Plum Island Light House/Newburyport Harbor Light

Guide Us Through the Channel

The Historic Plum Island Light House

The Plum Island Light House also know as the Plum Island Light or the Newburyport Harbor Light, has a very interesting history. It was first lit in 1788 with a lantern burning whale oil. And it was the 13^th lighthouse to be constructed in the U.S.. It was needed to guide boaters into the treacherous mouth of the Merrimack River and into Newburyport Harbor. The strong currents and shifting sands at the mouth of the harbor present a serious challenge to boaters to this day.

Newburyport Harbor was very active and important to the U.S. for whaling, fishing, shipbuilding, and trade. There were many ships coming in and out of Newburyport Harbor. Before the lighthouse was built, fires on the beach in Plum Island were used to guide mariners. It was the business people of Newburyport in the 1780s that paid to build the Plum Island Lighthouse. President George Washington appointed the first keeper of the Plum Island Lighthouse, Abner Lowell. And three generations of Lowells served as lighthouse keepers at the Plum Island Lighthouse.

There were storms that damaged and original Plum Island Lighthouse. In addition, shifting sands meant that the Lighthouse had to be moved several times.

The current lighthouse dates from 1898. Since 1927 the lighthouse has been powered by electricity. The last keeper left the Lighthouse in 1951 when the light was automated. Today the lighthouse flashes a green light to guide boaters. It is still very important to have this lighthouse in operation to guide boats safely through the turbulent area where the Merrimack River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

The Plum Island Lighthouse is located across from the Park River National Wildlife Refuge at the northern section of Plum Island.

Today the lighthouse is owned by the City of Newburyport. Friends of Plum Island Light lease it from the City and care for it. The grounds are open to the public. The Friends of Plum Island Light offer periodic public tours inside the Plum Island Lighthouse.

The picture perfect Plum Island Lighthouse is one of the great lighthouses to visit in New England and the North Shore. It’s a “must see” for any lighthouse enthusiast and worth the visit if you are in the Greater Newburyport area. For more general information on Plum Island attractions visit our Plum Island Beach page and check out our Plum Island Parking article for parking lot information.

Directions:

From the Newburyport Harbor Range Lights on Water Street in downtown Newburyport, continue east on Water Street for 1.3 miles, where Water Street will become Plum Island Turnpike. Follow the turnpike for 1.8 miles to Plum Island, and then turn left on Northern Boulevard. Continue on Northern Boulevard for 1.3 miles to the northern end of the island, where you will see the lighthouse on your left.

Plum Island Light House

263 Northern Boulevard
Newburyport, MA 01950
FriendsofpiLight@gmail.com

The Friends of Plum Island Light maintain the lighthouse and host lighthouse tours. Email to reserve a time.

Tour the Plum Island Light:

Tour the Plum Island Light: May 27th June 24th, July 22nd, August 5th & 26th or September 9th. Reserve a time slot on these days between 10 am – 12:45 pm. Each 15 minute time slot is limited to 5 people and only one person in the group needs to sign up. Reserve a time in advance and be aware that there are not any rain dates. All attendees must be a minimum of 5 years old and at least 42 inches high, and be wearing sturdy shoes. A suggested donation of $5 per person is greatly appreciated to help care for the Plum Island Lighthouse. If tours are fully booked, sometimes there might be opportunities to book a private tour, depending on various factors such as availability of volunteers.

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The Walking Tours of Plum Island, led by Bill Sargent of Plum Island Outdoors are wonderful way to explore and learn about this beautiful and fascinating barrier island. The 2023 tours will run every Sunday from 10 – 11:30 am from March through Memorial Day weekend. The summer schedule may have some modifications and will be released in May. These 90-minute walking tours, start at the North Point of the Island by the Plum Island Lighthouse, guide participants down to the South Jetty and return back to the North Point. The Walking Tours of Plum Island are held rain or shine so be prepared with rain gear if necessary. In the instance of cancellation due to severe weather, event changes will be communicated on the Plum Island Outdoors facebook page. Given the length and significant walking, this tour may not be appropriate for young children.

During these beautiful walks there is much to explore and discover. You will see horseshoe crabs, woolly mammoth, terns, and striped bass. Investigate the Coast Guard archaeology site and speculate on whether some of the artifacts could have been used to set U-boat nets across the Merrimack River.

Visit the Sand Machine where up to an acre of sand flows through natural weirs in the South Jetty during high course tides and view impacts of beach erosion and the dredging project that is being done to protect and restore the Reservation Terrace area of Plum Island and the Newburyport Harbor. Learn about ongoing collaborative efforts of: local residents, the Army Corps of Engineers, local nonprofits and politicians at all levels; as they have joined together to implement both short and long term solutions to rebuild and preserve this cherished beach and home.

Walking Tours of Plum Island participation cost is $10 per person cash at the start of the tour. Participants can park in the North Point Newburyport Beach parking lot. The weekend parking lot cost is $20 for non-residents and $12 for Newburyport residents with a valid Plum Island Beach Parking lot sticker. The What should you bring for the trip? We recommend a camera, sensible shoes and a keen sense of humor!

Bill Sargent is well respected as an authority on this beautiful area of Plum Island and has been featured by many local and regional publications. Bill is the author of over 20 books about science and the environment, including “Islands in the Storm”, “Plum Island 4000 Years on a Barrier Beach,” and “Plum Island 2016.”

Plum Island Aerial Video Views:

Newburyport is thrilled to host Restaurant Week 2023 from Sunday, March 12th through Sunday, March 26th, an amazing opportunity to experience exceptional food & drinks from top North Shore restaurants. Organized by the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, participating restaurants are featuring a selection of lunch and dinner prefix menus offering strong value with a range of price points. Reservations are highly recommended and we encourage folks to try at least a couple of new restaurants as you just might discover a new favorite place.

Menu Pricing Options:
Lunch Selections: $22, $26, $32
Dinner Selections: $36, $42, $46

Although this event is referred to as Restaurant Week, it is intentionally hosted for two full weeks giving folks plenty of time to make it to their favorite places and to experience a few new restaurants as well. Although most participating restaurants are located in Newburyport, this is a community wide event and we encourage folks to explore newer places such as such as sin•a•loa Tacos & Tequila in Salisbury Beach.

Restaurant week is the perfect reason to make plans with friends, or get out for an overdue date night. Reservations are not required but they are strongly encouraged for this very popular foodie event. Check participating restaurant websites and social media pages for menu offerings and reservation information. Click on participating restaurants name below for a direct links to the business facebook page and the Instagram handles and phone numbers are also listed for your convenience.

Participating Restaurants:

Bar25 @bar25nbpt 978-255-3322
Brine Oyster Bar @brineoysterbar 978-358-8479
Grog @thegrogrestaurant 978-465-8008
Joy Nest @thejoynest 978-572-1615
Loretta Restaurant @lorettarestaurant 978-463-0000
Mandarava @mandarava_kitchen 617-819-4381
Metzy’s Cantina @metzyscantina 978-255-7347
Michael’s Harborside @michaelsharborside 978-462-7785
Mission Oak Grill @missionoakgrill 978-463-9009
Nu Kitchen @nu_kitchen 978-954-3271
Oregano Pizzeria & Ristorante @oregano_ristorante 978-462-5013
Paddle Inn @thepaddleinn 978-572-1242
Poynt @poyntnewburyport 978-358-8501
Sea Level Oyster Bar @sealevel_nbpt 978-462-8862
Sin-A-Loa @sin_a_loa 978-961-7310
Starboard Galley @starboardgalleynbpt 978-462-1326
Tuscan Sea Grill @tuscanseagrill 978-465-2211

Although Restaurant Week is designed to highlight Greater Newburyport Restaurants, if your visiting Newburyport we encourage you to make time to experience Newburyport shopping, a wonderful mix of fashion, home decor and and artisan boutiques. In addition to participating restaurants, many Newburyport retailers are offering promotions in a collaborative effort to encourage folks to Shop Local in conjunction with their dining experience.

Take a stroll along the boardwalk and if you’re visiting Thursday – Sunday, Newburport.com recommends exploring Newburyport’s maritime history with a visit to the Custom House Maritime Museum. Just a short distance down the Clipper City Rail Trail you will find the Newburyport Art Association featuring amazing local art exhibitions inside the gallery and amazing creativity and design in the outdoor sculpture garden. The NAA is open Tuesday – Sunday. The Greater Newburyport areas offers many amazing local attractions for folks to explore along with your Greater Newburyport dining and shopping experience.

Summer programs at the Clark School, offer North Shore kids an opportunity to build their own adventures with a mix of traditional summer activities and exciting field trips. Open to kids entering kindergarten through 8th grade, Summer at the Clark School was founded on traditional summer activities but is continuously providing opportunities for exploration of exciting new offerings. Enjoy your favorite hobbies and try something new; play classic games, learn to build a fire, and get creative with cool arts & crafts projects. Explore new horizons with dramatic arts, virtual reality, and 3D printing and more. If your looking for top north shore summer programs, check out the 2023 Summer @ Clark schedule below for specific theme weeks.

Why is the Clark Schools a great option for Summer Activities?

Part of each day at the Clark School summer programs will be focused on that week’s theme and, for the rest of the day, kids are given a selection of activities and even some free time to ride bikes and to engage in another choice hobbies. All activities are optional, and there is more than one choice for each block of the day, offering something for everyone!

Clark School Weekly Summer Program Themes

Week 1: Enchanted Forest – June 20 – 23

This week will take us on a journey of local nature and wildlife experiences. Kids will experience nature hikes at local sanctuaries and parks and will have the option to canoe/kayak on local waterways. On campus games will also reflect our Enchanted Forest Theme as counselors will engage the kids in active play! A number of sensory and crafting activities will be offered throughout the week to participants as their imaginations will inspire whimsical creations of nature crowns, fairy concoctions, miniature gnome tree houses and magic wands . . . just to name a few! Join us for an enchanted week of experiences!

Week 2: Fashion & Design – June 26 – 30

This week will be all about the kids using creativity to create fashion and design! From t-shirt and tye-dye creations and access to poseable mannequins for full ensemble design to pinewood derby mini cars and mini sailboat construction, kids will have the opportunity to showcase and put their finished creations to the test! Field trips to local design studios and art museums are expected, while active campus games will reflect our Fashion & Design themed week! Join us for a fashionably designed week of fun!

Week 3: Time Travel Through History OR Photography Week – July 10-14

This week kids will explore pastimes of history through games, crafts, food and field trips! Trivia and Jeopardy style challenges will be presented to test your knowledge from the early 2000s, 90s, 80s, 70s, 60s and beyond! Kids will have the option to get into character and perform a song or historical scene of the past through their own historical interpretations and improvisation. Trips to local landmarks will enlighten and remind us of what past lives had experienced! Join us as we travel back in time and discover fun!

Week 3: Photography

The Summer at Clark Photography Week is designed to help young photographers at any level improve their skills. Students are required to bring their own digital camera. This can be a phone camera or their own DSLR. iPads or laptops are encouraged for editing so the photographers can store their images and bring them home, though Macs are provided for those that would rather use them. Images will then be uploaded to Google Drive for sharing with family and friends. Half of the time we will be off campus visiting some of the more picturesque locations on the North Shore such as the Crane Estate, Maudslay Parkland locations along our shores. Photographers should come with appropriate footwear for hiking in the woods as well as scampering across shoreline rocks.

Week 4: Water World OR Art Week: July 17-21

This week kids will experience the joys of water fun! From on campus balloon toss games to slip and slides to off campus field trips to local beaches, ponds and paddle boarding adventures; expect a week of wet! Kids will face water challenges through team building games and activities. All crafting activity stations will be inspired by water as kids will figure out how to best manipulate the power of H2O. Join us for a soaking fun time!

Week 4: Art with Jeph Ellis

The Summer at Clark Art Week will engage and entertain your young artists. Each day we will be working on a different project to take home. Lessons will include basic drawing skills and color theory as well as how to create thinking out-of-the-box abstract imagery. We will work with two dimensional mediums, like painting and drawing as well as three dimensional ones. All materials will be provided, however should your artist wish to bring their own materials that they love to use, they are welcome to do so as well.

Week 5: Color War Olympics OR Robotics & Tech Week – July 24-28

Get ready for bright colors, teamwork and Olympic style challenges as kids strive to earn Bronze, Silver and Gold! Kids this week will be placed in teams and compete against each other in athletic and non-athletic challenges. The color war atmosphere stresses spirit, sportsmanship and camaraderie! Join us this week and let your competitive spirit shine!

Week 6: Community Service OR Robotics & Tech Week Week – August 31- September 4

Kids this week will gain an understanding of local community needs and services and will then be tasked with physically assisting local organizations such as donation centers and food pantries. Crafting activities will have a purpose of helping those in need with physical items and time will be allocated for kids to use their artistic creativity to create awareness for local services, organizations and initiatives! Join us this week and help make a difference in your local community!

Week 7: Talent Showcase OR Robotics & Tech Week – August 7-11

Description goes Kids this week will be planning and preparing for an end of the week talent show performance. Kids will also be introduced to other local performers and talents throughout the week to help inspire and guide their performances. Join us this week for a week of entertainment!

Weeks 5, 6 & 7: Robotics & Tech

Develop, design and play! Our Tech program allows kids a hands-on experience and introduction to Scratch (an educational tool for programming), Makey Makey (a coding and commands connector), Minecraft, Virtual Reality and more! Come tinker and develop your tech skills in our very own technology lab! If your kid enjoys all things tech, computer and gaming this the summer program for them!

Registration & Cost:

The cost for Clark School Summer Programs is $325 per person, per week, which includes all activities and fees. Extended Care and Tutoring are offered at an additional cost. Full payment is due via PayPal upon registration and it is recommended to complete the registration on a computer or full tablet (not a smart phone.) Register for summer fun at the Clark School Summer Programs!

Summer Programs Director, Anthony Wijeyesinghe will be happy to answer questions. He can be reached at (978) 777-4699 or by email at summer@clarkschool.com.

Community Theater in the Open

Dynamic Youth Arts & Educational Programming

Youth Arts Collaboration

Theater in the Open

Theater in the Open is dedicated to bringing creative and innovative community theater to the cultural landscape of Greater Newburyport. They stage high-quality original productions each year for the enjoyment of the community and they are dedicated to theater that is free and open to everyone! Theater in the Open is headquartered at Maudslay State Park and they offer youth arts education programs in addition to the free outdoor performances for the community.

Theater in the Open has been bringing theater performances to the public since 1979 when Anna (Clopton) Smulowitz launched the Newburyport Children’s Theater & Arts Education Program. They have also been central to the local arts scene on the North Shore. Throughout their history, the organization has been deeply involved in youth arts education. They provide wonderful opportunities for young people to express themselves and develop skills in theater, dance and visual arts. Theater in the Open hosts workshops that foster constructive, positive, creative experiences for young people. Their highly respected Summer Arts Workshops, provide programming for children aged 5 to 17, offering kids a range of enriching creative opportunities.

In 2017, Theater in the Open was selected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to be the Curator of the Maudslay Gatekeepers’s House. This means that for the next 20 years, Theater in the Open will remain in Maudslay State Park and continue their incredible performances and dynamic youth arts education programming.

Theater in the Open brings the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour to the community each year. This is the biggest fundraising event of the year in support of Theater in the Open. Circus Smirkus is an original full-length show held under a European-style one-ring big top tent at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm.

Discover Theater in the Open’s quality performances. Simply bring a picnic blanket to Maudslay State Park to watch the creativity of this talented community theater company on display!

VISIT

Theater in the Open
1 Spring Lane
Newburyport, MA 01950
info@theaterintheopen.org

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The 2022 annual NEF Lighthouse Auction will be held at the Newburyport City Hall Auditorium. The auction is on Saturday November, 12^th from 6-9:30 pm. This annual event raises over $100,000 that goes directly to support key learning initiatives within the Newburyport Educational system. The 2022 NEF initiatives include: NHS Integrated Arts, Advanced Literacy Instruction & Achievement, District-Wide-SETM, Advanced Studies/MA Career Pathways & Initiative, Instructional Technology PLC, Investment Club at the High School, and Visual & Performing Arts Festival.

Did they say VIP….Support Local and kick off the 2022 NEF Lighthouse Auction as an NEF VIP! Purchase a VIP Package which includes: entry into the event, two drink vouchers, one raffle ticket for the MK Benatti Shopping Spree, one Newburyport VIP Discount Card and a Turkish beach throw. Plus all auction winnings will be hand delivered to VIP homes once the NEF Auction is over! Thank you Bentley’s Real Estate, the NEF VIP Package Sponsor!

Local jeweler and exceptionally generous NEF Auction Sponsor, M.K. Benatti will once again be holding a raffle drawing for a shopping spree at their downtown store. The first prize winner will be treated to a $3,500 shopping spree, with second and third prize winners getting $1,000 and $500 to shop for their jewels. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased online.

The NEF Auction is really a wonderful opportunity to Shop Local! Auction items are donated mostly by local businesses and individuals passionate about supporting our local schools. The 2022 Lighthouse Auction features an amazing selection of auction items, whether your looking to treat yourself to something special or need a unique gift, we highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the auction items.

The Newburyport Education Foundation is a non-profit organization created to offset the financial pressures put on the Newburyport School System. These pressures include rising operating costs because of government mandates, technology needs and rising special education costs.

Please enjoy some of our photos and videos from prior years live auction events. We look forward to the return of the live NEF Lighthouse Auction, hopefully in 2022.

The US Coast Guard Birthday is August 4th and 2023 marks 233 years for this oldest branch of the military. The celebration, as in year’s past, also coincides with Newburyport’s annual Yankee Homecoming festival. The Newburyport station, U.S. Coast Guard Station Merrimack River, is a source of great pride for locals as is the city’s rich maritime history. The US Coast Guard Birthday is a perfect chance to celebrate not only the founding of the Coast Guard but to thank these men and women who protect our waters and perform life saving missions.

