10 Things To Do in Westerly RI
There are a million and one things to do in Westerly, RI. I know this because I’ve been going there with my family every summer for more than 30 years. It is, hands down, my favorite place in the world, and holds the most special place in my heart. It is my home away from home, and I’m so excited to share my list of things to do in Westerly, RI with you!
To be more specific, my family has been renting houses in Charlestown each summer for years. Charlestown is right next to Westerly. Every summer, we like to spend time in Charlestown, Westerly, Watch Hill, Matunuck, and Newport. So I will be sharing fun spots to visit in all of these towns in this roundup. Because everything is so close, you won’t have trouble heading to any of these spots if you are staying somewhere in Westerly.
The Best 10 Things to Do in Westerly, RI
Westerly is a cute little town, and I wish my family and I spent more time in downtown Westerly. In my roundup of best things to do in Westerly, RI, I will be including one or two spots in downtown Westerly, but most of the areas I like to hit up are outside of downtown Westerly.
My hope for this roundup of things to do in Westerly, RI is that it’ll help you build your Rhode Island itinerary if you’re visiting the area for the first time.
Where Is Westerly RI?
Westerly is a town located in the southwestern corner of Rhode Island. It borders Connecticut and lies along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a well-known summer hotspot for East Coasters, and has the most beautiful beaches in the world (yes, I am biased).
Downtown Westerly is typically about a 55-minute drive to downtown Newport. From Charlestown, it’s about a 35-minute drive to Newport. Westerly is a 20-minute drive to Mystic, CT, which is another super cute beach town.
What To Do In Westerly RI
Dine at Ocean House
Ever since Taylor Swift bought her beach house in Watch Hill, the Ocean House Resort has really blown up. This is a beautiful hotel that sits overlooking the ocean. My family and I like to go sit on the Verandah and order cocktails and appetizers and just watch all the hotel guests (along with the beautiful view). It’s a pretty upscale hotel, so I wouldn’t wear your sweats lol!
Visit The Fantastic Umbrella Factory
Ugh, this place is so, so special to me. It’s basically a requirement that I need to go to the Umbrella Factory at least once every summer while we are visiting Rhode Island. This place is so unique, and I think it’s a great place to take kids, too. My parents used to take my brother and I here all the time when we were kids.
The Fantastic Umbrella Factory is a hippy-dippy piece of land that has about eight little shops on the property. Some of the shops have jewelry, others have candy, and others have little tchotchke gifts. They have some beautiful jewelry in the Small Axe Productions store, and the gardens are so beautiful and lush in the summer.
The owners have chickens running around everywhere during the warm months. There is also an emu that lives in an enclosure on the property, and I think you can feed it if you’re brave enough. I definitely think this is a fun little activity to do, with or without kids.
Get coffee and pastries at Dave’s Coffee
This is a popular coffee shop located in Charlestown. And I think they have another location in Providence, but I’ve never been. Dave’s serves great coffee, and even more delicious breakfast pastries, too. You can sit inside or outside (weather permitting), and I think they have wifi, so feel free to bring your laptop and get to work if you need a spot to post up.
Shop The General’s Market
The General’s Market is a cutesy little market where artisans and crafters sell their creations. This used to be one of my favorite spots during the summer months. It was once a big flea market called “The General Stanton Inn Flea Market,” and there were a bunch of really amazing vintage clothing and jewelry sellers. There are a lot less vintage sellers nowadays, and more crafters there.
This past summer, I found a jewelry maker who makes the most gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, and earrings using semi-precious stones, pearls, and sea glass! Her name is Kelly Jarvis and her business is called Blue i Designs. I purchased two of her necklaces and wear them all the time. Be sure to check her out if you end up at the market during the summer months!
Visit Watch Hill
Day trips to Watch Hill are always a good idea. Downtown Watch Hill is a cutey patooty little town that’s nice to walk around in. They have cute little shops, and also a decent lunch and ice cream shop called the St. Clair Annex. As I mentioned previously, Watch Hill is where Taylor Swift owns her summer home—it’s a bougie summer town. We used to ride the Flying Horse Carousel when we were little kids, and I have fond memories of this place. It’s a great spot for kids and adults!
Get Drinks or Dinner at Weekapaug Inn
Weekapaug Inn is right next to the private beach area that my family frequents every summer. It’s a lovely hotel that hosts a lot of weddings in the summer. You can stop in for dinner and/or drinks. And if you’re just having drinks, the Inn offers outdoor seating where you can enjoy the view of Quonochontaug Pond (aka Quonnie Pond).
Chow Down on Oysters at Matunuck Oyster Bar
This is a hot spot in the Westerly area! Every time we go, it is so packed. I think the food is pretty good, but the vibes are even better. I feel like it’s a place that a lot of beach-goers go to congregate on Friday and Saturday nights.
Since COVID, they began taking reservations. So I would try to get a reservation before you go. If you are a party of two or less, you can probably get away with getting a table (probably at the bar), but it’s better to be safe than sorry (and wait in a line that is hours long!).
Sun Bathe at Blue Shutters Beach or Watch Hill Beach
To be honest, every time my parents rent a house in the Westerly Rhode Island area, we typically rent from an area that has access to a private beach. However, my husband and I rented a house a few summers ago that did not have private beach access, and we hopped around to a few public beaches. Our favorites were Blue Shutters Beach and the Watch Hill Beach (which I believe is part of East Beach).
