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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Wakefield & South County, Rhode Island
Plan a South County day: cut lavender in Wakefield from late June, walk Trustom Pond's refuge trails, then eat seafood at the Galilee docks.
5 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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Wakefield is the main village of South Kingstown, on the stretch of Rhode Island coast locals call South County. Salt ponds, barrier beaches and wildlife refuges line the shore between Narragansett and Charlestown, and the fishing port of Galilee works out of Point Judith. Most of the stops below are within 15 minutes of each other, with Jamestown's Beavertail and Newport farther out across the bay bridges.
Lavender Waves Farm, on Commodore Perry Highway in Wakefield, has more than 4,000 plants in ten varieties and about 60 farm animals. Peak bloom runs from late June into early August, when ticketed cut-your-own days draw the biggest crowds, and a lighter rebloom carries on until October. Pair a morning in the field with a refuge walk, a state beach and a seafood lunch in Galilee; in spring and fall, when the beaches are quiet, the museums, Casey Farm's Saturday market and the wildlife refuges carry the day.
The lavender farms
- Lavender Waves FarmLavender farm · Wakefield
Late June through early August, with a lighter second bloom until October
Ticketed cut-your-own and general admission in bloom season (online by time slot or at the gate), rain or shine; yoga, sound baths, private tours and farm stays by booking; Halloween Fall Festival October 24–25, 2026.
Best time to visit
Lavender Waves Farm's peak bloom runs from late June through early August, with a lighter second bloom until October; cut-your-own tickets are sold by date and time slot during the season, and the 2026 cutting season has ended. State beaches such as East Matunuck, Scarborough North and Salty Brine keep in-season hours (9 AM to 6 PM weekdays, 8:30 AM to 6 PM weekends and holidays) with lifeguards through summer; in 2026 they moved to the off-season schedule on September 8, and parking fills fast on summer weekends. Casey Farm in Saunderstown runs guided tours on Saturdays from May 16 to October 31 (2026) and Tuesday afternoons from June to October 15, and its farm market runs Saturday mornings from mid-May through October. The South County Museum is open Thursday through Saturday until mid-October (its 2026 season ran through October 17). Fall brings Lavender Waves Farm's Halloween Fall Festival on October 24 and 25, 2026, and Newport Vineyards' Harvest Festival in late October. Trustom Pond refuge closes for archery deer hunts November 4 to 10 and December 2 to 8, 2026.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge🌲 Preserve · South Kingstown · about 7 mi, 15 min drive
A 787-acre refuge of fields, shrublands, woods, fresh and salt ponds and dunes, with birding along the trails and fishing on Moonstone Beach. Outdoor restrooms are open when the refuge is.
Sunrise to sunset; closed for deer hunts November 4–10 and December 2–8, 2026
- Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge (Kettle Pond Visitor Center)🌲 Preserve · Charlestown · about 11 mi, 18 min drive
Built on a former naval landing field, the refuge is known for migratory birds, including shorebirds and piping plovers. The Kettle Pond Visitor Center has habitat exhibits, nature games and a scavenger hunt for kids.
Visitor center daily 10 AM–4 PM; wear orange on trails during fall archery season
- East Matunuck State Beach🏖️ Beach · South Kingstown · about 6 mi, 12 min drive
More than 144 acres of gently sloping sand with strong surf, shade gazebos, indoor heated showers and beach wheelchairs to borrow. Pets are not allowed.
In season 9 AM–6 PM weekdays, 8:30 AM–6 PM weekends and holidays; gates close at sunset
Parking fee in season; season passes sold online
- Salty Brine State Beach🏖️ Beach · Narragansett · about 7 mi, 14 min drive
A sheltered beach barely 100 yards long beside the Galilee docks, with gentle water for small children and a jetty boardwalk where you can watch fishing boats and ferries pass. Pets are not allowed.
In season 9 AM–6 PM weekdays, 8:30 AM–6 PM weekends and holidays; gates close at sunset
Parking fee in season
- Scarborough North State Beach🏖️ Beach · Narragansett · about 6 mi, 13 min drive
A 26-acre beach with more than 2,000 feet of frontage, a large pavilion and a boardwalk, popular for day trips since 1937. Pets are not allowed.
In season 9 AM–6 PM weekdays, 8:30 AM–6 PM weekends and holidays; gates close at sunset
Parking pass required in season
- South County Museum🏛️ Museum · Narragansett · about 4 mi, 10 min drive
More than 20,000 artifacts on an eight-acre campus at Canonchet Farm, with a blacksmith forge, carpentry barn, print shop, living history farm and exhibits on the Point Judith fishing port and Narragansett Pier. Artisan demonstrations run late morning.
