Westerly

Understand

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 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. Behind the State Beach there is a saltwater pond that stretches for four miles to the breachway near Weekapaug. Atlantic Avenue is the main thoroughfare that runs parallel to the beach. At each end there are two roads that allow visitors to get to the beach, one Weekapaug Road, near the eastern end, and the other is Winnipaug Road, which is near the western end of the State Beach, and right near all sorts of restaurants, hotels, bars and beaches. T

Getting there

By train Amtrak, 14 Railroad Av., +1-800-872-7245. One of Rhode Island's three stations is in Westerly.

By plane 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.

By bus 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.

Getting around

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.

See

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). There is parking on the premises and down on Bay Street, a 15-minute walk from the lighthouse. The lighthouse is not open to the public but in July and August, the museum is opened in the oil house on Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-3PM. In 1808, the first lighthouse was built here to warn the mariners of the rough reef that laid in the surrounding ocean. In time this lighthouse had begun eroding and a new lighthouse was built in the same area, but farther from the shore in 1856. This lig

Do

Marinas 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.

Fun 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. Pond View Racquet Club, 252 Shore Rd, ☏ +1 401 322-1100. This location offers courts and facilities for tennis indoor and outdoor. Purple Ape, 17 Winnipaug Road, ☏ +1 401-596-6169. Great tourist stop with a climbing tower, paddle boats, and jet ski rentals. Also a souvenir shop. Atlantic Beach Park, 321 Atlantic Ave, ☏ +1 401 322-9283. Provides all day fun for young kids, includes a carousel, ice

Buy

Christina's Ltd, 1 Canal St, ☏ +1 401 315-2240. Open May-September, daily from 10AM to 6PM. Christina's has unique merchandise that includes brands like