We Took The Jamestown Water Taxi To Newport And Wow

Sure, you’re already well acquainted with both the Block Island Ferry and the Seastreak from Providence to Newport, but what a-boat the Hop On Hop Off one that leaves from East Ferry Wharf in Jamestown?

I found out about it from an old friend who used to give me tips about things in Rhode Island she was fond of.

Since it’s the tail end of May, the Hop-On Hop-Off Ferry Jamestown & Newport Ferry is once again up and running for the sea-sun, making stops at Fort Adams, Ann Street Pier, Perriotti Park, and Rose Island Lighthouse (where Jennifer Lawrence famously hosted her rehearsal dinner when she married Cooke Maroney in Newport in the Fall of 2019).

It’s an under-the-radar (a lot of people in the state still have no idea about it) and relaxing way to toggle back and forth between JT and NPT during what’s sure to be yet another crazy busy tourist season. (I hear Jay’s in town!) I mean, who wants to sweat it out in bumper to bumper on Thames or stress over finding parking in the City By The Sea in order to tuck into lunch at The Mooring or The Black Pearl?

Another daycation option? Stay onboard for a few hours and just drink in the salt air, sunshine, and stunning views.

In addition, they offer Sunset (which includes a free cocktail) and Private Cruises, too. (The Sunset is on my wish list for Summer 2022.)

Tickets for the Katherine which generally runs every hour up until 3 or 4pm this time of year are available online. For an additional fee (a round-trip adult tix is $26 and the Rose Island landing fee is an extra $12), you can disembark and explore that charming little isle (the Light there was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987) for an hour or more.

The day we stopped at 🌹 Island, a guide met us at the dock and give us an intro and brief history that was fascinating. (Full disclosure, I stayed overnight on Rose Island in 2016 and have written about that experience numerous times here.)

As always, if you take a ride on this ferry after reading this, please do let the team there know you were inspired by Patty J and PattyJ.com.