Did you know that first revenue cutter, USRC Massachusetts, was built in Newburyport? The vessel was the result of the Tariff Act, signed on August 4, 1790, that authorized a total of 10 cutters to be built and to enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling. Today, the US Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for law enforcement, environmental protection and search and rescue. The Newburyport station, US Coast Guard Station Merrimack River, has the distinction of being one of only 19 surf stations in the country and only one of 4 along the entire East Coast. Surf stations are required in areas where there is the potential for extreme wave height and or high winds more than a month out of the year.

Every year, during Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming celebration in August, US Coast Guard Station Merrimack River holds an Open House during which the public can tour the 140-year-old station as well as learn about boater safety and ask questions. Summer months are the busiest time for the men and women of the Coast Guard and our own local waters, though beautiful, are some of the most unpredictable and can often be dangerous to navigate. You can hear about some of the hazards that the crew encounters, learn about the trainings they conduct and leave feeling more knowledgeable and safer for the next time you head out on the water.

Though always ready for any emergency 24/7, the crew at US Coast Guard Station Merrimack River will also take some time to relax and honor the Coast Guard Birthday in their own way. Some delicious food and friendly (or perhaps, fierce?) competition at the station’s own annual corn hole tournament sounds like the prefect way to unwind and celebrate this important date in history. We hope they will also know how truly appreciative we are of their hard work and dedication. Happy Birthday, to the U.S.C.G.!

The annual Topsfield Fair is back, running from September 30th through October 10th with hundreds of vendors, rides, animals, shows, and special entertainment. Known as America’s oldest county fair, nearly half a million people flock to the festivities each year to enjoy a combination of traditional agricultural exhibits with classic fair fun.

Opened daily over ten days, the Topsfield Fair features a Midway section filled with rides, food, and games. Thrill-seekers can whirl and twirl Topsfield Fair, County Fair, Topsfield, MA on fast-paced rides while families with younger children can hit the kiddie section filled with pint-sized entertainment like small merry-go-rounds and driving cars. The Midway is also home to classic carnival games. Rides and games are not included in admission. You can purchase ride packs in advance for a discount or just pay as you go at the fair.

Fair-goers should also be sure to bring their appetites because the food vendors—situated in the Midway—will not disappoint. Topsfield Fair has everything from sandwiches to desserts, and many unique treats with a county fair twist. Try out some chocolate covered bacon, sample fried kool-aide, or indulge in some farm-fresh apple crisp.

Topsfield Fair, County Fair Topsfield, MA The Topsfield Fair was founded by the Essex County Agriculture Society back in 1818 so it comes as no surprise that farming and animals are a major part of this county fair. Visit with tiny piglets, sheep with their lambs, and other farm animals at the Farmyard tent and stop into the multiple barns throughout the fairgrounds that house cattle, goats, rabbits, chickens, and more. There is even a beekeeping exhibit with observation hives to watch the bees in action. Along with live animals, visitors can also shop fresh produce from local farmers and goods made by local artisans.

Perhaps one of the most famous exhibits at the Topsfield Fair is the All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off—which is exactly what it sounds like. Farmers from all over compete to earn the title of the heaviest pumpkin and fair visitors get to check out these massive fruits on display. All pumpkins must weigh a minimum of 300 Lbs to enter and the heaviest to date weighed in at a whopping 1,689 Lbs!

Before planning out your day make sure to take a look at the Topsfield Fair daily calendar which is packed with live entertainment ranging from live musical performances to a demolition derby. There are also live events that go back to this county fair’s agricultural roots like an old fashion tractor pull and sheepdog trials. And if you plan on spending the whole day at the fair, stick around for the fairground parades scheduled for 5 pm on the following dates: 1st, 4th, 5th & 6th.

Tickets to the Topsfield Fair, along with ride tickets and food vouchers, can be purchased online in advance at a discounted rate. Discounted tickets can also be purchased for $15 in person at Newburyport Bank’s Newburyport, Salisbury, Newbury, and Amesbury (Friend Street) locations until September 22nd. Children under 8 are always free. All pictures used in this article are from the Topsfield Fair facebook page.

Along with the smell of the ocean air, you may notice the additional fragrant scent of Linden trees when strolling around downtown Newburyport. These aromatic trees fill the coastal town’s air with a bright, sunny, and sweet scent when they bloom towards the end of June and through the beginning of July.

Local Realtor, Lisa Yeastedt, discovered these trees while dining at the Vera outdoor cafe located directly next to her Bentley’s Real Estate office in Market Square. Along with the savory scents of her meal, Lisa noticed a sweet fragrance she had not smelled before. Wanting to know where the smell of a combination of honey and grass was coming from, she took a walk with her dog Forest after her meal and found herself at the nearby Newburyport Visitor Center on Merrimack Street. The sweet smell of the Linden tree had traveled all the way from Waterfront Park to Market Square where she was dining earlier.

Linden trees, also known as lime or basswood trees, can be identified by their distinct heart-shaped leaves, giving them a romantic appearance. There are 30 species of these large, deciduous trees that can be found in Europe, North America, and Asia. Growing to be 65 to 130 feet tall, these tall trees bloom with clusters of cream to yellowish flowers and small pea-sized fruits during late Spring and early Summer months. It is these blossoms that create the distinct scent Lisa discovered while dining outdoors at one of Newburyport’s delicious restaurants.

Linden trees are not only wonderful to look at and smell, but they also produce useful products. The trees are an important honey plant, making rich flavored honey, and the Linden tree flowers can be used for teas and herbal remedies.

So next time you visit Newburyport to shop, dine, and explore make sure to stroll around Waterfront Park. Follow the scent and look for the heart-shaped leaves to spot our local linden trees.

Each year Plum Island beachgoers must pack up their gear and vacate The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge when the piping plovers swoop in for nesting and breeding season causing a Plum Island refuge closure. The majority of the refuge beaches shuts down to the public from April 1st to early July to protected these shorebirds listed as threatened on the Federal Endangered Species list. Thank you to local wildlife photographer and environmentalist Dan Graovac for capturing these amazing Piping Plover images. Visit Dan’s Instagram or facebook pages to view more of his stunning pictures.

Why does Parker River close down? There are several reasons. While plovers nest and breed at other local beaches in the area that do not close to the public, Parker River is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This means their focusing is on preserving and encouraging Piping Plovers on Plum Island Refuge Closures wildlife, not on recreational fun. Unlike some other local coastal areas, the beaches on the refuge also have a very narrow shoreline. This makes keeping humans and their impacts on the environment at a safe distance from the plovers much more difficult. It is recommended that people stay at least 55 yards from piping plover habitats. At high tide, many stretches of Parker River are only 15 yards wide, making keeping a safe distance impossible.

There are a few exceptions to the Plum Island refuge closure. Because the popular Sandy Point State Reservation, located at the southern tip of Plum Island, is run by the state and not federally controlled, the beach remains open. There are marked off areas and signs to protect piping plover nesting zones. The reservation also keeps open a small stretch of beach at Parking Lot 1 where the shoreline is wider open a bit longer than the rest of the refuge, but it does eventually close too. But luckily you can still catch some rays on Plum Island during nesting season. Visit the Plum Island Beach page for other options during the Plum Island refuge closures.

The good news is these annual closures are working. Breeding pairs have increased since they began closing the beaches each year and Parker River is now home to the second largest plover population on the North Shore.

How can you help? Make sure to take away any food or trash that could attract piping plover predators to the area. If you happen across a plover, make sure to watch from a safe distance.

Threatened birds use up energy needed for growth and migration fleeing to safety. Finally, you can volunteer to become a plover warden. These volunteers help inform visitors about the rules for the Plum Island refuge closures and report any violations. To volunteer, call Visitor Services at (978) 465-5753.

For the most up-to-date information on beach closures, be sure to check the refuge’s official site.

The 62nd Annual Yankee Homecoming Road Races hosted by the Newburyport Lion’s Club will be held Tuesday, August 1st 2023. The Yankee Homecoming 10 Mile and 5K races are a wonderful tradition in Newburyport. The 5K race starts at 6 pm and the 10 mile race starts at 6:10 pm, with the start and the finish of the races at Newburyport High School.

It’s hard to believe that the Yankee Homecoming Road Races started with 30 runners in 1960. It has grown drastically in popularity with thousands of runners participating each year! Early August can be toasty for runners and spectators. Be sure to hydrate well and stay hydrated! There are water stops along the courses and there are plenty of refreshments available in Newburyport before, during, and after the races. If race day is hot you will even find a few residents along the route offering the option for runners to cool off as the run through a refreshing hose mist. You’re certain to feel the adrenaline rush with the exceptional fan participation and thousands of competitive runners. The locals are out there every step of the course cheering and trying to spot friends and family as they speed by in the sea of color.

The Yankee Homecoming Road Races are an ideal opportunity for runners to challenge themselves, and to enjoy the beautiful Newburyport scenery! This event is a wonderful way for runners to enjoy the gorgeous historic neighborhoods and coastline of Newburyport. It’s known as one of the best road races in the region and offers family-friendly fun. The course takes runners along the ocean and through quintessential New England streets.

Information about the registration process, race pricing, and course maps for the Yankee Homecoming Road Races is available on the Lions Club website. The cost of entering the races are $35 (5K) on race day and $45 (10 mile), Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022. Everyone registered before July 9th will receive a commemorative short-sleeve tech race shirt. After that date, shirts cannot be be guaranteed – register early!

If you are one of the first 2000 people to register you will receive a Yankee Homecoming Road Race T-Shirt. T-shirts are also available on race day for purchase. All finishers will receive a custom finisher medal with a sublimated neck ribbon. Proceeds from the races will go to support the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund, which benefits eye research in innovative Massachusetts.

Contact the dedicated organizers of the Yankee Homecoming Road Races with any questions you may have about the races and check the Newburyport.com Events Calendar for details of all other Yankee Homecoming Events including the Newburyport Bed Racing, also hosted by the Newburyport Lion’s Club.

The Yankee Homecoming Waterfront Morning Workouts are back for another full week of great classes with amazing views of the Newburyport waterfront. These free classes, all put on by local fitness businesses, are a great opportunity to get some exercise and even try a new type of class—there’s something for everyone and every fitness level. Sponsored by Newburyport’s own Anna Jaques Hospital, the waterfront workouts are an entire week of wellness opportunities—a fitting match for a hospital that strives to keep its community healthy.

Located right off the Newburyport boardwalk on the lawn in front of Sea Level Oyster Bar, the Waterfront Morning Workouts take place each morning during Yankee Homecoming week. From bootcamp to yoga, there are a wide variety of classes offered to fit all ages and levels. Classes are free and open to the public, so sample and try as many as you would like. Love a class you take? Continue on your fitness journey by visiting the company’s local studio. The article image features a prior year waterfront workout class hosed by Sarah Oleson Yoga.

A big thank you to Yankee Homecoming for supporting local and organizing the waterfront workouts. This event helps to promote awareness for local fitness businesses and gives our community a chance to kick off their day with a FREE class that will energize them while enjoying the natural beauty of the Newburyport waterfront.

Sunday, July 31st through Sunday, August 7th, 2022:

Sunday, July 31st 8:00AM – Pilates Fusion in the Park with The Mom Comm
A full body class blending the principles of Pilates with strength + cardio exercises. We will work to strengthen our core and pelvic floor muscles, correct postural imbalances, increase flexibility, and enhance mind-body awareness.

Sunday, July 31st 9:15 AM – YWCA Greater Newburyport
Ilene Harnch-Grady, YWCA Health and Wellness Director: Hatha Yoga – This gentle yoga class is appropriate for all fitness levels incorporating basic asanas (poses) both standing and on the mat ending with a metta meditation. Please bring a mat.

Monday, August 1st 8:00 AM – AWAKE MINDS
Join Meghan Leighton from Awake Minds: Yoga & Conscious Living for an all levels vinyasa yoga class that includes poses and breathwork to support refreshment and coolness in summer months – based on yoga and Ayurveda (yoga’s sister science) recommendations for the summertime. Bring a mat, towel, and water bottle with you and get ready to flow!

Monday, August 1st 9:15 AM – YMCA OF NORTH SHORE
Fit for Life…Low impact fusion of resistance exercises and cardio vascular movements. Bands and weights will be provided. All levels are encouraged to participate.

Tuesday, August 2nd 8:00 AM – FUEL
Please join us for a strength, core, and cardio FUELtoGO mini band workout with Jessie Reardon. All levels of fitness are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat or towel, sneakers, and water.

Tuesday, August 2nd 9:15AM – Stroller Bootcamp with The Mom Comm
A full-body workout using your stroller! We will combine strength, cardio, and core together with your babe in tow! Pregnant moms and all levels are welcome. Little ones can stay in the stroller during class; older kids are welcome to come out and participate with us (we understand they get antsy!). Bring your own toys, snacks, and entertainment for them! Please bring your own mat and water. Prenatal + postnatal modifications will be provided. All fitness levels are welcome.

Wednesday, August 3rd 8:00 AM – FUEL
Please join us for a strength, core, and cardio FUELtoGO mini band workout with Jessie Reardon. All levels of fitness are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat or towel, sneakers, and water.

Wednesday, August 3rd 9:15 AM – Club Pilates
Our signature contemporary mat Pilates class will strengthen and lengthen your entire body. Experience the benefits of classical Pilates with a contemporary twist.

Thursday, August 4th 8:00 AM – Tokyo Joes

Thursday, August 4th 9:15 AM – YWCA Greater Newburyport
Jane Deliere YWCA Group Exercise/Aquatics Instructor: Hatha Yoga: – this gentle yoga class is appropriate for all fitness levels incorporating basic asanas (poses) both standing and on the mat. Please bring a mat.

Friday, August 5th 8:00 AM – Riverside Yoga
Move slowly into basic yoga postures while emphasizing breath work and simplicity. The class will include seated stretches, standing postures, and long cool-down into savasana. This class welcomes beginners and anyone wishing to balance their regular more vigorous yoga practice or exercise with a softer, mindful class. Appropriate for all levels.

Friday, August 5th 9:15 AM – Pure Bare
Pure Barre is a full-body, ballet-barre-based workout. The 50-minute class features low-impact movements that focus on tightening and toning your core, glutes and arms. Please bring a mat, water bottle, and a set of light hand weights if you have them!

Saturday, August 6th 8:00 AM – Motivate® Barre•Cardio•Nutrition
Motivate® Barre + Burn is a hybrid class that will utilize barre and cardio to increase heart rate and keep your body guessing. Each class is fresh and interesting so that you will never be bored. All the benefits of our classic barre class with an added endorphin push.

Saturday, August 6th 9:15 AM – F45 Salisbury MA
F45 is a combination of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Circuit Training, and Functional Strength Training in a team environment.

Sunday, August 7th 8:00 AM – The Cure Studio
Live Music & Buti Yoga: join us for this rhythm.

Sunday, August 7th 9:15 AM – Kin Fitness
Fun-filled class of sports drills, bodyweight movements, fun games, and interval training. A whole-body workout for the whole family! Exercises will be modified for different ages and fitness levels.

The waterfront morning workouts are just one part of a much larger celebration—Yankee Homecoming. Be sure to check out our Events Calendar to find all of the fun events happening all week long in Newburyport.

Nature School Learning Programs

Land & Sea Nature Exploration in Newburyport’s Outdoor Classroom

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Videos

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Strong Kids, Healthy Planet.

Part of the Merrohawke Nature School, Outdoor Boating Programs focus on Building Outdoor Appreciation Through Curiosity and Maritime Programs.

Led by Erica Lee and Captain George, this week-long program connects kids with nature through maritime education and activities.

Departing each day from Newburyport or Plum Island Point, Merrohawke Nature School students travel by water to explore the coastal ecology of Ipswich Bay and the Gulf of Maine.

On past trips, students have spotted dolphins, gannets, bluefish and mackerels, with no two days ever the same.

The experience continues as students haul lobster traps, collect and examine sea life and fish off the Isles of Shoals.

From marine biology, coastal ecology and oceanography to maritime history and navigation, during the course of this two-week Boat and Nature Program, kids will gain plenty of knowledge and memories.

The lead educators and captains have decades of experience taking children out on the water, and guiding them in nature, with a mission to, “Provide meaningful education outdoors along the Merrimack River Watershed and nearby coastal waters to inspire a lifelong connection to land and sea.”

In addition to Boating Programs, the Merrohawke Nature School also offers Forest Kindergarten and Teen Wilderness Programs.

If you’re interested in supporting this nonprofit education organization, please read more about donating here.

*Pictures from the Merrohawke Nature School Photo Galleries Aboard the Erica Lee & Captain George.

Live

Merrohawke Nature School

PO Box 235, 54R Merrimac Street

Newburyport, MA 01950

978.463.2233

explore@merrohawke.org

Register Here

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Newburyport VIPs

Receive VIP treatment at Best of Newburyport^™ restaurants, accommodations, shops & attractions.

Figtree Kitchen

10% Off Purchase of $10 or More

Ganesh Imports

10% off non sale items

Inn At Rings Island

10% Off, Excludes Suites. Must mention when booking & show card at check-in.

Plum Island Kayak

10% off

A historic carousel will soon call a brand new pavilion on Salisbury Beach home thanks to the efforts of the Salisbury Beach Partnership and Historic Carousel, Salisbury Beach a generous $250K donation from Newburyport Bank—a true community bank that gives back to the neighborhoods it serves. This project is part of a greater effort to restore Salisbury’s waterfront, creating a year-round family-oriented destination.

The pavilion will be constructed at a space on Broadway that has been vacant for 25 years, donated by Partnership President Wayne Capolupo and his family. Along with the historic carousel, the pavilion will also house a much-needed Newburyport Bank micro branch and event space for birthday parties and weddings.

The wooden hand-carved carousel, dating back to 1909, was built by W.F. Mangels at the Looff factory in East Providence, Rhode Island. During its heyday, the Looff carousel whirled and twirled at Harveys Lake Amusement Park in Pennsylvania. Now 112 years later, the historic carousel has been completely restored and will once again bring smiles to riders—big and small.

