Whether you’re on vacation or in need of a break without going anywhere, ’s premier business, dining and entertainment district has upped its entertainment game from check-in to encore.
Think of it as an all-in-one night out. Or two. With 13 restaurants including the county’s tallest rooftop bar, a playhouse, a comedy club, a blues club, a Rawlings Experience store and other specialty shops, and two newly renovated hotels, there’s plenty of eats, rhythms and rooms to entertain even the most active visitor. Oh, and don’t forget the 20,000-square-foot plaza that is ground zero for concerts, movie nights and games.
“It’s definitely a unique space for visitors to experience whatever entertainment options they’re looking for,” said Todd Hotaling, vice president of sales and revenue for the complex. “Guests can eat dinner, watch a movie in the plaza, listen to their favorite band and sleep — all in the same block and all in one night.”
For Harrison Seigel, events and marketing manager at Westport, it’s all about how the entertainment trends have changed.
“These days people don’t really want to just sit around and have a beer,” he said. “Today, you have groups of friends looking for an experience, one that provides all-inclusive choices like entertainment, games, live music and more. They’re more like, ‘let’s go do dzٳԲ.’ĝ
And do something they can at Westport. With a cultured and distinctive blend of old and new, the district provides an entertainment environment unlike any other. New to the site is the immersive Rawlings Experience retail store, where visitors can design their own custom baseball glove or explore priceless artifacts highlighting the game’s greatest moments and careers.
In terms of food, Basso on the Plaza, Three Sixty Westport and the Soda Fountain Express add to the delectable offerings, along with an additional 10 on-site restaurants and bars. Basso’s floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the plaza, its open kitchen and cozy fireplace add even more ambiance to the modern Italian cuisine that takes center stage. Three Sixty Westport, a modern rooftop bar with incredible views, offers guests an expansive wine list, including bottles handpicked by the sommelier, specialty cocktails and delicious small plates. Visitors will also enjoy the cheeseburgers, phosphate sodas and ice cream sundaes at the Soda Fountain.
Westport Plaza
Located in the center of the village at Westport Plaza, the newly built 20,000-square-foot green space is the place to gather. A calendar of events keeps residents entertained throughout the spring, summer and fall months with concerts, outdoor movies, workouts and family festivals. The dog-friendly lawn has lounge seating and a full bar.
On the third Thursday of each month from May to September, Parties on the Plaza features free concerts by iconic local bands. Movie nights are held on the second Friday of each month, and they feature face painting, caricatures and yard games. Throughout the week, area fitness clubs, such as 1st Phorm and TruFusion, host workout classes that are open to the public. The plaza also hosts community walks and fireworks in July, and the event season culminates on Oct. 19 with the ever-popular annual Oktoberfest celebration.
Seigel said the venue is popular for pre- and post-entertainment options for individuals attending area concerts, including ample free parking. In addition to the entertainment events on the plaza, Westport offers a variety of Broadway and off-Broadway shows at the Playhouse, professional comics at the Funny Bone Comedy Club and live music at Trainwreck Saloon.
For those wanting to check in to more fun, the Sheraton Westport Plaza Hotel and Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel are ideally suited for business, leisure and weekend getaways.
So — what are you waiting for?
For more information on Westport Plaza, please visit . Click for a list of upcoming events.
