Visiting Newburyport MA

A "fisherman" in downtown Newburyport holds flyers for harbor cruises. Photo/C. Danko © 2001-2009

If a postcard-pretty New England seaport with clean beaches nearby, stately Federalist-style homes, a lively downtown, and sunset cruises sounds about right, Newburyport may be what you're looking for. About 45 minutes north of Boston, Newburyport is centrally located for touring not only Eastern Massachusetts and other North Shore communities, but also southern New Hampshire and Maine. Like many seaports, its downtown is filled with small arts and crafts shops with nautical and New England themes, a few good restaurants, and the occasional night spot. As you walk along the brick sidewalks, you'll see historic mansions, gardens, and old mill buildings converted into shops. Summer concerts and events are often held at its harbor and park, which fronts the Merrimack River before it feeds into the Atlantic Ocean. The main attraction, though, is Plum Island - a barrier island close by that is attached to the mainland by bridge.

Vacation cottages fill the interior of the northern half of Plum Island, while the exterior offers town-run and private beaches. Because the island is unsheltered from the Atlantic, the waves are relatively strong for New England. The beaches are long enough that you can often find private areas, if you're willing to walk a little distance from the parking areas. Plum Island Lighthouse is on the northern section of the island. The southern stretch of the island is mostly a federal preserve called the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, with miles of beaches, walking trails, and reservation land great for wildlife viewing. The state's Sandy Point State Reservation is located on the southern tip of the island and is accessible through the federal refuge area. The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has several parking lots spread out down the island, but spaces tend to fill up quickly on beautiful days.

Things you should know

Beach admission prices on Plum Island usually run in the $5-$10 range, a price significantly cheaper than the two-digit prices you can expect to pay on most other popular North Shore beaches. If you visit the Parker River Refuge, you pay once to get in, and then you can spend the rest of the day sampling the various beaches until you find the one that suits you perfectly. The best time to visit Plum Island beaches is mid-August through mid-September. In the spring, up until July, the Parker River Refuge beaches are closed to the public to protect the threatened piping plover, a small bird that sprints along the beach on tiny legs and breeds in upper beach areas. Much of the beach areas reopen in July, but Greenheads, which are aggressive, biting insects, can ruin your day. Greenheads go away sometime in August. The town-run beaches in the northern section don't have public restrooms. Two of Parker River's parking lots - 1 and 4 - have handicap accessible restrooms.

Cruises

You have your choice of daytime harbor tours, sunset cruises, or whale watches, all departing from Newburyport harbor:

Yankee Clipper Harbor Tours
Newburyport Whale Watch outings

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

The refuge is not only beaches, it's birds, butterflies, deer, and owls. It is walking trails, observation towers, marshes and beaches. And its visitors are swimmers, photographers, fishermen, and kayakers.

Good Eating

Firehouse - This old firehouse in the center of town includes an art gallery, a theater, and public bathrooms
The Grog - The restaurant's downstairs is a club with roster of performers you might expect to hear in Boston
Joseph's Winter Street Cafe - The owners restored an old tavern and turned it into a romantic dining experience
Plum Island Grille - Good eating on Plum Island, with a scenic view of the marshes
Agave Mexican Bistro - You might expect seafood in Newburyport, but its Mexican is pretty good too

Newburyport Attractions and Resources

Plum Island
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Sandy Point State Reservation
Plum Island Lighthouse - located in the northern section of the island
Piping Plovers - Learn more about the threatened birds
Newburyport Chamber of Commerce - Has more information on the area that you may find helpful
Newburyport Art Association