Looking to browse local shops or explore the creative side of coastal Rhode Island? Tiverton and Little Compton are full of independently owned boutiques, artisan studios, and welcoming galleries that showcase the best of the region’s talent and charm. Whether you’re hunting for a one-of-a-kind gift, a handmade ceramic coaster, or a watercolor of the Sakonnet Lighthouse, these small businesses reflect the soul of the community. In this guide, we highlight our favorite local shops and art galleries in Tiverton and Little Compton- perfect for a quiet afternoon stroll or a rainy day treasure hunt.
Tiverton Four Corners
If you want to make a day of meandering and browsing, Tiverton Four Corners is the place to go. From Courtyards, a local favorite for garden ornaments and whimsical gifts, to Groundswell Garden & Home, two beautifully curated stores featuring garden decor and kitchenware, Four Corners has many shops to visit. Tiffany Peay offers handcrafted jewelry, and the village now has an adorable little bookstore, The Yellow House. If you are looking for coastal inspired furnishings visit Lou Lou’s or Sayles Livingston Home. Antiques more of your thing? They have a couple of those too- Peter’s Attic and R. Kazarian Antiques.
If exploring a local art gallery is more of your preference, visit the Four Corners Gallery for a diverse range of art including paintings, sculptures, textiles and ceramics. Cedian Painting is Jennifer Jones Rashleigh’s work inspired by natural design. Dina Doyle works on wood and canvas with oil paint.
The Four Corners Art Center is an arts organization providing quality arts programming. It also has one of RI’s only continuous outdoor sculpture park. There is a daffodil garden planted in honor of its founding member, Jim Weir. You can see this years blooms at our blogpost.
There are so many more stores and galleries, visit their website here.
Wilbur’s General Store
Step back in time in this charming general store offering a mix of baked goods, prepared foods, groceries, toys, gifts and more. For over 100 years, Wilbur’s has served locals and visitors from around the world. Our history dates back to 1893 when C.R. Wilbur opened the store in the picturesque town of Little Compton. Visit their website here. The current owners also run Old Stone Orchard, mentioned in our Farms Page as our go to spot for apple picking.
South Coast Artists Open Studio Tour
SCA features two open studio tour weekends, typically the third weekend in July & August and includes up to 75 exhibiting artists to the four beautiful coastal towns of Tiverton, Little Compton, Westport and Dartmouth. Whether this is your first visit, or you’re a seasoned traveler to the South Coast, you’re sure to be impressed by the amazing quality and incredible range of creative work being produced in these scenic communities. On it’s 22nd year, this years dates are July 19-20 and August 16-17. You can pick up a map and many local shops or visit their website here to download one. They even now have an app!
