So we stopped by midday on a Thursday! (Mid March) and unfortunately the beach was completely closed! Gated & no access. Disappointed :( it had good reviews and I didn't see any note about it being seasonal-only. Beach is located right next to. Large beautiful golf course & we were impressed driving up to the gates. Will try to stop back by when the season is right! read more

I've always loved it here and love it even more now that it's card access for RISD students and employees.

What RISD beach lacks in luxury it makes up for in convenience! Yes, this beach is rocky and the water can be kind of dingy. But, unlike Rhode Island's more pristine beaches, it's free, it's only 10 minutes from Providence, and it's never too crowded! Dogs are allowed, which is both a pro and a con. I love watching the pups frolic in the water, but I live in fear of stepping right on a fresh turd with bare feet. I probably wouldn't bring kids to this beach, since there are zero amenities like lifeguards, bathrooms, etc. But there's plenty of sun, sand, and surf to go around! read more

Even after 4 years of living in the ocean state, I had not made the trip out to the RISD beach until last week. This a beautiful little private area where you can bring your dogs to walk around. It's open to those who are affiliated with Brown or RISD (make sure to bring your ID card). If you were like us, you were probably expecting to drive right up to the beach but that's not the case. You have to drive into a somewhat intimidating estate known as the Tillinghast Estates. There's a small sign just right by the road onto the property and you can easily miss it. Google maps is pretty accurate when you ask it to guide you to the RISD beach. Plenty of free parking in the area and many people will bring their dogs. There's somewhat of a path to the beach but there is a large field that you will have to walk past to get there. En par with most of Rhode Island's beaches, there are boggy areas that you have to pass through to get to the beach. That should be expected. Suddenly you find yourself on a nice sandy path that opens up into the beach. The beach has many shells. Not sure why that is the case here compared to the rest of the places in Rhode Island. There is evidence of quahogs everywhere. Do people go clamming here? I think the amount of seaweed here is dependent on the time of year you come. During the late summer I didn't think that it was so bad. Our dogs loved the water which was overall pretty calm. I wouldn't swim in this water because not only is it cold but slightly murky as well. I wish that others would keep their dogs on leashes. How do you think my dogs are oging to react when they are on a leash and yours aren't? That being said, this is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon... to take a long walk on the beach. read more

The water is shallow and seaweedy BUT it's a lovely and picturesque beach. The parking is free and ample, rarely is the beach packed. You can also bring your dog! There are a few nice risd installations along the path to the beach. I really enjoy going there and love how close it is to PVD. read more

Tillinghast Place - Beaches Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

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The property leading down to the beach here IS gorgeous. Rolling hills with a water view, where RISD students take a few classes, and RISD alumn enjoy reunion picnics with their families. You are supposed to have something to do with RISD if you come here, but as was mentioned by Cherie, there is no guard asking you to sign in. No rent-a-cop will drag you away if you stroll onto the property without the proper "credentials." I'm not worried about the "secret" being out because frankly, this beach stinks. Literally. You walk a path through a sulfur-smelling saltwater marsh to get to the water. To your left and right, ladies and gentlemen, foul pools of green algae, bugs, bog muck, and marsh grasses. I hope for your sake it hasn't rained recently. The sand on the beach is gravelly -- full of broken shells and sharp rocks. The water is very, very sea-weedy. The bottom transitions abruptly from harsh-on-the-tootsies to mucky. I've had better ocean swimming on Maine's rocky coast. On the bright side, the building you see to the left as you are running for your car is a bathroom with showers. read more

my fave place. ever. this beach is only for RISD + Brown students/alumni/faculty + staff. you may be asked for ID at any time. I LOVE this beach because it is quiet + not a lot of scummy ppl trying to booze it up/makeout in your face. It is dog friendly + the sand fleas can be tough sometimes so bring a little spray. It is family friendly + there are no life guards-- it is more rocky/shelly than sandy so water shoes are helpful... you can walk a long way out though without needing to swim. IT DOES NOT SMELL + the water has like maybe 2 pieces of seaweed in it... I have no idea what that other person is talking about I've been there 100x---maybe they went on a not so awesome day. The walk through the marsh is magical. It is so beyond beautiful, quiet + lovely + parking is free. OH + they have clean restrooms. I'm so in love with this beach + thankful i have access so I don't have to drive 4 hours + pay $20 bucks to go to a more beachy beach with a thousand other people. sometimes its just the better option for a quick quiet afternoon. if you need an escape 20 min from providence... this is your kinda place. read more

