people-watch, although the town's elderly population can lead to some unfortunate sight-seeing. Still, standard beach activity including building sandcastles, flying kites, and smoking pot abound, and the nearby town offers an easy break from the sun. Although the beach's status as a public-owned property provides its obvious drawbacks in the form of supervision and official hours of operation, a well-planned trip makes for a memorable weekend (or weekday) escape.
