Since America’s Gilded Age, visitors have flocked to the special seaside enchantment of Narragansett, Rhode Island. The community’s signature stone Towers from that era, which call to mind a castle’s turrets, span Ocean Road and symbolize this welcoming town’s enduring appeal. (In fact, the Town’s Welcome Center is tucked inside one of the turrets.)

As you drive along Ocean Road, the west passage of Narragansett Bay is your constant companion, a continuous Instagram-worth vista that flows into the Atlantic. Along the way are restaurants beloved by locals, the majority family-owned, that serve up not only good food but the flavor of the town’s neighborhoods. Visitors quickly discover that Narragansett is a resort town with a hometown charm.

In the picturesque fishing village of Galilee, George’s and Champlin’s serve up clam cakes, chowder (say“chowdah” and order the Rhode Island clear broth version) and the world-famous Point Judith calamari, all within the sound of the foghorn at Point Judith Light. Farther north is Monahan’s Clam Shack, where the line for fried clams (get the whole bellies) and lobster rolls often trails down to the adjacent fishing pier. It’s al fresco dining only, and there’s no extra charge for the million-dollar view of the bay with the Newport Bridge in the distance. In the north end of Narragansett is Twin Willows, the kind of friendly burger-and-bar destination that would make Sam Malone of Cheers envious. You can eat inside, but order those generous Bill Burgers and Mert Burgers out on the patio for another swoon-worthy view of the sea.

These are just some of the spots where budget-friendly meets family-friendly, in seaside settings like the ones that the Gilded Age bunch paid a fortune to enjoy. In Narragansett, everyone can partake of it.

More upscale dining along Ocean Road is found at Spain Restaurant also family-owned, and Chair 5, the restaurant within The Break, Narragansett’s only boutique hotel. Head upstairs to The Rooftop for an enviable bird’s-eye view. Go a few blocks in from the beach to sample Italian fare, another Rhode Island staple, at Arturo Joe’s and, in Narragansett’s historic and increasingly artsy Boon Street district, PJ’s Pub.

Right next to the Towers is the Coast Guard House Restaurant, perched literally at the edge of the rocky shore. Go for lunch and a glass of wine, which their knowledgeable sommelier will be happy to help you select. Stay for a moonlight dinner and a late-night specialty cocktail. You’ll swear you can hear the heartbeat of the town, in harmony with the sound of the waves that call to surfers almost daily.

This is the center of Narragansett: the Pier, as locals call it. On one side is Narragansett’s signature seawall for all, a year-round promenade for every age that beckons both sunrise joggers and evening saunterers. On the other is the Town Beach, a kind of sandy town square that hosts summer movie nights for kids, plus fireworks punctuated with the sound of the Rhode Island Philharmonic’s annual surfside concert in July. Just beyond it is access to the Narrow River, which, despite its name, can handle boating, paddleboard and kayak enthusiasts.

Cross the street and straight ahead are specialty shops, including Nana’s Ice Cream and Gelato Café. Like Brickley’s in the north end, it’s one of several spots in Narragansett proudly serving homemade ice cream that, as Rhode Islanders might say, is wicked good.

A few steps away is a village green, complete with gazebo that hosts local bands and sing-alongs in the summer. Grab a lawn chair and you’re set. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself joining the other kids of all ages on the grassy dance floor, the rhythm of the waves just steps away.

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While the sun stretches out her time above the horizon, thousands of beach lovers travel from far and wide to spend their vacation enjoying the bustling energy of the summer season along the pristine coast of Southern Delaware. When the summer crowds return home and the sun begins to dip earlier each evening, showing off its deeper fall hues, the locals and long-time visitors begin to whisper about the“second-season” like a hidden treasure. What some call the “off-season,” others call the best time of the year—the beauty without the bustle.

Good news travels fast and, with each new year, the second season welcomes all back to the beach even after the swimsuits and board shorts have been packed away.

