Westport, Massachusetts, Is a More Affordable Version of Cape Cod

When Westport, Massachusetts, was named one in every of America’s prime “bougie on a price range” locations by MarketBeat, it got here as no shock to locals like Molly Armando, an actual property agent who grew up within the space. “It’s a really particular place, providing a slower tempo, unbelievable pure magnificence, and a way of life that celebrates each the land and the ocean,” she tells Journey + Leisure.

Westport lies on the coronary heart of the Farm Coast, a more recent time period that captures the bucolic character of the agricultural shoreline between Little Compton, Rhode Island, and Dartmouth, Massachusetts. An hour’s drive south of Boston and solely half-hour southeast of Windfall, Rhode Island, Westport embodies essentially the most beloved features of New England, minus the crowds and steep worth tags. 

Strolling Westport’s historic seaport, with its colonial-era cottages and their weathered grey shingles, you’d swear you have been on Cape Cod or Nantucket. Just like the Cape and the islands, Westport’s seashores and wetlands are shielded from growth; you’ll be able to stroll for miles with little signal of civilization. Enterprise a bit inland and the surroundings adjustments to the sort of pastoral farmland extra related to western New England—fields scattered with timber-framed barns and crisscrossed by low stone partitions which have stood for generations. 

Westport’s fishing and farming traditions have blossomed right into a thriving native meals scene, from roadside farm stands promoting seasonal produce to a few of New England’s best farm- and ocean-to-table eating places. Right here’s methods to get a style of this small city for your self.

The place to Keep

The Harbor Inn Acoaxet

The Harbor Inn started as a farm within the late 1700s and retains the texture of a colonial farmstead. Select from 11 rooms and one suite, every with its personal character and interval particulars, like gabled ceilings and vintage dressers. It’s a fast stroll right down to the seaside, however you can too choose to hop on one of many inn’s bikes.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Westport

Opened in 2020, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Westport is spacious and trendy, with all of the facilities you’d count on from a significant lodge chain: an indoor pool, a health middle, and a complimentary breakfast buffet. The studio and one-bedroom suites have totally geared up kitchens, so you’ll be able to whip up a scrumptious dinner with all of your farm stand finds.

Concord Dwelling Farm

Simply over the state line in Little Compton, Rhode Island, this working farm rents a personal bed room within the farmhouse and a comfortable however totally geared up cottage. The inn’s four-legged hosts, together with pony Silverado and Munchins the Nigerian dwarf goat, wait on the fence to greet you whenever you step off the again porch.

Horseneck Seaside State Reservation

Situated simply behind the dunes from the seaside, this campground provides electrical and nonelectric websites with picnic tables and hearth pits. Different facilities embody a consolation station with flushing bathrooms and scorching showers, an RV dumping station, a playground, and basketball and volleyball courts.

Quick-term Leases

Most guests to Westport choose to remain in personal properties accessible for lease by means of websites like Airbnb and Vrbo. “Staying in an area dwelling helps you to expertise Westport the best way residents do,” says Armando. “Mornings full of salt air, evenings spent watching the sundown, and the sort of privateness and peace that make the Farm Coast life-style so particular.” Select from properties like this spacious post-and-beam loft at Brithaven Farm, or an oceanfront beach house with room for the entire household.

Finest Issues to Do

Go to Horseneck Seaside State Reservation.

Two miles of sentimental sand, grassy dunes, and crashing surf, Horseneck Beach is a spotlight of any journey to the Farm Coast, however the 600-acre reservation has much more to discover: marshlands teaming with wildlife; Gooseberry Island, beloved by photographers for its dramatic rocky shoreline; and the Nineteenth-century Horseneck Point Life-Saving Station.

Paddle the Westport River.

Glide by means of the peaceable salt marshes and hidden coves of the east and west branches of the Westport River, the place you’ll be able to observe snowy egrets, ospreys, and different wildlife of their pure habitat. Hire a kayak, canoe, or SUP from Osprey Sea & Surf Adventures, an organization that additionally provides guided sundown, moonlight, and fall foliage paddling excursions.

Have a beer (or simply hang around) at Buzzards Bay Brewing.

It’s a bar in a barn on a farm—and a lot extra. Sit back by the Buzzards Bay Brewing hearth pit with a flight of their signature brews on faucet, just like the Westporter and Horseneck Haze IPA. “These sprawling hills! The openness! It’s simply actually fairly surroundings,” says Armando. “It is not like you need to drink. You may simply go there and chill out.” Within the hotter months, the brewery hosts meals carts, dwell music, and leisure.

Take a self-guided gradual meals tour of Westport’s household farms.

“There are such a lot of farm stands, and it’s all recent meals as a result of the farms are proper there,” says Armando. “You might dwell off of the greens the entire summer time.” Laurie Hepworth, writer of Edible Southeastern Massachusetts, notably recommends Orr’s Family Farm. “The farm stand looks like an extension of the fields themselves,” she says. “You’re surrounded by the work of the land whilst you store, which makes each buy really feel deeply linked to the farm.” In July, decide your individual blueberries at Berry Hill Farm, and collect your individual sunflower and dahlia bouquets at Walt’s Farm in August and September.

Stroll the Westport Level Historic District.

