Westport, MA
Sightseeing
Horseneck Beach
The best public beach for miles around.
The Lloyd Center, named for the family that once owned vast tracts in this area and gave much of it to the public, is a beautifully scenic drive of about 20 minutes away. Children love it. There are plenty of trails and engaging nature events to include guided walks and kayak tours. For more information see http://lloydcenter.org.
13 locals recommend
Lloyd Center for the Environment
430 Potomska RdThe Lloyd Center, named for the family that once owned vast tracts in this area and gave much of it to the public, is a beautifully scenic drive of about 20 minutes away. Children love it. There are plenty of trails and engaging nature events to include guided walks and kayak tours. For more information see http://lloydcenter.org.
Nearby New Bedford, along with Nantucket, dominated the whaling industry in the United States and was probably the busiest seaport in the country in 1840. It was also one of the richest cities in the country, and evidence of its former wealth can still be seen in its grand domestic architecture of the period. Though it has seen better days, New Bedford remains the largest fishing port (by volume) in the United States. The restored central district is worth a visit.
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is one of country’s finest regional museums and should not be missed. Children love it, and the exhibits of ships, seafaring life, scrimshaw, and paintings are extraordinary. Right across the street is the Seamen’s Bethel made famous in Melville’s Moby Dick, which begins in New Bedford. For the museum’s hours, special exhibitions, and directions, see its website: http://www.whalingmuseum.org
108 locals recommend
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake HillNearby New Bedford, along with Nantucket, dominated the whaling industry in the United States and was probably the busiest seaport in the country in 1840. It was also one of the richest cities in the country, and evidence of its former wealth can still be seen in its grand domestic architecture of the period. Though it has seen better days, New Bedford remains the largest fishing port (by volume) in the United States. The restored central district is worth a visit.
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is one of country’s finest regional museums and should not be missed. Children love it, and the exhibits of ships, seafaring life, scrimshaw, and paintings are extraordinary. Right across the street is the Seamen’s Bethel made famous in Melville’s Moby Dick, which begins in New Bedford. For the museum’s hours, special exhibitions, and directions, see its website: http://www.whalingmuseum.org
Newport is 2 rivers west of Westport. Its yacht-filled harbor hosted the America’s Cup, a renowned annual sailing regatta, for many years. Newport is also known for the Gilded Age mansions lining Bellevue Avenue, some of which are now museums. The most famous is The Breakers, an 1895 mansion patterned after a Renaissance palace.
402 locals recommend
Newport
Newport is 2 rivers west of Westport. Its yacht-filled harbor hosted the America’s Cup, a renowned annual sailing regatta, for many years. Newport is also known for the Gilded Age mansions lining Bellevue Avenue, some of which are now museums. The most famous is The Breakers, an 1895 mansion patterned after a Renaissance palace.
Wildlife refuge and hiking trails with unbeatable views.
15 locals recommend
Mass Audubon's Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
1280 Horseneck RdWildlife refuge and hiking trails with unbeatable views.
Wooded, 1,500-acre land trust with 35 miles of hiking trails, wildlife, a waterway & rock ledges.
9 locals recommend
Destruction Brook Woods Trailhead
Slades Corner RoadWooded, 1,500-acre land trust with 35 miles of hiking trails, wildlife, a waterway & rock ledges.
Art Galleries
Dedee Shattuck’s Shattuck Gallery at 865 Main Road in Westport’s Central Village is the best art gallery in the area. For directions and other information, see http://dedeeshattuckgallery.com.
14 locals recommend
Dedee Shattuck Gallery
1 Partners' LaneDedee Shattuck’s Shattuck Gallery at 865 Main Road in Westport’s Central Village is the best art gallery in the area. For directions and other information, see http://dedeeshattuckgallery.com.
Food scene
Formerly part of the Beach Plum, this restaurant features local ingredients and fine dining. Capacity is small. To reserve, call (508) 994-1162.
22 locals recommend
Little Moss
6 Bridge StFormerly part of the Beach Plum, this restaurant features local ingredients and fine dining. Capacity is small. To reserve, call (508) 994-1162.
A favorite local spot for chowder, fries, fried clams, and lobster rolls.
44 locals recommend
The Bayside Restaurant
1253 Horseneck RdA favorite local spot for chowder, fries, fried clams, and lobster rolls.
Without peer locally. Harpoon-caught swordfish is fresh from the docks. Their smoked bluefish is delicious. The fish is superb and always fresh.
13 locals recommend
Westport Lobster
915 Main RdWithout peer locally. Harpoon-caught swordfish is fresh from the docks. Their smoked bluefish is delicious. The fish is superb and always fresh.
A cozy Westport fixture with a locally-inspired menu that includes food ranging from burgers to seafood. Good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner when you don’t want to cook. Reasonable prices. Open 7am – 8pm.
