Westport RR-Compo-Downtown

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Westport, CT, US

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Route Overview

Westport Bike Rentals

Bringing the West Coast vibe to Westport, CT

12 mi.

672 ft.

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Route Details

A classic Westport road-route that begins with a neighborhood cut-through to get you from from Westport train station to beautiful Compo beach, then back to Westport's thriving Downtown area with a couple of opportunities to get off your bike and walk in some tucked-away green spaces, and returns you to the train station through the charming village of Saugatuck. You'll ride through beach neighborhoods on mostly flat roads with wide-shoulders and through narrower town streets. There are a limited number of $5 daily parking spaces at the train station on the weekdays. Parking is free on the weekends. This route can also be started at the Imperial Ave parking lot, which is overflow (and free) parking for the train station. There is one hill, that is mostly downhill if you follow our directions....so all fitness levels would feel comfortable on this 13-mile route. If you rode from start to finish, it might take you 2 hours, but we want you to slow down, explore our hidden gems, and check out our official pitstops!

As you are leaving the train station, you'll notice the @slice[Saugatuck River Bridge](d,248.51,394.93) to your left. This is one of eight movable bridges on the Amtrak Northeast corridor. @photo[The bridge ](1627963)is narrow so best to walk your bike across to Ferry Ln East. This is a @photo[neighborhood cut-through](1627964). Now it's time to ride. Take Ferry Ln East to the end, and make a right onto Compo Rd South. Your first oppotunity to ride by the water is on your right at @slice[Longshore Club Park](d,1528.79,4614.96). This is an @photo[ACTIVE GOLF COURSE](1628513) so watch for golf balls. The views are some of the best in Westport! You'll see shore birds, sailboats, a skating rink, town pool, and Saugatuck Shores (across the water). In Longshore park, you can rent kayaks, boats, canoes or SUPs at [Longshore Sailing School](http://www.longshoresailingschool.com/). You can stop for a bite to eat on the patio at [The Pearl at Longshore](https://www.pearlatlongshore.com/). There are restrooms, picnic tables, and water fountains open to the public as well.

As you leave Longshore Club Park, make a right onto Compo Rd South, At the stop sign, you will see the @photo[most famous monument](1628498) in Westport, @point[The Minuteman.](d,4787.62)  If you are lucky, it will be decorated for a holiday & you can snap a fun picture. Turn right onto Compo Beach Rd. You will pass a marina. You will have the option of turning right into the parking lot. Don't worry about the daily ($30-$50) parking fee, no charge for bike riders! More great views, barbecue grills, sand volleyball courts, restrooms, and an active playground. Another more casual eating option, 
[Joey's By The Seashore](http://www.yelp.com/biz/joeys-by-the-shore-westport). It's better than your typical seaside concession stand, and, in fact, has decent seafood options. Be sure to get off your bike, and stick your toes in the sand and @photo[salt water of the Long Island Sound](1628489). Rodney Dangerfield (once a Westporter himself) once said, "I love CT beaches, you walk out a mile and the water is up to your ankles." It's super fun to walk from sandbar to sandbar.

Hop back on your bike and follow the shoreline. At the second stop sign, you can turn into another town beach parking lot, @point[Old Mill](d,6827.92). In the back corner of the parking lot at 11 0'clock, you'll see a small road. You'll see a small road that leads back to a few connected garages. Get off your bike, and walk out onto the bridge of the old mill. Great place for birding.

Another option: make a right out of Old Mill beach and stop at [Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve](http://www.westportct.gov/index.aspx?page=99). This is a @point[great rest area](d,7010.49) with benches surrounded by native plantings, a boat launch, and shore birds galore. @photo[This is also our turnback point](1628490).

You'll double back along Hillspoint Rd and make a right on Compo Rd South. You'll pass the Minuteman monument, Longshore Club Park and reach a @point[low narrow bridge](d,10059.32). If you are uncomfortable riding under the bridge, stop at the crosswalk before the bridge and walk your bike on the sidewalk under the bridge. It might be worth it to stay on the sidewalk until you cross the next @point[big intersection with a traffic light](d,10159.73).

Or, make a left down Elaine Rd. Note; if you head down this road, you will have to @slice[climb a mid-size hill](d,10625.39,10812.95) to get back out. @photo[The views are worth it](1628532). This is the [Saugatuck River boat launch](http://www.lisrc.uconn.edu/coastalaccess/site.asp?siteid=561). You'll see river side of the sinking ship & cafe, [The Black Duck](http://www.blackduckwestport.com/) which was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. You'll also see lots of SUPs. [Downunder!](http://www.downunderct.com/), a local SUP and surf shop with great tours is located on the river. To your right, you might see rowing teams as the [Saugatuck Rowing Club](http://www.saugatuckrowing.com/) is located just up the river.

Follow Underhill Prkwy out. Make a right on Bridge St and a left on Compo Rd South. Bridge St is busy and has a small shoulder to ride on. As you get closer to the @point[intersection](d,11162.58), you may want to walk your bike across the road using the sidewalk and crossing signal.

Compo Rd South is busy but has a designated bike lane that is used regularly by runners, walkers and bikers. If you make a right onto @point[Green Acres Ln](d,12187.82), you'll be in for a treat. You'll have to earn it though, the biggest climb of the route is on this road. There's a hidden 16-acres green space called [Haskins Preserve](http://aspetucklandtrust.org/maps/ALT-001-map_haskins.pdf) in this neighborhood. Lots of off-leash dogwalkers here. If you're okay with that, @photo[get off your bike and walk one of the wooded trails](1628492) on the property.

Make a right out of the preserve and a left onto Dogwood Ln. You'll hit @point[Compo Rd South](d,13610.61). You want to go straight onto Thomas Ln. Reminder: Compo Rd South is busy, so use caution crossing the road.

