Summer Travel: Family

Shore BetRhode Island: Located on the southwestern tip of the Ocean State, the seaside village of Watch Hill, in the town of Westerly, is a throwback to old-fashioned summer beach resorts (http://visitwatchhill.com). The village’s East Beach is wide and sandy, with a shallow pitch that’s perfect for small children. The smaller Watch Hill Beach is equally calm, with the added attraction of the Flying Horse Carousel (Bay and Larkin streets, 401-348-6007), open Memorial Day to Columbus Day and only to children ages 2 to 12. The carousel’s wooden horses are hung from metal chains, so the faster the carousel spins, the farther out riders fly. Across the street, soak up more atmosphere in the Olympia Tea Room (74 Bay Street, 401-348-8211, http://olympiatearoom.com), which features picture windows looking out onto Little Narragansett Bay, along with boat-fresh seafood in elegant preparations. But not everything here is a throwback. There is a bevy of upscale clothing and home furnishings boutiques to keep Mom and Dad shop-happy, as well as The Candy Box (14 Fort Road, 401-596-3325, http://candyboxwatchhill.com), which produces some of the best fudge and butter crunch in New England. At sunset, make the pilgrimage up the hill to the Watch Hill Lighthouse that now guards a vantage used as a lookout for everyone from Niantic Indians to Revolutionary War scouts. The setting sun lights up the butter-yellow facade of the 138-year-old Ocean House (1 Bluff Avenue, 401-584-7000, http://oceanhouseri.com), the last of Watch Hill’s once-ubiquitous grand seaside hotels. Newly rebuilt, it’s scheduled to reopen this week, ready to welcome a new generation of visitors.