Westport Level, located on the confluence of the east and west branches of the Westport River, was as soon as a middle of the fishing and whaling trade. Stroll down Important Street and admire homes representing each period of Westport’s lengthy colonial and maritime historical past, from Cape Cod cottages and colonial saltboxes to showy Greek Revival sea captains’ properties. “It’s very quaint New England,” says Armando.

Finest Buying

Weatherlow Farms

This boutique farm store is stocked with colourful produce and lower flowers, pasture-raised meats, and artfully displayed pantry merchandise comparable to maple syrup, fruit preserves, handcrafted apothecary gadgets, goat milk cleaning soap, and candles. However what stood out most to Hepworth when she featured the farm in Edible Southeastern Massachusetts was the satisfaction and satisfaction your complete group took of their work. “It was clear they weren’t simply rising meals and flowers,” she says. “They have been cultivating one thing deeply significant for themselves and the group.”

Westport Farmers Market

For those who don’t have time to hit all of the farms, otherwise you merely need to refill on Farm Coast specialties multi functional place, the Westport Farmers Market takes place each Saturday (from the tip of Could by means of mid-October) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. within the City Corridor Annex.

Lees Market

If it’s essential decide up some staples to outfit the kitchen of your Airbnb, Lees Market is the place to go. Rub shoulders with locals on this small however well-stocked grocery retailer with a number of regional specialty merchandise. ”It looks like a regionally owned model of Entire Meals,” says Hepworth.

Companions Village Retailer and Kitchen

“Partners is an enthralling bookstore and reward store with a restaurant that options native substances,” says Hepworth. Decide up a one-of-a-kind reward or memento (like a handcrafted bowl from Salt Marsh Pottery), chill out on the porch with a brand new ebook, and deal with your self to their next-level soup and sandwiches.

Jeffrey Westport

After many years within the trend trade, Westport native Jeffrey Cayer returned dwelling to open a high-end women’s clothing boutique in historic Westport Level. Right here, you’ll discover a curated number of playful however subtle outfits for any event.“It’s simply enjoyable, coastal trend,” says Armando.

Finest Eating places

Westport Rivers Winery and Vineyard

Sip glowing wine as you gaze out over acres of rolling grape arbors tended by 4 generations of the Russell household—in addition they personal Buzzards Bay Brewing—at Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery. Nibble on a Farm Coast charcuterie board that includes artisanal cheese, truffled white beans, and regionally roasted cashews. The on-site Farmer’s Feast food truck additionally provides farm-fresh salads and toasty brick-oven paninis.

The Again Eddy

The waterfront views alone are price a visit—and The Back Eddy has the meals to again it up. It has seafood favorites like fish and chips and clam chowder, in addition to inventive specialties like spicy deviled eggs “from hell.”

Perry’s Bakery

Opened in 1950, this mom-and-pop bakery has been an area favourite for generations. “I used to go there with my dad to get cinnamon sticks,” says Armando. “They’re essentially the most unbelievable issues I’ve ever had.” Perry’s additionally serves espresso, breakfast sandwiches, desserts, muffins, and unique concoctions like peanut butter fresh cream and chocolate Long Johns.

Westport Sea Farms

Westport Sea Farms raises and harvests its oysters on website, serving them on the docks of historic Westport Level. You may even take a tour of the oyster beds. The lobster rolls are simply pretty much as good—even higher when washed down with an area ale from Buzzards Bay Brewing.

Bittersweet Farm Restaurant and Tavern

Surrounded by 29 acres of sprawling pastureland, Bittersweet Farm serves upscale American consolation meals with an emphasis on recent, native substances. Cozy as much as the brick hearth and bask in home specialities like pretzel sticks with heat beer cheese, sriracha aioli, and pub mustard, and pan-seared New Bedford scallops with Mozambique risotto.

Finest Time to Go to

The most effective time to go to Westport is Could by means of October. Could is when the farmers markets kick off for the season, and farm stands refill with strawberries and different early produce. Mid-summer has the most effective seaside climate, particularly for swimming and water sports activities, with snug however refreshing water temperatures within the excessive 60s to low 70s.

By early September, the air turns crisp, and the annual spectacle that’s New England fall will get underway. Apples ripen, pumpkins dot the fields, and leaves flush each shade of pink, orange, and yellow. The Farm Coast is without doubt one of the prime locations to expertise the season, with the corn maze at Buzzards Bay Brewing and fresh-pressed apple cider from Noquochoke Orchards.

Find out how to Get There

Westport is just a 30-minute drive from the Rhode Island T.F. Inexperienced Worldwide Airport (PVD) in Warwick, which earned the highest spot as T+L readers’ favourite U.S. airport within the 2025 World’s Best Awards. Whereas larger and extra congested, Boston Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS) provides extra direct flights to extra cities. From BOS, you’ll be able to take public transit to connect with the MBTA Commuter Rail. Vacationers can then select to take that to both Fall River or New Bedford, each of that are a brief drive from Westport.

Find out how to Get Round

You’ll need to lease a automobile (or drive your individual) because it’s the easiest way to discover the scenic again roads and go to the farms and vineyards at your leisure. Uber and different ride-sharing providers can be found, however wait occasions could also be longer than in city areas. You may decide up a automobile from most main rental companies at PVD or BOS. To keep away from Boston’s notorious visitors, take a bus or commuter practice to New Bedford, one city over from Westport, the place there are a number of automobile rental companies only a fast Uber trip from the station.