A relaxed riverside community in south-western Rhode Island, Westerly is a popular pick for a laid-back family holiday or a tranquil couples’ escape. Expect beautiful beaches and landscapes teeming with bird life, heaps of outdoor activities and fabulous New England fare. Accommodation options are wide-ranging, with everything from intimate B&Bs to sleek boutique beach hotels catering to a whole array of tastes and budgets. Many of the best places to stay in Westerly promise lovely riverfront settings or spellbinding sea views — perfect for those looking to head out on the water!
Explore the shops, old-school arcades and eateries of Westerly and take a stroll along the Pawcatuck River, which divides Rhode Island from neighbouring Connecticut. If you’re into bird watching, fishing and hiking, cross the river into the impressive Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, or try your hand at wind surfing, kayaking and fishing in the salty waters of nearby Quonochontaug Pond.
Beachgoers can kick back and build sandcastles, feast on picnics or amble along Westerly Town Beach, Wuskenau Beach or the famous Misquamicut State Beach — also ideal for a swim. Set at Rhode Island’s southernmost point, Watch Hill boasts an appealing historic lighthouse, as well as offering great bird watching.
Culture aficionados can admire the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly, Westerly Library & Wilcox Park — which is wonderful for a leafy wander — or catch a show at the Granite Theatre. Newport, home to some gloriously extravagant heritage mansions, is just an hour’s drive away.
Atlantic Ocean swims behind you, tuck in to superb New England fare at a delectable restaurant before cosying up at one of the best places to stay in Westerly.