Historic Carousel, Salisbury Beach The carousel, one of only 300 of its kind, is made up of 44 hand-carved and painted wooden animals—including horses, giraffes, camels, and goats. As part of the fundraising for the project, families and local businesses can “adopt” one of the animals and sponsor it for the next 20 years.

Along with the Adopt a Horse program, all proceeds from this year’s Sea Festival of Trees, where 12 of the horses were on display, will go to the historic carousel and pavilion. The Salisbury Beach Partnership will continue to raise up to $1 million in funds for the Campaign for the Carousel.

The Salisbury waterfront is no stranger to having a beautiful carousel for locals and visitors to enjoy. The Broadway Flying Horses, the original Salisbury carousel, was a beloved family tradition for over 60 years before being sold off and moved to Santa Monica, California in 2019. The new addition of the pavilion and historic carousel, along with many other investment like the new Welcome Center, Comfort Station, and oceanfront boardwalk will truly bring back the magic of the Salisbury.

Sandy Point State Reservation, located at the southern point of Plum Island, offers beautiful views, a protected cove with calm waters, and an escape from overcrowded beaches. While Sandy Point is considered one of the most coveted beaches in the area for locals and visitors alike, planning ahead is a must for a successful trip. Newburyport.com, utilized pictures taken by local photographer/resident Lani Shumway to create the featured slideshow video. Check out Lani’s website to view more of her beautiful photos.

The most important thing to know before heading to Sandy Point is that there is extremely limited parking. There are about 15 spots at the main lot with the closest access to the beach, and an additional 25 spots a short walking distance away from the beach entrance. During summer months, and many times even off-season, these lots fill up quickly and cars line up to wait for spots to open up as visitors exit. The best way to score a place to park at Sandy Point State Reservation is to arrive early in the morning or to flip your beach day and opt for a dinner picnic. While parking is a challenge, it is also the reason why you will never find Sandy Point overcrowded, even on the best beach days.

To access Sandy Point, visitors must enter through the guard gate at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. The entrance fee is $5 per car, or opt for an annual $20 pass if you plan on visiting often. The pass gives you access to Sandy Point as well the other beaches and hiking trails located on the refuge.

The refuge will post a sign at the gate if Sandy Point’s lot is already full. Visitors can then choose to either still make the trek out to Sandy Point and wait in the 1-in-1-out car line or park in one of the other five lots on the refuge that offer beach access.

From the gate, it’s about a 20-minute drive, traveling 6.5 miles along paved and dirt roads. While the drive is slow-moving, it’s a great opportunity to take in spectacular views of the beaches, marshes, and wildlife that make up the refuge. Beware, your car will kick up a lot of dust along the way, so save any planned car wash trips for after your beach excursion!

A visit to Sandy Point State Reservation is always well worth all the planning when you can snag a spot and spend the day. Families love to visit this beach to swim in the calmer waters during high tide and to explore the tidal pools filled with ocean life and shells during low tide. Sandy Point also offers amazing views of Crane Beach for photographers, a quiet sanctuary to observe wildlife, and is a favorite place to drop a line and fish.

Know Before You Go:

The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset
There are no bathrooms at Sandy Point State Reservation. The closest one is located at Lot 4.
Campfires, drones, kites, and pets are prohibited everywhere on the refuge
During Piping Plover season, certain areas of the beach may be marked off to protect nests. However, unlike other parts of the refuge, Sandy Point State Reservation does not completely close to the public.

If you have ever been to a real estate closing at Liberty Law, you may have noticed a huge wooden wheel on the 3^rd floor (hand-notched with evenly-spaced square holes – each carefully chiseled along the entire outside circumference of the wheel itself). You may have also noticed the large ship-mast-like wooden spindle that spans enormous roof timbers all square-carved & fitted into the center hub of that wheel. If so, then you may have asked yourself (or one of us), “What’s up with that wheel?”

The answer is interesting, though not unique in and around the old buildings of 19^th Century Newburyport. The history of this wheel – and surviving building elements like it around our City – is tethered back over nearly 200 years to Newburyport’s rich clipper ship & maritime heyday. This wheel was called simply, a hoist-wheel and in the mid to late 1800(s), during the height of Newburyport’s global sailing trade, our 3 story building was used as a retail provisions shop. Offered for sale inside were goods and wares ranging from the ordinary to the rarified – all arriving along our waterfront aboard locally built Clipper ships (things which today can be delivered by a drone right to your doorstep by 11AM tomorrow ….. but ONLY if you’re a Prime Member).

If you could travel back in time and see this hoist wheel in say 1830 or so, you would have noticed that each of those notched holes supported a single wishbone shaped iron fork. These iron forks keep a 2 story knotted rope-loop (a rope chain of sorts) threaded on the wheel itself. Down below, you would have seen an operator pulling one end of that rope loop hand-over-hand on, which in turn would have spun booth the wheel and wooden spindle above. Of course, as the spindle turned, it would have pulled another rope to create a manual elevator – lifting heavy goods and cargo to the upper floors. Even today nearly 250 years later, that wheel still seems to spin with ease.

It was widely rumored during this era that some of this cargo, having survived a voyage from the Far East, West Indies or Europe all the way to our waterfront docks, somehow “got lost” along the final 100 feet of its journey to the Newburyport Customs House. By whatever unrecorded means these goods finally made their way into the city’s commercial interior, we must count ourselves truly lucky today to be among the current stewards of these architectural treasures of our Clipper City’s maritime past. These very ordinary yet amazing relics of our maritime past remind us of just how incredible it is to have the privilege to live and work under this rare canopy of such “living history.”

The next time you’re on Liberty Street whether for a real estate closing or “just because,” I invite you to come visit us here at Liberty Law – and check out this hoist wheel for yourself (with its 250 year old hand cut iron nails and notched holes). By celebrating even the “ordinary” of our past, we help these wonderful treasures stay relevant in our present…and hopefully preserved and protected for our collective future.

Rob Ciampitti is a local history buff and the Co-Founder of Liberty Law located at 11A Liberty Street. Rob is also the Chairman of the Newburyport Zoning Board of Appeals, having proudly served on the Newburyport ZBA for nearly 20 years.

Wooden Wheel, hoist wheel, Liberty Law Newburyport

Yankee Homecoming History

The history of Yankee Homecoming is far more than just a series of events, it is an annual celebration founded on the ideals that continue to bond our community today. The original Yankee Homecoming history was inspired by three concepts: the need to reunite Newburyport natives with family and friends who had moved away, a desire to stimulate the local economy and to give the locals something to get excited about. In 1958 Newburyport held their first Yankee Homecoming, welcoming and encouraging Newburyport natives and visitors to return to Newburyport for the week long celebration. Although there were 29 New England towns that originally hosted Yankee Homecoming celebrations, Newburyport is said to be the only city that still continues the tradition today.

The idea for Yankee Homecoming was originated by local New England artist Jack Frost who was determined to restore appreciation for the

Yankee Homecoming Parade

beauty and heritage of New England. Frost described his vision as “a national pilgrimage back east where it all began”. At the time, many city centers were experiencing economic hardships, with factories and mills closing and storefronts remaining empty and the federal government was stepping in with urban renewal plans. Frost saw Yankee Homecoming as an opportunity to showcase all the potential these New England cities had. Through the years, Yankee Homecoming has continued to be a festival that showcases everything Newburyport has to offer and a way to help support the local economy.

He worked with Joe Mathers and George Cashman to gain approval from Newburyport city officials. George became the very first chairman of Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming. One of his first orders of business was selecting the date for the annual celebration of which Cashman made sure coincided with the August 4th birthday of the US Coast Guard. This was very important because Newburyport is the birthplace of the US Coast Guard. In fact, a memorial was dedicated to the Coast Guard on August 4, 1958 during the first homecoming that has become a focal point of the festivities. Cashman continued to support the city he loved, residing in Newburyport until his passing in December of 2006. The 2007 Yankee Homecoming celebration honored its founder and his fifty years of dedication throughout the ten days.

Rich with tradition, Yankee Homecoming continues to be a thriving celebration that makes Newburyport unique, promotes our local economy and provides our families, friends and community an opportunity to come together. Each year residents and visitors alike flock to the city to enjoy the numerous events and support local businesses. Newburyport is committed to celebrating Yankee Homecoming traditions and proud of how our annual celebration continues to strengthen each year.

The Yankee Homecoming Committee consists of many dedicated volunteers. This annual celebration is all possible due to extensive planning and volunteer efforts that start long before Yankee Homecoming festivities take place each year. Newburyport.com developed a partnership with Yankee Homecoming back in 2014 and is proud to volunteer our services each year running from event to event capturing videos and pictures and utilizing our social media platform and website to significantly expand awareness of the Yankee Homecoming tradition. View 2021 event video coverage and prior year videos on our Local Event Videos page, visit our Live Web Cams page to check live downtown happenings, find feature articles under Events Coverage and of course check the Events Calendar for the complete list of events. If you want to learn more about the history of Newburyport, Yankee Homecoming offers a range of self guided tours during the festival week, ranging from neighborhood tours of historical houses to walks through the Old South Church or Oak Hill Cemetery. For direct access to the Events Calendar, type “Newburyport” in the App Store or Play Store and download the Newburyport App.

In addition to providing free media services, the Newburyport.com/Yankee Homecoming Partnership also helps to raise money for the Yankee Homecoming Fireworks. If you enjoy dining and shopping in our local community, you can support the Yankee Homecoming Fireworks Fund by purchasing or renewing your Newburyport VIP Discount Card. The VIP Program allows you to enjoy discounts at many local restaurants and shops in the Greater Newburyport community. $10 of each purchase or renewal is donated to the Yankee Homecoming Fireworks Fund.

The Moving Wall, a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. was on display at Plum Island Airport in Newbury, MA during Labor Day Weekend 2021, from 6 pm on 9/2 through 6 am 9/7. The replica, which is 252.83 feet long and consists of 58,272 names, has been touring the country since 1984 and includes approximately 1,300 people who are still unaccounted for prisoners of war (POW’s) and missing in action (MIA).

Vietnam Veterans were not honored for their service to our country as they returned home. The idea to create the Moving Wall was originated by a Vietnam Veteran, John Devitt who while attending the the 1982 dedication in Washington DC, was inspired to share the positive power of “The Wall.” John Devitt, Norris Shears, Gerry Heaver and other Vietnam Veterans built the Moving Wall in order to honor and show gratitude to as many Vietnam Veterans as possible throughout the country.

The Moving Wall was escorted to the Plum Island Airport by NEMLAC (NE MA Law Enforcement Council), Patriot Riders, and Amesbury Moving Wall, Plum Island, Newbury MA and Newbury police. Residents and tourists were invited to line the procession route and welcome its arrival at the airport. Visitors were also encouraged to attend the wall’s opening ceremony featuring a wreath-laying ceremony by decorated Vietnam Veterans, a welcome home ceremony, keynote speakers, and a fly-over by the state police.

The Moving Wall was available for viewing twenty-four hours a day until its disassembly on Tuesday, September 7th at 6 am. Up to 20,000 visited this solemn memorial that honored our heroes throughout its stay, including about two thousand area veterans who were personally invited. Volunteers were onsite twenty-four hours a day assisting visitors as greeters, helping them look up names of the fallen, and escorting them to the correct panel on the Moving Wall. Grief counselors provided by the Lowell Vet Center were also be on hand.

The Moving Wall’s visit to the area was a project ten years in the making for the chief organizer of the event, Dennis Palazzo, who finally secured a date in November 2020. For Palazzo, who had a close friend on the wall, it was an emotional experience to finally have the opportunity to bring the monument to the area.

“Freedom is not free, it comes with a cost, and the cost is written on that wall,” said Palazzo.

Palazzo and the official host of the Moving Wall, Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming Board of Directors, worked tirelessly with a group of close to 100 volunteers to make this event possible. The outpouring of support from the community to aid Palazzo in bringing this memorial to the area was huge. He has raised over $20,000 from sponsors, local restaurants and shops donated meals and goods, the National Guard supplied a command tent, and Newbury police and firemen offered up their time pro bono.

“It’s an honor to bring the wall to the area. The names on the wall each represent a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice and never made it home,” said Palazzo.

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Moving Wall Procession Route from Amesbury Furniture Outlet to Plum Island Airport:
Down Market Street to Amesbury Center, continue Up Friend St., go 3/4’s around Rotary onto Main St., continue on Main St. across Route 110, under Route 495, turn Left to stay on Main St., bear Right onto Spofford St., over the Chain Bridge (Newburyport), continue half around the Rotary – 2nd exit – onto Moseley Ave., merge Left onto High St., (Route 113) for about 3.5 miles, turning Left onto Rolfes Lane, (Newbury), turning Right onto Plum Island Airport (ETA a bit before 6:00 p.m.) – with Escort Motorcycles parking on the Airport Runway, in designated area.

Newburyport resident and renowned historian Dr. Kabria Baumgartner is digging into the rich and often untold history of African Americans in Essex County. Thanks to a $100,000 grant awarded by the National Parks Service and the Organization of American Historians, Dr. Baumgartner is working to uncover materials and information to help create more inclusive and interpretive sources for local sites that reflect the true racial diversity of the county.

Through public records and census records, Dr. Kabria Baumgartner can confirm there were many African American families living in Newburyport in the 19th century. However, she has found archival materials like newspapers, photographs, and other documents extremely limiting for Newburyport itself. While Dr. Baumgartner, an associate professor at the University of New Hampshire, is still actively researching and uncovering materials, there are some fascinating stories and artifacts that have already been discovered for Essex County. Folks had the chance to hear Dr. Baumgartner’s discoveries first hand, as she was the keynote speaker at the 2021 Newburyport YWCA’s annual Engaging Community Luncheon where she spoke about her findings and shared stories and answered questions.

One such story that she uncovered is that of Sara Baro, referred to as “the African princess”, who lived in Topsfield. Sara, who was born in West Africa in the late 1830s, was captured and brought to the United States as a child. The Conant family “took her in” as an indentured servant—slavery was abolished back in 1783 in Massachusetts, but we know that the labor of enslaved people continued to fuel the economy in Essex County well into the late 18th century. Sara’s life is an amazing story of survival in the face of adversity. The Conant family seems to have treated her well and Sara even received an education at Topsfield Academy. While Sara could not change her class status, she appears to have lived a satisfying life worthy of something very special Dr. Baumgartner discovered—a will. It turns out the Topsfield Historical Society holds a very valuable artifact, Sara’s jewelry box which also happens to contain her will. This shows that while she may not have had a large amount of money, Sara had made enough of a life for herself to feel the need to create this document. Dr. Kabria Baumgarner sees this as just the beginning of her search to find more documents and artifacts related to the African princess.

Another of Dr. Kabria Baumgartner’s stories she has come across is that of the Hinton’s, an African American family that resided in Andover in the late 19th century and early 20th century. This historical story is a great example of black entrepreneurship and a tale of Black family life in New England. Allen Hinton, a freed slave, moved from the south to Andover for a new beginning—where he started his family. It’s also where he started the Hinton Family Ice Cream Farm, the first ice cream selling business in New England. The business was embraced by the community, with Allen and family selling at local schools—Phillips Andover Academy and Abbott Academy for Young Ladies. Allen’s daughter Alice later took over the business and received praise from Booker T. Washington himself for her keen business sense.

Dr. Kabria Baumgartner, who resides in Newburyport with her family, is an interdisciplinary historian of nineteenth-century African American life and culture in the United States and the author of the award-winning book, In Pursuit of Knowledge: Black Women and Educational Activism in Antebellum America. Dr. Baumgartner and her co-principal investigator in the Essex County African American history project, Elizabeth Duclos Orsello, continue to research and find artifacts and materials to enrich our communities. Orsello, a professor at Salem State, and Baumgartner both use this grant as a teaching moment, getting their students involved in the research first hand. Photograph taken by Matthew Troisi 22 CPA, UNH EDU.

Have you been to Nunan’s lately? Last year, we proudly opened Kallie’s Kones, a full-service ice cream parlor, and Garden Golf, a premier 18-hole, beautifully landscaped mini golf course. Our General Manager and Co-Owner Stephen Flynn, Jr. came up with the idea of building a miniature golf course to our property after seeing a rise in agritourism—a term that simply means an activity or attraction that brings visitors to a farm. Wanting to venture away from corn mazes, Stephen began planning for a miniature golf course. Construction began shortly after, and on July 29, 2016, Nunan’s Garden Golf celebrated its grand opening with a weekend of miniature golf, hot dogs, and ice cream!

Nunan’s Garden Golf is in the quaint town of Georgetown, MA, surrounded by our growing greenhouses,and a full-scale garden center, flower shop, and landscape company set on our 22+ acre lot. It’s not your run-of-the-mill mini golf course, as Garden Golf boasts no windmills or dinosaurs. Instead, our 18-hole course is set amongst a beautiful botanical garden that has some of the most alluring and unique annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees that grow in the northeast. The course takes you over bridges, through water hazards, by an 18’ waterfall and many other obstacles that make it a fun and challenging experience for the entire family! Throughout the garden, each plant has an identification label and our scorecards are designed with a “Plant Wish List” on the back of it so that you can write down what you like. After your game of golf, you can walk through our beautiful blooming front displays to our ice cream parlor and enjoy a Richardson’s ice cream as you shop for the plants on your wish list.

Now, Nunan’s Garden Golf has opened its doors to new opportunities within the community by offering a number of different programs, including youth programs and field trips, private events such as birthday parties, fundraisers, and corporate events. Garden Golf and Kallie’s Kones have already hosted a number of birthday parties and they’re a huge hit!

Hosting a corporate event for your business? Try something new and host a mini golf tournament for your employees. Many companies have standard golf tournaments, but the problem with that is not everyone plays golf and it takes an entire day. Mini golf is comparatively shorter, sweeter, and easier to play! With a Nunan’s Garden Golf corporate event, you can bring everyone together for a fun-filled day. Mini golf is a great outing activity for your employees—it helps improve communication amongst coworkers, helps employees get to know each other better, celebrate company achievements, show appreciation, energize your team, and boost morale. At Nunan’s, you can rent the entire area to play mini golf, bring in food or have it delivered, play music, or host family games, company awards, and presentations.

