Discover the Rhode Island Village That Looks Like a Hallmark Movie Set

After moving from Rhode Island to Los Angeles many years ago, my career in the entertainment industry started when I was hired at a production company that made movies for the Hallmark Channel. While I worked as an accountant, I would read the scripts in my spare time—and they are just as wholesome and full of heart as when you watch the movies on TV. Of course, one of the best parts of a Hallmark movie is a picturesque small town that seems more like a silent main character than a backdrop. The small towns in which the scripts are set provide as much heart and soul to the movie as the storyline. Thinking back to my upbringing in the Ocean State, I can't help but think that Wickford, one of the most charming small towns in Rhode Island, would make a perfect setting for a Hallmark Channel TV movie, and here's why:

About Wickford

Wickford Village, also known simply as "Wickford," is a historic seaside community within the town of North Kingstown. Established as a seaport in 1709, people started to move here, and around 20 homes, many of which still stand today, were built before the Revolutionary War. Over time, the village grew as the population expanded, with shops and taverns opening for business. Today, the streets are still filled with family-owned stores and restaurants, along with churches and gardens, and a waterfront area where you can watch boats float by or rent one for a day out on the water.

Must-Visit Spots in Wickford

If you enjoy shopping at local businesses, Wickford is home to numerous boutiques and antique stores where you can find the perfectly unique gift. For those who love to cook, the Wickford Gourmet Factory Outlet is where you'll find a variety of cookware, dishes, gadgets, and more. Rhode Island-made crafts, pottery, and art can be found at Different Drummer, which has always been my favorite shop when visiting the village. You can view the directory of shops on the Wickford Village website.

If you're looking for someplace to dine in Wickford, there are several options. For coffee, juices, smoothies, and sandwiches, try the quaint family-owned Shayna's Place on Brown Street. If you'd like to dine on the water during lunch or dinner, Wickford on the Water offers a stunning setting and a variety of fresh seafood and other New England favorites.

Why Wickford Looks Like a Movie Set

With historic homes in both the Colonial and Federal-period styles, along with quaint streets filled with boutiques, antique shops, cafes, and local eateries, and its waterfront location, Wickford is picture-perfect in every way. It's the type of village where you'll bump into someone you know on the street, meet a friend for coffee at a local cafe, and slow down as you enjoy all that it has to offer. It's a place that's so charming you would expect it to play a starring role on the Hallmark Channel. One of my favorite times to visit during the year is the holiday season, particularly during the Festival of Lights, a Christmas celebration when Wickford transforms into a winter wonderland of merriment and twinkling lights—and that's as "Hallmark" as it gets!

Would you agree that Wickford would make the perfect setting for a Hallmark movie? What other small towns or villages in Rhode Island do you think would be an ideal contender for a Hallmark set? Please send us your picks through our nomination page!

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own small-town Rhode Island trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.