Day Trip: Newburyport

Day Trip: Newburyport

In just one hour from Concord, you can get to the lovely coastal town of Newburyport – so much to see and do!

The Newburyport Waterfront Park is a vibrant 4.4 acre park in the center of Newburyport’s downtown waterfront. The Park includes six public access points from the heart of downtown to a 1100 foot boardwalk and its memorial benches along the Merrimac River, a sculpture park, and a large grass area fronting on the Merrimac River.

Visit the Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water Street, Newburyport

Open Thursdays – Sundays this year

The CHMM is a dynamic maritime history museum; education and cultural center; emerging research facility; and a meeting place for people seeking a unique venue for professional or social gatherings. We connect our vibrant past to our living present through our relationships with local educational, artistic, business, and environmental organizations.

Housed in this historic structure, the CHMM’s unique collection of maritime objects, art, models, and historical documents reflect the rich history of the region from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. (www.customhousemaritimemuseum.org)

Current Exhibit: Entertainment for Man and Horse

Victuals Libations and Distractions in an Early American Tavern open JULY 2020 – JULY  2021

How about a Whale Watch? Check out Newburyport Whale Watch  (54 Merrimac Street, Newburyport)  – they’ll take you on the   Merrimack River and into the Gulf of Maine where we can find a variety of marine life such as  Humpback, Finback, & Minke Whales as well as Porpoise, Seals, Sharks and an array of Sea Birds. The season runs from May through October. Directly Book Online or please call 1-800-848-1111 or 1-978-499-0832 (outside New England) to make your reservation today!

The Parker River Wildlife Refuge was established in 1941 to provide feeding, resting, and nesting habitat for migratory birds. It is most commonly associated with Plum Island – a barrier beach island – the refuge is comprised of more than 4700 acres of diverse habitats including sandy beach and dune, cranberry bog, maritime forest and shrub land, and freshwater marsh. The most abundant habitat on the refuge is its 3,000+ acres of salt marsh, one of the most productive ecosystems in nature. Parker River provides pristine coastal habitat for over 300 species of resident and migratory birds, as well as a large variety of mammals, insects, fish, reptiles and amphibians. The refuge also provides critical habitat for the federally threatened piping plover.

The refuge headquarters and visitor center is located at 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA, 01950.  Phone: (978) 465-5753.  General email address: parkerriver@fws.gov.

Explore the beautiful barrier island, Plum Island nearby!

Pick up picnic items or take-out from one of these spots in Newburyport:

• Abraham Bagels and Pizza, 11 Liberty Street, Newburyport
• Lolo Poke, 47 Pleasant Street, Newburyport
• Joppa Fine foods, 50 Water Street, Newburyport
• Purple Onion, 144 Inn Street, Newburyport

Check out www.Newburyport.com  – a great resource for more info about Newburyport.

Have a fabulous day in Newburyport!