Westerly, RI Road Trips

The Pawcatuck River surrounds Westerly on the Western border where it serves a dividing mark for Pawcatuck, Connecticut. Westerly's town crest originates from a special species of Salmon that once resided in the Pawcatuck river. Along Atlantic Avenue by the beachfront lays several salt ponds which serves as an outer wall to the distinct beaches that make this community a large tourist attraction during the summer months (May–September). This community doubles in size during the summer months due to the large attraction of families from all over New England. Westerly is also known for its textiles and unique type of granite that is quarried from Bradford and Potter Hill regions of Westerly. Griswold Textile Print, Inc. has been family operated since 1937. This plant operates on the Pawcatuck River where they make all their prints in house. Misquamicut Beach consists of the 3/4-mile State Beach area, two Westerly Town beaches and a Misquamicut Fire District Beach. Private businesses own their own beaches, and these are generally open to the public. All of the beaches come together to stretch for over 7 mi (11 km) from the Western tip at Watch Hill, and the Eastern tip at Weekapaug Point. This basin design allows for direct flow of Atlantic waves, and also allows beach-goers to have beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Off to the south from Misquamicut Beach you can see Block Island, Rhode Island some 11 mi (18 km) away and on clear days to the southwest you can see the northern tip of Long Island, New York.

Granite Theatre, 1 Granite St, ☏ +1 401 596-2341. The Granite Theater occupies a historic restored Greek Revival Church in downtown Westerly and offers Broadway productions from March through December. Shows are everyday of the week mainly 2-5PM and 6:30-8PM. Prices range from $11-20 depending on if it's a comedy or musical. Year round, the Granite Theatre will stage various forms of entertainment including Broadway plays, children's plays, lecture programs, and cabaret acts. Babcock-Smith House Museum, 124 Granite St, ☏ +1 401 596-5704. The Georgian Mansion (circa 1734) is the former home of the Babcocks and Smiths. The mansion is elegantly furnished with pieces reflecting the Colonial Babcock years, the Victorian Smith years, and colonial restoration of 1928. It is open May 30-Oct 31: Sa 2-5PM. Price: $5 adults, $1 children under 12. Wilcox Park. Features 18 acres (7.3 hectares) of a wide variety of trees, flowers and shrubs. Wilcox Park is a Victorian-era walking park that has been the center of Westerly's historic downtown since the late 1800s. The pond is the highlight of the park where ducks and birds swim. On the east side of the park there is a World War Memorial dedicated to those who have fallen. This memorial is distinct with its granite and blue stone paving. During the midsummer season, Wilcox Park is the setting for the annual Summer Pops Concert, which draws nearly 20,000 visitors from throughout the area. 1 Watch Hill Lighthouse, Lighthouse Rd (Right off Larkin Road).

Westerly Marina 41 Margin Street, +1 401 596-1727. A complete array of marina services is offered. Watch Hill Boat Yard, 21 Pasadena Avenue, +1 401 348-8148. This traditional boatyard and marina offers 81 slips for boats of up to 50 ft (15 m) in length, and 27 moorings for sailboats of up to 40 ft (12 m) in length. The Knickerbocker Cafe, 35 Railroad Ave (across the street and to the left of the train station), ☏ +1 401 596-4225, [email protected]. This popular night life attraction offers dinner, dancing, and music. Purchase tickets to one of their concerts, enjoy dinner, or dance in the Starlight Ballroom. 21+ unless special events otherwise noted. Napatree Point. During the Hurricane of 1938, Napatree was hit hard by the storm surge. The hurricane destroyed all homes and roadways that were on 60 acres (24 hectares) of land. Today the land is a great beach spot where it is a 1 mi (1.6 km) walk from Watch Hill. This area is widely known for its bird watching spots and surfs spots. The land also holds, Fort Mansfield, an old navy post was only operational for a few years before it was sold to create homes in 1928. Today some of the fortified gun emplacements can be seen and structure of the buildings as well. Low tide reveals some of artifacts during that time. If you are visiting in the spring or summer it is recommended to leave your dog elsewhere because of the endangered Osprey that live there. Bay Street, Watch Hill, ☏ +1 401 596-7761. Like downtown Westerly, Bay Street offers clothing shops of all kinds, gift shops, and a deli.