You can take Thomas Rd right into the @point[Imperial Ave parking lot](d,14029.08) if you'd like to get off your bike and explore downtown Westport on foot. There's a bike rack behind the [Westport Farmer's Market](http://westportfarmersmarket.com/) lot (the front lot). Walk to [The Granola Bar](http://thegranolabarct.com/) ,  @poi[right up Post Rd East](1956550). It's a hip & happening breakfast & lunch spot.

If you'd like to explore the outskirts of downtown via bike, make a right onto Imperial Ave. There's another green space on the right, @point[right before you reach Jessup Rd.](d,14290.62). The property, [Baron's South](https://06880danwoog.com/tag/barons-south/), looks largely abandoned at this point, but it's considered an open space sanctuary. It's apporved for passive recreation. You'll have to hike up rugged walkway to get to the top of this property. There's an outlet onto Compo Rd South too.

Continue on Imperial Ave and CAREFULLY cross Post Rd East. @point[This is a dangerous intersection](d,14489.39). There is a crosswalk that you can use to walk your bike across the road. you are now on Myrtle Ave. [Westport Historical Society ](http://westporthistory.org/)is located on the last block of Myrtle Ave @point[on the left](d,14970.62). This is the best place for Westport souvenirs! Westport Town hall is on your right. Home of the mural, [“Saugatuck in the 19th Century”](https://06880danwoog.com/tag/kathie-motes-bennewitz/) by Robert Lambdin.

Make a left on Main St and a quick right onto Parker Harding Plaza. Ride out on @point[Gorham Island](d,15399.55). Parker Harding Plaza is busy so you may want to walk your bike on the sidwalk that follows the riverfront. Definitely use the crosswalk to Cross Post Rd East.

Unfortunately, the only @poi[bike rack](1956566) at this point is on the other side of the library. You'll either have to ride up to the [Westport Library](http://westportlibrary.org/)'s bike rack and walk back, or lock your bike up to a sign or small tree. If you're riding with someone, lock your bikes together as a deterent from theft.

You have plenty of Downtown eating choices. The spots mentioned are "official pitstops". One restaurant each week offers discounts to Westport Bike Rentals riders. Check out our [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/westportbikerentals/?fref=ts) for up-to-date info.
* [Vespa](http://vespawestport.com/) Italian with outdoor seating, views of river
* [NEAT](http://neatwestport.com/) coffee to cocktails
* [Bartaco](http://bartaco.com/location/westport/) small bites and outdoor seating with views of river
* [Acqua](http://www.yelp.com/biz/acqua-ristorante-westport) Mediterranean fare, outdoor seating 
* [Rothbard Ale & Larder ](http://www.rothbardct.com/)German fare with great pretzels and outdoor seating 
* [Spotted Horse Tavern](http://spottedhorsect.com/) lively bar area and outdoor seating 
* [Le Rouge Chocolates](https://lerougebyaarti.com/) for chocolate emergencies. 
* [Green & Tonic](https://greenandtonic.com/) for plant based to-go meals and awesome smoothies
* [323 Main](http://www.323main.com/) bar fare with largest tv in Westport

Once again, @point[crossing Post Rd East](d,15702.94) is dangerous. Please walk your bike across the intersection using the crosswalk and the crossing signal.

Follow Jessup Rd. Notice the @poi[outdoor ping pong table ](1956567)next to the lower level of the library. Behind Westport Library is the [Levitt Pavilion](http://levittpavilion.com/). By day, it's empty and makes for an ideal picnic location. By night, loads of free concerts. Consider seeing a show in the evening. There is also a short & quaint @poi[riverwalk ](1956568)with @photo[excellent views of the Saugatuck River](1628533).

At the end of Jessup Rd, turn right onto Imperial Ave. You'll pass another town park, @poi[Grace K. Salmon Park](1956570) on the right.

At the end of Imperial Ave, turn left onto Bridge St. This is another narrow, busy bridge, even the @slice[walkway is narrow](d,18201.1,18539.2). It may be best to walk across the bridge and use the @point[cross walk to onto Riverside Ave](d,18535.93).

You are now in Saugatuck. Lots of choices here too.
* [Fleishers Craft Kitchen](https://www.fleishers.com/locations/westport-ct-kitchen/): locally sourced with outdoor seating
* [The Boathouse at Saugatuck Rowing Club](http://www.saugatuckrowing.com/dining-2/): newly opened to the public, great views
* [Tarry Lodge](http://tarrylodge.com/): celebrity chef restaurant

When you are done exploring Saugatuck, head up Riverside Ave to the train station. Make a left onto Railroad Pl until you see the station where you began your easy, breezy day.

# More resources
* Hotels: [The Westport Inn](http://www.westportinn.com/) , [The Inn at Longshore](http://innatlongshore.com/)
* Official CT Tourism website:[Visit Connecticut](http://live-ctvisit.pantheonsite.io/)
* NYC Train Schedule & Travel Deals:  [MetroNorth Getaway Package](http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/outbound.htm)
* [Local Weather](https://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:06880.1.99999)
* [Downtown Westport parking map](https://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:06880.1.99999)
* [Celebrate Westport Calendar](http://www.westportct.gov/index.aspx?page=562)
* [Sunrise/Sunset](http://dateandtime.info/citysunrisesunset.php?id=4845585&month=5&year=2016)
* [Tides](http://www.longshoresailingschool.com/tide)

# Important Reminders

Please read [How to Have An Easy Breezy Day](https://westportbikerentals.com/start-your-easy-breezy-day/), a step-by-step guide to enjoying your day riding through Westport. Slow down, explore, have fun, and come back for more! Check out our other routes.

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