Tillinghast Place - Beaches Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

Am I shouting from the roof tops professing my love for RISD Beach? No. Was I a little grossed out by the amount of seaweed in the water? Yes. Do I wish the water in the Bay wasn't so warm? Yes. Do I LOVE free beach parking? HELL YES! Do I like that it's a 2 minute drive from my house? Of course. I wouldn't drive more than 20 minutes to visit RISD Beach but if you're in town and affiliated with RISD or Brown University, this beach is good for a quick seaside jaunt. Otherwise head to Newport or South County but good luck dealing with traffic on your way there. PS Town Center is so close so you can grab some snacks and drinks on your way. read more

I'm a big fan! RISD beach is 20-30 minutes from Providence. I've heard that you should bring your RISD/Brown ID with you, though I've never had someone check. Parking is free, and it's a 5 minute walk from parking to the sand (across a pretty field down a hill). Dogs are allowed at the beach. There are some waves, but they aren't huge. It's a perfect location if you like collecting shells! Given all the shells, the sand can be a little uncomfortable to walk on. It's overall not the nicest beach in RI, but it's a great easy option. For times when I want a short trip to the beach, RISD beach is perfect. read more

This is the second dirtiest beach I've ever been to, a close second to Revere Beach. The water was suspiciously warm for the North Atlantic in early June, full of floating trash (bleach bottles, dishwashing soap, plastic bags, shoes), and had weird, yellow soap-bubble sudsy foam at the surf's edge. As the tide went out, the foam hardened into crunch strips that crinkled (eww). Not to mention the dog feces left lying about. We stayed about an hour, just long enough for me to be thoroughly grossed out. I would not go back. read more

Beautiful little beach that you can get into if you go to Brown or RISD (but tbh, nobody checks). The problem is that it is SO rocky. Laying down is a nightmare unless you have a really thick and plush towel. Walking is even worse. I guess one of its perks it that the beach will automatically exfoliate your callused feet? Wear good shoes and you should be fine. It's very family and pet friendly, and not packed like some of the more popular beaches in RI. read more

Disregard the poor reviews. This beach is on par with any other in New England. Yes there are pebbles along the sand but bring a beach blanket or a chair and you'll be set. The water is warm and has some seaweed (it is a bay, after all) but people swim and wade in it all the time. The beach is supposed to be for RISD and Brown affiliates but it seems that anyone can get in if they please. This beach is also great for dogs and is rarely populated. read more

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RISD beach is a beautiful and serene spot along the bay. It makes perfect sense to me that RISD owns the property... if I were an artist, I would spend every evening here, painting away. The grounds are gorgeous, and is there any scent better than marshlands and beach grass? I don't think so, but I'm from here and use to it! That being said, I was a bit disappointed when I arrived at the water. The sand is very rocky and loaded with sharp seashells... be sure to bring protective footwear! There are plenty of sand fleas hopping around as well... I wasn't bitten, but the possibility of that happening was a turn off and enough to keep me moving... I didn't sit and relax as I was hoping to do. I was hoping to take a dip but couldn't bring myself to do it. The water was very murky, with lots of seaweed and even some trash (!!). Litterers -- you are DESPICABLE. It is a lovely spot, but not the close-by beach haven I was hoping for. Sigh. read more

Nice private beach for RISD/Brown. It's not an amazingly nice beach, in that there is a lot of seaweed etc, but it's rarely crowded.

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BEACH!!!! awesome area to hang and get that beach breeze, but not have to deal with the annoying sand that gets everywhere! My dog and I had such a blast running around in the field and water. Beautiful location and so worth the drive from Providence! read more

I usually don't review much but had to write. This is a terrible beach. The water is murky and dirty. The sand is full of debris, glass hard rocks, washed up garbage and dog poo. The security guard checking Brown/RISD IDs in the parking lot and the beach was not friendly. He kicked out a bunch of people including a few with dogs who claimed to have forgotten IDs (looked like older locals). Also there were a few larger rowdy groups of beer swigging loud mouth teens who have no affiliation with Brown/RISD. The guard said the spot ID checks are here to say given the recent trashing of the beach. I may be back after it's cleaned up but for now will go to Newport. read more

Be forewarned, last time we went they were checking ids and kicking people out (May 2011). Nice beach if you have RISD or Brown connections, though. read more

Pretty dirty - both the water and the beach itself. There was crap all over the beach but was quiet and dogs are allowed which is a plus.

I love this beach....but I was recently told I had to leave because this beach is NOT a public beach. Apparently you have to be RISD or BROWN student, alumni, faculty or staff with an ID. read more