8 locals recommend
Marguerite's Restaurant
778 Main RdA cozy Westport fixture with a locally-inspired menu that includes food ranging from burgers to seafood. Good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner when you don’t want to cook. Reasonable prices. Open 7am – 8pm.
On the Westport River. Fresh fish in a setting that can’t be beat. Recommended: Rare #1 tuna, the raw Bar, wood grilled yellow fin tuna Japanese Style, lobster ravioli. Reservations recommended: Call (508) 636-6500.
58 locals recommend
The Back Eddy
1 Bridge RdOn the Westport River. Fresh fish in a setting that can’t be beat. Recommended: Rare #1 tuna, the raw Bar, wood grilled yellow fin tuna Japanese Style, lobster ravioli. Reservations recommended: Call (508) 636-6500.
Padanaram Village, South Dartmouth. Features a nice selection of mussel dishes, including moules frites and moules Portuguese style with chouriço (Portuguese sausage), kale, lager, red chili.
9 locals recommend
Black Bass Grille
3 Water StPadanaram Village, South Dartmouth. Features a nice selection of mussel dishes, including moules frites and moules Portuguese style with chouriço (Portuguese sausage), kale, lager, red chili.
A churrascaria serves Portuguese-style barbecued or grilled food. There are quite a few such restaurants in New Bedford’s North End, and the spiffiness of their décor, inside or out, has nothing to do with the quality of the food.
Cotali Mar Restaurante
1178 Acushnet AveA churrascaria serves Portuguese-style barbecued or grilled food. There are quite a few such restaurants in New Bedford’s North End, and the spiffiness of their décor, inside or out, has nothing to do with the quality of the food.
Chef Champe Speidel is deservedly celebrated, and the restaurant is worth the trip. Providence is 45 minutes from Westport.
29 locals recommend
Persimmon
99 Hope StChef Champe Speidel is deservedly celebrated, and the restaurant is worth the trip. Providence is 45 minutes from Westport.
A much-loved breakfast place with outdoor seating. Grab a newspaper around the corner at Simmons Market while you wait for your seat.
46 locals recommend
The Barn Restaurant
13 Main StA much-loved breakfast place with outdoor seating. Grab a newspaper around the corner at Simmons Market while you wait for your seat.
90 Front Street, New Bedford, has eclectic assortment of tapas from lobster crostini to Philly Cheesesteak spring rolls. Open until 2 am.
25 locals recommend
Cork Wine & Tapas Bar
90 Front St90 Front Street, New Bedford, has eclectic assortment of tapas from lobster crostini to Philly Cheesesteak spring rolls. Open until 2 am.
577 South Main Street, Providence. One of Providence’s best-known restaurants, its pizza is rated Best in America on many lists.
49 locals recommend
Al Forno Restaurant
577 S Water St577 South Main Street, Providence. One of Providence’s best-known restaurants, its pizza is rated Best in America on many lists.
Wood's Farm
17 Adamsville RdDelicious local ice cream. Huge portions.
23 Tremont St, Fall River, has everything Portuguese: an entire butcher case with different types of sausage, an impressive cheese selection, an aisle of beautiful hand-painted ceramic cooking vessels, and an entire refrigerated room dedicated to salt cod! You can also buy buffalo milk butter from Italy. It has a little café too. Worth a trip.
Portugalia Marketplace
489 Bedford St23 Tremont St, Fall River, has everything Portuguese: an entire butcher case with different types of sausage, an impressive cheese selection, an aisle of beautiful hand-painted ceramic cooking vessels, and an entire refrigerated room dedicated to salt cod! You can also buy buffalo milk butter from Italy. It has a little café too. Worth a trip.
One stoplight up Rt 88. A Westport summer institution. Open until 9:30pm nightly throughout the summer.
16 locals recommend
Handy Hill Creamery
55 Hixbridge RdOne stoplight up Rt 88. A Westport summer institution. Open until 9:30pm nightly throughout the summer.
Wineries and Breweries
Get tickets online for their Friday night Summer Music Series ($15/carload). Great summer Westport scene. They have wine for sale by the glass and good food from local vendors. If you'd like to bring your own snacks, as us and we'll provide you with a picnic basket.
63 locals recommend
Westport Rivers Vineyard
417 Hixbridge RdGet tickets online for their Friday night Summer Music Series ($15/carload). Great summer Westport scene. They have wine for sale by the glass and good food from local vendors. If you'd like to bring your own snacks, as us and we'll provide you with a picnic basket.
Buzzards Bay Brewing operates a small brewery on a beautiful farm in Westport, MA. Tap room is open for tasting flights, pints, bottles, growlers. Check their website for live entertainment and food truck schedule.
46 locals recommend
Buzzards Bay Brewing
98 Horseneck RdBuzzards Bay Brewing operates a small brewery on a beautiful farm in Westport, MA. Tap room is open for tasting flights, pints, bottles, growlers. Check their website for live entertainment and food truck schedule.