Newburyport

Newburyport is a lovely coastal town in Massachusetts at the mouth of the Merrimack River. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful natural areas, water activities and fine dining.

Understand

Get in

By car

• Interstate 95, Exit 57.
• Accessible by Routes 1 and 1A.

By train

• MBTA, [phone], , more specifically the commuter rail from Boston's North Station.

By boat

Newburyport is located at the mouth of the Merrimack River. Call the Newburyport Harbormaster at [phone] for specific information on your trip to Newburyport.

By air

• Plum Island Community Airfield (FAA LID: 2B2), Plum Island Turnpike, Phone: [phone]. Small airfield. Scenic flights available.
• Most travelers would arrive at Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS ^IATA) or Manchester Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, NH

By Bus

• Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) Route 51 services Newburyport.

Get around

See

• Cushing House Museum and Garden, 98 High St, ☎ [phone]. This 21-room brick Federal home houses the Historical Society of Old Newbury. Visitors are treated to the treasures of the area’s rich historic past, encompassing every aspect of life from the countryside to the city and its merchants. There are guided tours, exhibits, special events, and lectures. Open May-October, Tue-Fri, 10am-4pm, Saturday, 11am-2pm.Last tour begins one hour before closing. Admission Charged. 
• Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water St, ☎ [phone]. Mar-Dec, Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 12PM-4PM. Housed in the restored 1835 granite Custom House, the museum exhibits artifacts form Newburyport’s rich maritime history as a major shipbuilding center and seaport, sending ships to the Far East and around the world. Admission charged. 
• Joppa Flats Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 1 Plum Island Turnpike. 8:30AM-4PM. $2. 
• Maudslay State Park, ☎ [phone]. Curzon Mill Rd. Daily 8AM-Sunset. A 480-acre state park with 19th century garden plantings, rolling meadows, pine forests and mountain laurel. Walking, biking, horseback riding, picnics and cross-country skiing are available to the public. A seasonal outdoor theater and performance center are on the grounds. A real gem along the banks of the Merrimack River. Best in May and June. Parking is $2. 
• Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, ☎ [phone]. Off Plum Island Tpke. A 4,662-acre sanctuary located on Plum Island. The entrance to the refuge is situated less than four miles from Market Square, the historic center of downtown Newburyport. The refuge contains a wide variety of habitats including beaches, sand dunes, saltmarshes, salt pannes, freshwater impoundments, and maritime forests. The large salt pannes located on the west side of the refuge road are excellent places to see a large variety of shorebirds during fall migration (July through September) and egrets and herons from mid-April through October. The Hellcat Wildlife Observation Area has large freshwater impoundments, an extensive swamp, and deciduous forest. The impoundments and swamp usually support large numbers of waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds. The woodlands are excellent places during the spring and fall to observe large numbers of migrating songbirds, including the magnificent wood-warblers. Near the southern end of the island, Stage Island Pool is also excellent for waterfowl and waders. Sandy Point State Reservation at the sound end of Plum Island is a breeding area for the endangered Piping Plover during the summer and a very productive site in fall for shorebirds. During the winter, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to see waterfowl plus many northern species that winter in our area. Highlight species include the Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Shrike, and Snowy Owl. 
• Newburyport Whale Watch, 54 Merrimac Street, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. On the boardwalk. Also dinner cruises and charters. 
• Yankee Clipper Harbor Tours, 1 Merrimac Street #26, ☎ [phone]. Jun-Oct daily. Harbor tours leaving Waterfront Park. Adults $12, Children $6. Sunset cruise 6:30PM - 8:00PM; Adults $18, children $10. 

Do

Festivals

• Yankee Homecoming Festival - Begins Last Saturday in July (2008- July 26 - Aug. 3), ☎ [phone]. The week long celebration of the first settlers to the Newburyport area. It features an art show, an antique car show, boat parade, the "Bed Race", a fireworks show, and, of course a parade on the last Sunday of the festival. There are concerts every night at the waterfront park. 
• Newburyport Riverfront Music Festival, ☎ [phone]. This two-day music festival features national recording artists at the waterfront park in downtown Newburyport. Admission is Free. 
• Newburyport Buskers Festival (August 31 & September 1, 2008), ☎ [phone]. This two-day festival is fun for all ages. Street performers of all kinds entertain crowds throughout downtown Newburyport. Admission is Free. 
• Newburyport Fall Harvest Festival, ☎ [phone]. This two-day festival is the perfect way to celebrate autumn in Newburyport. Crafters and artists fill the streets of downtown. Admission is Free. 

Recreation

• Plum Island Kayak, 38R Merrimac, Unit 102B, ☎ [phone]. Instruction or guided river, wildlife refuge, full moon or Isle of Shoals tours. 

Boat Charters

• Atlantis Charter, 18 Russell Terrace, ☎ [phone]. Charter (fishing, whale watching, etc.) 6 passengers. 
• Coastal Discoveries, 55 Hay Street, ☎ [phone]. Marine environmental education program. Charterboats for fishing, evening cruises, etc. 
• Full Moon Classic Yacht Charters, 253 Low Street, ☎ [phone]. Suite 305. Certified for up to 49 people year round. Summer only. 
• Lady Diane Charters, 68 Curzon Mill Road, ☎ [phone]. Lady Diane Charters offers Bass, Bluefish & Mackerel fishing, whale watching, dive charters and scenic cruises from May 15 through October 15. 
• Tunacious Sportfishing Charters, ☎ [phone]. Hilton’s Marina, Merrimac St. Sportfishing charters aboard a 33' Blackfin for Giant Bluefin Tuna, Sharks, Cod, Haddock, Striped Bass and Bluefish. 