Sculpture at Maudslay 2022 returns to Newburyport for visitors to enjoy from Sunday, September 11th through Sunday, October 2nd at 2 pm when the show closes. The event features the work of up to 50 local North Shore artists—all displayed in a picturesque outdoor setting. The application deadline is May 24th, so make sure to submit your application ASAP if you are inspired to participate in the 2022 outdoor exhibit. Maudslay State Park offers stunning views of the Merrimack Rivers, hiking trails, beautiful gardens and meadows, and more.

The show’s 2022 theme is “Intersect“. Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay organizers point out that it’s a word that has many possible meanings and artists were invited to let the word inspire their creations. This show is site-specific—meaning the sculptures on display were designed specifically for the site they are installed at. So participating artists were also encouraged to use the beauty of the location as inspiration.

Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay is a free event open to visitors of all ages. Stroll the park in search of exhibits on your own or if you’re looking for a specific sculpture, bring your phone to use the Maudslay sculpture app which includes a map of each artist’s location. While the event is free, regular Maudslay parking fees still apply.

All visitors should follow state park Covid-19 guidelines. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.

The Maudslay sculpture show is in its 23rd year and has featured over 250 area artists who have created over 700 sculptures. The program is supported in part by grants from the Amesbury, Georgetown, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, and West Newbury Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Sponsors of the event are mentioned in both the app and on a signboard at Maudsley as a thank you.

Taking your dogs on the beach in the Newburyport area is a great outdoor adventure for you and your furry sidekicks. While most area beaches welcome your pups for a visit, depending on the season, there are restrictions. Before you head out for some fun in the sun, make sure to check out our guide to where and when you can hit the beach with your dogs. And for more dog specific tips check out the Dogs in Newburyport articles.

Beaches—Hoping to explore the local sandy beaches? First and foremost, your dog will need to stay on leash at all times at all of the beaches in the area. But you can still walk, run, and play with your dogs on the beach if you follow the rules! Below are tips to make each beach trip a success with fido.

Plum Island: Note that Plum Island beaches are broken into three different sectors (North Point/Newburyport, Center/Newbury and South Point/Parker River Wildlife Refuge), all of which have their own rules regarding dogs on the beach.
The North Point of Plum Island is considered the Newburyport section of the beach. Dogs are allowed on the North Point from September 16th through May 14th and must be leased at all times.
Plum Island Center is the Newbury section of the beach. Dogs are allowed on this sections of the beach all year long, however there are time of day restrictions during the Summer seasons. From May 15th through September 15th, dogs are only permitted before 8:30am and after 5:30pm, so make sure to take your furry friend on a morning stroll or a post dinner walk!
As for the Parker River Wildlife Refuge, their area of beach includes the South Point of Plum Island, dogs are never allowed on this section of the beach (including Sandy Point).
It is important for dog owners to assist the folks who spend countless hours trying to protect the plovers by being considerate and aware of keeping dogs away from any nesting plovers. There have unfortunately been instances where dogs are taking nesting plovers and hatchlings out of their nests.
For the most up to date information, check with the town of Newbury and Newburyport’s official site.

Salisbury Beach: Dogs are actually allowed on this beach ALL year long, but within restricted areas. While you and your fur babies can roam the entirety of Salisbury beach during the off season, from May 1st to September 15th you need to keep your dog’s beach walks on the riverside of the beach only. An important note, due to strong currents at this beach, dogs are never allowed in the water.

Crane Beach: From October 1st through March 31st you can bring your dogs on the beach for a leisurely walk at this picturesque location in Ipswich. The only catch is it will cost you $3 per dog you bring along for the stroll. During the peak season, no dogs are allowed.

And While taking your dogs on the beach is a fun adventure, sometimes your pups just need to get off leash to run and socialize.—make sure to check out all the great dog parks Newburyport also has to offer.

Photo Courtesy: Thank you to Mariah Eaton of Beach Dog Daycare for letting us feature her dogs, Dozer and Tonka! Planning to visit the beach on a day your dogs can’t join you? Drop your pups off at Beach Dog Daycare where they can play while you’re soaking up some rays!

The Hellcat Boardwalk Trail Trail, often referred to as the Hellcat Interpretative Trail for its planked pathway, is located in Plum Island’s Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. The trail, which is handicap accessible and appropriate for kids and adults alike, offers a guided experience and breathtaking views.

The 1.4 miles long Hellcat Trail is divided into two different paths on either side of the road that runs through the refuge— a 0.6 mile Dunes Trail and an 0.8 mile Marsh Trail. Each section features lookout points and interpretive stations along the way to learn fun facts about the refuge and habitats. Visitors can choose to do just one of the paths or the entire loop. To reduce disturbance to wildlife all hikers must stay on the boardwalk at all times. Maps are available online and at the ranger station when you enter the refuge.

The Hellcat Interpretative Trail was originally built in the 1970s by high school students in the Youth Conservation Corps but recently got a Hellcat Interpretative Trail Parker River Boardwalk Trail, Plum Island, MA big upgrade in the fall of 2020. The wooded boardwalk was replaced with synthetic plastic planks and widened to make it more accessible. Along with upgrades to the Hellcat Trail, The Marsh and Dune loops, which were previously two separate paths, are now connected with a new portion of the trail.

Ready to head out on a hike to the Hellcat Boardwalk Trail? Here’s what you need to know before you go. All visitors must pay $5 per car to enter the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, unless they have an annual parking pass. Once on the refuge, the Hellcat Boardwalk Trail is about 3.5 miles from the entrance and closest in vicinity to parking lot 4 (the same lot you would also find the lookout tower from). And while your pup may love a good hike, you need to leave all four-legged family members at home—pets are not allowed anywhere on the refuge.

The Hellcat Trail is open year-round but make sure to keep tabs on when the greenheads arrive in mid-July. These pesky horseflies are prevalent on Plum Island and make for a less than ideal hike. Another environmental factor to keep an eye out for is poison ivy, which is present on parts of the trail. When possible wear pants and a long shirt to protect yourself. If you’re hoping to cool off with a swim after your hike, be aware there is no beach access available from the Hellcat Trail. You will have to exit the trail and walk or drive to a parking lot that offers beach access.

In the Spring of 2019, crowds gathered along coastlines from Plum Island to Salisbury to watch the 200-ton Spanish tall ship, Nao Santa Maria, sail into Newburyport. The Custom House Maritime Museum docked this replica of Christopher Columbus’ flagship the Santa Maria at the city’s Waterfront Park as part of their annual Newburyport Maritime Days celebration.

Built and launched in Spain in 2018, the 92-foot Nao Santa Maria was created by the same private foundation that built El Galeón, the Spanish tall ship that visited Newburyport in 2016. The Nao Santa Maria was built to honor the 555th anniversary of Christopher Columbus sailing to America from Spain.

Visitors flocked to Newburyport, the ship’s only stop on the East Coast, to explore and tour the Nao Santo Maria while it remained docked in town for over a week. Along with public tours, the Custom House Maritime Museum also hosted special events aboard the ship like a private breakfast and a special Little Pirates themed morning for kids. For adults, the CHMM Pirates Party featuring nationally touring Jimmy Buffett tribute band, Changes in Latitudes, dancing, and rum cocktails was a huge hit and the CHMM Black Tie Gala was an elegant evening with a 12 piece big band playing the Great American Songbook, food catered by the Poynt, and a selection of Spanish wines. The Council for Aging also had a chance to climb aboard the Spanish tall ship for coffee and donuts and a cocktail hour.

In addition to all the fun onboard the Nao Santa Maria, the Custom House Maritime Museum kept the festivities going onshore with an outdoor market showcasing local businesses at the waterfront park. The Newburyport Collection featured 18 local businesses to explore, sample, and shop.

A visit to the Custom House Maritime Museum is always a must when visiting downtown Newburyport. Whether you are a tourist or local, this museum is full of information and history about the city of Newburyport and the Merrimack Valley. From displays of famous shipwrecks to the history of the Coast Guard, there is something for everyone.

If you enjoy dining and shopping in the Greater Newburyport area, you may want to consider purchasing a Newburyport VIP Card in support of the Custom House Maritime Museum. The VIP Card provides discounts at 180 Greater Newburyport restaurants and shops and is available as a Digital VIP Card in the Newburyport App or as a Physical VIP Card. Purchase one card for $25 or two for $40 and $10 of your purchase will be donated to the Custom House Maritime Museum. Physical VIP Cards are available for purchase in the museum gift shop and both Digital and Physical VIP Cards can be purchased online. VIP Cardholders receive 10% off purchases of $25 or more in the museum gift shop and 50% off museum admission.

Why play indoors in the summer? In New England there is a long-running debate as to whether tennis is an indoor or an outdoor sport. Playing tennis outdoors on a beautiful day is fabulous, no doubt about it. But, there is a lot of tennis to be had indoors, too. Why?

First, there is the rain. You can’t play tennis in the rain so indoors you go. Then there are 90 degree temperatures and blistering sun. Great on the beach, not so much on the tennis court. Add in some humidity, a little sun-stroke and an errant wind-storm and it’s time to think about going indoors. And lastly, many players use the summer to really work on their game. Taking lessons outside can be challenging when there is wind taking your great forehand off course and sun in your eyes totally ruining your serve. Taking lessons inside allows you to really work on your game. So, in the summer, there is some great indoor tennis to be had.

But another reason to go indoors is Newburyport Tennis Club’s Summer Special. From June through August, the Club has special rates monthly or for the 3 months: Adults ($100/month or just $250 for the entire summer), Juniors ($80/month or just $200 for the entire summer) and non-members ($150/month). You can sign up for one, two or all 3 months. To sign up for the Summer Special, contact the Club at 978 462 3121.

People may not realize it, but there are many Greater Newburyport breweries offering the kind of local craft beers we usually associate with Vermont or Oregon. Whether you’re an area native or visiting from out-of-town, here are a few Newburyport breweries where you can find just the right craft beers to fill up your frosty mug. All of these Newburyport breweries are as unique and individual as the people who run them, and all offer taprooms where you can explore and sample the different offerings. So, relax, hang out for a bit, gather with your friends, sample brews, bring the kids if you want, and take in the vibe.

RiverWalk Brewing Co. 40 Parker St. Newburyport
In 2012, Riverwalk started brewing beer in 3 gallon pots in a garage along the Riverwalk Trail in Amesbury, MA. These folks describe their vision of beer as “worldly,” and such craft beers as the “Rustic Pils,” a Czech-style pilsner, and “Uncle Bob’s Session Ale,” made in the British brewing tradition, and “Tricoastal,” a Belgian-style ale. They have an outdoor beer garden that welcomes dogs and an indoor Taproom (service dogs only) with a fun but limited menu including a pretzel served with ground mustard, a charcuterie board, a grilled cheese bar, sandwiches, and a couple of offerings for kids.

The RiverWalk facility is 2,000 square feet, which lets them brew a wide variety of beers. The company is also investing in renewable, sustainable energy, revealing a corporate focus on responsibility to the community. The building uses a wind turbine that supplies power to the building and a 500-kw rooftop solar array. Even the grain is recycled – at the end of a day of brewing, the grain is sent to Artichoke Farms, a dairy in West Newbury, to feed the livestock.

Plus, RiverWalk offers some fun events. As of this writing, these include: a Zombie Luau, live music, and “Bootcamp and Brews,” featuring a high intensity workout followed by a beer tasting.

Newburyport Brewing Company – 4 New Pasture Road Newburyport, MA
Located on New Pasture Road, just off Graf Road, this brewery offers free tours on Saturdays at 5:00. (Children under 12 are not allowed on the tour.) Newburyport Brewing offers a selection of beers that are available year-round, including an IPA, a pale ale, and a series of limited release small-batch beers. At this writing, that includes a New England IPA, a Yankee Blue brewed with blueberries, and a full-bodied stout. There’s no restaurant on site, but snacks can be attained using one of three methods: 1) you can purchase snacks -pretzels, beef jerky, chips 2) you can bring your own food, or 3) Hello, delivery! The bartender keeps a stack of delivery menus on hand for Newburyport restaurants that will deliver to the taproom. Check out the calendar of events in their tasting room, including Pats Games and Trivia Nights. Then come on down and give these suds a try!

House Bear Brewing 3 Graf Rd. Unit #15 Newburyport, MA 01950
Run by friends Beth Borges and Carl Hirschfeld, House Bear brewing creates a brew that’s a little different – mead! Mead is made by fermenting honey with water, or other fruits, spices and grains. This creates an alcoholic beverage that can be either dry or sweet, flat or bubbly. House Bear offers a variety of meads, ranging from a simple honey and water-based mead to lemonade mead, to the more exotic chocolate hot pepper mead. Check their Facebook page for information about events, including tastings in their Graf Street location on Thursdays from 4-7, paint nights, and many others throughout the Boston area.

BareWolf Brewing 12 Oakland St, Amesbury
BareWolf is a family beer business run by father/son team Paul & Stevie Bareford and their friends Matt Neff and Wyeth Bednar. This group is committed to beer. On Saturdays in the tap room – a place that welcomes both dogs kids – you can find live music. BareWolf doesn’t have a menu, but they do offer snacks, welcome you to bring your own, or there’s a pizza place around the corner that delivers.

Ipswich Ale 2 Brewery Place Ipswich MA
This one’s a little father afield from Newburyport, but it deserves a mention since it was doing small-batch brewing before it was cool, back in 1991, and they have a great brew pub. You can find Ipswich Ale not only in area stores and restaurants, but also at loads of festivals and events throughout the area. Brewery tours cost $3 for those over 21 (free for everybody under 21) and are offered Saturdays and Sundays: 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, and 5 pm and include beer tasting for participants over 21, soda tasting for all, and a talk about the brewing process and the brewery’s history. In addition to beer, they also make a wide selection of soda pops with fresh flavors like birch beer, black cherry, cream soda, raspberry and watermelon and, of course, root beer. The restaurant offers live music every Thursday and Friday nights, and “Breakfast for Dinner” night on the third Wednesday of each month. Check the calendar for the music schedule.

If your looking for fun things to do, and you enjoy quality craft beers make sure you pay a visit to our local Greater Newburyport breweries. Enjoy!

The Nauti Pearl boutique brings a sought-after feeling of warmth and hospitality and home to those who want to wrap themselves in fabulously functional feel-good clothing that reflects style. This flagship store can be found at 18 State Street, where you feel invited into an intentionally sophisticated space of luxury, art and style with a surprisingly approachable assortment of apparel, home décor and giftware.

An eclectic mix of owner-designed jewels bring a modern twist to every outfit and accessory…this, topped with concierge level service of personal styling makes Nauti Pearl a place to remember. Founders of this multi-store lifestyle boutique are seasoned merchants and artists with a passionate eye for comfort, space and style for all locals to appreciate. Former success includes the famed Native Sun fashion boutique enjoying 5 stores with locations in Massachusetts and Florida in its heyday…and lucky for Newburyport, this team is back and serving us again! Becky Colby, the longtime beloved former Manager of Native Sun for over a dozen years, is the most recent and very welcome addition to the Nauti Pearl team!

Co-owners John and Lisa Darke have built a number of brick and mortar brands, each carefully tailored to the local markets they serve. “Having proven success of the Native Sun brand and the relationships we built, makes it easy to see why Nauti Pearl will thrive.” Relationships with local residents and quality manufacturers are a recipe for long term growth. “We’ve tapped into our cache of well known apparel and vendor relationships that allow our team to serve in meaningful ways. We are about the locals, and the community we live in to serve with unique style, feel-good ‘goods’ and well-being.”

Each shop features women’s clothing and jewelry that appeals to multiple generations and is a tastefully great experience for a friends or family shopping treat. Nauti Pearl is one gem of a shop in the center of Newburyport’s charming downtown.

Nauti Pearl is a modern concept retail brand conceived by seasoned jewelry designer, Lisa Darke, when she spotted the classic elegance of a stunning pearl necklace with bling. In Darke’s signature line, interchangeable rhinestone pins adorn traditional layered pearl necklaces and bracelets which allows for playful elegance and personality. The fashionable wardrobe pieces in this shop are equally interchangeable, versatile and classic. Located at 18 State Street in downtown Newburyport, Nauti Pearl features top women’s designer clothing and accessories by Michael Stars, Bailey 44, Nic & Zoe, Margaret O’Leary and Colby Davis of Boston. Carefully curated gifts and artisan items round out the options for gift giving and self-indulgence. Visit www.NautiPearl.com for Newburyport, Rockport and Beverly Massachusetts, Cape Neddick and Ogunquit Maine locations and information on upcoming events.

Breakfast, its an important start to the day, its business, its social and for many a relaxing tradition. Have you stopped to consider how many excellent Greater Newburyport breakfast and brunch places we have to choose from? Have you visited them all, at least once? So where does the breakfast lover start? Our list is certainly diverse featuring traditional casual diners to upscale brunch places, some of which are located in Newburyport and others in surrounding towns. We challenge you to try all of these Greater Newburyport breakfast and brunch places and we hope you will discover a few new favorites.

Newburyport breakfast and Brunch Places

Beginning with downtown Newburyport traditional diners and cafes, Angie’s Diner has a history of offering fast friendly service and delicious food since 1969. We highly recommend the Stuffed French Toast and the Western Omelet. Although they are known as a downtown Newburyport breakfast destination, they are also a great choice for lunch. Owner, Steve Luz is the man behind this Newburyport establishment and is always there working to ensure his customers are happy.

Do you enjoy an exceptional cocktail with your breakfast or brunch? Paddle Inn has a strong reputation for high quality cocktails and a brunch menu meant to get you back on track to feeling good if you were by chance out late the night before. Satisfy your sweet cravings with a decadent donut hole creation that features weekly topping specials or choose a savory selection from the Sunday Brunch Menu, available 10-4. Owner, Beau Sturm and Chef/Partner Suzi Maitland, take great pride in serving top quality food, cocktails and fun all with a cool atmosphere and a positive vibe!

