shop & play

Woof! Woof! celebrates the holiday with their wildly popular Smooch the Pooch event! Treats for pups and people, sweet savings, and best of all, a charitable cause.

Check out the trifecta of Valentine’s Day must-haves — jewelry, chocolate, and flowers — at The Wooden Midshipman‘s annual chocolate sampling, tomorrow, Feb 12th! Stop by 146 Water Street from 5-8pm to sample the ‘Shipman’s selection of artisanal chocolates, MUSE American Handcrafted‘s Valentine’s Day jewelry picks, and unique floral arrangements from The Greenery.

Across the street, DISH is showing off their sweet, indulgent bath and body line from Red Flower. Non-toxic and deliciously scented, they make the perfect gifts for someone in need of a sumptuous pick-me-up (or just for yourself… you deserve it!). Choose from candles, body wash, fragrance diffusers, lotions, and other goodies. Best news ever? Red Flower is 20% off in honor of the holiday, now through Sunday, 2/15.

eat & drink

Warren’s acclaimed eateries are rolling out special Valentine’s Day menus, so hire a sitter and beat the cabin fever by treating yourselves.

New bistro Metacom Kitchen offers 3 courses for $45 (see menu here). Think Wellfleet oysters, their housemade burrata, and agnolotti with truffles–and that’s just from the appetizer selections.

Eli’s Kitchen is offering the same deal ($45 per person, 3 courses) but with their signature twist: you’ll find a mezze platter, saag “paneer,” and belgian chocolate all sharing menu space. See their menu on Facebook here.

Simone’s (also offering 3 courses for $45, or $68 with wine pairings) is embracing their rustic yet elegant Mediterranean vibe with lots of choices, including fresh seafood, their housemade pastas, wood-grilled entrees, and more. Check it out.

Valentine’s Day is still a Saturday night, after all, so if hanging with friends is more your speed you can still grab a burger and a pint at The Square Peg or CHOMP, take in the show UpStage at 2nd Story Theatre, or try the new bar menu at the recently opened Aruba Steve’s on Main Street.

Did we forget any special Valentine’s Day goings-on? Tell us at info@discoverwarren.com and we’ll make sure to add it!

Check out the event on Facebook for more details and updates.

Jacob’s Point Salt Marsh

A type of wetland situated between ocean and land, a salt marsh sustains many different types of plants and is one of the more productive of ecosystems. Warren’s Jacob’s Point Salt Marsh borders the bike path and measures 47 acres along the Warren River. It is one of many that are monitored closely by Save The Bay as part of their marsh restoration programs. Restoration includes strict water quality monitoring, as well as combatting invasive species that attempt to take over the marsh. Different types of plants can endure different levels of salinity, so keeping track of the levels of salinity is key step in protecting the salt marsh.

The view of the water from the marsh

Salt marshes are a crucial part of any coastal area as they help to filter run off water and provide protection from various threats, such as storm surge or erosion, as well as offer support for different types of fish and plant species.

This is just another part of the town that makes it so special. The beauty of Warren is that it is so many different types of places wrapped into one town. Warren may be a small town in the tiniest state, but it surely is unique.

- Annabelle Everett

A native of Rhode Island, Annabelle is a summer intern for Discover Warren. She studies Writing & Rhetoric at Hobart & William Smith Colleges.

by E.A. Mann

Advanced Moves shines a light on the smaller, lesser-known joys of living in Warren.

Bridge over calm waters

For years I’d heard of a mysterious second bike path in Warren. Details were vague. For every ten people I discussed it with, only one brave soul had actually walked the path. Every time I was given directions, I listened intently to the words, then immediately forgot them. Over time a mythology built up around this second bike path for me, and I wondered if I would ever actually go there. If it even existed.

