When planning the perfect girls’ weekend, most people think of crowded tourist destinations during peak season. But what if we told you that some of the best New England weekend getaways happen when the crowds disappear? Westerly, Rhode Island, offers the rare combination of coastal charm, luxurious accommodations, and unforgettable experiences, especially during the peaceful off-season when you can truly have the town to yourselves.
Whether you’re planning a mother-daughter escape, a college reunion, or simply need quality time with your best friends, here are ten compelling reasons why Westerly and our New England bed and breakfast should be your next girls’ weekend destination.
1. Exclusive Inn Access: The Ultimate Girls Weekend Getaway Retreat
Here’s an opportunity you won’t find anywhere else: Margin Street Inn is offering exclusive bookings for groups booking 5 or more rooms. Imagine having an entire historic riverside property, all six and a half acres, completely to yourselves.
When you book exclusively with us, your group gets:
- Complete privacy across our entire property
- Access to all common spaces for your group’s use
- Riverside grounds perfect for morning coffee or evening wine
- Personalized service from innkeepers who are on-site just for you
- The freedom to set your own schedule without worrying about other guests
It’s the kind of experience that turns a good girls’ weekend getaway into an unforgettable bonding retreat. Your group can stay up late talking by the fireplace, enjoy leisurely breakfasts together in your pajamas, and create memories without the constraints of a typical hotel experience.
*Call us directly to book: (401) 348-8710
2. World-Class Wellness Experiences
No girls’ weekend is complete without some serious pampering, and Westerly delivers exceptional spa retreat experiences that rival any destination in New England.
Pure Eco Spa & Boutique offers an outdoor Winter Wonderland Oasis from December through March, including infrared sauna sessions, fire pit gathering areas, labyrinth walks, and a shaded pergola, all with towels, robes, and warm refreshments provided.
Uptown Salon & Spa is a true one-stop destination with over 20 specialists offering massage therapy, Hydrafacials, body scrubs with steam shower and sauna packages, plus full hair, nail, and makeup services, so everyone in your group can choose the service that’s right for them!
Zen Zone brings a unique wellness experience to your girls’ weekend with kind yoga, sound healing, and meditation classes. Weekly sound healing classes use singing bowls and other instruments to promote deep relaxation and are hosted in rejuvenating salt cave on Tuesday evenings.
3. Intimate Dining at Outstanding Restaurants
Many Westerly restaurants have earned national recognition, and March means you can actually get reservations.
River Bar, named one of Esquire Magazine’s Best New Restaurants of 2024, offers stunning riverside views and globally-inspired cuisine. Their oyster bar is legendary, and the creative seasonal menu means every visit offers something new to discover.
The Cafe honors beloved classics with meticulously sourced ingredients and diligent technique. The beautifully designed space is as photogenic as the food, perfect for those Instagram-worthy group dinner shots.
Bird in Hand’s Chef Eddie Montalvo works closely with local farms and foragers, creating seasonal menus that showcase New England’s finest ingredients. The aesthetic here is on point, from the creative cocktails and beautifully plated dishes to the stunningly decorated interior. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to photograph everything before you eat it.
Ella’s Food & Drink combines French-New American cuisine with Asian influences in a downtown setting. Chef Jeanie Roland’s seven James Beard nominations speak to the exceptional quality you’ll experience.
For a truly special evening, Coast at Ocean House offers five-star dining with ocean views.
4. Downtown Charm & Boutique Shopping
Westerly’s historic downtown offers the kind of charming shopping experience that makes for perfect girls’ weekend memories. High Street and Canal Street feature antique shops, art galleries, and unique boutiques, all within easy walking distance of each other.
Browse through curated antique shops where you might find that perfect vintage piece. Explore art galleries showcasing regional artists. Pop into specialty boutiques offering everything from coastal-inspired home décor to unique jewelry.
5. Dramatic Coastal Beauty Without the Crowds
Rhode Island’s coastline is spectacular year-round, and some would argue it’s even more beautiful in the off-season. The winter light creates stunning colors during sunrise and sunset that summer visitors never see.
Napatree Point Conservation Area offers 1.5 miles of pristine barrier beach stretching into Block Island Sound. Bundle up, bring a thermos of something warm, and take a long beach walk where you can actually hear each other talk without competing with summer crowds.
Watch Hill Beach and Lighthouse offer one of the most picturesque settings in all of New England. The historic lighthouse, perched on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic, has been guiding ships since 1745. From the beach, you can catch a glimpse of Taylor Swift’s famous Holiday House mansion, a massive Colonial-style home perched on the highest point of the peninsula.
East Beach stretches for two miles of pristine sand and sweeping Atlantic views. While you won’t be sunbathing in March, the dramatic waves and empty beaches create the perfect backdrop for those windswept photos that look incredible on Instagram.
6. Wine, Coffee, and Cocktails: Westerly’s Beverage Scene
A great girls’ getaway needs great drinks in great settings, and Westerly delivers on all counts.
Perks & Corks coffeehouse and martini lounge offers sophisticated drinks in a beautifully decorated historic building. Their expert mixologists craft drinks that are as beautiful as they are delicious, perfect for toasting your friendship late into the evening.
Cafe 1888 offers the perfect spots for morning catch-ups or a midday boost while wandering downtown. From specialty lattes to fresh pastries, you’ll find the fuel you need to keep the conversations flowing.
brings craft beer to your girls’ weekend with their taproom featuring a rotating selection of fresh brews. Their welcoming atmosphere and locally-made beers create the perfect casual setting for afternoon hangouts. Sample flights to find your favorite, or grab a pint and settle in for group conversations that stretch longer than planned.
Tapped Apple Cidery & Winery provides a local alternative to Napa Valley. Sample hard ciders and wines made from Rhode Island fruit while learning about the craft from passionate makers.
7. Cultural Experiences & Arts Scene
Westerly’s thriving arts community doesn’t take the winter off, making March an excellent time to explore the town’s cultural side.
Downtown art galleries feature rotating exhibitions from regional artists. Spend an afternoon browsing together, discussing what speaks to you, and maybe even bringing home a piece that commemorates your trip.
Granite Theatre hosts various live theater performances throughout the year. Check their schedule to see what’s going on during your visit.
The Westerly Library & Wilcox Park complex offers beautiful architecture and local history exhibits for a low-key cultural experience or rainy afternoon when you just want to wander and chat.
8. Proximity to Mystic & Stonington
One of Westerly’s greatest advantages is its location. You’re minutes from Connecticut’s equally charming coastal towns, expanding your options exponentially.
Mystic offers year-round attractions, including the Mystic Seaport Museum and Mystic Aquarium. Downtown Mystic’s drawbridge, waterfront restaurants, and boutique shops provide additional dining and shopping options.
Stonington, across the border, features a charming downtown with galleries, boutiques, and excellent restaurants.
Your Perfect Girl’s Weekend Getaway in New England Awaits
In our busy lives, intentional time with friends often falls to the bottom of the priority list. But these connections, these friendships that have weathered years and life changes, deserve to be celebrated and nurtured.
This is the girls’ weekend getaway you’ve been craving. Not the frantic, check-all-the-boxes trip, but the restorative, reconnecting experience that leaves you feeling recharged and grateful for the women in your life. It’s not just about the beautiful location or luxurious accommodations (though those certainly help). It’s about creating the space and time for friendships to deepen, for stress to melt away, and for memories to be made.
So gather your crew, pick your dates, and contact us to book your exclusive March retreat. Your perfect girls’ weekend in New England is waiting.