Have you experienced the FM Station Cafe? This is an amazing breakfast place located just off the route 1 traffic circle next to Minute Man Press. The Blueberry Coconut Pancakes are a sweet delight and if you prefer savory we recommend the Florentine Benedict with spinach and tomatoes (Feature image at top of page), and the homemade Corned Beef Hash is excellent as well. The FM Station Cafe offers traditional breakfast favorites with the option for a few tasty Brazilian dishes as well. Owner, Fabio Santos is normally busy cooking while his wife Eva an her sister Coffee factory Newburyport, Coffee and sandwich shop Poloma welcome and take care of guests.

Everyone knows the Coffee Factory as the Newburyport coffee house destination with free Wi-Fi and delicious sandwiches and salads but did you know they serve tasty breakfast sandwiches too? We recommend the Veggie Bagel sandwich featured to the right, the Joppa Flat or the Works. Owner Kevin Yorke works hard to provide an exceptional experience for his customers in Newburyport and in his Derry and Salem NH locations too.

Just a few doors down the street, you will find the Juicery, known for their healthy smoothies and fresh juices and their delicious selection of acai bowls are extremely popular as well. The Juicery is a choice for if your on the go and looking for healthy options. Call or order online for pickup orders or stop into the Juicery and grab a delicious healthy snack.

Sea Level Oyster Bar offers a delicious brunch for the majority of the year, with the exception of short period during the Winter months. The brunch menu and cocktails are highly regarded offering a creative flair. Sea Level also features live music and or various events in conjunction with brunch.

Are you looking for a brunch experience that includes great live music? The Plum Island Grille is the place to go. Owner and Chef, Francis Broadbery and his staff at The Plum Island Grille have a long history of serving an excellent Sunday Brunch menu accompanied with live Jazz Music from 1- 3 PM. The entire menu is exceptional but we recommend trying the Quiche or the Smoked Salmon. Head out to the Island and at least pretend you’re on vacation!

The Riverside Cafe is a very well known breakfast and lunch spot. Owner, Geraldo Alberto Lima arrives very early every morning to have breakfast ready for the early birds by 6 AM. It’s all delicious but we love the omelets, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches, yum! Oh and the bacon is extra crispy for the bacon connoisseurs! Located next to the Cashman Park soccer fields and boat launch, Riverside is a great place to relax after a competitive game or pick up food for you boat trip.

Known for their exceptional coffees, teas and freshly baked goods, Olive’s Coffee & Bakehouse has a loyal customer following of breakfast lovers and folks who appreciate quality coffee drinks. Olive’s also make tasty breakfast sandwiches and delicious bagel with lox. Owner Debra Ball is known by all of her regular customers as you will consistently find her in the shop working with her highly trained staff. Debra and her team pay close attention to detail, determined to create a positive experience for every customer.

Don’t forget about the excellent Greater Newburyport breakfast and brunch places in the towns that surround Newburyport! Salisbury has a number of breakfast spots that we highly recommend, starting with Nancy’s Marshview Cafe. Owner, Nancy Wallace offers a tasty selection of traditional breakfast foods and keep in mind that she is also really well known for her amazing homemade cakes, pies and handcrafted lattes. The Coned Beef Hash at Nancy’s is delicious. It is homemade and you can tell because it is not salty!

If you’re in search of a special occasion Sunday Brunch destination, pay a visit to Seaglass Restaurant and Lounge. Seaglass is right on the beach in Salisbury offering stunning views of the ocean, and an elegant brunch buffet including: made to order omelets, carving station, delicious pastries and more. Depending upon the schedule of the tide you could be enjoying brunch over of the ocean! Owner, Wayne Capolupo ensures food, service and atmosphere are all exceptional at Seaglass, and don’t save Seaglass just for special occasions. Visit any time!

Everyone loves Panera Bread for lunch but don’t forget they have great breakfast options as well including muffins, pastries, breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Or, treat yourself to a freshly baked souffle in a variety of choices. Oh, and did we forget to mention the very convenient drive thru window, and the fact that all Panera food is 100% clean, free of preservatives, sweeteners, additives, and artificial ingredients. Although Panera is part of large company, Manager Hanna Elliott has developed a strong local customer base for the Newburyport shop and works hard to always provide top notch service for her customers.

If you enjoy breakfast sandwiches, don’t forget about Subway! Local Franchise Owner, BB Bhatt is there early morning baking the breads. Served on a freshly baked flat bread roll with real applewood smoked bacon and your choice of vegetables, the Subway breakfast sandwiches are a delicious health option for folks who like to create their breakfast sandwich!

What do all of these Greater Newburyport breakfast and brunch places have in common? Whether managing, cooking or serving customers, you will find the owners and or managers present in all of these great places to eat! They know their regular customers by name and they work hard to ensure a high quality experience. In addition, all of these Greater Newburyport breakfast and brunch places help raise money for the 23 Newburyport.com local nonprofit partner organizations by participating in the Best of Newburyport VIP Program. They also reward Newburyport App/VIP Card holders with discounts every time App/Card holders visit any of the participating businesses. Below are the offerings for these Greater Newburyport Breakfast and Brunch places as of of 3/1/19. Click the links below to confirm current discounts or just download the Newburyport App.

Apple/App Store: Download “Newburyport” for iOS/Apple
Android/Play Store: Download “Newburyport” for Android/Google

VIP Discounts for Greater Newburyport Breakfast and Brunch Places:
Angie’s Diner – 5% Off
Coffee Factory – 10% Off
FM Station Cafe – 5% Off
Juicery –
Nancy’s Marshview Cafe – $5 Off $30 or More
Olive’s Coffee & Bakehouse –
Paddle Inn –
Panera Bread – $3 Off Purchases of $15 or More, $5 Off Purchases of $25 or More
Plum Island Grille – 10% off Food for VIP Card Holder & One Guest
Riverside Cafe – 10% Off
Seaglass Restaurant – $5 Off Dinner Entree – One Entree Per Card – Sun – Thurs
Sea Level Oyster Bar –
Subway – Purchase 12 Inch Sub, Chips & Drink Get a Free Cookie

Paddle Inn, Sea Level, Juicery, Olive’s

Pizza is one of the great pleasures in life. Newburyport pizza places offer a wonderful variety of delicious and satisfying baked pies! Made with just a handful of ingredients and a lot of love, pizza is a versatile invention. It can be fast and fun, you can grab a slice or enjoy a communal dining experience with family and friends. Choose from an impressive array of Newburyport pizza places to satisfy your inner pizza enthusiast! We encourage you to sample the pizza at all of the restaurants we’ve highlighted so you can choose your favorite pizza. However, given all the amazing options for Newburyport Pizza Places, it may be difficult to choose just one as your favorite.

Anchor Stone Deck Pizza is located on State Street in Newburyport. Not only do they offer scrumptious pizzas, but they also offer the option to have a glass of wine or a beer with your pizza. The crust of their pizza is crispy, they have great sauce, and they offer many creative toppings that make for utterly heavenly pies, such as the one featured above. Anchor Stone Deck Pizza offers other traditional Italian offerings such as calzones and homemade lasagna as well as fresh salads and oven-roasted wings.

Interested in enjoying a full service restaurant with a great atmosphere and excellent pizza made in an oven imported from Genoa, Italy? Then Oregano Pizzeria & Ristorante is the place for you! Oregano is very well known for serving incredible brick oven pizza, such as the one featured in the image to the right. They also prepare many enticing entrees such as chicken saltimbocca. Check out the bar offerings for a wide selection of cocktails, sangria, wine, and local craft beers! If you are in downtown Newburyport and need immediate gratification, we suggest stopping into Stone Crust Artisan Pizza on Pleasant Street for a delicious slice of pizza. They also offer an excellent selection of creative sandwiches, fresh salads and excellent burgers and fries too. On Friday and Saturday nights in the summertime stop by the late night pizza window between 10 PM and 1 AM for a slice or a few!

Famous Pizzeria has recently completed a beautiful renovation project adding many modern conveniences and expanding the menu options. George Asprogiannis is the owner of both Famous Pizza and Stone Crust Artisan Pizza. Famous Pizzeria has enjoyed a terrific reputation in the community for serving great pizza, calzones, subs, wraps, and salads., and we highly recommend trying some of the newer menu items such as the roast beef and seafood platters. Nick’s Pizza on Water Street in Newburyport has been serving homemade bakery style Sicilian pizza for over 60 years! Nick’s is unique because all they serve is amazing pizza. Owner Frank LaBarba has an extremely loyal customer following thanks to his exceptional pizza! Nick’s uses a special process to make the dough and his unique blend of sauces and cheeses give the pizza outstanding flavor.

Although you may associate Domino’s as being part of a larger company, our Newburyport location is a franchise that is locally owned and operated by Viken Dumeciyan. The pizza, (featured in image to the right) pastas, oven-baked sandwiches, and wings at Domino’s are consistently fast, fresh, and satisfying. If you leave room for dessert Domino’s also has a few delicious sweet treat options such as the chocolate lava cake. Nick’s Place Salisbury serves delicious pizza but it’s loyal customers enjoy Nick’s for the broad variety of other delicious dishes: the seafood, pasta’s, salads, sandwiches and a few delicious Greek specialties such as Spinach Pie plus Nick’s has a large delivery footprint including Newburyport. Niko’s Place is in Salisbury and it is a great spot to enjoy a meal before you head to the beach or catch a movie nearby. Their menu has a lot of options including pizza, roast beef, and fried seafood. The picnic tables outside are a great place to enjoy your food!

For over 30 years West Newbury Pizza Company has been offering tasty pizzas and more! Their quality homemade foods have earned them a devoted following in Greater Newburyport. Order a specialty pizza such as the one featured here, or try some of their Greek offerings such as spinach pie and baklava! It’s also a great place to enjoy beer or wine with your meal. Nick’s Place, not to be confused with Nick’s Pizza, is located in West Newbury across from Pentucket High School. Nick’s Place has mouth-watering gourmet pizza and they also offer a wide selection of other types of food, including seafood, pasta, and delectable Greek cuisine.

All of the establishments featured below are locally owned and in most cases you will find that they are family run with many family members pitching in to create a wonderful dining experience. All of the Greater Newburyport Pizza Places featured on Newburyport.com are part of Best of Newburyport VIP program, a community-based loyalty program that helps raise money for 23 local nonprofit organizations and rewards customers by offering discounts. Below are the offerings for these Greater Newburyport Pizza Places as of 1/27/19. Click the links below to confirm current discounts or just download the Newburyport App.

Apple/App Store: Download “Newburyport” for iOS/Apple
Android/Play Store: Download “Newburyport” for Android/Google

VIP Discounts for Greater Newburyport Pizza Places:
Anchor Stone Deck Pizza – 10% Off Dine-In & Take-Out
Domino’s – 15% Off Food, Email VIPcard@Newburyport.com for Code. Not Combinable & Must Present Card.
Famous Pizzeria – 10% Off Dine-In & Take-Out
Nick’s Pizza – Newburyport – 5% Off – Must Mention When Ordering & Show Card at Pick Up or Delivery
Nick’s Place – Salisbury – 10% off over $40, must mention VIP Card when ordering & not combinable with other offers.
Nick’s Place – West Newbury – 10% Off Purchase or Deal of the Day
Niko’s Place – 10% Off Purchases of $40 or More
Oregano Pizzeria & Ristorante – 10% Off Food Portion of Check
Stone Crust Artisan Pizza – 10% Off Dine-In & Take-Out
West Newbury Pizza Company – 5% Off Food Portion of Check

Newburyport Mexican restaurant Metzy’s Cantina is heating up the airwaves on New England’s hottest foodie show! Owner Erik Metzdorf and Director of Operations and Chief Culinary Officer Anthony Leone were thrilled to welcome Phantom Gourmet as they filmed a segment highlighting the origins of Metzy’s Cantina, local support from the North Shore community, and Metzy’s delicious new creations. The Phantom Gourmet segment aired on Sunday, March 25th featuring Metzy’s super-cool space, fresh vibe, and flavorful eats. The episode also captured many familiar faces as many customers were at the restaurant during taping, enjoying fresh, flavorful food and beverages with Metzy’s unique Mexican flair.

Your certain to be craving Metzy’s once you watch this enticing video. Popular new menu items include tomatillo-based chili verde, Metzy’s chicken wings – offered one of three different ways (including Erik’s favorite mole sauce!) – and mini “street tacos” served on crispy shells. Also look for an announcement about Metzy’s Cantina’s expanded, full bar (coming soon).

Metzy’s Cantina is available for private parties. Mobile catering options include Metzy’s Taqueria (food truck) and famous Taco Bar – both available for work events and friends-and-family gatherings. Metzy’s Cantina also offers delivery, grab-and-go, pick-up options.

On weekdays, stop by for breakfast 6 AM-10:30 AM and start the day with mouth-watering tacos, burritos, breakfast bowls, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and small-batch roasted Francisco Davila Signature Coffees from family the roastery: Coffee Roasters of Charleston.

Metzy’s Cantina has established itself as one of the top meeting places on the North Shore for groups up to 100, serving fresh Mexican eats along with free WiFi, plenty of free parking, and the coolest vibe around. Come check out this popular Newburyport Mexican restaurant’s new indoor/outdoor space right next to the city’s MBTA Commuter Rail stop, just a short 1-mile bike ride or walk along the Clipper City Rail Trail to downtown.

Visit Metzy’s Facebook page to stay in the know about exciting new menu items, specials, live music and many local events you can find the Metzy’s food truck.

In the past, custom jewelry was a luxury only accessible by the super wealthy. Today, adding a touch of personalized glamour to your style and jewelry collection is more affordable and easier than ever.

The first step to transform your unique idea into a spectacular one-of-a-kind design is finding a reputable jeweler that specializes in custom jewelry. Jewelers capable of crafting the exact piece you imagine are highly skilled artisans who are comfortable behind the workbench crafting both old fashioned and contemporary styles. Also, look for a jeweler able to combine traditional jewelry making techniques with modern technologies, such as 3-D printing, which allows them to easily create multiple models of your dream until it is perfect.

Searching Google for local jewelers and asking friends and family for recommendations are good places to start to find qualified individuals. Many jewelers are also very active on social media, sharing their work on Facebook, Pintrest, and Instagram. Once you have identified a few experts that you feel qualify to create your special work of art, take the time to visit their shops, talk to them about the custom design process, and look at what they have on display to get a feel for their style and ability.

It is also essential to find a jeweler that is going to be a true partner through your entire artistic journey. The ideal person will take the time to get to know you in order to ensure you are completely happy with the final creation. Look for someone who listens and asks you questions about things such as your favorite activities and preferred clothing styles. Learning about you is as an important a step as creating the piece of jewelry itself to ensure you are amazed by the final outcome for many years to come.

Visit Kaya Jewelers on State Street in Newburyport and Market Square in Portsmouth. The Kaya family has tremendous experience designing exquisite fine jewelry pieces and provides top notch customer support.

US Coast Guard Station Merrimack River

Protecting Our Local Waters for Over 225 Years

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Videos

Newburyport’s Maritime First Responders

The US Coast Guard Station Merrimack River is a critical resource closely connected to Newburyport’s maritime history and a strong source of pride for locals. The US Coast Guard, originally named the Revenue Cutter Service, was officially established on August 4, 1790 to enforce tariffs and prevent smuggling with the use of ten oceangoing vessels…known as cutters. The very first revenue cutter to enter active service, the USRC Massachusetts, was built in Newburyport in 1791. In 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the US Life-Saving Service and was renamed the US Coast Guard…then and now, dedicated to enforcing US maritime laws and saving lives at sea. Following the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the US Coast Guard came under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security.

US Coast Guard Station Merrimack River in Newburyport is one of only 19 surf stations in the country…defined by the area having seas or swells greater than 8′ or winds exceeding 30 knots at least 36 days a year. Station Merrimack River is the only surf station in New England and one of only 4 surf stations along the entire East Coast, reminding us that the Merrimack River waters, though beautiful to be on and surrounded by, can often be unsafe and challenging to navigate.

The adverse winter and spring weather conditions often occurring in the Northeast allow the crew at Station Merrimack River to conduct trainings to stay proficient in a host of rescue skills and prepare for the busy summer season, May through Labor Day. US Coast Guard Station Merrimack River has a 29′ response boat and (2) 47′ motor lifeboats capable of responding to distress in up to 50 knots of wind, 20′ breaking surf and 30-foot seas. Along with ensuring the education and training of their surfmen and women, their primary focus is on recreational boater safety, fisheries law enforcement and conducting search and rescue.

The motto of the US Coast Guard is Semper Paratus, (Latin for ‘Always Ready’). Station Merrimack River currently has 30 strictly active-duty crew members and it is operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are considering a career change with hands-on training in which you will truly make a difference, there are many opportunities and paths to take in the US Coast Guard and they are encouraging more women to join their diverse ranks. Members of the Guard live and are guided by their core values: Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty.

US Coast Guard Station Merrimack River opens its doors to the public during Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming held each August. You can tour the boats and meet the crew who will answer questions and provide boater safety information at the annual Coast Guard Open House event. You can also see live views of the station and the Merrimack River any time from the Newburyport.com Live Web Cams hosted by the Lighthouse Preservation Society. A visit to Newburyport’s Custom House Maritime Museum is a must for history buffs; members of USCG Station Merrimack River often volunteer here.

Whether you have lived in Newburyport for years or are just visiting the area, you can be appreciative of the rich seafaring history here and grateful for the men and women of USCG Station Merrimack River and the duties they perform each and every day. Help them by being prepared before you head out onto the water…know the boating and paddle craft rules to follow and stay aware of the often-unpredictable currents. Though they are well trained and certified to handle any situation, the Coast Guard would rather provide you with the information to prevent a distress signal rather than respond to one. One of the best parts of enjoying these local waters is having fun while staying safe. Article written by Newburyport.com Correspondent, Jenny Davis.

US Coast Guard

Station Merrimack River

65B Water Street

Newburyport, MA 01950

(978) 462-3428

Date of Conveyance: 1881
Station Built: 1882

Coordinates:

	42°48′37.68″N 70°51′53.48″W

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Angie’s Food & Diner

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Southern New Hampshire Art Gallery

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Clark Currier Inn

Stay Monday through Thursday and receive 10% off. Must book directly using promo code “Weekday” and present card at check-in. *Not applicable to 3rd party bookings.

