A Car‑Free Ride from Boston to the Bristol Waterfront
Train to Providence, bike to Bristol, then reverse it.
This is a different kind of Summer of 100 Beaches trip. No campground. No car. Just my bike, the MBTA commuter rail, and 14.5 miles of paved, car‑free path along Narragansett Bay. The East Bay Bike Path runs from Providence to Bristol, with views of the water, Colt State Park, and classic Rhode Island coastline. Start at my front door in Boston, end at a Bristol clam shack, and return the same way.
🚴 The East Bay Bike Path – Providence to Bristol (14.5 miles one way)
This may be the best bike path in New England. It follows the former Providence and Bristol Railroad right-of-way along the shores of Narragansett Bay. Stunning, continuous vistas of Narragansett Bay, coves, marshes, marinas, and sailboats. You’ll pass Pomham Rocks Lighthouse and enjoy coastal wildlife (birds, ospreys, etc.).
- Parks Along the Way:
- India Point Park and Squantum Woods (East Providence)
- Haines Memorial State Park and Veterans Memorial Park (Barrington)
- Burr’s Hill Park (Warren)
- Colt State Park (near the Bristol end — a highlight with beautiful grounds, waterfront, and picnic areas)
- Independence Park in Bristol (end point with harbor views and small-town charm).
The path has a relaxed, scenic, and immersive New England coastal vibe — mixing waterfront beauty, shaded tree canopies, and small-town neighborhoods. It feels peaceful yet lively, with a good mix of locals commuting, families, recreational riders, and tourists.
Round trip from Providence to Bristol and back is 29 miles. My version adds the train from Boston to Providence and back — about 50 miles of riding total, with a train in the middle.
🗺️ RideWithGPS Map
You won’t need a GPS map for this ride. It’s a straight shot out and back. Nothing to confuse you.
🚆 Getting There – MBTA Commuter Rail to Providence
From my home in Boston, I ride my bike to Cleary Square in Hyde Park and take the MBTA Providence/Stoughton Line. Trains run frequently, and bikes are allowed on all commuter rail trains (no fee, but space is limited — avoid peak rush hours).
The ride from Cleary Square to Providence takes about 1 hour. Once in Providence, it’s an easy 1‑mile ride from the train station to India Point Park, the official northern trailhead of the East Bay Bike Path.
🏛️ Points of Interest Along the Path
Providence
Providence is an awesome town and the ride from the train station to the start of the East Bay Bike Path is a great start. Downtown Providence has a moody, nautical edge from its bay location, combined with youthful, creative energy from the universities. It’s walkable and feels welcoming rather than overwhelming. By day, it’s relaxed with river walks, history, and casual exploration. Evenings bring more buzz—especially during WaterFire or events—with a lively but not overly rowdy nightlife of bars, restaurants, and music.
Providence offers a compact, walkable mix of historic charm, urban energy, artistic creativity, and a relaxed, youthful vibe. As a historic city founded in 1636 and a major college town (home to RISD, Brown, and others), it blends old New England architecture with modern revitalization, public art, and a strong food and culture scene.
India Point Park – Providence
The northern trailhead. India Point Park is a scenic 18-acre waterfront park in Providence’s historic Fox Point neighborhood, located at the confluence of the Seekonk River and Providence River, where they open into Narragansett Bay.
The park boasts a 3,600-foot shoreline with sweeping views of the Providence Harbor, Seekonk River, and Narragansett Bay. Lighted paved and stone-dust walking paths run along the water, making it ideal for strolls, especially at sunset. There are benches, picnic tables, and interpretive signage about the area’s maritime history.
Haines Memorial State Park
Haines Memorial State Park is a picturesque 101-acre public recreation area situated on the border of Barrington and the Riverside section of East Providence, along the northeastern side of Narragansett Bay. Established in 1911 on land donated from the estate of Dr. George B. Haines, it serves as a tranquil waterfront getaway featuring a mix of open fields, coastal paths, and wooded areas.
Colt State Park – Bristol
The highlight of the ride. This park hugs the bay with open fields, stone walls, and picnic areas. The bike path runs straight through it. Stop here. Walk down to the water. Take a break.
Bristol Waterfront – End of the Path
The path ends at Independence Park in Bristol, right on the water. You’re steps from downtown Bristol, with its historic homes, seafood restaurants, and the ferry dock.
🍽️ Food – Train Coffee, Providence Lunch, Bristol Seafood
Providence – Near the Train Station
If you need breakfast or a lunch to‑go, the area around the train station has coffee shops and delis. Head toward Brown Univesity along the Providence River and they are a number of breakfast joints and bakeries..
Barrington – Mid‑Point Fuel
The bike path passes right through Barrington’s small downtown. Look for coffee shops, bakeries, and sandwich places. Get yourself a cabinet at Delekta’s. What’s a cabinet? It’s unique language to Rhode Island. You might call it a milk shake or a frappe.
Bristol – End of the Line
Bristol, Rhode Island, is a charming, historic waterfront town at the southern end of the East Bay, known for its strong patriotic spirit, colonial heritage, scenic Narragansett Bay views, and relaxed New England coastal atmosphere. Founded in 1685, it’s often called one of America’s most patriotic towns, famous for hosting the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration in the country.
Downtown buzzes gently with locals and visitors shopping, dining on fresh seafood and local fare, or attending events. The maritime heritage shines through with harbors, marinas, and boating culture. It’s family-friendly, arts-oriented, and especially lively during summer festivals and the famous July 4th parade. Overall, it offers big charm in a compact, scenic package — perfect for a day trip or relaxed getaway.
Bristol has excellent seafood. Quito’s is a classic clam shack right on the water. Leo’s Ristorante is a Bristol institution. If you’re taking the ferry back, grab something quick near the dock.
Aidan’s Pub at 5 John St in Bristol makes this excellent Rhode Island style clam chowder pictured below.
📜 Local Knowledge & History
🚂 The East Bay Rail Trail
The bike path follows the former right‑of‑way of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad, which operated from the 1860s to the 1930s. You’re riding on history.
🏛️ Bristol’s Fourth of July
Bristol claims to have the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States. The whole town gets involved. If you ride on July 4th, expect crowds — and lots of flags.
⚓ Herreshoff Marine Museum – Bristol
Just off the end of the bike path. This museum celebrates the Herreshoff boatyard, which built some of the most famous America’s Cup yachts. Worth a detour if you have time.
🎥 Video Highlights
📌 Tips for the East Bay Bike Path – Boston to Bristol
- Take an early train – Gives you time to ride, explore Bristol, and decide on your return option.
- Bikes are free on the MBTA commuter rail – But space is limited. Avoid 7‑9am and 4‑7pm peak direction trains. If you are traveling in reverse direction of the morning commute you’ll be fine at anytime.
- Water stops – There are water fountains at Colt State Park. Otherwise, bring a bottle or stop in Barrington.
- No bathrooms on the path – Colt State Park has restrooms. So do the coffee shops in Barrington and Providence.
📸 Photo Gallery
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
An old train depot now a cafe style takeout joint.
Del’s Lemonade is everywhere and a Rhode Island staple.
New page created for The Summer of 100 Beaches.