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Westport is a picturesque farm town on the southern coast of Massachusetts. It's a popular beach destination for summer tourists with many wonderful attractions, including fine dining, surfing, and shopping.
Cherry and Webb is a beautiful, sandy beach on Rhode Island Sound accessed by a winding path through the dunes. The rolling surf makes it perfect for body surfing and boogie boards. The smooth sand makes it a pleasure for a long walk down the shore to an area the locals call Boat Beach with views out over the West Branch toward the knubble out in Westport Harbor. This gem is a town beach, so it does require a beach sticker available only to Westport residents and property owners, but a bit farther down the shore, you’ll find Baker’s Beach, a private beach, located between Cherry and Webb and Horseneck Beach, a public beach.
Over the causeway, Gooseberry Neck Island has walking trails and remnants of lookout towers erected during WWII. A fun place to explore, and fishing off the causeway is a popular activity.
Westport Harbor has two private beach clubs, Elephant Rock and the Howland Beach Club, but there is public beach access for those with a Town Beach sticker off of Beach Avenue toward the large rocky outcropping known as the Knubble.
When in Westport, you’ll hear people refer to different areas, such as The Point, Central Village, The Head, and The Harbor, also referred to as Acoaxet.
Westport Point is located at the Southern end of Main Road and is an historic district. It is still a working waterfront with homes lining both sides looking much the same as they did in the whaling era. If you are considering property in this area, one should be aware of the Historic District Guidelines.
Central Village is the Downtown area of Southern Westport, dotted with a few small shops, Lees Market, a few restaurants, and Town Hall and offices.
The Head of Westport, as it is known, is located at the Northern end of Drift Road on the Head of the East Branch of the Westport River. Here you’ll find a kayak shop, country store, the historic Bell School and The Westport River Watershed Alliance.
Westport Harbor, or Acoaxet, is an area of beautiful beaches and summer homes, although people do live there year round. There are many antique homes and interesting architecture in this area. This area is sought after for the number of private clubs in this area, The Acoaxet Country Club, Elephant Rock Beach Club, Howland Beach Club, and Spindle Rock Sailing Club. There are geographic requirements for members and waiting lists. Most of the shoreline in this area is privately owned, but there is a small area of public access for Town residents.
"The rolling surf makes it perfect for body surfing and boogie boards."
After a day at the beach, a stop at the popular Back Eddy for dinner or cocktails might be the perfect ending to the perfect day. Enjoy water views from the dining room, or dine alfresco on the back deck. The dock out back makes it a perfect spot to stop by in your boat. Late afternoon on Sundays during the summer, they often have live music on the dock with an outdoor bar, raw bar and grill for a quick snack. It’s also known for its New Year’s Day Polar Plunge and brunch.
The Bayside Restaurant is another popular option for lunch or dinner near the beach. You have the option to dine outside with great views out over the Allens Pond Wildlife sanctuary to the water. In business over 40 years, it’s a great place to enjoy one of their famous lobster rolls, great seafood and homemade desserts.
Other spots I love include: Marguerite’s, Tony’s Pizza, 10 Cousins, Bittersweet Farm.
Located off Hixbridge Road, Westport Rivers Vineyard is a great place to stop for a tasting and bring home a nice bottle of wine. Join the wine club to get discounts and a special selection shipped to you several times a year, as well as invites to special events. The Sunset Music Series on Friday evenings in the summer has become an extremely popular event. Bring a picnic, or get a snack from the raw bar or food truck to enjoy while you sip some wine and listen to the music. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available online. Autumn Saturdays at the vineyard bring hayrides, food trucks and more family fun. It’s a quite a beautiful setting to relax, unwind and meet your friends in.
Take a walk on one of the many beautiful walking trails in town…Go kayaking at the Head of Westport at Osprey Sea and Surf Adventures.
Buzzard’s Bay Brewery is a great stop on the way home from the beach to sample the local brews. Closed Sunday and Monday, the tap room is open Wed – Sat. They host events with live music, trivia nights, taco Tuesday and corn hole games. (a bean bag tossing game, for those unfamiliar with the term) Purchase bottled beer to take home or buy a growler to have refilled.
The Westport Fair held in July at the Fairgrounds on Pine Hill Road is an annual favorite featuring 4H exhibits, racing pigs, tractor pulls, crafts and a carnival with all your favorite fair foods, live music and a chicken barbeque. This 5 day event opens on Wed –Fri evenings and all day on the weekends. 2017 dates to be announced.
The Westport Friend’s Meeting house hosts an extremely popular used book sale every summer for over 55 years! Come early to watch the excitement. No early bird browsing allowed, the book tent is roped off and a whistle is blown at the opening signaling the dropping of the ropes. Then it’s quite the free for all. A great event for avid readers, perfect for picking up those paperbacks for the beach at heavily discounted prices. Bring a sturdy tote bag! The books that aren’t sold the day of the sale remain for several days for those who want to browse at a quiet time.
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