Beach Dog Daycare

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Events

Plan ahead! There's never a shortage of fun in Newburyport.

Bartlet Mall

A Scenic Park Rich in History

Bartlet Mall, a gorgeous historic park at the intersection of Pond and High Streets, is a great place for ice-skating, sledding, and enjoying nature. Its scenic views provide the setting for a wide variety of popular community events, including Yankee Homecoming Olde Fashioned Sunday, Art on Bartlet Mall, and the Newburyport Lantern Festival.

Bartlet Mall is an ideal place for taking a walk, walking the dog, having a picnic, biking or running. The Mall features a basketball court and one of the top 8 playgrounds in the Newburyport area, which means fun for people of all ages!

There are wide walkways and a series of footpaths that border the Mall and lead to the Frog Pond. It has also become a highly photographed area by many local photographers. The benches, walkways and shade trees create a beautiful setting. And the view of Frog Pond, with its resident ducks and ornate cast iron fountain, is lovely.

Bartlet Mall dates to the 1600s when the first English settlers used the area as a place to water and graze sheep. It was also a training area for militias that would go on to fight in the Revolutionary War. The Mall was professionally landscaped in the late 1880s using plans by landscape architect, Charles Eliot. This work resulted in the beautiful paths and grassy lawns enjoyed by visitors today.

The historic Superior Court building, constructed in 1805, sits at the edge of Bartlet Mall. It is one of the oldest active courthouses in the U.S. Charles Bullfinch, who designed the Massachusetts State House in Boston, was also the architect for the Superior Court Building. In fact, both Bartlet Mall and the Superior Courthouse are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bartlet Mall is a shimmering and beloved jewel in the heart of Newburyport’s historic district.

Bartlet Mall

High & Pond Sts.
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-465-7223

For upcoming events at Bartlet Mall, check the Newburyport.com Events Calendar.

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Grog Restaurant

15% Off Lunch, Mon-Fri until 4 PM, excludes holidays.

Bird Watcher’s Supply & Gift

10% Off Purchase, Excludes Bird Seed

Compass Rose Inn

Stay Monday through Thursday and receive 10% off. Must book directly using promo code “Weekday” and present card at check-in. *Not applicable to 3rd party bookings.

Body By Fisher Therapeutic Massage

$35 for 2nd massage w/ purchase of 1st for full price

Plum Island Airport Historic Contributions to Aviation

Plum Island Aerodrome

Plum Island Airport, Newburyport MA — Image by Ethan Cohen of UAV Look

Plum Island Airport History and Current Operations

Do you know about the impressive history of the Plum Island Airport in Newbury? Many advances in aviation occurred on Plum Island. The first flying field in New England was built on Plum Island. The original runway over the sand dunes and marshes was made of wood! The Burgess Company built over one hundred different types of airplanes at Plum Island Airport until the end of World War I. The founder of the Burgess Company built planes for the Wright Brothers and is recognized for his contributions to aviation.

Nowadays, the runway is asphalt, not wood! The Plum Island Airport offers several services to the flying community including flight instruction, aircraft fueling station, parking tiedowns and more. Glider rides and scenic flights are available to the general public throughout the year. The Airport is also used for public services including emergency medical evacuations and Coast Guard rescue operations.

The airport is a nonprofit organization. Volunteers are responsible for a great deal of the work at the airport. The goal of the organization is to make sure the historic nature of the Plum Island Airport is preserved and to inform the public about the history of the airport. The airport also hosts a number of community services, such as tours for schools, youth groups, and community organizations. It is also frequently used to host local fundraising efforts. Featured here is the Newburyport Scout Troup 21 hosting a food drive in support of the Pettengill House.

There is a museum located at the Plum Island Airport. The Burgess Aviation Museum highlights the history of the Plum Island Airport and is open year-round for self-guided tours. Visiting the Airport and the Museums is free to the public. Check the Plum Island Airport website for more information and make sure to schedule group tours in advance!

Plum Island Airport is a great place for plane lovers to stop and watch planes take off and land. In addition to its rich history,

Liberty Law Rob Ciampitti Frying from Plum Island Airport to Nantucket for a Real Estate Closing Plum Island Airport enables local licensed pilots to significantly decrease travel time to regional destinations such as Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod. If they are planning a vacation or have a need to schedule business travel, the Plum Island Airport can turn a 2-4 hour car/ferry trip into a 30-45 minute flight. Featured here is Rob Ciampitti, Newburyport Pilot and Partner in Liberty Law & Title flying to Nantucket for a Real Estate closing.

Many folks from the local area ride bikes to Plum Island Beach and enjoy taking a break at the airport while they treat themselves to delicious eats from Metzy’s. During the warm weather months, Metzy’s Taqueria Truck is frequently parked at the airport and folks can enjoy delicious, authentic Mexican food while catching picturesque views.

A visit to the Plum Island Airport is just one of the many fun and interesting Things to Do in the Greater Newburyport area!

Plum Island Airport

24 Plum Island Turnpike
Newbury, MA 01951

Airport Operations Tours/Working Museum: 508-269-4941

Burgess Museum: 978-270-6744

Flight Instruction: 781-325-2135

Directions:

From I-95 take exit 86 MA-113 W Newbury/Newburyport. Follow-113 East/ Storey Avenue continuing on to High Street/Rt 1A. Turn left at Rolfe’s Lane/ Ocean Ave. Turn right at the end of Ocean Ave on to Plum Island Turnpike. The airport will be on the right.

Metzy's Taqueria Truck at Plum Island Airport

Metzy's Food Truck at Plum Island Airport

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Cafe Sarina

10% Off Food Portion of Check

Amy Williams

10% Off All Full Priced Handbags

Essex Street Inn

15% Off or 500 Extra Choice Rewards Privilege Points. Must mention offer when booking and show card at check-in. Valid thru 12/31/2023.

State Automotive Quality Repair and Maintenance, Newburyport,

State Automotive Repair & Maintenance

$10 Off Oil Changes

We’re lucky to live in an area with more than its fair share of wonderfully designed and maintained playgrounds, including one rated top ten in the state! From relatively small but centrally located urban parks to expansive play structures banked by rolling hills and ballfields, there’s a playground for every age range and activity level. Here’s our insider’s guide to the top eight playgrounds in the Newburyport area, as rated by Macaroni Kid readers. Click the links below for an information-packed review of each park, including key details on shade structures, water play opportunities, and restroom access.

ACTION COVE

15 Bachelor St. West Newbury MA 01985

Action Cove’s whimsical, nautical-themed wooden play structure offers enough steps, slides, lookouts, and hideyholes to keep kids entertained for hours.

playgrounds in the Newburyport area, Action Cove

AMESBURY TOWN PARK PLAYGROUND

Lion’s Mouth Rd., between Friend and Highland Sts. Amesbury MA 01913

This expansive, newly renovated playground forms the heart of Amesbury’s park-recreation scene, boasting state-of-the art play equipment and a splashpad in summer.

playgrounds in the Newburyport area, Amesbury Town Park

BARTLET MALL PLAYGROUND
151 High St. Newburyport MA 01950
This relatively small playground overlooking the “Frog Pond” (Bartlet Mall Pond) benefits from easy access both to downtown Newburyport and to the footpath that rings the pond.

playgrounds in the Newburyport area, Bartlet Mall

CASHMAN PARK
202 Merrimac St. Newburyport MA 01950
Stop by Cashman Park on any given afternoon in good weather and you’ll find a social scene populated by parents, their babies and kids, and a wide variety of strollers, scooters, trikes, and bikes.

playgrounds in the Newburyport area, Cashman Park

INN STREET PLAYGROUND
25 Inn St. Newburyport MA 01950
What tiny Inn Street Playground lacks in amenities it more than makes up for in location, location, location
playgrounds in the Newburyport area, Inn Street Playground

MOSELEY WOODS
Spofford St. Newburyport MA 01950
Tucked into the woods just off the Merrimac Street traffic circle in Newburyport lies a 16-acre park featuring a playground, shaded picnic area, and hiking trails.
playgrounds in the Newburyport area, Moseley Woods

PERKINS PLAYGROUND
10 Beacon Ave. Newburyport MA 01950
Boasting a playground with a generous sandbox, Perkins Park is the go-to recreational area for families in Newburyport’s South End.
playgrounds in the Newburyport area, Perkins Park

PIRATE SHIP PARK
Little Neck Rd. Ipswich MA 01913
At this picturesque oceanview playground on Ipswich’s Little Neck, a modern play structure shaped like a – you guessed it – pirate ship offers lots of climbing opportunities.
playgrounds in the Newburyport area, Pirate Ship Park

Our Greater Newburyport specialty food & wine shops are the go to destination when entertaining and many also feature great gift ideas. In order to reward customer loyalty and encourage folks to shop local, many retailers provide discounts to Newburyport VIP Card/Mobile App users. Over the course of the year, folks can enjoy substantial savings, especially during holiday shopping times.

We highly recommend a visit to our local specialty food & wine shops when in search of the perfect gifts. Your friends and family are sure to appreciate thoughtful/useful food and drink related gifts instead of well intentioned gift attempts that end up becoming “dust collectors.” Plus shopping local is a great way to support our local Greater Newburyport economy and say thanks to our small business owners.

You can’t go wrong with freshly prepared foods, beautifully packaged quality food products, wines or perhaps a bottle of sparkling cider. Bucciarelli’s is a wonderful destinations to pick up top quality meats and prepared foods when entertaining and they also carry many specialty food and wine items to help create a beautiful gift basket. The Grand Trunk Wine & Cheese Shop features many special wines as well as delicious cheeses and other packaged specialty items to enhance the cooking experience.

Locals are familiar with Leary’s Fine Wine & Spirits of Newburyport & Amesbury for their great selection of wines & spirits, but the Newburyport Cheese Market offers an exceptional selection of cheeses cured meats, oils and many other gourmet foods. New England Wine & Spirits and Port Wine & Spirits offer a broad selection of high quality wines, craft beers, and spirits in all price ranges.

Port Plums is well known for their top quality olive oils and they also carry many other specialty food products as well as unique culinary gift items. Port Plum offers the quality of William Sonoma yet is more exclusive in that you will find unique items carefully selected by the Mother/Daughter local owners Karen and Katie.

If searching for sweat treats, Greater Newburyport offers quite a few delicious options. Simply Sweet in downtown Newburyport features amazing hand-made chocolates, nostalgic candies, gluten free chocolates, Vermont nut free products and make sure to ask about the hot-chocolate shots. Whether you need something special to bring to a party or your hosting one yourself, we strongly recommend the high quality reasonably priced: cakes, pies, brownies, and cupcakes at Dianne’s Fine Desserts. At the Buttermilk Baking Company everything is made from scratch. They pride themselves on making small-batch, by hand baking products and do all of the baking in-house. Nancy’s Marshview Cafe is an exceptional bakery, located on Bridge Road in Salisbury. Nancy bakes many wonderful pastries, cookies, cakes, each day and for special occasions we suggest placing an order for one of her delicious cakes or pies.

When in search of great gifts, make sure to consider our Greater Newburyport specialty food & wine shops. Collectively, if everyone in our community makes a few more local purchases each year it has a significant, positive impact on our local economy and benefits our small business owners. Plus, folks are sure to appreciate quality foods, wines and desserts to enjoy and share with others.

Below is a current list of discounts for the Best of Newburyport VIP Program Specialty Food & Wine shops. Although discounts don’t change often, they are subject to change. You can confirm current discounts by checking the VIP Landing Page or by downloading the Newburyport App.

- iOS click this link from your phone.
- Android click this link from your phone.

Best of Newburyport VIP Card/Newburyport App Discounts:

Bucciarelli’s – 10% off ground beef
Buttermilk Banking Company – purchase 12 like items & get the 13^th for free ($5 or less value)
Dianne’s – 20% off purchases & a free single serve dessert
Grand Trunk – 15% off 12 or more bottles of wine
Leary’s – 10% off one non-sale 750 ML bottle of wine & 10% off purchases from the Cheese Market
Nancy’s Marshview Cafe – $5 off purchases of $30 or more
New England Wine & Spirits – 20% off 12 or more bottles of wine
Port Plums – 10% off, some exclusions apply
Port Wine & Spirits – 10% off 12 or more bottles of wine
Simply Sweet – 10% off candy shop purchases over $5 and under $100

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm

Historic Farm in Newbury

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm is a historic 231-acre property in Newbury with events and activities for you and your family to enjoy. The property features exhibits and interactive activities that demonstrate what it was like to live on a farm throughout the centuries. Much of the land at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm is still under active agriculture!

Visit the expansive open land and tour the farmhouse to see what life was like in Newbury in the 1690s! The farm was originally used to raise cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and chickens. In addition, fruit, vegetables, flowers, barley and fresh meadow hay have been grown on the land. The main house was built with local stone, most likely from nearby Plum Island. There are several outbuildings including a large barn and visitor center that was originally a carriage barn.

There are many fun outdoor events at the Farm including Vintage Baseball from May to October. It’s a lot of fun to watch baseball being played with rules from 1881!

You can also visit sheep, goats, chickens and a horse on the property. The Farm partners with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to foster these friendly animals. The Farm Friends is a program geared toward children 3 to 6 years old. The children who sign up for this program get to spend time with farm animals, listen to a story, and create a neat craft item to bring home. Programs run at various times throughout the year so be sure to check the Farm’s website for details.

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm owned and operated by Historic New England, a cultural preservation organization. The season for Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm is from June 1st to October 15th, the grounds are open year round during daylight hours. It’s a great place to enjoy a stroll, ride bikes, cross-country ski, and ride horses. There is plenty of parking at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm.

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm

5 Little’s Lane
Newbury, MA 01951
978-462-2634

Directions: Take I-95 to Route 113, Newburyport. Route 113 turns into Route 1A (High Road). Follow Route 1A for 3.7 miles. Turn left onto Little’s Lane.

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Dolce Freddo Gelato

20% Off Anytime

Port Wine & Spirits

10% Off 12 Non-Sale Bottles of Wine

Compass Rose Inn

Stay Monday through Thursday and receive 10% off. Must book directly using promo code “Weekday” and present card at check-in. *Not applicable to 3rd party bookings.

Actors Studio

$2 Off Per Ticket, Money Refunded at Box Office Upon Presenting VIP Card

Looking for autism- and sensory-friendly options for family entertainment? From autism spectrum to sensory processing disorders, there are plenty of reasons why your child might need a little extra consideration when it comes to high-impact events or activities. Many large entertainment venues now make specific accommodations for these kids (think lower lights, decreased noise levels, and smaller crowds), so no one has to miss out on the fun.

Here are a few area events and activities specially designed to create a calmer environment for sensory-sensitive kids. (For a complete and continuously updated list, check out the Greater Massachusetts Special Needs Event Calendar.)

Movie Theaters

Cinemagic (Salisbury MA and Portsmouth NH) – Sensory- and family-friendly showings run once per month

AMC Theaters (Methuen and Burlington MA) – Sensory-friendly films run four times per month

Chunky’s (Haverhill MA and Pelham NH) – Lights up, sound down sensory-friendly showings run monthly

Museums

Boston Children’s Museum (Boston MA) – Morningstar Access for a less crowded experience once per month

The Discovery Museum (Acton MA) – Autism-Friendly Evenings, Sensory-Friendly Afternoons, Visually Impaired Family Evenings, Mornings and Evenings for Families with Deaf or Hard of Hearing & KODA Infant and Toddlers programs that offer increased accommodations and access to exhibits in an understanding environment

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (Dover NH) – Exploring Our Way Program is open the first Sunday of the month for families to enjoy the museum in a less crowded, understanding environment

Museum of Fine Arts (Boston MA) – Beyond the Spectrum program one Saturday per month for children ages 8-12 to explore galleries and create art

Restaurants

Autism Eats (Various Locations) – Hosts dinner parties in restaurants and function facilities with accommodations for sensory sensitivities

Chuck E. Cheese (Burlington, Danvers, and Methuen MA, and Newington NH) – Sensory Sensitive Sundays held the first Sunday of the month

Playspaces

SkyZone (Danvers MA) – Sensory Hours held on the second Sunday of the month

Storytimes

Amesbury Public Library (Amesbury MA) – Sensory Storytimes offered once per month

For more events for kids and families in the Greater Newburyport area, visit www.newburyport.macaronikid.com. Subscribe to our FREE weekly e-newsletter to have our complete calendar delivered right to your inbox: http://newburyport.macaronikid.com/subscribe/

The Clipper City Rail Trail –
A Bike Path Lined with Exceptional Local Art

Run, Bike, Scoot, Skate or Stroll it!

Experience the Clipper City Rail Trail – Newburyport’s Bike Path

The Clipper City Rail Trail is more than just your average bike path! Whether you live local to the Newburyport area or you are just coming for a visit, the Clipper City Rail Trail is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the area. In addition to the natural beauty that sounds the Clipper City Rail Trail, you will find many wonderful works of art that line this popular bike path. Enjoy unique sculptures, murals, unique signage and even a a steel “Steam Locomotive” play sculpture with a cow catcher, coal car, bell and whistle by artists Scott Kessel and Matt Niland.

Inspiration for Newburyport’s Clipper City Rail Trail came from The City of Newburyport’s Senior Project Manager Geordie Vining. On a family trip to Paris, George and his family enjoyed the art along the Seine River and realized that art shared in a public space had far more ability to have broader cultural impact than art behind closed doors.

The original phase of the bike path runs from the MBTA Commuter Rail Station over to Cashman Park, a picturesque spot on the Merrrimack River. Construction has extend the path through the South End neighborhood of Newburyport down to the river so that folks can experience even more of Newburyport via the Clipper City Rail Trail. The last phase of the project is slated to connect the two ends providing folks a safe connection across the Rt. 1 traffic circle. Whether your ready for serious exercise or a leisurely stroll with the dog, this local bike path is a wonderful place for all to enjoy.

