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Westport, CT, offers many fun outdoor activities to enjoy! As the weather warms, your choices improve.
During the chill of the winter months, residents of colder locations like Westport, Connecticut, often find themselves sequestered indoors. After days of seeing nothing but your own decor the most common reaction to a shift in the weather is finding something to do. However, it doesn’t have to be a dreary season, as there is much to enjoy outside if you know where to find it.
Ideas for enjoying Winter to Spring in Westport, CT
Have a “Spring Has Sprung” beach day
When you think about beaches, summer is usually the season that comes to mind. With a fantastic year-round beach located in Westport, heading to the beach is actually a wonderful way to spend some time outdoors in the cool weather of early spring. The local beach of choice is Compo Beach, which, as a bonus, offers free admission during this time of year! You can even take your four-legged friends on a leash in designated areas throughout the season.
There is so much to do here, too. With everything from a children’s play area, a lovely sandy stretch to walk along the ocean, picnic areas, and even spots to play sports. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy, from young kids to adults. Some of the sports activities available include pickleball, volleyball, softball, basketball, and more! There is so much to choose from that the hours are sure to fly by. This beach also has a concession stand to grab a bite to eat.
Since spring is considered an off-season for beaches, you’ll likely avoid the crowds. Compo Beach is used mainly by residents of the Westport community during this season. You’ll love staying to watch the sunset here too — many visitors rave about its immense beauty. A Compo Beach beach day promises a variety of options as you enjoy the outdoors this spring in Westport, all in one location, right close to home.
Watch a park transition from winter to spring
Westport is home to a wealth of beautiful vistas that residents can enjoy all year round. With so many parks featuring numerous amenities to enjoy, even the cooler weather makes these areas more than worth spending some time in nature. Each season brings with it a unique beauty. Once you’ve had your fill of the austere winter scenery, spring arrives to delight you with new blooms.
Library Riverwalk and Garden is a large park in Westport with so much beauty to see and things to do throughout every season. The grounds overlook the scenic Saugatuck River, and there is a lighted pathway to walk, jog, or bike alongside the water. Along this path, you will also find plenty of benches and picnic tables to stop and relax while taking in the view. If you’re a dog owner, one spot you are sure to love is Winslow Park. Not only are dogs allowed, but there is even an off-leash area available on the north end so your pup can roam around freely. This park has walking trails, a bike path, tons of open space, and an entire picnic area located on the opposite side of the off-leash portion of the park. With so much to offer, this park is perfect for the whole family, including your little tail-waggers!
Another popular outdoor recreation site in Westport is Riverside Park. This is another dog-friendly location, as long as they’re on a leash. It offers stunning natural views, a picnic area with tables, and open green space. It’s known for being a quiet and peaceful place, and it’s cherished by the people who frequent it. Sherwood Island State Park is another park that you are sure to love.
During winter/spring, it’s free, typically less busy, and pets are allowed! It’s the oldest state park in all of Connecticut and offers so much for its visitors to do and see. It has multiple beach areas, trees, places to picnic, and many different walking paths.
These are just a few parks that you can visit this spring and throughout the year in Westport. There are over 20 in the area that you can explore and discover! Check them all out on Westport’s Parks and Recreation website.
Go ice skating
Ice skating is one of the best ways to get some exercise during Westport winters. It offers fun for the whole family, and people of all ages love it. Plus, it’s one of those activities that brings pros and newbies together for a laugh. Westport PAL Rink at Longshore is a local favorite for outdoor skating but they close in early March. You may be thinking about hanging up your blades come spring but there is more fun to be had.
If you’re willing to expand your search a tiny bit you’ll find two options for indoor ice skating, one north, and one south. Sono Ice House found in Norwalk and Fairfield Ice Academy in Fairfield are both frequented by the ice-loving community. They have everything you need. So excited to get on the ice that you left your skates at home? That’s perfectly okay! The rinks offer rental skates that you can borrow just for the occasion while you’re there.
Another excellent and helpful service offered at these facilities is skating lessons for children and adults! They have skilled instructors who will help show you all the basics and everything you need to know to skate. If you’re interested in this service, be sure to check out their website for more information on signing up. This option makes this spot perfect for skaters of all ages and experience levels.
Lastly, if you get hungry for a little competition, they are a great resource for children’s hockey games as well as rink rentals for beer league members. Sono Ice House especially are known for their ‘Lil Yotes (little coyotes) as well as their 3rd Line Dads. Whether you have a child, friend, or spouse that’s ready to show their skills with a puck, they have a place to do it. So lace up your skates and get ready for this amazing sport that offers fun for the whole family in Westport.
Play a round of platform tennis
At Longshore Club Park, you will find two platform tennis courts open year-round, with one season from October to late March and the second picking up in April. This tennis court can be booked for 1.5 hours at a time, and you can do so online through this link. Whether you already have a love for the sport or you’re just learning, this is a great way to have fun and stay active.
Platform tennis is very similar to traditional tennis, but rather than your standard court, you play on raised aluminum planks, making it perfect for playing when the weather is less than ideal. Another key difference from regular tennis is the balls and racquets used. In platform tennis, the ball is made of rubber rather than felt. Racquets aren’t used in this form of tennis — instead, players use paddles to hit the ball. If you’re familiar with regular tennis, the actual rules of the game in terms of getting points are very similar, but it’s played in a slightly different setting with different materials.
If you’re interested in platform tennis but don’t know where to start, then you’re in luck because there are a few different opportunities to learn how to play. One option is to get private instruction on the courts by booking lessons through Westport Parks and Recreation. If you’re looking for group lessons, this is another fantastic option offered through the Parks and Recreation department of Westport, too. The group lessons are suitable for people of all ages and ability levels.
The Winter Wonderland Walking Challenge
Westport’s Winter Wonderland Walking Challenge runs from January 10 until March 31, and the challenge is to set a goal for yourself to walk a certain distance within this period. You can choose to establish a goal suited to your needs, track your progress, and then share it with the group via this virtual challenge. Having said that, it’s not unusual to hit the end of March with a handful or more of uncompleted miles. There’s no rule that states you can’t carry on solo as the weather warms up.
A major perk of taking part in this challenge is that you’ll get to explore more of Westport’s great outdoors through walking. You’ll meet a community of people to support your personal goals during and after the virtual challenge event.
In terms of your goal, you can choose anything from 75 miles up to a 500-mile distance. You don’t have to limit yourself to just walking if you want to do more. You can also choose to combine it with running or jogging! This is an amazing way to get outside and even make some new friends. It’s also ideal if you’re looking for a way to stay active throughout the colder season.
Moving to Westport?
If you’re interested in the Westport community and are looking for a realtor, be sure to contact Julie Walsh. She can help you discover the best houses for sale in Westport, CT.