Thursday–Saturday 10 AM–4 PM (last entry 3 PM) in season; 2026 season ran through October 17
- The Towers🏛️ Historic site · Narragansett · about 5 mi, 12 min drive
A historic Narragansett landmark at 35 Ocean Road, now a venue for public dances, theater and events, with a step-free entrance and an elevator..
Free street parking along Ocean Road
- Casey Farm🏛️ Historic site · Saunderstown · about 8 mi, 15 min drive
A working farm since 1955 on land the Casey family held from 1702, with a farmhouse from about 1750, more than ten miles of stone walls and guided tours that cover the Indigenous and enslaved people who worked it. Pets stay off the farm grounds, but leashed dogs may use the nearby trails.
Tours Saturdays May 16–October 31 at 9, 10 and 11 AM and Tuesdays June–October 15 at 1, 2 and 3 PM; market Saturdays 8:30 AM–12:30 PM mid-May–October (2026)
Tours $10 adults, $9 seniors, $5 students and children, $25 family (2026)
- Beavertail State Park🌳 State park · Jamestown · about 16 mi, 25 min drive
Four overlooks on rocky shoreline at the mouth of Narragansett Bay, with tide pools, a seasonal aquarium and the 1856 Beavertail Lighthouse, whose museum is open in season. The park is carry-in, carry-out.
Lighthouse museum open seasonally
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- George's of GalileeRestaurant · Narragansett
Family-run in the Port of Galilee since 1948, with harbor views, steamed lobster and a takeout window, open daily 11 to 9.
- Mews TavernRestaurant · Wakefield
A Wakefield tavern since 1947, a few minutes from the lavender farm, with 69 beers on tap and a kitchen open until 10 or 11 PM.
- Newport VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Middletown
A family winery on more than 100 acres of preserved Aquidneck Island farmland, with walk-in wine flights and daily tours (21+ to taste).
- Beauty and the BathGift shop · North Kingstown
A Wickford village shop for bath and body goods, home fragrance and small gifts.
- The Ivy LodgeInn or B&B · Newport
An eight-room Newport bed and breakfast with breakfast included, a short walk from Thames Street and the Cliff Walk.
A one-day plan
- 9:30 AMLavender Waves Farm
Cut a bundle with your own scissors (late June to early August), catch the gazebo talk at a quarter past the hour and visit the animals; about 1.5 hours. Outside bloom season, check the farm's website for events.
- 11:15 AMTrustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge · about 15 min drive
Walk the trails out toward the ponds and look for waterbirds; about 1 hour.
- 12:45 PMGeorge's of Galilee · about 20 min drive
Lunch overlooking the port; grab takeout from the window if you are in a hurry; about 1 hour.
- 2:00 PMSalty Brine State Beach · about 2 min drive
Walk the jetty boardwalk and watch the boats come and go; about 45 minutes.
- 3:00 PMThe Towers · about 12 min drive
Park on Ocean Road and walk Ocean Road past the Towers by the shore; about 30 minutes.
- 4:00 PMBeavertail State Park · about 25 min drive
Explore the overlooks and tide pools by the lighthouse; about 1.5 hours.
- 6:15 PMMews Tavern · about 30 min drive
Dinner back in Wakefield, about 30 minutes from Jamestown.
Tips
- State beach lots fill quickly on summer weekends; a season pass bought online gets you the express lane.
- Pets are not allowed at East Matunuck, Scarborough or Salty Brine state beaches, and they stay off Casey Farm's grounds.
- For cut-your-own lavender, buy a time-slot ticket ahead, bring scissors and a basket, and expect to go rain or shine.
- Trustom Pond closes for deer hunts in early November and early December, and Ninigret asks trail users to wear orange during archery season.
- Beavertail is carry-in, carry-out, so bring a bag for your trash and a layer for the wind.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When does lavender bloom at Lavender Waves Farm?
Peak bloom is late June through early August, with a lighter second bloom that lasts until October.
How much does it cost to cut lavender?
Cut-your-own is $20 for one 8-ounce bundle, and walking the field and visiting the animals without cutting is $5 (2026 prices).
Can I bring my dog to the beaches near Wakefield?
Not to the state beaches: East Matunuck, Scarborough North and Salty Brine do not allow pets.
What is there to do near Wakefield in the fall?
Casey Farm runs tours and a Saturday market through October, the wildlife refuges are good for migrating birds, and Lavender Waves Farm holds a Halloween Fall Festival in late October (October 24–25 in 2026).
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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