Along your bike route stop and experience exciting Newburyport destinations such as the Newburyport Art Association and the Custom House Maritime Museum. If you work up an appetite, stop at one of the many restaurants along the way such as Metzy’s Cantina right next to the Newburyport Commuter Rail Station or Sea Level Oyster Bar to enjoy beautiful water views as you pass through downtown.

Clipper City Rail Trail

Merrimack River to the MBTA Station
Merrimack River through the South End

Rail Trail Map

Newburyport VIPs

Receive VIP treatment at Best of Newburyport^™ restaurants, accommodations, shops & attractions.

Nick’s Place – Salisbury, Raymond & Hampton Falls

10% Off Over $40, Must Mention When Ordering - Not Combinable w/ Other Offers

Amy Williams

10% Off All Full Priced Handbags

Essex Street Inn

15% Off or 500 Extra Choice Rewards Privilege Points. Must mention offer when booking and show card at check-in. Valid thru 12/31/2023.

Sole to Soul Foot Spa

10% Off

Detailed Rail Trail Overview

Joppa Flats Education Center

Education Opportunities for people of all ages

Explore Newburyport salt marshes, coastal waters and more at the Joppa Flats Education Center (JFEC) located near the entrance of the Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

This 52-acre wildlife sanctuary includes not only outdoor grounds, but indoor observation areas, making JFEC a great educational experience all year round.

From guided tours and marine touch tanks, to art exhibits, summer camps and programs for EcoKids, adults and birders, you’ll experience a variety of species recorded locally each year.

The Joppa Flats Education Center also offers annual events like the Superbowl of Birding, Plum Island CoastSweep and Merrimack River Eagle Festival, making nature all the more fun.

Plus, the JFEC in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has banded and released 36,000 birds and counting from its Bird Banding Station on Plum Island, a popular stopover point along the East Coast for migrating birds. The research collected during the banding process is entered into a database with the longterm goal of studying the relationships between some of these bird species and habitat types.

The Joppa Flats Education Center in connection with the Audubon Society of Massachusetts relies on volunteers and donations from the community. Learn more about how to contribute here.

Joppa Flats Education Center

One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA 01950

978.462.9998

joppaflats@massaudubon.org

joppaflatsdaycamp@massaudubon.org

Programs, Classes & Activities

Summer Camp Sessions & Schedules

Private Functions & Upcoming Tours

Birder’s Certificate Program – College course with trips to destinations like Cuba, Kenya and Big Bend National Park.

Love

Newburyport VIPs

Receive VIP treatment at Best of Newburyport^™ restaurants, accommodations, shops & attractions.

Hana Japan Restaurant

5% Off Food

VirtuE Jewelers Atelier

10% Off, Excludes Diamond Engagement Rings

Essex Street Inn

15% Off or 500 Extra Choice Rewards Privilege Points. Must mention offer when booking and show card at check-in. Valid thru 12/31/2023.

Plum Island Kayak

10% off

Joppa Flats Running Club

Supporting Local Charitable Causes

Photos

Joppa Flats: Running, Racing & Volunteerism

With a mission to provide financial contributions and road race support to charities in Greater Newburyport, the Joppa Flats Running Club (JFRC) encourages its members to volunteer with charitable organizations within the running community.

The JRFC’s main event is the annual Newburyport-Maudslay Turkey Trot 5k Trail Race. A tradition that started in 1989, the Turkey Trot takes place each year on Thanksgiving Day. Proceeds are donated to the Pettengill House, Opportunity Works and Our Neighborhood Table.

And with many nonprofits hosting road races as fundraisers, the JFRC also provides road support including race timing and finish line aid at these events, saving local charities thousands.

Joppa Flats Running Club

PO Box 502, Newburyport, MA 01950

joppaflatsrunningclub@gmail.com

Trav’s Trail Run – 3 Mile Cross Country Race. All proceeds benefit The Travis Elliot Landreth Memorial Fund

Maudslay Turkey Trot – 3.1 Miles X-Country Run/Walk on Thanksgiving Day

Love

Newburyport Events Coverage
Feature Stories, Photos & Videos

Enjoy Newburyport.com stories about upcoming and past events in Newburyport and surrounding towns. Make sure to download the "Newburyport" App for a direct link to the Newburyport Events Calendar.

Upcoming Newburyport Events

Newburyport Pride Celebration – North Shore Pride Month Events

Newburyport Pride will feature a series of events starting on Thursday, June 1st in addition to the month long Newburyport Pride Art Exhibit at the NAA, a great opportunity for

Spring Fest – Newburyport’s Annual Spring Festival

Please note that day two (Sunday) of Spring Fest 2023 has been cancelled due to weather. Check the Newburyport Events Calendar for other local upcoming events and download the, Newburyport

Newburyport Garden Tour Hosted by the Museum of Old Newbury

The 2023 Newburyport Garden Tour hosted by the Museum of Old Newbury, will take place on June 10th & 11th from 10 am – 4 pm. If you have an

Newburyport Lantern Festival, Newburyport MA

Newburyport Lantern Festival Supporting Ovarian Cancer Awareness

In observance of National Ovarian Cancer Month, Greater Newburyport Ovarian Cancer Awareness (GNOCA) will host the 2023 annual Newburyport Lantern Festival, at Bartlet Mall, on Sunday, July 2, 2023. This special

Plum Island Light House the Newburyport Harbor Light

Tour the Plum Island Light House: May 27th, June 24th, July 22nd, August 5 & 26th or September 9th. It was the 13th lighthouse to be constructed in the US, helping guide boaters into the treacherous mouth of the Merrimack River and into Newburyport Harbor.

Walking Tours of Plum Island, Newburyport MA

Walking Tours of Plum Island – Explore & Discover

The Walking Tours of Plum Island, led by Bill Sargent of Plum Island Outdoors are wonderful way to explore and learn about this beautiful and fascinating barrier island. The 2023

Yankee Homecoming Waiter and Waitress Race

The Yankee Homecoming Waiter and Waitress Race is absolutely one of the most entertaining events of the week! Come show your support for our local Newburyport & Plum Island restaurants

Art on Bartlet Mall – The Premier Yankee Homecoming Art Show

Come experience Art on Bartlet Mall 2023, Saturday July 29th and Sunday the 30th from 10 AM – 4 PM. In Newburyport on the corner of High Street and Pond

Yankee Homecoming Brewfest Fundraiser

Get ready for the 2023 Yankee Homecoming Brewfest Fundraiser on Saturday, July 29th from 5 – 9 pm. Brewfest takes place rain or shine along the beautiful shoreline of the

Newburyport Bed Racing – A Favorite Event of Locals!

When is Newburyport Bed Racing? Mark your calendar for the 2023 Newburyport Lion’s Club Bed Races on Thursday, August 3rd at 6 pm on Federal Street in Newburyport. What is

Yankee Homecoming Sidewalk Sales – Shop Local

The Yankee Homecoming Sidewalk Sales are an annual Newburyport shopping event that take place each year from Thursday – Saturday of Yankee Homecoming week. The 2023 Sidewalk Sales are scheduled

Annual Yankee Homecoming Parade To March Down High Street

The annual Yankee Homecoming Parade will march down High Street on Sunday, August 6th at 12 PM, marking the final official event of Newburyport’s week-long celebration. The parade, which will

US Coast Guard Open House – A Yankee Homecoming Historic Tour

Whether you have a little Coast Guard in training at home, or you would like to meet the men and women that protect our city, the US Coast Guard Open

Newburyport ArtWalk 2023

The Newburyport ArtWalk is a local event where area artists showcase their talent at various galleries throughout downtown Newburyport. Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 29th and Saturday, September 30th from 10 am – 6 pm.

Past Newburyport Events

Riverside Community Bike Swap – Buy or Sell Used Bikes

The 2023 Riverside Cycle Community Bike Swap will be held Sunday, April 30th from 10 am – 2 pm under the tent located in the Newburyport Tannery parking lot. Make

Restaurant Week in Newburyport 2023, Brine Oyster Bar

Restaurant Week in Newburyport – Top North Shore Dining

Newburyport is thrilled to host Restaurant Week 2023 from Sunday, March 12th through Sunday, March 26th, an amazing opportunity to experience exceptional food & drinks from top North Shore restaurants.

U2 Live with Joshua Tree @ Blarney Bash, March 12th at Blue Ocean

Blarney Bash Featuring Joshua Tree – Relive U2 Live – Blue Ocean

Relive U2 live with the Joshua Tree Blarney Bash, on March 10th, 2023 at Blue Ocean Music Hall. If U2 live concerts bring back memories of amazing times singing and

Rescue a Pup & Shop for a Cause at The Black Dog Adoption Events

Meet your new Best friend at the Newburyport Black Dog Adoption Event on Saturday, March 11th from 11-3 pm. Please note that dogs may arrive at different times during this

Fairy Gnome Discovery Walk – Magical Fairy Houses & Art Stroll

The 2023 Fairy Gnome Discover Walk and Art Stroll is scheduled for Saturday, April 29th and Sunday, April 30th at Pettengill Farm from 11-3. Put on your best and brightest

Newburyport Kitchen Tour and Tasting – Magnificent Kitchens/Tasty Treats

The 2023 Newburyport Kitchen Tour & Tasting is a self-guided tour of exceptionally beautiful residential kitchens and craftsmanship and also includes delicious sweet and savory bites and drinks from local

Clark School Rolling Admissions – Open House Dates

Mark your calendar for the Clark School Tours and Open House dates for the 2022 – 2023 school year. The Clark School, a coeducational private school located in Rowley, MA,

Old Newbury Bonfire 2023 – Newbury Volunteer Fire Department Fundraiser

Let’s get ready to Burn Baby Burn those well-loved Christmas Trees at the Old Newbury Bonfire on Saturday, January 14th from 3- 8 pm! The lighting of the bonfire typically starts at dusk, approximately 4:30 pm. In honor of the original purchase of Newbury, MA in 1701, the 11th Annual Old Newbury Bonfire benefits the Newbury Volunteer Fire Department and Historic New England.

Newburyport VIP New Year’s Eve Parties & Dinner Recommendations

Looking for New Year’s Eve fun in Greater Newburyport? From countdowns to dining experiences, there are plenty of options to ring in the New Year—VIP Style! Whether your looking to dress up for a formal party, join friends at your favorite local bar or enjoy a relaxing early dinner, Newburyport VIP has plenty of New Year’s Eve suggestions!

Newburyport Holiday House Tour Supporting the AJH Aid Association

The 2022 Newburyport Holiday House Tour, a fundraiser supporting the Anna Jaques Hospital Aid Association is this Saturday, December 10th from 10am to 4pm. Purchase tickets on-line or in-person at the Anna

Newburyport Choral Society Winter Concert 2022 – In Terra Pax

Don’t miss the 2022 Newburyport Choral Society Winter Concert, In Terra Pax (Peace on Earth), exclusively sponsored by Bentley’s Real Estate. Purchase tickets for one two concerts hosted at the

Santa’s Workshop 2022 Open and Spreading Holiday Cheer

Santa’s Workshop, a very special “Local Shop” is ready for customers in downtown Newburyport, owned and operated by Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick himself. This festive shed is a joint effort

Sea Festival of Trees Ocean Views, Salisbury Beach MA

Sea Festival of Trees 2022 – Winter Wonderland at Blue Ocean, Salisbury

The 2022 annual Sea Festival of Trees lights up the seacoast to kick off the holiday season – Saturday, November 19th.

Seaside Ice at the Sea Festival of Trees

Seaside Ice, hosted each year during the annual Sea Festival of Trees is a great choice if your looking for fun, affordable family activities during the holiday season. The ice skating rink is located inside of the Blue Ocean Event Center on the 2nd floor amongst the beautifully decorated Christmas trees.

Lions Club Thanksgiving Meal, Newburyport

Newburyport Lions Club Will Deliver 600 Thanksgiving Meals

For 2022, the Newburyport Lions Club will deliver 600 Thanksgiving dinners throughout the community in lieu of hosting the annual Lions Club Thanksgiving meal at the Senior Center. The Lions

Black Friday Sales 2022- Thank You for Shopping Local!

Kick off Black Friday by Shopping Local in support of our Greater Newburyport retailers! Many local businesses are running Black Friday Sales in order to incent shoppers to make as

Small Business Saturday, Keep It Local, Newburyport

Small Business Saturday 2022 – Keep it Local – Shop Newburyport

Small Business Saturday 2022 falls on Saturday 11/26 and is the perfect excuse to Support Local small businesses as you kick off the holiday shopping season! Newburyport.com works hard consistently to

Maritime Holiday Tree 2022 – Life Ring Ornaments Unite the Community

Newburyport’s 2022 Maritime Holiday Tree strung with life ring ornaments will light up the waterfront for the season beginning December 2nd at at the annual maritime tree lighting ceremony on

Newburyport’s Waterfront Park

You’ll be having some fun down at the boardwalk

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Experience the Sunrise at Waterfront Park

Newburyport Waterfront Park is positioned in the center of downtown Newburyport, Massachusetts.

A perfect green space, Waterfront Park has a great boardwalk that runs along the Merrimack River and plenty of benches to stop and enjoy the waterfront views and boating activity.

Waterfront Park also plays hosts to a variety of exercise classes, the occasional summer wedding and plenty of live entertainment from local theater performances to world class bands during Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming and Riverfront Music Festival.

As part of an Urban Renewal Project in the 60’s, Waterfront Park was taken by eminent domain by the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority (NRA) and is now maintained and managed by the Newburyport Waterfront Trust, a team of five Trustees appointed by the Mayor. The duty of the Trust is to, “Keep the public ways and Boardwalk “open” for the benefit of the general public.”

Some have expressed interest in a new vision for the park as seen in this Waterfront Master Plan by Union Studio Architecture and Design. In this design the park would increase in size with the addition of two three-story mixed-used buildings and more parking, costing a developer an estimated $30 million.

Citizens for an Open Waterfront remain in support of open views of the Merrimack River including recreational activities like volleyball and a wading pool, as well as improved parking, however the group rejects the proposed buildings as the centerpiece of the design.

Waterfront Park

Downtown Newburyport, behind the Firehouse Center of the Arts
Newburyport, MA 01950

Managed by the Newburyport Waterfront Trust

Special events that require use of any portion of the Waterfront Park require approval. Park Use Application

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Juicery

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Thanks to the Custom House Maritime Museum, the Greater Newburyport Community and curious visitors from near and far, we were fortunate to experience Newburyport’s maritime history through tours and events associated with the visit of Tall Ships: Schooner Alabama and Schooner Adventure during the 2017 Maratime Days celebration.

Excitement is always in the air for the arrival of Newburyport Maritime Days and these breathtaking Tall Ships! Schooner Alabama and Schooner Adventure arrived on Wednesday, May 24th at 10:52 AM on the high tide at the mouth of the Merrimack River. The arrival was marked with a parade of sails to the Newburyport waterfront and the official welcoming ceremony on Wednesday evening from 6 – 8 PM.

General public tours were available Thursday through Monday and as always, the Newburyport.com Events Calendar featured all Maritime Day events including Tall Ships, Newburyport important details, dates and times of special tours and events for student groups, seniors, and artists as well as a number of fun social events.

If you are enamored by the beauty of these amazing tall ships, we highly recommend a tour of the Custom House Maritime Museum. Newburyport is a city filled with fascinating stories of folks who navigated ships, worked on ships, built ships and those who sailed for both business and adventure on incredible journeys of exploration. If locals weren’t somehow connected to ships, it was certain that a family member or neighbor was, and that ships had a significant impact on the lives of everyone from Newburyport. The Custom House Maritime Museum is the ultimate destination for learning and sharing maritime history and tradition. If you haven’t been it is a must on the bucket list, and if you have been then stop in again and discover more stories and adventures of our Newburyport founding residents.

While exploring the Tall Ships we also highly recommend a visit to the, Newburyport Collection, a group of regional hand crafters, artists, and vendors selling their wares on the green, the 27th through the 29th. This is another great opportunity to further explore Newburyport’s maritime traditions and and history. You will find them under the tent on the Custom House waterfront lawn.

The schooner Alabama is a living piece of America’s maritime history. Built in 1926 for the Mobile, Alabama Bar Pilots, she s Tall Ships, Newburyport erved until her retirement in 1966. She is not a replica, a ship built to emulate the style of past generations, but rather a design of Thomas F. McManus, a man widely regarded as the best designer of all the Gloucester fishing schooners. Alabama’s second phase of her life began when the Coastwise Packet Company and its owner, Robert Douglas purchased and brought her to Vineyard Haven in 1967. Never fitted out as a sailing vessel by the Mobile Pilots, she was finally given this opportunity thirty years later when it was decided to put her back to work in 1994. The rebuild that was a result of this decision lasted over three years and replaced almost 90% of her original form. As with the Shenandoah, Captain Douglas gave every consideration to her construction and the result is a vessel true to the era and design of McManus. The fishing schooner was an American invention, and the Alabama represents the finest vessels from this area when ships like her were relied on to provide the country with the staple of its economy, codfish.

Tall Ships Newburyport

The Schooner Adventure was designed by the famous marine architect Thomas McManus as a “knockabout” without a bowsprit for the safety of the crew. The schooner was built in 1926, in Essex, Massachusetts, by the John F. James and Son Shipyard. She measured 121.6 feet in length, 24.5 feet in breadth, and 14 feet in depth. Her gross tonnage was 130 and her net tonnage 62. When built, Adventure was powered by a 120 horsepower engine turning a single screw in a cutout space in the rudder.

Experience Newburyport Maritime Days by touring the Tall Ships, attending amazing events, and make certain you also tour the Custom House Maritime Museum. Whether you are local to Newburyport or just visiting for Maritime Days be sure to download the Newburyport App. The Neburyport App is a community based loyalty program that offers folks discounts at 180 local restaurants and shops and and helps support local nonprofit organizations. Please consider supporting the Custom House Maritime Museum with your Newburyport App purchase. In addition to being a nonprofit partner, The Custom House Maritime Museum also provides discounts as part of the VIP Program. Show your Newburyport App or VIP Card and receive 50% off Museum admission and 10% off gift shop purchases of $25 or more.

