Lovely Finds on the South Coast of Massachusetts
Article by Contributor Tricia Bielinski
The sunny southeastern area of Massachusetts referred to as the “South Coast” covers a wide area of many towns that comprise Bristol and Plymouth counties and also borders Buzzards Bay, the beginning of Cape Cod.
Two of those towns are Dartmouth and Westport, sandwiched between the cities of New Bedford and Fall River. They neighbor each other and evoke all of the cozy rusticness that is synonymous with New England. Stone walls built by hand and wide open fields, many of which are a part of the region’s many farms, make for a picturesque drive as you meander your way through country roads. You’ll relish in the charm of the historic and vintage homes that seem to always be lit with the glow of candles no matter what the time of year. Signs for fresh eggs and locally grown produce are easy to come by and getting lost is a welcome event as you never know what little gem you’ll stumble upon.
One such gem is Davoll’s General Store in South Dartmouth. Operating as a general store since the late 1700s, it underwent an expansion in 2021 and now includes a bookstore, cafe, and pub as well as grocery.
This place is as darling as one can get. You can sit and have a warming cup of tea with some breakfast or lunch, or come by on a Friday night for their special dinners and a local beer or glass of wine. You’ll find dishes made with the ingredients of the area, rife with the flavors of the season. They host many events including a book of the month club and pub quiz nights as well…and don’t be surprised if you happen upon some live fiddle or acoustic music on their calendar.
If you fancy some movement after a hearty meal (or to work up an appetite before said meal), just around the corner from Davoll’s is Destruction Brook Woods. This is the longest trail in South Dartmouth at just over 5 miles but still a refreshing 1.5 hour walk suitable for any level of trekker.
If that wasn’t enough, less than 10 minutes from all of this sits Westport Rivers Vineyard in Westport. At 80 acres, this is the largest vineyard in New England and the owners and winemakers focus on traditional methods with a sustainable platform. Their list boasts many wines, almost all of which are made from estate grown grapes. Of particular note is their Blancs de Blancs sparkling wine and the Pinot Noir. On a recent visit, I tried their dry Riesling that could easily hold its own against an Austrian or German counterpart.
You can visit Westport Monday through Saturday for a tasting or a bottle with friends, but be sure to check out their website for their summer events including their Music Series and their annual Vine to Table summer dinner. Tickets go fast so be sure to plan in advance!
Be it a winter’s drive or a summer weekend stay, don’t miss out on the beauty of the South Coast and all it has to offer.
Featured Image: Courtesy of marinas.com