Bibliophiles, be sure to head to Savoy Bookshop & Café (10 Canal St.), an independent bookstore that feels like a trek back in time with handsome bookcases, high ceilings, and cozy reading nooks (pro tip: be on the lookout for fairy doors!). Across the street, find Christina’s Ltd. (1 Canal St.), a boho-style clothing boutique. For fine jewelry and trinkets, check out OMO Jewels & Gifts (95 Watch Hill Rd.) for a curated collection of artisan pieces and apparel and Compass Rose (271 Post Rd.) in Spindrift Plaza. Nearby William Wright & Co. (95 Watch Hill Rd.) is a charming place for produce, flowers, and baked goods. Find home decor and gifts at HŌMbädi Boutique (91 Franklin St.).
Rivaling Providence and Newport, Westerly is a foodie’s dream town – so it’s no wonder James Beard award-winning chef Jeanie Roland (who also beat Bobby Flay in the Food Network series) chose this coastal town to open her premier eatery, Ella’s Food & Drink (2 Tower St.). A large Italian population has given the town its own iconic food, too; soupy is a dry-cured Italian pork sausage descended from the sopressata of the area’s Calabrian heritage. Every family has its own recipe, but the sausage is available for sale at places like Dipper’s Packing Co. (55 Ledward Ave.) and Dunns Corners Market (5 Langworthy Rd.).
Additionally, Westerly is home to most any restaurant that fits your taste, from farm-to-bun offerings at Graze Burgers (127 Granite St.) to chef-driven, adventurous small plates at The Shallows (54R High St.) and Irish-American fare at Kelley’s Deli (116 Granite St. #8). Noodle Revolution (87 Oak St.) serves some of the best Asian street food around, and Koi (65 High St.) offers creative sushi. If you’re craving Italian food, Vetrano’s (130 Granite St.) offers homestyle pasta and pizza while Casa Della Luce (105 Franklin St.) puts a fresh spin on the classics. Catch the game at CC O’Brien’s Sports Cafe (8 Mechanic St.) or grab breakfast or lunch with a water view at Mia’s Cafe (1 W Broad St.). For a light treat, don’t miss Pompelmo Gelato (31 High St.). Amigos Taqueria Y Tequila (2 Canal St.) is a lively spot with an impressive selection of authentic Mexican drinks. Nana’s Bakery & Pizza (82 High St.), whose first location is in Stonington, CT, specializes in cold fermentation to make their nutritious organic breads.
Westerly has also become a beer lover’s haven. The town’s first brewery, Grey Sail Brewing (63 Canal St.), offers beers like their signature Captain’s Daughter imperial IPA and Flagship cream ale at their tasting and taproom, and at restaurants all over Rhode Island. On the same campus, and co-owned by a Grey Sail founder, South County Distillers produces top-quality spirits in house. The Malted Barley (42 High St.) is a pub serving nearly 100 craft beers, along with gourmet pretzels and pretzel sandwiches, and normally offers live music on weekends.
Take a wine tour of Westerly beginning with an afternoon at Langworthy Farm Winery (308 Shore Rd.) – with tours and a historic bed and breakfast offering picturesque views for a longer visit. Locally inspired bottles include Charlestown Cabernet Franc, Weekapaug White, and Pawcatuck River Red. Tapped Apple Winery & Cidery (37 High St.) offers tastings and activities like shuffleboard.
For visual arts, explore The Artists Cooperative Gallery of Westerly (14 Railroad Ave.), which maintains a fine arts gallery in the town’s train station and typically offers a new exhibit each month. Science lovers (or even JAWS fans) will be enthralled by the Living Sharks Museum & Research Center (47 High St.), a no-charge destination all about sharks. To really get the lay of the land, catch River Glow on August 6 to see the Pawcatuck River ablaze, downtown businesses vending their wares, local eats, and performers.
Westerly’s exciting arts and entertainment scene is brimming during the summer. Granite Theatre (1 Granite St.) is a little theater with a community focus and stages Shrek the Musical and California Suite this season. Catch a movie at The United Theatre (5 Canal St.), and watch for upcoming special events online (UnitedTheatre.org). Inside the theater is The Cafe (3 Canal St.) for elevated snacks and mains. Along with being a pristine place to walk, Wilcox Park (44 Broad St.) is where The Colonial Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park series takes place July 22-August 14, presenting Waiting for Godot.
The famed Knickerbocker Music Center (35 Railroad Ave.) is a great evening spot for live music and dancing, while Tunes on the Dunes runs select nights through August 16 at Westerly Town Beach (365 Atlantic Ave.), putting on free outdoor concerts. Vintage Cigar Lounge & Club (47 High St.) serves a full bar and over 375 varieties of cigars. In need of a little R&R? Indulge in a facial at Pure Eco Spa (18 Franklin St.), plus other skin and body treatments.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here