Buy

• The Book Rack, 52 State St, ☎ [phone]. Small bookstore carrying a well curated selection of new books. There is also a selection of toys and cards. The Book Rack is attached to a coffee shop. (updated Aug 2015)
• Jabberwocky Bookshop, 50 Water St #22 (Tannery Marketplace), ☎ [phone]. Large bookstore located in an old factory a short walk from the center of Newburyport. Jabberywocky has a huge selection that should suit any reader and has a second floor dedicated to children's books. They host an ongoing author talk series on Friday nights. (updated Aug 2015)
• Richdale Store, 1 Pleasant St, ☎ [phone]. Somewhat corny tourist store that used to be a general store. Richdale carries 120 different penny candies, 25 cent hot dogs, a big selection of souvenir clothing, beer, wine, and some food items. There's also a Dunkin Donuts in the store. (updated Aug 2015)
• Oldies Marketplace, 27 Water St, ☎ [phone]. Huge antique shop located in an old warehouse on the waterfront. Books, clothing, furniture, kitchenwares, music, old signs, and pretty much anything else you could want. (updated Aug 2015)

Eat

Budget

• Lexie's on State, 88 State St, ☎ [phone]. 11:30AM-8PM. Lexie's is a hole-in-the wall burger joint with a small, but creative menu. There are several burger options all of which can be made with beef, chicken, or bean patties. You can get fries with a selection of toppings or as-is. Lexie's also serves a small selection of draft beer and makes milkshakes to order. (updated Aug 2015)

Mid-range

• Agave Mexican Bistro, ☎ [phone]. Authentic Mexican restaurant on three floors, each with its own atmosphere. 
• The Black Cow, 54 Merrimac St, ☎ [phone]. # R. Comfortable and classy waterfront location with a diverse menu. Moderately priced: Appetizers, $5 — $14; entrées, $9 - $25 
• Gallery and Grille, 26 Market Square, ☎ [phone]. Sun-Thur 11:30-8PM; Fr,Sa 11:30AM-9PM. Hours reduced in winter. Nice casual atmosphere with art displayed. $10-$17. 
• The Grog, 13 Middle Street, ☎ [phone]. Daily 11:30AM-10PM. Dinner $10-$20. 
• The Purple Onion, 44 Inn St, ☎ [phone]. M-F 11:00AM-8PM. Sa-Su 11AM-4PM. (Closed Sun. in off season.). Fun, funky, different stuff. 
• Wild Bites, 65-A Market St, ☎ [phone]. Creative Italian. $12-$30. 

Splurge

• Plum Island Grille, ☎ [phone]. M-Th 5PM-9PM, F,Sa 4PM-9:30PM, Su 4PM-8PM. Great views to go with the excellent food and service. Year round. 
• Glenn's Restaurant and Cool Bar, 44 Merrimac Street, ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su 5:30PM-?. Acclaimed chef. 

Super Splurge

• Newburyport Lighthouse, 1/2 Water St, toll-free: +1-800-727-BEAM (2326). 61. Climb the 55 stairs to the top of this lighthouse, then select (for delivery) from multi-course gourmet meals offered by Newburyport's finest. Reservations required months ahead. $375 per couple, all you can eat, includes membership in the Lighthouse Preservation Society (with possible tax deductibility). Bring your own liquor. 

Drink

• Upstairs at Michael's Harborside, One Tournament Wharf, ☎ [phone]. 11:30AM-1AM. 
• Newburyport Brewing Company, 4 New Pasture Rd, ☎ [phone]. Small brewery with a good sized taproom that can accommodate large groups. Newburyport does a range of styles, but is known for their Plum Island Belgian White and Green Head IPA. the taproom frequently hosts live music and you can bring your own food. Samples are free and pints are $5. (updated Aug 2015)
• Riverwalk Brewing Co., 3 Graf Rd #15, ☎ [phone]. Despite its small size, Riverwalk brews a decent range of styles, including the hard to find ESB. Their beers tend towards the hoppy side of the spectrum, but are not overly bitter. The taproom is very small, but samples are free and they distribute them efficiently so even large crowds can move through quickly. Tours are also offered. (updated Aug 2015)
• Atomic Cafe, 56 State St, ☎ [phone]. Coffee shop that roasts its own beans. Atomic Cafe is a good place for a strong espresso drink or a cold brew. They also serve beer and wine and have a small sandwich menu. In the evening, they serve cheese and charcuterie plates to go with your drink. Atomic Cafe's beans are available for purchase in the store and they are also attached to a small bookstore. (updated Aug 2015)

Sleep

• The Essex Street Inn, 7 Essex Street, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 27 rooms. 
• Morrill Place Inn, 209 High St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone] rooms, 5 with bath 
• Garrison Inn, 11 Brown Square, ☎ [phone]. 24 rooms in 1809 inn. 

Go next

Routes through Newburyport

Portsmouth ← Salisbury ←	N  S	→ West Newbury → Boston
Portsmouth ← Salisbury ←	N  S	→ Newbury → Boston
Portsmouth ← Salisbury ←	N  S	→ Newbury → Boston
Haverhill ← West Newbury ←	W  E	→ END
Beverly ← Rowley ←	SW  NE	→ END