Finally, on a recent, perfect summer day, I decided to avoid the inevitable crowds on the East Bay Bike path and search for Atlantis. Rhode Islanders don’t usually like long journeys, and I’ve found Warren-ites to be a particularly concentrated form of them. I wasn’t born here, but I fit right in. The Warren Bike Path is up Child Street, near Kickemuit Middle School, off of Hugh Cole Road. Living, as I do, near the Main and Water Street corridor, it may as well be the Arctic Circle. But I must admit, it wasn’t hard to find. And it was worth the long journey east.

Arcing trees provide shade.

Calling it a bike path may be a bit of a misnomer. At 1.2 miles, a speedy biker can cover it in the time it takes to make a cup of coffee. But as a walking or running path, it’s a beautiful piece of land, and in a town known for water and density, it’s a welcome stretch of shady, idyllic woods. Trees arc over the path, filtering the sunlight down into pretty patches. One side terminates in a nice water view with benches on either side (there is some water, this is Warren after all…). If you’ve got kids, the path abuts the Warren Recreation Park, making for a nice detour into playgrounds and sports fields.

But the path’s best attribute might be the same obscurity that kept me away for so many years. You can jog this path in the morning and not see another soul. Even on a peak summer day, you will not encounter hordes of families taking up both lanes of the bike path. For most of my walk, it was just me, my ten month old napping in her stroller, and the sounds of the woods.

Unless I lose the map, I’ll be back often.

Playground and fields nearby

Got an Advanced Move? Message the Discover Warren page or share it in the comments.

This week, we have a mother/daughter team taking over the account: Susanna Jackson (@sue_thebigcheese) and her mother, Mary. Susanna will start us off: born and bred here in Warren, Susanna now lives in Boston, working as an editor for alt-weekly newspaper Dig Boston. She accepts all invitations back to lil’ Rhody ’cause she knows she’ll be well fed. Lucky for us, she’s spending the weekend here in Warren, making her the perfect gal to take over @discoverwarren. When she heads back up north, her mom Mary Jackson will be taking over; best known as the manager of local hangout The Coffee Depot and yogi extraordinaire, Mary herself grew up here in Warren and is often seen walking and biking around town. Thanks ladies–we can’t wait to see your take on 02885.

Stairs from Burrs Hill leading to the Town Beach

Summer is here and whoa have we earned it! The weather has been perfect for so many days in a row that you might have actually run out of things to do. If so, never fear – I’ve got some great Warren summer activities for you:

1. Take a walk. I love starting on the bike path and ending with a ramble through downtown, drooling over the historic homes with an iced coffee in hand.
2. Quahog Festival. For a weekend in July, Burr’s Hill gets taken over by stuffie-slingers. A great day to get a taste of Rhode Island, and check out some local art while you’re at it. July 19 and 20.
3. The Town Beach. There is a playground for the young (and old, no judgment!), a grassy area with big shady trees perfect for picnicking under, and a calm, shallow beach to cool your toes.
4. Art night. Hop on the trolley and take in all the local artists and their astounding work. Next night is July 31.
5. Dine al fresco. So many restaurants in town have outdoor seating: there’s Chomp, Trafford, Square Peg, Stella Blues, Tav Vino, Blount Clam Shack and Wharf Tavern – just to name a few. And for a snack afterwards, hit up Coffee Depot, Café Water Street, Del’s Lemonade, or The Fruity Cow.
6. Outdoor Movies! The Hometown Revival Project has organized a series of outdoor movies to take place in Burr’s Hill this summer. Next on the list is Grand Budapest Hotel on July 10. See ya there!
7. Take to the water. I’m fortunate to have a kayak and love paddling through Belcher’s Cove on a warm summer day. Don’t own something seaworthy? Rent a boat or kayak from Steve’s Boat Rental and see Warren from a different point of view.
8. Bike it. The bike path runs right through town and takes you into wooded areas that kiss the water. If, for whatever reason, you have never explored the East Bay bike path, stop what you are doing and go right now!
9. Shopping. Warren is chock full of small, unique stores brimming with things I guarantee you haven’t seen before, but I also guarantee you will find you can’t live without them. Ramble along Water Street and Main Street to pick up something for that special someone (or yourself).
10. Get sporty. Play a round of hoops or a tennis match in Burr’s Hill, an inning or two of baseball at the Warren Recreation Park, or a game of roller hockey at Jamiel’s Park.

