Finding Mrs. Ford Itinerary

Have you read Finding Mrs. Ford yet? If you haven't, you might want to pick up a copy or suggest it to your book club and then come find Mrs. Ford in South County, RI. Deborah Goodrich Royce's debut novel is set primarily in the quiet seaside village of Watch Hill in Westerly, RI — with flashes set in Detroit, MI and New York City. Mrs. Royce and her husband, Chuck own the Forbes triple-five-star-rated resort, Ocean House, here in South County and we wanted to create a fun, leisurely itinerary fans of the book could do on their own or as a small group, such as a book club.

Start by traveling here, by way of train, as Mrs. Ford does when she travels back and forth to New York. Take the Amtrak into Westerly Train Station. If you're more than a train ride away, there are other ways to get here. Book your stay at either the Ocean House or the Margin Street Inn.

Start your day with a walk to Watch Hill Light taking a left if you're coming out of Ocean House, past Taylor Swift's mansion (you'll know it by the guards at the gate), and then another left onto Lighthouse Road. If you're coming from Margin Street Inn, take a ride share or a cab to Ocean House and have a coffee on the veranda before heading out. After the lighthouse, visit the oldest continuously operating carousel in the United States, the Flying Horse Carousel then fuel up with a coffee or an ice cream at St. Claire Annex. Spend the afternoon exploring the shops on Bay Street including the Lilly Pulitzer Boutique.

Enjoy a delicious dinner at the Olympia Tea Room which boasts it's been "famous, not fancy" for over 100 years. After dinner head for a stroll out to Napatree Point to watch the sunset.

If you're here on a Sunday morning, stop by the Watch Hill Chapel, if you feel inclined, before heading on Mrs. Ford's epic dog walk via Niantic Ave., to Ninigret Ave., to Watch Hill Road to Bay Street. Spend the rest of the day on a yacht in Watch Hill Harbor soaking up the sun. You can charter one via Ocean House here. If you're staying at Margin Street Inn you can paddle out on the river, just check with the innkeeper about kayak and canoe availability. Or, spend the day pampering yourself at Ocean House's award-winning OH! Spa — a relaxing way for a book club to bond!

Don't forget to explore downtown Westerly before heading home. You can always get a good cup of coffee and a book to read at the Savoy Book Shop.

If you need help booking your visit or want to hold your book club event here, contact:

info@southcountyri.com