The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Westport, Connecticut Now

Westport, on Connecticut's Gold Coast, is widely known as a favorite hideaway of the rich and famous with its celebrity-driven cachet—while young families flock to Westport for an exceptional school system, strong sense of community and endless recreational opportunities. From serene beaches and high-end shopping to farm-to-table cuisine and craft cocktails, add Westport to you must-visit list.

1. THE BEACHES

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With so many miles of coastline along the Long Island Sound, Westport is home to three unique town beaches: Old Mill, Burying Hill, and Compo Beach—a 29-acre park with extensive sandy beaches along the shore of Long Island Sound, bordering the Saugatuck River.

2. THE SHOPPING

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Your love for Westport will grow as soon as you stroll the tree-lined streets filled with smiling faces and favorites such as—J. Crew, Vineyard Vines, Brooks Brothers, Jonathan Adler, Tiffany & Co., and West Elm.

3. THE COCKTAILS

For delicious hand-crafted cocktails, you'll want to head over to Amis Trattoria. Try the "Alto!" Concocted with prosecco, ginger liqueur and finished with blood orange bitters—it will have you craving their house-made pastas.

Time-tested family recipes use seasonal ingredients to create fresh, balanced and robust dishes such as grilled octopus with green hariss or bucatini with Jalapeño and almond pesto. Be sure to try a side of their eggplant chips with lavender honey and Garrotxa cheese.

4. THE THEATRE

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With acclaimed shows such as Man of La Mancha and The Understudy, the Westport Country Playhouse is a nationally recognized, Tony award-winning theater in the heart of Westport—drawing theatergoers from Fairfield County, the Hudson Valley and across New England.

5. THE ART

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The Westport Arts Center is dedicated to creating experiences that enrich lives visually through stunning exhibitions, as well as hands-on through educational classes such as glass blowing and colorful clay creations.