Westerly, RI has become known as a community with strong support for the arts. Beautiful Wilcox Park next to the library in downtown is the site of the free "Shakespeare in the Park" each summer. There are performing arts theaters, a very active artists' cooperative, and a wide variety of community events each year.
Westerly is located next door to Stonington, CT, and is bounded by Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for incredibly beautiful beaches.
Watch Hill is a well-known waterfront resort community, boasting the oldest carousel in America. It offers magnificent "cottages", lovely white beaches, great shopping, and a breathtaking natural preserve, Napatree Point, that is a popular spot for hiking, fishing, bathing, and boating. You'll see some spectacular yachts in this harbor, as well as hundreds of sailboats and powerboats.
Westerly's seven miles of sandy beaches are a mecca for tourism. The seven-mile strip is composed of the Misquamicut State beach, Westerly Town beach, public and many private beaches. The State Beach is open year-round, while other beaches are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The town of Westerly is located just minutes away from Interstate 95 and is divided by US Route 1. Granite Street, a five-mile portion of Route 1, runs through the heart of Westerly. It is ranked the 10th busiest street in Rhode Island with average daily traffic of 25,750 (both directions ). Passenger and freight transportation is available via Amtrak Rail Service and the Westerly State Airport.
The town of Westerly is composed of seven villages also known as fire districts: Westerly, Watch Hill, Dunn's Corners, Misquamicut, Bradford, Shelter Harbor and Weekapaug. Between 1980 and 1990 Westerly experienced a 14.05% population growth. Currently, Westerly supports a population of over 23,000, although it nearly doubles during the summer due to the large number of vacationers and seasonal residences. Encompassing an area of 33 square miles, the town's average population density is projected to be 626 per square mile. In 2002, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Westerly as one of the 12 Most Distinctive Destinations in the country. The unique, well-preserved architecture downtown, coupled with 55 historic sites, such as the Babcock-Smith House and Flying Horse Carousel, makes it no surprise that Westerly received this outstanding designation.
Westerly, RI has become known as a community with strong support for the arts. There are performing arts theaters, a very active artists' cooperative, and a wide variety of community events each year. Step into Downtown Westerly and step back to a time where a main street was actually a "Main Street." Numerous Westerly businesses call downtown home, and whether you're looking for fashionable clothing for a night out on the town, that hard to find piece to complete your antique collection, or a simple haircut, Downtown Westerly is the place to look. The heart of the downtown area is Wilcox Park, an 18 acre Victorian Strolling Park that is home to beautiful gardens, statuary, and arboretum. Wilcox Park is the home to many Westerly and Chamber of Commerce events including the Virtu Art Festival, The Summer Pops and The Colonial Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park. Downtown Westerly provides ample street side and lot parking, and is serviced by the local Westerly Amtrak Train Station, which is a short walk away from the downtown area. Westerly is famous for its' beautiful ocean beaches, a short drive from the downtown area.
One of Rhode Island's best kept secrets, Westerly is a delightful coastal community eager to make your family vacation a fun-filled experience that will fill your scrap-book with special memories.
Each village in our community offers something special to ensure your stay is a pleasant one. While the busy towns of Westerly, RI and Pawcatuck, CT provide the every-day conveniences you may need for a stay at the beach, the quiet elegance of an an afternoon spent in Watch Hill will relax your soul; and the action and excitement of Misquamicut is sure to fill your day with thrills and fun.
Coastal Westerly, tucked into Rhode Island's southwest corner on the Connecticut border, has been a favorite seaside vacation spot for more than 100 years. From the fine Victorian elegance of Watch Hill to Misquamicut's easy-going ambience, Westerly offers a wide variety of accommodations and attractions.
Beautiful beaches embody the quintessential New England beach vacation. Miles of coastal inlets make Westerly the hub for South County's fast-growing saltwater fly fishing market, and deep sea fishing excursions are available as well.
Historic Wilcox Park, a favorite among visitors and residents, features 18 acres of specimen trees, shrubs, display flower beds, a large koi pond, dwarf conifer collection, fountain, monuments, daylily collection and perennial borders.
In mid-June, the Chorus of Westerly presents an outdoor Summer Pops concert here, complete with a Grucci fireworks display. More than 25,000 spectators turn out for this free, family-oriented event.
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