KENT COUNTY
Chamber of Commerce
3288 Post Road
Warwick 401-732-1100
https://www.centralrichamber.com/
Visitor’s Bureau
3275 Post Road
Warwick 401-738-2000
https://visitwarwickri.com/
Enjoying a centralized location in the nation’s smallest state gives Kent
County quick and easy access to Rhode Island’s long list of attractions and amenities. The bustling city of Warwick is the undisputed hub of this area, serving as a center of retail activity, commerce, and industry. Throughout the county, small towns and historic villages preserve the quaint charm and picturesque natural beauty that has endeared newcomers to this area for centuries.
Communities in Kent County are proud of their history and unique flavor, from the youngest town of West Warwick to yesterday’s well-known shipbuilding and fishing centers. From the inception of the industrial revolution, Warwick attracted manufacturing activity dominated by textile operations. The modern translation of this heritage includes an impressive collection of malls and shopping plazas that showcase merchandise from major retailers. The close proximity to Providence has encouraged the development of excellent services and amenities throughout Kent County, from major health and educational institutions to the state’s commercial airport.
Services
Kent Hospital in Warwick serves to anchor the network of state-of-the-art healthcare services throughout this area and represents a major resource for the entire state. This nonprofit, 359-bed general hospital offers 24-hour emergency care as well as medical, surgical, pediatric, obstetrics and behavioral health specialties. The Rehabilitation Center at Kent Hospital and the New England Home Health Care center are two of the specialized facilities that support diverse needs.
Outstanding public and private schools serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade, while the options for higher education meet every need and income level. The main campus for the Community College of Rhode Island is in Warwick, offering programs that range from non-credit coursework to certifications, two-year degrees, college-track programs, and vocational training. Warwick is also home to the New England Institute of Technology. West Greenwich offers the W. Alton Jones Campus of the University of Rhode Island.
Excellent transportation facilities add to the daily convenience of life in Kent County, attracting new business, serving commuters, and ensuring vital connections. Known as the “Gateway to Rhode Island,” Warwick is also the site of Rhode Island’s leading commercial airport, Green Airport. A number of transportation service companies keep product moving to its intended market, creating a vital link in the economic cycle. This area is also well-served by Interstates 95 and 295.
Lifestyle
Newcomers to Kent County will find a world of amenities, from scenic hiking trails and ice-skating rinks to restaurants that serve mouth-watering seafood from a waterfront location along nearly 40 miles of beautiful coastline. Impressive architecture and historic sites abound in the area’s small towns, villages, and major cities—nearly all of which were founded in the 1600s.
Bargain hunters enjoy strolling through the malls, plazas, and shopping centers in the Warwick area. This leading city, along with the area’s smaller towns, features many mills and businesses that focus on antiques, hobby items, collectibles, and crafts. From the latest fashions to one-of-a-kind items, Kent County is home to a unique store or shop with the ideal solution.
Recreational amenities in Kent County include first-rate facilities within the cities and towns like roller and ice-skating rinks, ballfields, an archery center, golf courses, and tennis courts. Attracting thousands of visitors annually, Goddard State Park offers sweeping lawns, fields, and forested areas with trees from around the globe. Visitors can take advantage of the saltwater beach and bathhouse, golf course, equestrian area, 18 miles of bridle trails, hundreds of picnic tables, game fields, a campground, and a new performing arts center.
The housing selection offers diversity in style and price range. Waterfront estates, cozy bungalows, older multi-family units in well-established towns, or suburban development surrounded by the beauty of the countryside are a few of the possibilities. With its strong economy, excellent transportation links, and ideal location, Kent County promises and delivers an exceptional quality of life.
Coventry
Municipal Offices
401-821-6400
https://www.coventryri.org/
Chamber of Commerce
401-732-1100
https://www.centralrichamber.com/
Coventry is a community that claims two distinctive sides. While the western portion of Coventry has managed to remain rural in nature, the eastern section is distinguished as one of the state’s most rapidly growing and popular residential communities. Blending the rich heritage of yesterday with modern development, the community still retains many of the historic textile mill villages that once dotted the landscape: Anthony, Quidnick, Arkwright, Harris, Washington, Coventry Center, Summit, and Greene.
The housing selection that is available in Coventry blends multi-family options in the heart of town with many single-family homes in more recently developed areas. Bustling shopping centers and commercial strip developments filled with stores, shops, and services add to the convenience of daily life in Coventry. Unique attractions in this area include historic sites like the General Nathanael Greene Homestead and the Paine House. Those who appreciate outdoor adventure will want to explore the George B. Parker Woodland area—one of several Audubon Society of Rhode Island wildlife refuges that offer nature programs and field trips.
