Discover Westport: Coast, Nature and Culture

Westport on Long Island Sound brings together beaches, nature preserves, gardens and cultural attractions. When planning your stay, it’s worth considering the places according to their different offerings: some are for swimming, while others feature marshland, walking trails, history or art. This can help you decide which sides of Westport are most interesting for your trip.

Beaches and the Coast of Long Island Sound

Old Mill Beach is a 1.8-acre park with a sandy beach on the shore of Long Island Sound. Compo Beach is also on the Sound and is a Town of Westport beach. Lifeguards are on duty there from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. If lifeguard hours are important to your swimming plans, check the dates before your trip.

Sherwood Island State Park is in Westport, directly on the shore of Long Island Sound. Swimming in the Sound is one of the activities available there. The park offers another perspective on the coast, while the observation platform looks out over the marshland. Swimming and nature observation are different ways to enjoy the same park.

Nature Areas and Trails

Earthplace is a 62-acre wildlife preserve. It fosters the community’s connection with nature through science, conservation and education. Those interested in nature not only as a landscape but also in how it is taught will find a different focus here than at the beach or in the marshland.

At Newman-Poses Preserve, well-maintained trails pass through woodland, wetlands and open fields. They pass old Weymouth pines and run along the Aspetuck River. The preserve is also a public memorial honoring actor and philanthropist Paul Newman; the Newman family approved the memorial. Landscape and remembrance are equally part of the character of this place.

Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve has a walking trail through the small nature preserve, as well as a designated launch site for canoes and kayaks. The Sherwood Mill Pond is visible from there. The pond was historically important to Westport’s early settlement. Visitors looking to combine trails, access to the water and local history in one outing will find specific points of interest here. The 16-acre Caryl & Edna Haskins Nature Preserve opened to the public in 2004.

Gardens and Views

Prospect Gardens Westport is a nearly 9-acre arboretum-style garden. Its areas include plant collections, garden spaces, open lawns and winding paths. A 1-acre meadow is planted with perennial and native wildflowers. Public opening dates are seasonal, so check them before making firm plans to visit the garden.

Golf enthusiasts can consider Longshore Club Park Golf Course as a destination in its own right: the course has 18 holes, is short, and offers a view of Long Island Sound. This is a different way to experience the coastal landscape than from a beach or observation platform. “Short” refers to the course; it does not indicate a specific playing time.

History and Contemporary Art

The Westport Museum for History and Culture presents changing exhibitions on Westport’s history and culture. Because the exhibitions change, the focus is not limited to a single historical topic. MoCA\CT gives visitors the opportunity to explore contemporary art in Westport. Together, the two attractions cater to different cultural interests: local history and culture on the one hand, and contemporary art on the other.

When deciding what to do on your trip, you can choose a focus that suits you: coastal spots and swimming, nature and trails, garden landscapes, golf or culture. Westport’s attractions can be organized around these interests without suggesting that every place offers the same experience. When planning your stay, take note of the dates and periods given for seasonal offerings.

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