When I say Charlestown, the first place that might come to mind is the Fantastic Umbrella Factory.

Or the boutique Galapagos, which ultimately gave rise to Dave’s Coffee (now the son of those founders — wife and husband team Sandra & David Lanning — is apparently opening a casual breakfast and lunch place in downtown Providence this summer called Little City Coffee & Kitchen, but that’s a sidebar).

Or maybe that favorite beach that for obvi reasons, you don’t want absolutely everyone finding out about, lest you won’t be able to secure a spot for your blanket and umbrella going forward.

We were roaming around town yesterday and as a result I have 3 more gems that you’ll want to see for yourself this summah.

This colorful shop definitely caught my eye whilst we driving by. And not gonna lie, I ADORE everything you see in the photo above — including but not limited to the wide open door. I mean, fresh air circulating at this moment in time is more important than ever in my book. Anywho, Mills Creek Market is an amazing stop either before or after the beach and has a marvelous selection of whimsical and uplifting gifts for your friends, family or yourself. To quote Sophie Kinsella, “when I shop, the world gets better…”

(S.K., in case you’re not familiar, wrote the best selling novels which were later turned into the 2009 movie Confessions Of A Shopaholic that starred Isla Fisher. Remember her? She played the professional cryer on season 10 of Larry David’s HBO series Curb.)

Directly across the street from MCM (and technically situated on the grounds of the area Public Library) you’ll find the Charlestown Historical Society and an adjacent tiny white building that’s been painstakingly restored inside and out to its former glory as a 19th century schoolhouse. Both buildings are lovely, but the garden out front that the URI Master Gardeners Program has created there really is the maraschino cherry on toppa the sundae or ice cream soda.

If you’re interested in doing an actual tour, CHS is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 12noon.

A friend recently sent me a message about this truly under-the-radar eatery on So. County Trail that describes their menu as “delicious food with a Native American fusion.” The hubs and I stopped by the Sly Fox Den Too yesterday and our picks from their breakfast and lunch menus were quite good — he had their stuffed French toast and I had one of their Indian taco (the bread or shell is fried) sans meat.

Highly recommend calling in advance just to make sure they’re open (right now it looks as though they close at 2pm and then reopen later on for dinner service on most days) and taking advantage of the TAKEOUT window and ample outdoor seating at this family-run biz.

As always, if you visit any of these places after reading THIS, please do let them know you heard about them via Patty J and PattyJ.com.