Inside: Discover Extraordinary Living
This waterfront haven is loved for its picturesque setting amid five miles of shoreline along the Long Island Sound, gorgeous views of the Saugatuck River, and its proximity to NYC. In town, residents enjoy a thriving downtown filled with upscale boutiques, antiques shops, buzzy restaurants, and unique small businesses. Westport is also a hub for the creative arts, featuring numerous art galleries and several renowned theater and art destinations.
Here are some of the best things to eat, buy, see, and do in Westport:
Shopping
Terrain
561 Post Road East
“Plant store” doesn’t do justice to this extraordinary garden-lifestyle boutique. Featuring everything from diverse native plants, hand-picked planters, and all-weather furniture, to seasonal décor elements, outdoor lighting, and gifts, Terrain is a must-do shopping experience in Westport. The store’s lush indoor-outdoor environment includes stand-out features such as an atrium, live moss wall, and custom fountain as well as an in-store greenhouse café offering brunch, lunch, and dinner. The store also hosts special events, such as trunkshows, festival days, and gardening Q&As, as well as design-consultation services.
Culture
Westport Country Playhouse
25 Powers Court
Originally built in 1835 as a tannery and later serving as a steam-powered cider mill, the building that currently houses Westport Country Playhouse is rich with history. Today it’s a community culture powerhouse of award-winning professional theater, showcasing contemporary new plays, timeless classics, and myriad special events and family festivities. With a particular focus on representing theater from diverse perspectives and exploring human and societal issues, the Playhouse is influential in developing new voices and new works.
MoCA Westport
19 Newtown Turnpike
A little taste of Soho in the suburbs, MoCA Westport offers thought-provoking contemporary visual arts exhibitions, music performances, and arts education. The museum got its start in 1934 as Westport’s first official arts organization (known then as Westport Arts Center) and became MoCA Westport after a substantial renovation and expansion in 2019. A mix of permanent collections and rotating exhibits as well as docent-led tours keep visitors inspired and engaged in the arts.
Parks and Recreation
Compo Beach
60 Compo Beach Road
It’s not summer in Westport without frequent trips to Compo! Grab your beach towels and sand toys and snag a spot at the extensive sand beach along the shore of Long Island Sound. The beach, which includes access to a boardwalk, concession stand, two sand volleyball courts, large wooden playscape, and bathroom facilities and lockers, is part of a 29-acre park that also boasts a softball field, basketball courts, and a skate park.
Dining
Nomade
150 Main Street
Billing itself as sensory experience where culture and cuisine intersect, Nomade offers unique dining in a stunning setting. The menu consists of diverse ethnic dishes from places like North Africa, Hungary, Spain, and the Mediterranean, and the interior supports the global vibe with white stucco walls and ceilings and pale wood furniture with leather, wicker, and rattan accents. A sophisticated drinks program complements the brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night menus.
La Plage
260 Compo Road South
Coastal cuisine and a waterfront location with views of both the Long Island Sound and the Saugatuck River make La Plage a favorite among Westport residents. The restaurant/oyster bar is best known for its wide array of locally harvested seafood and shellfish but carnivores dine happily as well on sustainable meats. The popular raw bar is stocked full of briny oysters, Maine Steamers in garlicky drawn butter, and jumbo shrimp. Casual and beachy chic, La Plage also offers private dining options on the porch and the veranda.