East Greenwich
Municipal Offices
401-886-8665
https://www.eastgreenwichri.com/
Chamber of Commerce
401-885-0020
https://www.eastgreenwichchamber.com/
Located in the geographic center of the state, East Greenwich is just 15 miles south of Providence. The town faces picturesque Narragansett Bay and enjoys all the natural beauty and undeniable appeal of a seaport setting. Verdant hills, deep blue water, and quaint historic homes combine to create a uniquely charming residential atmosphere that captures the attention of newcomers.
This former center for shipbuilding and fishing has evolved into a vital community with a diversified economy and population. The quintessential New England main street enhances the urban, suburban, and rural characteristics that harmonize throughout the community. Colonial homes nestle against the downtown hillside as it slowly recedes to the marina and shoreline, while larger, executive homes that feature meticulously landscaping punctuate the western fields and woods.
Good schools, easy access to bay marinas, and the friendly feeling associated with a small town add to the quality of life in East Greenwich. Route 4 to Interstate 95 ensures a quick trip to the amenities of Providence and other regional destinations, adding to the quality of life.
Warwick
Municipal Offices
401-738-2000
https://www.warwickri.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
401-732-1100
https://www.centralrichamber.com/
Founded in 1642, historic Warwick has grown over the passing decades into the second largest city in the state of Rhode Island. The city serves as a hub of culture, healthcare, and education for Central Rhode Island but also for the rural communities throughout South County. Warwick enjoys a strategic location at the center of a major highway system, giving the community a distinct advantage for quality residential and commercial growth. The town claims the state’s largest commercial air terminal, Green State Airport, and Rhode Island’s two largest shopping malls.
Highly developed, the city offers a wealth of educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities. The Knight Campus of the Community College of Rhode Island is nestled in the town’s western section, expanding the options for affordable higher education close to home for students of all ages. The sprawling Goddard Memorial State Park, one of the largest in Rhode Island, is located in the Potowomut area. The park is equipped with facilities that encourage a wide variety of outdoor sports and activities including picnicking, golfing, and saltwater swimming.
West Greenwich
Municipal Offices
401-392-3800
https://www.wgtownri.org/
Chamber of Commerce
401-732-1100
https://www.centralrichamber.com/
Once a hunting ground for Narragansett Indians, the West Greenwich area today is known for its exceptional horseback riding and hiking trails as well as for the beauty of its rural countryside. New residents who are looking for a pristine country setting that offers easy access to major urban amenities will find an ideal home in West Greenwich. The Alton Jones Campus for the University of Rhode Island adds a wealth of opportunity for educational enrichment as well as superb regional resources like Whispering Pines Conference Center and the Environmental Education Center.
West Greenwich provides a small-town atmosphere with outstanding opportunities for outdoor adventure and recreation around the four seasons. Area attractions include the Step Stone Falls, offering views of unusual rock formations around a stepped falls. The Environmental Education Center provides a year-round haven for nature study, including rustic cabins and a lodge. Residents enjoy a wealth of parks and recreational facilities nearby for activities from golf and tennis to water sports.
West Warwick
Municipal Offices
401-822-9200
https://www.westwarwickri.org/
Chamber of Commerce
401-732-1100
https://www.centralrichamber.com/
In contrast to many of the communities in Rhode Island, West Warwick has no official founding date that goes back to the 17th century. In fact, the town is the youngest community in the historic state, incorporated around the turn of the century in 1913. The area still enjoys a rich tradition of industrial development in the Pawtuxet Valley and a stream of newcomers in the 19th century that formed a well-established community. The proud legacy of growth and development continues even today. The advantage of prime industrial sites along the convenient Interstate 95 corridor has attracted an influx of business and industry in recent years. Newcomers are pleased with the blend of vintage homes shaded by mature greenery and more modern construction in varying architectural styles.
European traditions are preserved and celebrated in West Warwick, from Saint Patrick’s Day festivities to the Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival. The St. Patrick’s Day parade that began in 1960 quickly grew in fame to achieve statewide recognition.
Thousands of spectators, notable dignitaries, and the media converge for the extravaganza. Newcomers can enjoy living in a mid-size community that offers quick and easy access to additional amenities in nearby Warwick and the capital city of Providence.
