Watch Hill Rhode Island Sunset Views Day Trip

Welcome to Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Located in the town of Westerly, Rhode Island (RI), the neighborhood of Watch Hill is a great destination for beautiful coastal views and sunsets, especially in off season. With an iconic lighthouse and beautiful beaches, Watch Hill, RI is a bucket list New England day trip.

This blog post gives you a day trip itinerary for enjoying beautiful views at three must-see Watch Hill, RI attractions. I definitely recommend seeing these spots, especially Watch Hill Lighthouse, in off season to beat the crowds.

How to get to Watch Hill, Rhode Island |

Located in the town of Westerly, you can plot directions to either Watch Hill Lighthouse or Watch Hill Harbor on Bay Street. There is street parking by and spots in the lot at the harbor, and there is metered parking on Larkin Road by the entrance to Lighthouse Road.

Note that Lighthouse Road is private and driving down it is at your discretion (always respect private property) as the parking lot at Watch Hill Lighthouse grounds is designated for handicapped and elderly persons.

What to see in Watch, Hill Rhode Island

You can see fantastic views at three Watch Hill spots in an afternoon. The first spot is the iconic 1808 Watch Hill Lighthouse situated on a peninsula overlooking Block Island Sound.

While the public is able to see Watch Hill Lighthouse by walking up to the grounds, keep in mind that Lighthouse Road (i.e., the access road) goes through a private development. The parking lot on the grounds is for elderly/physically handicapped persons only according to some public sources; driving down that road is at your own discretion.

On certain days, the gate to the lighthouse grounds may be open, and you can walk on them to see the 61-foot tall Watch Hill Light up close.

As you can access the lighthouse on foot from 8 a.m. to sunset, I recommend going at during the late afternoon or early evening for spectacular coastal and sunset views. The sunset horizon fades gradually over Block Island Sound with beautiful colors that transform and linger.

MDT Tip: When I visited on a day the gate was open, people were walking their dog on leash.

Your next stop is Watch Hill Harbor on Bay Street. There’s street parking and a big parking lot open to the public by the docks.

This spot is popular for people just hanging out in their vehicles for a while watching the sunset. Just to the right of the harbor is a small grassy area called Ninigret park with a gazebo and the Ninigret Statue that you can go on a leisurely walk with your dog and enjoy the views.

Watch Hill Harbor is also the access point to the unique, beautiful Napatree Point Conservation Area a short distance from the parking lot on Fort Road.

This rare habitat is home to many bird species and narrow peninsula extending from the coastline into Little Narragansett Bay that you can hike around and go to the ocean.

Walking on Fort Road from the Watch Hill Harbor parking lot, you’ll reach the trailhead right past the Misquamicut Club and can either do the loop trail (I did not do this because it was sunset) or take your first left up a hilly, sandy dune to the ocean.

The coastal and sunset views here are fantastic, and you’ll also see Watch Hill Lighthouse to your left in the distance over the rocky shore. It’s a great spot to have a beach stroll enjoying the views and for bird watching.

You can have a beach picnic and swim (at your own risk) here, and dogs on leash are allowed from after Labor Day through May 1st.

By doing the short hike up over the dunes facing south, you can also see Watch Hill Lighthouse in the distance over the rocky shoreline.

MDT Tip: I definitely recommend visiting in off season because you can easily get parking and find your way quickly without getting caught up in the crowds.

MDT Tip: There are (when I visited at the end of 2024) porta potties on Fort Road to left of the Watch Hill Harbor parking lot.

Have you visited these Watch Hill, RI landmarks and spots in off season? What tips do you have for enjoying a day trip to Watch Hill?

Leave a comment below to share your experience and help people have a fun day trip.