Bottom line: there’s a lot to do in our little town this time of year, so get out there!

As the site gets updated, you can still visit this blog for news and updates about what’s new in Warren thanks to our new writers: Annabelle Everett, Eric Mancini, and Kristen Aber. Their fresh perspectives on Warren and the goings-on in town will be just what we need to liven up this page. You can also follow us on Instagram @discoverwarren, Facebook at fb.com/DiscoverWarren, and Twitter @DiscoverWarren.

Big news this summer: the Hometown Revival Project is launching Music & Movies in the Park! For a complete schedule, check out www.warrenrevival.org and their Facebook page at fb.com/warrenrevival
First up is Raiders of the Lost Ark next Thursday, 6/26. It will start around sunset, but stay tuned for more information.

Warren in the summer is just delightful–we hope you come visit us.

– The DW team

RSVP on Facebook to get the scoop!

A better question might be what’s not going on during Friday night’s event! Shops, cafes, and restaurants are pulling out all the stops for Warren Wonderland. Here’s just a small preview of what you can expect…

Luca Boutique is hosting a hot-cocoa bar, an American Girl Doll raffle (seriously!!), and donating a portion of proceeds to East Bay Food Pantry!

The Wooden Midshipman hosts author + storyteller Mark Binder to keep the little ones entertained while you shop! Stories 5-8pm, with snacks. All ages + free!

DISH will be handing out free gifts to purchases over $50! Take home a deliciously scented Red Flower lotion or body wash. Yum.

Whimsies is offering a store-wide discount of 10% off every purchase along with refreshments! Stop by to check out their selection of unique furniture and gifts.

MUSE American Handcrafted will have warming libations and their amazing holiday selection of fine jewelry and gifts, all made in the USA.

Boheme Art Space is introducing new artists for the month of December, with refreshments, live music, and fun!

Woof! Woof! Pet Boutique and Biscuit Bar is open ’til 8pm and raffling off a gorgeous handmade Gingerbread House! Tickets are $1 and proceeds benefit the Warren Animal Shelter!

Simply Devine Restaurant is featuring Brian DeFusco on acoustic guitarist, performing from 7-9:30. Plus, half priced appetizers from 5-7 at the bar.

True Balance Pilates will have an open house, with homemade cookies, warm mulled cider, and a raffle for free Pilates sessions! Proceeds will benefit the Warren Animal Shelter. Also appearing is Warren Wellness, raffling a 40 minute reflexology treatment and an hour therapeutic movement session!

…more updates coming soon as the details roll in! Check back! If you have an event going on that night, please send us the details at info@discoverwarren.com.

And remember: every $20 purchase that night earns you a raffle ticket! You could win our basket full of goodies and gift cards valued at $500+. Use Discover Warren wooden tokens + earn a free extra raffle ticket! 

See you all Friday night. Cheers!

You can check out the enthusiastic video here.

In the video, owner Sam and Chef Jeremy break down their favorite dishes; we dare you not to head there tonight after watching gooey Southern mac n’ cheese ooze over their Mac n’ Cheeseburger. Grab a craft beer or Manhattan at the bar and cozy up to some comfort food.

Happy Weekend!

Want tokens? They make awesome gifts for East Bay residents and are accepted almost everywhere! On Small Business Saturday, 11/30, you can Buy 4 and Get 1 Free at The Coffee Depot. While supplies last!

So save the dates: Small Business Saturday 11/30 + Warren Wonderland 12/6. RSVP on Facebook for updates and details!

See you around town! Merry Merry!

P.S. Just like last year, Discover Warren donates to Bristol Warren Education Foundation for Warren Wonderland. Spread the love!