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Westerly RI

Westerly, Rhode Island and Pawcatuck, Connecticut are literally at the shoreline edge of their respective states. In many ways, they are a single community providing shopping and business districts for their residents. The Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce, comprised of businesses and merchants in the area, is active in promoting the economic climate and healthy shoreline atmosphere of this two-state region.

The town of Westerly is a picturesque coastline community located a short drive from Rhode Island's legendary beaches. In 1846, Orlando Smith discovered granite on his property, and Westerly soon became the nation's leading producers of granite for building. Today, Westerly is composed of seven villages, also known as fire districts: Westerly, Watch Hill, Dunn's Corner, Misquamicut, Bradford, Shelter Harbor and Weekapaug.

The beaches in town include Westerly Town Beach and Atlantic Beach along with several others. Watch Hill and Misquamicut beaches are widely known for their excellent shops and restaurants, and the Connecticut towns of Stonington and Mystic are but a short trip across the border. The town also boasts Wilcox Park, a lovely city park of 18 acres that features picnic tables and summer concerts. Wilcox Park has a garden for the visually impaired, complete with signs in braille, and the park itself has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. Other recreational activities include camping, whale watching cruises, public golf courses and a YMCA.

The Westerly Industrial Park consists of fifty acres of land. Located adjacent to the Westerly Airport, the park is easily accessed from I-95 and U.S. Route 1. In 1988, the Town Council passed an ordinance allowing for a ten-year progressive tax incentive for qualifying businesses. Local employers include manufacturers of rope and twine, fabric and wallpaper producers, financial and insurance companies and a newspaper publisher.

Culture in Westerly is quite highly developed. The community enjoys concerts by the Chorus of Westerly throughout the year. This chorus, famous in the region, offers a highly popular Twelfth Night celebration annually. Tickets need to be purchased well in advance for this acclaimed event, as they sell quite rapidly. Westerly is home to the Colonial Theatre and Theatre By The Sea, two very popular venues for the dramatic arts. Colonial Theatre, a member of Actor's Equity, is a professional dramatic arts facility that presents dramas, comedies and musicals throughout the year. Theatre By The Sea, a summer stock theatre in its' 63rd year, presents Broadway shows to much popular acclaim.

Westerly is actually located on the Pawcatuck River, just upstream from the Long Island Sound. Commercial and sports fishing cruises are available on its' waterfront, as are day and evening cruises. One of the most popular sailing pastimes is whale watching. Connections can be made at Galilee in Narragansett. Cruises usually take a full day, and visitors should plan their time accordingly.

For more information visit the Town of Westerly website.

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