Both of these gorgeous beaches have terrible street parking situations. If there are two or more of you, you will have to have one person drive your car to the entrance, and then drop off your family (and all your belongings) at the entrance. Don’t forget to bring your beach bag essentials! Then you’ll need to drive back further from the beach and try to find parking somewhere.
There is a parking lot for a church that’s close to the Blue Shutters Beach, and you’ll probably spend about 20 minutes walking back to the beach from there. For the Watch Hill Beach, there is a parking lot that is about a 10 minute walk from the beach, but you’ll have to pay a fee to park there.
One thing to note is that we also went to the Westerly Town Beach, and it was the busiest beach I have ever sat on. I don’t recommend that one during peak days (like on the weekends in the summer). A few beaches we haven’t tried out yet include Misquamicut State Beach, Dunes Park Beach, and the Napatree Point Conservation Area.
Go Stalk Taylor Swift
If you end up going to the Watch Hill Beach, you will have a nice view of Taylor Swift’s beach house! When we passed the beach house, there was a giant gate at the front, with a security guard, protecting the queen. You can also mosey on over to the Watch Hill Lighthouse for great views while you’re in the area, too!
Cook Live Lobsters at Home
This is something we did a few years back when we invited a few friends to our rented beach house. Cooking lobsters at home is a fun (albeit a little bit sad/disturbing) activity to do with family and friends. Plus, lobsters are delicious and I look forward to this meal every single year!
Is Westerly RI Safe?
Yes, Westerly RI is incredibly safe. I’ve never felt unsafe there. But then again, I haven’t spent a ton of time in downtown Westerly. It’s a cute, quaint little beach town, so I can’t really picture it being very dangerous!
Westerly Rhode Island Attractions
There are a handful of attractions in and around Westerly that are fun and easy to do! These include:
Visiting beaches and the great outdoors
- Napatree Point Conservation Area—This is a stunning sandy spit perfect for walking, birding, and wildlife spotting
- Misquamicut State Beach—This is one of the longest beaches in RI and is great for families
- Dunes Park Beach—This is a quieter, more laid-back beach option
- East Beach—This is a beautiful barrier beach accessible by foot or 4WD
- Watch Hill Lighthouse—An iconic lighthouse with gorgeous ocean views
Get some shopping in
- Westerly Armory Antiques—A great spot for vintage and antique treasure hunting in downtown Westerly
- Downtown Westerly itself—The main street has cute boutiques, bakeries, and local shops worth exploring
- Savoy Bookshop—A charming independent bookshop and cafe perfect for browsing shelves, sipping coffee, and slowing down for a bit
Hit up the restaurant and bar scene
- High Hope Tavern—My husband and I went here and it was delicious! We will be back!
- The Haversham—My husband really loves The Haversham. It has a giant bar and is great for watching a game or catching up with a friend for a drink
- Matunuck Oyster Bar—Again, you really can’t go wrong at Matunuck. We’ve been going for years and the food and vibes are always good
Where To Stay In Westerly, RI
Since I’ve been going to Westerly for over 30 years, my family has always rented houses—and honestly, I think that’s the best way to experience the area, especially if you’re going with a group. That said, there are some really lovely hotel options in and around Westerly if a rental isn’t in the cards for you. Here are some of my top picks!
Ocean House Resort
You already know how much I love Ocean House from the section above, but it’s worth mentioning again as a place to actually stay. This oceanfront resort features ocean-view balconies, a rooftop bar, and chic rooms, and even includes complimentary snacks, drinks, and prosecco. It’s definitely a splurge, but if you’re looking to treat yourself, this is IT!
Weekapaug Inn
Weekapaug Inn promises a classic New England escape, overlooking Quonochontaug Pond near Westerly. I already mentioned stopping in for drinks here, but it’s also a beautiful place to stay. It hosts a lot of weddings in the summer, which tells you everything you need to know about how lovely the property is.
The Hotel Maria
The Hotel Maria is located just a three-minute walk from Misquamicut State Beach and features free bikes, a private beach area, and a shared lounge. Guests rave about the modern, coastal décor and the ocean-view balconies. It seems like a great mid-range option that puts you right in the action near the beach.
Shelter Harbor Inn
Shelter Harbor Inn is a charming country retreat set on three acres of grounds, with fresh contemporary interiors across 24 rooms and superb farm-to-table fare. It’s close to the beach and also offers top-notch spa treatments. This one feels like the perfect mix of cozy and elevated—ideal for a romantic trip or a girls’ weekend.
The Villa at Westerly
The Villa at Westerly is a luxurious B&B with eight guestrooms featuring lavish Mediterranean-style interiors, delicious breakfasts, and an inviting heated pool. If you want something more intimate and boutique-feeling than a traditional hotel, this is your spot.
Misquamicut Beach Front Inn
The Misquamicut Beach Front Inn sits within a few steps of Misquamicut State Beach and offers a private beach area and free WiFi. It’s been run by the same family for four generations, which gives it such a sweet, old-school New England charm. A great option if you want something more laid-back and budget-friendly.
An updated tips since my last visit:
You’ll want to make your reservations early. Like, embarrassingly early. If you’re planning a summer trip, I’m talking March or April at the latest for restaurants like Matunuck Oyster Bar. The Westerly area has exploded in popularity over the last few years (thanks in part to a certain pop star), and things fill up fast.
Every time I escape NYC to visit Westerly RI, I find it a lot easier to stay sober from alcohol. Check out my blog post on fun things to do sober!
