I live in Rhode Island. My favorite town to visit in the summer has great seafood, quiet beaches, and a bamboo forest.

Charlestown is a cute, cozy beach town near Watch Hill.

Arthur D'Amario III/Shutterstock

Between freezing temperatures and blizzards dumping feet of snow that last for weeks, Rhode Island can be brutal in the winter. Once it gets warm enough for ice-cream stands to put out their "Open" flags and hydrangeas to bloom, though, everything changes.As a lifelong local, I've always believed that summer in New England is well worth the long, dreary winter. Luckily, my hometown in Rhode Island is the ultimate shoreline spot, with waterfront restaurants, a quaint downtown, and a beach near Taylor Swift's iconic summer house.When I crave something a little different for the day, though, I just hop in my car and drive to Charlestown, Rhode Island — a quiet, stunning beach town about 45 minutes from Providence. There's no place more perfect for a peaceful summer day.I always start my day by picking up coffee and lunch before going to the beach

My favorite spot for a latte is Dave's Coffee.

Morgan Rizzo