In the air, there’s a feeling of…festivals. The new year along the Southern Delaware Coast kicks off with the 2023 Fire and Ice Festival: “Lights, Camera, Action!” taking place on January 27-29, 2023. Experience the beach like you never have before with some movie magic at this Hollywood-themed event. Spend the weekend taking in 63,000 pounds of ice that have been transformed into masterfully crafted sculptures. Enjoy other winter festivities, including bonfires, live music, outdoor movies, and more. Visitors and locals alike buzz over the local Tasting Tour, Drink Competitions, and warm up with the comfort of an old-fashioned Chili Cookoff. Local businesses and towns join to extend the joy of the holiday season with something for everyone. It all caps off with a firework show that rivals the Fourth of July.

Before you know it, the morning light starts peeking in earlier and lingering later every day to see what it’s been missing. Spring puts on a show for those who love wildlife; and fishermen and foodies together all eagerly await the first catches of the season. For those who are ready to get back outside after staying cozy indoors over the winter months, the award-winning 34th Annual Ocean to Bay Bike Tour is our early kickoff for the season. Taking place on the last weekend in April, riders of all experience levels can participate in any of the cycling tours that cover over 180 miles of Sussex County’s beautiful beaches, bays, and beyond.

Come back and continue to explore; endless opportunities abound. Stay for“Locals Summer,” which begins the week after Labor Day with our 45th Annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival featuring 100 juried artists. Wind along sandy trails through black pines. Kayak along the banks of the canals, bay, and shorelines or spend the day fishing, surfing, or finally fitting in that round of golf. If it is retail therapy you need, shop tax-free among many unique boutiques, galleries, and local specialty shops. There is something sweet about taking in the salty sea air while doing the things you love. And whether you prefer salty, sweet, or savory, there are hundreds of restaurants to choose from. The Culinary Coast ^TM is brimming with a variety of spectacular dining; boasting award-winning chefs, farm-to-table dishes, and mouth-watering seafood. The length of days might change from summer to winter, but the truth is that time doesn’t fly so fast when you realize the places you love to visit in the summer season are full of hidden gems year-round, with the beach as the backdrop.

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In 1970, Sheboygan battled Bucyrus, Ohio for the title of Bratwurst Capital of the World. After a grueling duel, the Sheboygan Press reported on August 14^th, 1970, that Judge John Bolgert had rendered an official decision bestowing the title upon Sheboygan and barring all other claimers from using it.

A bratwurst (or “brat”) is a sausage usually composed of veal, pork or beef. The name is derived from Old High German Brätwurst, from brät-, which is finely chopped meat and Wurst, or sausage. So how did Sheboygan’s sausage makers, bakers and backyard chefs earn the prestigious title? Well first, you should know that Sheboyganites fry brats on a grill. They absolutely do not grill brats, they fry them…period. To “fry” can mean to cook, not necessarily in oil or fat, but over direct heat. The sausages are roasted in an oven or “fried” over a charcoal fire until browned and served to family and friends. The brat is a social food in Wisconsin. We have brat frys on weekends like folks have BBQs in the south. It is part of a deeply-held tradition.

 In the backyard or at a restaurant, that is just simply how it is done in Sheboygan. After frying brats to perfection, they are dressed on a round Sheboygan hard roll (make it a double brat by adding one more to the mix – there’s always room), sprinkled with onion and topped with brown mustard! And if you are feeling fancy, a few pickle slices to top it off.

And there you have it! The secret to the best brat in the world is simply to get it in Sheboygan. Stop at two of the original meat markets left in Sheboygan: Miesfeld’s Meat Market and Brockman’s Meat Market. Both offer fresh meats, homemade sausage, and world-famous bratwursts. Or you can save yourself some frying when you stop by local favorite, Sly’s Saloon, for a traditional brat plate; double brat on a hardroll served with American potato salad and baked beans.

There is simply no way to describe the full culinary experience here. Sheboygan has all the dining and drinking staples one would expect to find in a waterfront destination. Small cafes with charming atmospheres and way-good coffee dot the lakeshore. Classy establishments with waterfront tables and patios proudly offering Italian, English, Mexican, and American style foods. On Mondays, gather at Vollrath Park in the summer for family-owned food trucks that are famous for food on a stick, in a basket, or wrapped in waxed paper. Libations flow just as freely with local bars, breweries and eateries pouring a wide selection of craft beers, wines, and cocktails. You’ll never go hungry when visiting Sheboygan.

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