Discover Westport: Beaches, Nature and Culture

Westport combines beach and nature experiences with art, history and live performances. Along Long Island Sound, you will find a variety of ways to spend a day by the water, while preserves, gardens and trails reveal other sides of the town.

Beaches and Water along Long Island Sound

Old Mill Beach is a 1.8-acre park with a sandy beach along the shore of Long Island Sound. Compo Beach is a Town of Westport beach on Long Island Sound. Lifeguards are on duty there from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. This timing is particularly relevant to your travel planning if you would like to combine a stay at the beach with the scheduled lifeguard coverage period.

Sherwood Island State Park is also located in Westport along the shore of Long Island Sound. Visitors can swim in Long Island Sound, and the park also has an observation platform for viewing the marshland. This makes it possible to combine a day of swimming with a landscape experience without requiring both interests to follow the same daily schedule.

Nature Trails, Preserves and Distinctive Landscapes

Earthplace is a 62-acre wildlife preserve. Through science, conservation and education, it fosters the community’s connection with nature. This focus expands Westport’s nature-related offerings to include science, conservation and education.

Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve features a walking trail through the small preserve as well as a designated launch site for canoes and kayaks. Sherwood Mill Pond, visible from the preserve, was historically significant to the early settlement of Westport. This makes the site a combination of activity on the water, time in nature and an insight into the town’s history.

The Newman-Poses Preserve is a public memorial authorized by Paul Newman’s family to honor the actor and philanthropist. It also features well-maintained trails through woodland, wetlands and open fields, passing old Weymouth pines and running along the Aspetuck River. The 16-acre Caryl & Edna Haskins Nature Preserve opened to the public in 2004 and adds another natural destination to Westport’s selection.

Prospect Gardens Westport offers a quieter landscape experience. The nearly 9-acre arboretum-style garden includes plant collections, garden areas, open lawns and winding paths. It also features a 1-acre meadow with perennial and native wildflowers. Those who value a variety of ideas for each day when choosing accommodation will find a contrast here to the beach, water and cultural attractions.

Art, History and Live Performances

The Westport Museum for History and Culture presents changing exhibitions on the history and culture of Westport. MoCA\CT enables visitors to explore contemporary art in Westport. The two offerings have different focuses and are therefore well suited to days when neither the landscape nor the water is the main attraction.

The Westport Country Playhouse offers theater featuring acclaimed artists and cultural experiences centered on live performances. If you are also looking for a sporting activity, consider the Longshore Club Park Golf Course. The short course has 18 holes and offers views of Long Island Sound.

Westport as a Starting Point for Your Accommodation Search

In Westport, you can sensibly organize your choice of vacation rental according to the type of trip you have planned. Beach days and swimming favor focusing on the offerings along Long Island Sound. Nature trails, preserves and gardens are suited to a stay centered on walks, landscape observation and varied outdoor activities. Museums, contemporary art and theater give the trip a cultural direction. Since these options appeal to different interests, it is worth deciding before searching for accommodation which experiences should take up the most space in your itinerary.

For more extensive travel planning, you can also explore the following destinations: New Canaan, Bethel, Shelton, Stamford, Wilton, Bridgeport, Stratford and Darien.

For the broader travel overview: Fairfield.