Westbrook

About Westbrook

Tucked along Connecticut's shoreline where Long Island Sound meets saltwater marshes and sandy beaches, Westbrook is a quintessential coastal New England town with a relaxed, sun-washed charm. Part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley, it's the kind of place where summers hum with beach life and the off-season reveals a quiet, close-knit community that genuinely loves where it lives.

What to Know

• The Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge has a unit right in town — the Salt Meadow Unit — offering beautiful coastal habitat for migratory birds and wildlife enthusiasts.
• Westbrook encompasses three uninhabited islands in Long Island Sound: Salt Island, Menunketesuck Island, and Duck Island — a rare coastal quirk that gives the town a surprisingly expansive maritime footprint.
• The town is dotted with private beach associations, including Grove Beach, Kelsey Point, and Coral Sands, giving many neighborhoods that coveted direct shoreline access.
• Westbrook is bordered by beloved Connecticut towns including Essex, Old Saybrook, and Clinton, placing it at the heart of one of the state's most scenic shoreline corridors.

History

Westbrook was incorporated as an independent town in 1840, having previously been part of Saybrook. The area's rich tidal rivers and coastal geography made it a hub for early farming and maritime activity, and its Native American heritage lives on in names like Menunketesuck — drawn from the river and indigenous peoples of the region.

Community & Living

Westbrook strikes a rare balance: small enough to feel like everyone knows your name, yet vibrant enough to draw visitors from across the state every summer. Residents treasure the coastal lifestyle, the easy access to shoreline trails, and the genuine sense of pride in keeping this little town exactly as special as it's always been.