Westbrook, CT
First settled in 1635 as a part of the Saybrook Colony, Westbrook’s history began when the Colony was divided into quarters. The Oyster River Quarter included a small section of land known to the Indians as Pochoug — which means at the confluence of two rivers — those two rivers now known as the Patchogue and the Menunketesuck. And though spellings vary, Pochoug’s homesteaders embraced the name until 1810, when the community became known as West Parish in the Oyster River Quarter. Renamed Westbrook in 1810, its incorporation as the town of Westbrook following in 1840.
Much like Clinton, when you think Westbrook, think boats. Sail and power. Big and small. Vintage and brand spanking new. And along with the boats are an abundance of marinas, yacht clubs, bait and tackle shops, and marine supply stores — as well as the boaters themselves, and the townsfolk wouldn’t have it any other way. Fact is, boats have just about always been the lifeblood of Westbrook, from those very first settlers through
the days when the town was a busy shipbuilding center. In fact, the world’s first submarine — which was known as Turtle and pressed into service during the Revolutionary War — was designed by David Bushnell, who was born in Westbrook. Ironically, her failed attempt to attach a torpedo to the hull of the British man-of-war Eagle was soon followed by the sinking of the very ship transporting Turtle, sending her to the bottom.
The loss of Bushnell’s submersible notwithstanding, Westbrook has become well known as a safe haven for both recreational vessels and a small fleet of fishing boats. As a result, traffic at its marinas is heavy on summer weekends, when all manner of watercraft weigh anchor to negotiate the shallows of its rivers and the shoals and sandbars of the Sound.
And Westbrook has made sure that it has just as much to offer visitors and residents alike on dry land. Several B&Bs, including the Captain Stannard House and the Westbrook Inn — along with its new sister hostelry at the Bushnell House Inn — welcome guests who prefer a personal touch and reasonable prices. The Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, just off the Boston Post Road, overlooks the Sound and offers a seaside experience rounded out with spa services, pools, tennis, a great restaurant, and grand ballroom, as well as The Shops at Water’s Edge, which features intriguing goods from local crafters and far-flung artisans.
For travelers with a deep affinity for treasures of the natural world, a walk through the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, offering splendid trails through a tidal salt marsh, shrub land, and open fields, as well as protected marshlands where shorebirds and migratory osprey nest peacefully — may be just the thing. Just take I-95 to Route 145, then following Old Clinton Road to the Stewart B. McKinney Access Road.
Hungry? Westbrook has some great places to eat along the Boston Post Road/Route 1, which passes right through town. Starting at Clinton’s western edge traveling east, you’ll spot Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale — a longtime Westbrook favorite; The Deck, a relaxed sports bar; Edd’s Place, the ideal place to pick something up for dinner aboard or a picnic at the beach; and Bill’s Seafood, an awesome restaurant located along the Patchogue River, right next to the famous singing bridge. The Bistro Mediterranean & Tapas Bar, a local favorite, is just a ways further, as is Café Routier, which cultivates a world of its own in an elegant vintage home. Continue east and you’ll find Westbrook Pizza, a great spot for an easy meal.
Feel like doing some high-end bargain shopping? Head for the Westbrook Outlets, off I-95, featuring such favorites as Eddie Bauer and The Loft. You’ll also find The Westbrook Cinema there, as well.