Breakfast Christina's Place, 75 Oak St, ☏ +1 401 596-3406. W-M 7AM-11AM. This small Italian has incredible breakfast meals with large portions. Prices are very reasonable. Amanda's Pantry, 169 Main St, ☏ +1 401 596-7180. Amanda’s Pantry is one of the best breakfast restaurants in town. They are on Main Street, the staff is friendly and helpful, and the food is excellent. They also serve lunch. Lunch Sandy's Fine Food Emporium, 15 Post Rd, ☏ +1 401 596-2004. (Route 1). Sandy's has a wide selection of the highest quality produce and the areas largest selection of organic products. The deli prepares wonderful fresh foods daily. Sandy's also has a variety of unique sandwiches and wraps made to order: Try a "Misquamicut," (hummus, sprouts, green peppers, choice of cheese on a spinach, wheat or tomato wrap next time you visit. Reale’s Groceries, 122 High St, ☏ +1 401 322-2323. One of two old, Italian grinder places in Westerly that are highly regarded. Features soft grinder rolls and they are well known for their meatball grinders. Outside of the meatball this is not the place to go for hot grinders as it is the only one on the menu, and they do not toast their grinders. They also have hard to find Italian meats, such as prosciutto and mortadella, which they feature in their loaded Italian grinder. $4.50-8.00. Ritacco’s Market, 84 Oak St, ☏ +1 401 596-1835. This is the second of the old Italian Westerly grinder places that have almost been around longer than cars (barely kidding). Here, they use very hard bread that they bake themselves every morning.

Perks and Corks (Perks), 62 High St (in downtown Westerly, down the road from the train station), ☏ +1 401 596-1260. “Perks” is a coffee house by day, bar by night and has even been recognized by Best of RI Magazine to be the “Best Day to Night Hangout.” On any given night there is live music at Perks whether it be a local band or an open mic night, a crowd is sure to gather. The place is decorated with comfy couches and living room furniture all around. $3 beers, up to $10 cocktails. Paddy's Beach Restaurant (Paddy's), 159 Atlantic Ave, ☏ +1 401 596-2610. Open daily 11AM to 1AM, serving food from 11AM until 10PM. This restaurant/bar is on the ocean’s shore with three different dining areas and two cocktail areas located outside, one on the beach and one on the deck. Paddy’s has specialty drinks made in souvenir glasses that you can buy once for about $20. There are DJ deck parties most weekend afternoons and nightly entertainment (check the online calendar for dates). The Andrea, 89 Atlantic Ave, toll-free: +1-888-318-5707. daily 11AM-1AM. This restaurant/bar/hotel is on the Atlantic with a back deck leading onto the beach. They offer lunch and dinner menus, with a comprehensive seafood menu. At night, there is usually either a DJ or a band, which are listed on their website. Paddy’s can be found just a few doors down, also right on the beach for those that like to move around. Grey Sail Brewing, 63 Canal St, ☏ +1 401 212-7592. Small brewery producing tasty beers that you can try in a comfortable tap room.

Aquastar Inn, 110 Post Rd, ☏ +1 401-596-2892, toll-free: +1-800-543-8429. From $115. (updated May 2017) Breezeway Resort, 70 Winnapaug Rd, ☏ +1 401 348-8953. Within walking distance to Misquamicut beach, The Breezeway offers modern guest rooms, suites and cottages situated on a peaceful, park-like setting The Hotel Maria, toll-free: +1-800-462-8872. Located across the street from Misquamicut beach, Maria's Suites offers 5 oceanview suites and guests enjoy resort privileges at the Breezeway Resort Pleasant View Inn, 65 Atlantic Av, ☏ +1 401 348-8200, toll-free: +1-800-782-3224. Point One Resort, 26 Winnapaug Rd, ☏ +1 401 348-0320, toll-free: +1-800-557-2050. Ocean House, 1 Bluff Av, ☏ +1 855 678-0364. Constructed in 1868, the Ocean House hotel was once an Victorian-style architectural masterpiece which became a must-have summer home to the wealthy of the 1900s. The hotel was deemed unsafe and beyond repairs and was torn down and rebuilt just as beautiful as the original even keeping some of the original architecture. 49 guest rooms. Amenities also include a spa with hair salon, indoor lap pool, state of the art fitness center and only a few steps away are views of the private beach. There is also one fine dining restaurant on the premises and three other places to grab food on the go. Rates starting from $355 per night. Langworthy Farm Bed & Breakfast, 308 Shore Rd, ☏ +1 401 322-7791. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. The B&B offers four rooms and two suites.

Amtrak, 14 Railroad Av., +1-800-872-7245. One of Rhode Island's three stations is in Westerly. 1 Westerly State Airport (WST IATA), 56 Airport Rd, ☏ +1 401-596-2357. Small regional airport designated for small aircraft. This airport is a main shuttle point for Block Island. Ripta Flex Service. Transit designed to serve suburban and rural communities in Rhode Island. Reservation need to make with 48 hours in advance by calling the toll-free Flex Line at +1-877-906-FLEX (3539) or +1 401 784-9500, ext. 220.

The simplest way to get around Westerly is by a car. Since Westerly is not a large town it can easily be achievable to drive around all the sites and attractions that the town has to offer. Parking is available everywhere around the town. Downtown parking is free but beach parking is an average of $10.

Never mix drinking with swimming, driving or any other activity. This may result in serious injury or death. Call Wright's Taxi at +1 401-596-8294 or Eagle Cab at +1 401-596-7300 if there is any question in your mind about your alcohol level. Westerly Police and Ambulance have a strong presence in Misquamicut.