NEARBY
The neighboring town to Westport — more restaurants, more shops, same coastal character.
Summer 2026 — select weeks still available
Dartmouth is the town directly north and east of Westport, MA, and for guests staying at 2042 Main Road in Westport Point, it is the nearest place with a real concentration of restaurants, shops, and services. The town stretches from the shores of Buzzards Bay up through farmland and university campus, but its heart — at least for visitors — is Padanaram Village, a small harbor community on Apponagansett Bay with a walkable main street, galleries, and waterfront dining.
Where Westport is deliberately rural and quiet, Dartmouth offers a bit more activity without ever feeling suburban. The South Dartmouth coast has the same salt-air, working-harbor feel that makes Westport Point special. Russells Mills Village, in the northern part of town, is a genuinely old New England crossroads with a general store that has been operating since the 1800s. And along the western border, Dartmouth blends into New Bedford, putting the world-class Whaling Museum within easy reach.
For a summer stay in Westport, MA, Dartmouth is the town you will visit most often — for a nice dinner, for groceries, for a different beach, or simply for a change of pace from the intentional stillness of Westport Point.
A walkable harbor village in South Dartmouth with galleries, boutiques, waterfront restaurants, and a sailing club. The kind of place where you park once and spend the afternoon.
A long, sandy town beach on Buzzards Bay with warm, calm water. Great for families and a nice alternative to Horseneck Beach when you want something quieter.
The campus features a distinctive brutalist design by Paul Rudolph and hosts rotating art exhibitions at the University Art Gallery. Worth a visit even if you have no university connection.
Dartmouth has the widest selection of restaurants near Westport. From Padanaram's waterfront spots to Route 6 seafood and Portuguese bakeries near the New Bedford line, there is something for every night of your stay.
Just across the Dartmouth-New Bedford border, this world-renowned museum tells the story of American whaling with a half-scale whale ship, scrimshaw collection, and exhibits on maritime history. A rainy-day essential.
A beautiful, low-key state park on the coast of Dartmouth with a sandy beach, salt marsh trails, and calm water. Less crowded than Horseneck and ideal for small children and kayakers.
Dartmouth is about a 15-minute drive from Westport Point. The two towns share a border, and the drive from 2042 Main Road to Padanaram Village in Dartmouth takes roughly 12 minutes along Route 88 and Russells Mills Road.
Padanaram Village is a charming harbor village in the southern part of Dartmouth, MA. It sits along Apponagansett Bay and features a walkable main street with galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and a public dock. It has a long history as a sailing community and hosts a popular summer harbor festival.
Dartmouth offers more dining variety than most South Coast towns. Padanaram Village has waterfront restaurants and cafes. Along Route 6, you will find everything from seafood shacks to farm-to-table spots. Popular options include the Bridge Street Bistro in Padanaram, Apponagansett Diner, and several good Portuguese and seafood restaurants near the New Bedford line.
Yes. Dartmouth has several excellent beaches. Round Hill Beach is a long, sandy town beach on Buzzards Bay. Demarest Lloyd State Park offers a quieter, more natural beach with calm water ideal for families. Both are within a short drive of Westport Point.
Dartmouth offers a mix of coastal recreation, shopping, and culture. Visit Padanaram Village for galleries and dining, swim at Round Hill Beach, explore Demarest Lloyd State Park, tour the UMass Dartmouth campus and its galleries, or cross into neighboring New Bedford to visit the Whaling Museum. The town also has farm stands and the historic Russells Mills Village.
Absolutely. Staying at 2042 Main Road in Westport Point puts you just 15 minutes from Dartmouth. It is an easy day trip for dining in Padanaram, a beach day at Round Hill, or a visit to the Whaling Museum in nearby New Bedford. Many guests use Westport Point as a quiet home base and explore Dartmouth and the surrounding towns during the day.
Stay at 2042 Main Road — 15 minutes from Dartmouth. A waterfront colonial on the harbor at Westport Point, Westport, MA. 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6, 4.92-star Airbnb rating. Book on Airbnb.
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