Summer in Westerly has a way of slipping by. One week you’re planning your first beach day, and the next you’re realizing Labor Day is just around the corner. If you’re visiting our New England bed and breakfast this season, or even if you’ve been coming here for years, there are a few experiences worth making time for before the summer crowds head home and the season winds down.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Westerly, RI, during the summer, the ones we find ourselves recommending to guests again and again.
1. Watch the Sunset at Napatree Point
If you do only one thing on this list, make it this.
Napatree Point stretches 1.5 miles into the Atlantic from Watch Hill, and the sunsets here will have you stop talking mid-sentence. The barrier beach faces west, so you get an unobstructed view as the sky turns pink and orange and the sun drops toward the water.
Bring a blanket, a bottle of wine, maybe some cheese and crackers, and give yourself time to walk out along the point before the light starts to change. By evening, the beach is quieter, the day-trippers have mostly gone, and you’ll understand why people who live here never get tired of this view.
2. Take a Morning Stroll Through Wilcox Park
Wilcox Park is 18 acres of winding paths, old trees, and quiet benches right in the middle of downtown Westerly. The park was designed by Warren Manning (the same landscape architect who designed our grounds at the inn) and features a stone fountain, a wooden gazebo, and an arboretum with over 100 species of trees. Grab a coffee from STICK + FIN, find a shady bench, and let the morning unfold.
3. Get Out on the Water
The New England coastline looks different from the waterways. From a kayak or paddleboard, you’ll notice things you’d miss from the beach.
You can paddle the Pawcatuck River, explore Winnapaug Pond, or venture out around Napatree Point if you’re comfortable with ocean paddling. Several outfitters nearby make it easy to get out there, even if you didn’t bring gear. Watch Hill Outfitters has a launch right behind their shop. Paddle Surf RI operates out of Misquamicut. Purple Ape at Winnapaug Pond rents kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats by the hour.
If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our guide to kayaking and paddleboarding near Westerly for the best launch spots, routes, and local tips.
4. Drink a Del’s Frozen Lemonade Like a True Rhode Islander
If you’ve never had a Del’s Lemonade, you haven’t experienced a true Rhode Island summer. This frozen lemonade has been a state obsession since 1948, and once you try it, you’ll understand why.
There’s a bit of tradition to it, too. Del’s is typically enjoyed straight from the cup, no straw, no spoon. The heat from your hand slowly melts the ice as you go. Shake the cup, sip right from the rim, repeat. Plus, it’s better for the environment, so it’s a win all around.
Visit their location at 55 Beach Street, and try the original lemon, watermelon, or peach mango if you’re feeling adventurous.
5. Take a Long Walk on East Beach
East Beach stretches from Watch Hill to Misquamicut, and it’s one of the best walks in the area. Start near Taylor Swift’s house in Watch Hill and head east along the water, with views of Block Island Sound on one side and the dunes on the other.
Go early in the morning or in the evening when the light is soft and the beach is quieter. Leave your phone in your pocket, feel the sand under your feet, and just walk. Sometimes the best things to do in Westerly RI are the simplest ones.
6. Catch a Concert at Tunes on the Dunes
The Town of Westerly puts on a free summer concert series at Westerly Town Beach, and it’s become one of our favorite things to recommend to guests. Monday Night Jams and Wednesday Blues on the Beach run from July through mid-August, 6 to 8 PM.
Find a spot on the sand and enjoy live music with the ocean as your backdrop. The concerts draw a good mix of locals and visitors, the vibe is relaxed, and there’s something special about listening to music while the sun sets over the water. If it rains, the shows move to the Windjammer down the street, so you don’t have to worry about the weather.
7. Spend an Afternoon in Watch Hill
Watch Hill is a small seaside village with a lot packed into a few charming streets. Walk along Bay Street, browse the boutiques, like Sarah’s brother Justin’s store, Three Islands, for a colorful selection of summer clothing, get ice cream at St. Clair Annex, and make your way to the Watch Hill Lighthouse for views of the Atlantic.
While you’re there, stop by the Flying Horse Carousel at the end of Bay Street. Built around 1867, it’s one of the oldest carousels in the country and a National Historic Landmark. Only children 12 and under can ride, but it’s worth a quick photo, even if you’re just passing by.
The village can get crowded on weekends, so consider visiting on a weekday morning if you prefer a quieter experience.
8. Grab a Beer at Grey Sail Brewing
Grey Sail is Rhode Island’s southernmost brewery, and it’s right here in Westerly. The brewery is set in a converted 1920s macaroni factory on Canal Street, with the taproom and beer garden right next door.
Their flagship Captain’s Daughter double IPA is the one that put them on the map, but they have a rotating lineup of craft beers on tap. Order a flight if you want to try a few. The beer garden has plenty of outdoor seating, some of it shaded, and they have Vetrano’s wood-fired pizza on site. It’s a great spot to end a beach day or start an evening out.
9. Dine at the Best Westerly RI Restaurants
Westerly’s dining scene is one of those things that surprises people, in the best way. For a coastal town, the range and quality of restaurants here is exceptional, from casual spots by the water to more refined, reservation-worthy dining.
You’ll find everything from fresh seafood and oysters to thoughtfully sourced, seasonal menus that reflect what’s coming out of local farms and waters. Places like River Bar, Ella’s, and The Cafe have built a reputation for doing things well without feeling overly formal, while the Olympia Tea Room in Watch Hill has been a local favorite for decades. For a more elevated experience with incredible coastal views, the dining options at Ocean House are hard to beat.
In the summer especially, these Westerly RI restaurants fill up quickly, particularly on weekends. If there’s somewhere you’ve been wanting to try, it’s worth planning ahead, or even better, visiting midweek when things are a little slower, and reservations are easier to come by.
For a more elevated experience with incredible coastal views, the dining options at Ocean House are hard to beat.
10. Start Your Day with a Homemade Frittata and End It with Views of the Pawcatuck River
We might be biased, but one of the best parts of a Westerly summer is slowing down enough to actually enjoy it.
Mornings at Margin Street Inn start with our European-style breakfast: fresh-baked goods, seasonal fruit, homemade granola, and our signature frittatas made with whatever’s fresh from local farms that week. It’s a breakfast that fuels a full day at the beach or gives you a reason to linger over coffee and not rush anywhere at all.
Evenings are for the sunporch, where we set out snacks and drinks as the day winds down. Pour a glass of wine, settle into a chair, and watch the light change over the Pawcatuck River. Or walk down to our dock and watch the boats go by. After a day in the sun and salt air, there’s nothing better than having a quiet place to come back to.
Make This Summer Count
Labor Day will be here before you know it. The beaches will get quieter, the carousel will close for the season, and those long summer evenings will start getting shorter.
If there’s something on this list you’ve been meaning to do, now’s the time. Summer in Westerly is special, and it’s worth experiencing while the season is still here.
Book your stay and make the most of summer in Rhode Island.