Westerly: Coast, Nature and Culture

When planning your trip to Westerly, you can choose from a range of themes: beaches, nature and trails, as well as art, architecture and local history. If you’re looking for hotels in Westerly, first consider whether beaches, nature or culture will be the focus of your stay. The destinations differ in their landscapes, trail types and cultural themes.

Coast and Nature

Westerly Town Beach offers access to a sandy Atlantic beach for relaxation; Wuskenau Beach is known for its soft sand and good waves. The coastal destinations each have a different appeal. Access rules and parking requirements at Westerly Town Beach may change, so check these details before your visit.

Westerly Town Forest has approximately three miles of trails along the Pawcatuck River for nature walks and environmental education. The similarly named Westerly Town Forest Trail is a 2.8-mile loop near Westerly, used for hiking, walking and trail running. These descriptions refer to different trail types: approximately three miles of trails in Town Forest and a 2.8-mile loop on the trail. This distinction can help you compare trail length and loop format when planning.

Napatree Point Conservation Area covers 86 acres, is open to the public year-round and includes rare habitats in Rhode Island. Napatree Point in Westerly is designated a “Globally Important Bird Area” and is home to federally and state-listed endangered species. The area is notable for both its rare habitats and its important designation for birdlife and endangered species.

Parks, Art and History

Wilcox Park is a historic arboretum and Victorian park for walking. The grounds cover 15 acres and include 159 tree species and 43 cultivars; the park has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2004. Tree species and cultivars are two distinct botanical categories, while the listing recognizes the park’s historical significance. A walk here brings nature and park history together.

The Westerly Museum of American Impressionism features works of American Impressionism from 1880 to 1920. This period offers a clear frame of reference for art enthusiasts. The Babcock-Smith House in Westerly is an architectural and historic landmark dating back to the mid-18th century. The Babcock-Smith House Museum includes a Georgian mansion from 1734, granite exhibits and displays about Westerly’s local history. Its architecture, granite and local history offer a different focus from the works of American Impressionism on display.

The Westerly Armory serves as a museum and event venue and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its exhibits and artifacts explore the people and events that shaped Westerly, Rhode Island and the United States. Its historical perspective therefore extends from the local area to the state and national levels.

Discover more destinations: Charlestown, South Kingstown, Point Judith, North Kingstown, Narragansett, Block Island, Bonnet Shores

For the broader travel overview: Washington.