Market Square Historic District

Newburyport Urban Renewal Project

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Federalist-era architecture

Newburyport’s Market Square Historic District definitely has a past.

Once a meeting place between American Indians and early explorers from England, France and Holland, Market Square was used to trade furs and fish back in the 1700’s given it’s closeness to the Merrimack River.

This all came to an end in 1811 when Market Square was destroyed by a major fire.

As part of a 20-year HUD Urban Renewal Project the brick structures were rebuilt, giving Market Square a Federalist charm that now spotlights its beautiful 19th century architecture.

Included in this Historic District is the 1823 Market House and the Custom House Maritime Museum on Water Street, as well as the buildings on State, Merrimac and Liberty Streets.

Market Square was then listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. It is now known as the largest piece of Federalist-era architecture in the U.S. full of brick row houses with shops and restaurants below.

Newburyport – A Measure of Change

YouTube | @indyjerry77

View in detail the Square’s Master Planning by Finegold Alexander Architects.

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In May of 2016, the Spanish Tall Ship El Galeón sailed into Newburyport, MA, a city rich with maritime history, thanks to the efforts of the Custom House Maritime Museum. El Galeón, accompanied by the Coast Guard, sailed up through Cape Ann and into the Merrimack River offering many spectacular viewing opportunities along the way.

Visitors and locals lined Newburyport’s waterfront to welcome El Galeón and watch the ceremonious entrance. The A Spanish Tall Ship El Galeón merican Yacht Club fired a salute to welcome the tall ship, and Rosario Fernandez, Captain of El Galeón, rang the ship’s bell to return the salute, while the crew sounded their bosun whistles from up in the ship’s sails. Onlookers that purchased their own copper and brass bosun whistle souvenirs from the Custom House gift shop, joined in the salute from shore.

After the Spanish Tall Ship El Galeón’s arrival, there were many festivities during the Maritime Days celebration including: student tours, Pirate Night Costume Party, Flamenco Evening, Breakfast on a Tall Ship, and the Children’s Pirate Party! Along with special events, visitors were welcome to purchase a general tour ticket to climb aboard and explore the tall ship throughout its stay. Whether you were local to the city or visiting from elsewhere, a stop to see El Galeón was not to be missed.

If you weren’t able to stop in why this tall ship was in town, pay a visit to the Custom House Maritime Museum to learn about some local nautical history! From displays of famous shipwrecks to the history of the Coast Guard, there is something for everyone.

If you enjoy the city’s maritime history and would like to help support the Custom House efforts, consider purchasing a Newburyport VIP Card online. The VIP Card allows you to enjoy discounts EVERY TIME you visit 180 participating Greater Newburyport restaurants and shops and $10 of your $25 card purchase will help support the Custom House Maritime Museum.

No spring fever here – we’ve compiled a list of low-cost local indoor play places to take your young ones to get the wiggles out.

Harmony Natural Learning Center in Newbury hosts both morning and afternoon open-playtimes for ages 7 and under throughout the winter months. Stocked with simple activities that feature natural materials, Harmony offers a “unique play environment intentionally structured to minimize the adult role in leading and guiding play.”

Newburyport’s Joppa Flats Education Center, part of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, offers a wide range of programming for ages 3 and up, including a year-round “Imagine, Sing & Learn” series for ages 3-6 and a giant saltwater touch tank in summer. If the weather cooperates, you can cross the street to walk the path that hugs the airfield and then heads through a thicket toward historic Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm. About three miles away at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley, you can explore more Mass Audubon trails and try to spot some of the area’s birds and small animals.

Ipswich Museum, one of the great indoor play places for the area, has just opened a new model-train exhibit. It also offers hosts monthly homeschooler workshops for ages 6-12 that range from age-appropriate explorations of the museum’s collections to walking tours of Ipswich. Contact educator@ipswichmuseum.org for information on upcoming workshops.

All That Cheer and Tumble in Amesbury offers an open gym time most Tuesday mornings (check for schedule). The Imagination Stationz program features sensory activities, dramatic play, and an obstacles course.

The visitor’s center at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport offers a kid’s story hour for ages 3-5 on Monday mornings plus free movie screenings as part of its twice-monthly “Kids’ Conservation Cinema” series. Download a monthly calendar of events from PRNWR’s website.

Ipswich Birth to Three Family Center hosts a popular open playtime for young children, among many other programs for kids and families. Classes are free for residents of Ipswich and Essex and with a suggested donation of $6 for non-residents.

Seacoast United Admirals offers a weekday-morning PlayTime program for under-5s at its indoor recreation facility in Amesbury. Season-long memberships available.

The Do Drops playgroup for ages 4 and under is the Newbury Town Library’s best-kept secret. This freewheeling, twice-weekly playtime runs yearlong in the library’s Community Room.

Preschool Open Gym for ages 2-5 at the Newburyport Youth Services Rec Center offers a weekly opportunity to get the wiggles out in a spacious gymnasium with balls, mats, and plenty of room to run around.

Buddhaful Souls Yoga Studio in Rowley welcomes toddlers and their caregivers for a drop-in Friday mom-and-me yoga session ($10/toddler), and both the Rowley Public Library and the Salisbury Public Library host free kids’ yoga classes.

We hope you find this list of suggestions helpful when in search of fun indoor play places in the Newburyport area.

Visit the websites above for more details or – better yet – check the Macaroni Kid events calendar, where you can find ALL of these programs listed in one place!

New Years Resolutions for your dog…sounds funny, but its not. The most made resolutions made by us humans is to get exercise. During the winter months it’s never more important to stimulate your dog than now. Just like you, your dog can get cabin fever and depressed when the weather gets cold and out door playtime subsides. Creating healthy habits and stimulating indoor activities is a great way to keep your dog stimulated and happy. Here are a few easy ways to create New Years Resolutions for your dog and keep them happy and healthy throughout the lazy days of winter.

Perhaps Santa brought you a new treadmill this year…what a great way to walk the dog. Start out slow, perhaps having your dog walk just through your warm up and then incorporate a jog. Soon enough when asked to go for a walk your dog will head straight for the treadmill and not the door.

This next idea is a low impact exercise but a fun one for both of you to incorporate. Teach your dog how to play hide and seek. Use their favorite toy or a snack, hide the object while your dog is watching and use a voice command to stimulate them to find the object. Once he or she catches on to the game try hiding it without them seeing but reinforce with the voice command. Don’t loose patience, your still stimulating an activity. Have you ever heard of a Kong? It is a chew toy that you put snacks inside of. This could be a good way to start the game, you stimulate with a toy and a snack…don’t forget the voice command. Hide and seek is a great New Years Resolutions for your dog.

Dancing is an excellent way to get up and move, music motivates everyone. Try putting on your favorite playlist and get Rover on the dance floor with you. Teach him some moves or just make sure he’s up and active. If dancing isn’t your thing how about yoga? Adding yoga to your exercise program is a great way to circulate the blood flow, stretch muscle and even massage your insides. Start easy but don’t forget to challenge yourself. This will be slightly more challenging for our dog but it can be a hands on bonding experience you both will enjoy. Dancing and yoga can be a New Years Resolutions for your dog and his master.

It’s never a better time to consider doggy daycare. Now that the winter is upon us and you are off to work or the gym, why not consider part time doggy daycare. This stimulates the lazy days of winter and adds socialization for your dog.

Lastly lets talk the next biggest New Years resolutions made by us all. Healthy eating habits are easier than you may think. Keeping good snacks on hand is the key to accomplishing this resolution. Stop buying junk and you cant eat it…stock up on healthy options. Making good snacks for your dog at home is simple and smart. Use the foods you eat and incorporate them into snacks for your dog. See our blog for Wicked Easy Homemade Dog Treats.

That’s it! New Years Resolutions for your dog isn’t as silly as it may sound. In fact it’s crucial for a healthy dog to get up and go and eat good throughout the lazy days of winter.

Firehouse Center for the Arts

A Hallmark of Local Arts & Culture

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Theater & Arts Collaboration

The Firehouse Center for the Arts has become Newburyport’s hub for collaborative arts and is a highly regarded North Shore destination to experience top quality arts and entertainment.

Once a market house and lyceum for the Newburyport community back in the 1800’s, the Firehouse Center for the Arts is now an expectational choice for: theater, music, dance, film, stand up comedy and so much more.

The Firehouse Center for the Arts has become Newburyport’s hub for collaborative arts and is a highly regarded North Shore destination to experience top quality arts and entertainment.

Managed by the Society for the Development of Arts and Humanities (SHAH), this intimate theater with 191 seats overlooks Waterfront Park in downtown Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Live performance by local, regional and national artists are on the calendar year round, as well as a fantastic art gallery featuring 12 solo-artist shows a year.

Plus, holding true to the belief that the arts are an essential part of the learning experience, the Firehouse Center offers enrichment programs exclusively for schools.

Recent school shows produced include Boxed In, by Stephen Faria and Forbidden Newburyport, written and directed by Suzanne Bryan.

These productions teach lessons and enhance creativity, allowing students to express themselves in non-traditional ways.

For all of this we say, Bravo!

Firehouse Center for the Arts
1 Market Square
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-7336

“The mission of the Firehouse (Society for the Development of Arts and Humanities) is to advance the arts and humanities in the Greater Newburyport region.”

Support the Firehouse

Kudos: The Firehouse Center and Schwartz/Silver Architects won an “Honor Award for Architecture” from the American Institute of Architects.

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How many times have you driven past that old pink house on your way out to Plum Island and wondered what it’s all about? There’s something about that house that just sets the tone as it whisks by the car. It’s kind of eerie looking. Kind of beat up by the weather over the years. It certainly seems like it’s in an odd place. I used to live out on the island and like many of us, still frequent the great natural space out there. That house just seems to catch my eye every time I come around that bend. Is it the remnant of a lovely estate? Maybe a millionaire who just had to be by the airport but not too far from the beach?

Nope. It turns out, as I never would have imagined, that the only thing it’s a remnant of is a spiteful divorce from 1925! What?? How is that possible? But it is as I learned from Amanda Hoover’s Boston.com article this morning. And as a Newburyport divorce lawyer, I must say, I’m intrigued. As Amanda’s story explained, the house is the centerpiece of a poorly drafted divorce separation agreement which required the Husband to build the Wife with an exactly replica of their downtown Newburyport marital home. The only problems is that the agreement didn’t say where it had to be built. . . oops. Read more about this story and why good drafting is critical in any divorce here on my Newburport Divorce Blog.

Photo by Karen Lynch.

Tannery Marketplace – Newburyport

Restaurants and Shopping in Historic Mill Buildings

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Tannery Marketplace shopping & delicious delights

The Tannery Marketplace, located in Newburyport’s South End, is a popular destination for locals and tourists to shop, dine or just hang out. The Tannery, which combines two historic mill buildings and two new buildings spanning across both sides of Merrimac Street, is home to dozens of one-of-a-kind shops and experiences as well as great places to eat.

From Black Duck Market & Deli which offers snacks and sandwiches, to not one, but two, delicious Thai restaurants—Brown Sugar serving up traditional cuisine and The Joy Nest with a speakeasy atmosphere and street vendor-inspired menu—there is something for every appetite.

Searching for the perfect gift or a treat for yourself? The Tannery is filled with unique shopping featuring items like toys, books, home goods, and more. Pop into Beach Plum Flower Shop for the perfect flower arrangement or swing by Port Plum for an amazing selection of olive oils and specialty cooking supplies. And make sure to visit Gentry’s Consignment to scan their everchanging racks of upscale fashion at affordable prices. For the biking enthusiast, Riverside Cycle, which sells bikes, biking supplies, and also offers repairs, is a must-visit.

Along with shopping and dining, the Tannery is also a destination for experiences. Love the spotlight? Try out a class at the Actors Studio of Newburyport. Hoping for a deep tissue massage? Make an appointment with Body By Fisher Therapeutic massage. Or maybe you want to tap into your creative side? Book a session with the Newburyport Art Association or just swing by to get inspiration from works on display by local artists. The list goes on and on with experiences like children’s dance, musical instrument lessons, yoga classes, and salons.

The beautiful mill buildings are so inviting that some people come just to spend time. Along the hallways are tables where family and friends can hang out and people can relax and read a book or newspaper.

On Sundays, The Tannery Marketplace is also home to the Newburyport Farmers’ Market, which runs from May to November. Local vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese, wine, art, jewelry and more, accompanied by live music.

Newburyport is always a destination to shop and dine. Next time you plan a day or night out, don’t forget to head south of downtown to visit all the local companies you can support at the Tannery Marketplace too.

Tannery Marketplace

50 Water Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-465-7047
info@tannerymarketplace.com

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Grand Trunk Wine & Cheese Shop, Newburyport, MA

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Downtown Shopping

Follow the cobblestones to your next treasure

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Support Local, Shop Small in Newburyport

Newburyport downtown shopping is an experience that leaves a lasting impression, whether you’ve lived locally for generations or you’re just visiting for the day. Walk the streets of Historic downtown Newburyport and you’re certain to make memories that will connect you to these wonderful shops and restaurants. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Newburyport Waterfront while you shop, eat and play. From the charming flower boxes that decorate storefronts, to the unique coastal must-haves displayed within, shop owners strive to exceed expectations.

The words, “Shop Local” are very meaningful in the Newburyport community. Most residents are loyal to our local shops. They have relationships with the owners, managers and staff and they appreciate having access to great shopping right in our local Newburyport community. The downtown features a few corporate retailers but the majority of the shops are privately owned by local small business owners.

Newburyport’s downtown shopping caters to a broad scope of business types. Whether you’re in the market for: fashion boutiques, antiques, art, jewelry, specialty foods & wine, furniture, home décor, floral, pet products, sport’s, health/beauty, or giftware, you’re certain to enjoy the shopping experience! You’ll score the latest seacoast fashions at The Nauti Pearl, and find the perfect jewelry to complement at Pam Older Designs. Gift your kids cool sports memorabilia from the Cuckoo’s Nest, your puppy gourmet treats at Just Dogs Newburyport and yourself a beautiful vintage from Grand Trunk Wine & Cheese Shop.

The Newburyport VIP Program is a Shop Local marketing campaign that encourages everyone to be socially conscious with their shopping by making an effort to purchase locally whenever possible. Business owners offer VIP Card Discounts to card holders as a way to reward and show appreciation for shopping local. Newburport.com provides free advertising for these local shops in an effort to increase sales and stimulate our local economy.

The “shop local” commitment applies to retailers throughout the Greater Newburyport community but the charming downtown shopping experience is what initially attracts people to visit and or live in this vibrant small city. Thank you to our small business owners for being the heart and soul of the Newburyport community. These small business owners strive to inspire and motivate shoppers with their unique products and services and they pour their heart’s into making certain that each guest has the best experience possible.

We thank you for supporting local, and look forward to seeing your smile after a day full of shopping adventures in Newburyport.

Newburyport Downtown Shopping

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Fall means tennis! It’s September and summer is officially over for most people. While no one wishes summer to end, there is a silver lining: the new season of tennis now kicks off! Whether you took the summer off from tennis or took the opportunity to work on your game and are ready to show off your new forehand or backhand slice, and whether you like to play in leagues or ‘just for fun’ NOW is the time to buy a new can of balls and hit the court.

The Newburyport Tennis Club has a full schedule of new programs for both Juniors and adults. There are many programs specifically for kids including beginner programs and the Tournament Training Academy (TTA). These TTA clinics are designed for the more serious junior – for the player who needs to be challenged more and is dedicated to becoming a better player. Adult leagues are also in full swing. Between the USTA and North Shore Tennis leagues, there is a team for everyone whether you want to play on a daytime women’s tennis league or a league for men, women and mixed doubles.

If you are new to tennis or want to improve your game, the Club’s coaching staff can help. They have added a new coach to their already strong bench and offer clinics as well as private and semi-private lessons.

Regardless of what type of tennis player you are and what kind of tennis you’d like, there is a coach for you and there is a tennis program for you. If you’d like more information about any of the programs, contact The Racquet Club of Newburyport at 978.462.3121 or email them.

The weather has finally started to brighten and spring is in the air…and nowhere is that more apparent than in Downtown Newburyport on the water. The marina workers are busy getting all of the docks into the water. They pulled them out last October/November and they have been sitting in the boatyards all winter, under ten feet of snow, as was the case this year. Well the snow has melted and the docks are being painstakingly moved from their winter storage and into position all along the banks of the Merrimack River. Its hard work and takes some time, but this group of guys have been doing it for over 25 years, so they know their stuff!

The largest marina in the area is called Newburyport Marinas and it includes the docks at Newburyport Harbor Marina, Hilton’s Marina, Windward Yacht Yard and the Newburyport Boat Basin. They are all located along the Merrimack River in historic Newburyport, with more than 500 slips for seasonal/transient dockage and accommodations for boats ranging in size up to 125′. We happen to have a small 22’ Sea Ray and moor it at Hilton’s Marina, right next to the Black Cow restaurant. HILTON’S MARINA is just 3 miles from the mouth of the Merrimack River with 65 slips. Hilton’s Marina can accommodate boats ranging in size up to 100’ feet and is a short walk to shopping, dining and activities in the downtown area. It’s a wonderful place to keep your boat, as it is a short ride up river or even out through the mouth of the river to enjoy the ocean on your way to places like Cranes Beach, the Isles of Shoals, fishing at Jeffries Ledge or other local harbors.

Along with personal boating, the City offers many other options to enjoy the water. We have a whale watching company, kayak and paddle board rental company, the Ninth Wave catamaran for rentals and a small river cruise trip from the main docks on the waterfront. Enjoy the water and then head up town to enjoy some great shopping or have a delicious meal in one of our many restaurants. Newburyport has a lot to offer the frequent visitor but really makes life feel like a permanent vacation when you live here!!! ENJOY!

Well-balanced beer for smooth sailing.

Newburyport Brewing Company

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Bill & Chris’ Excellent Adventure

The owners of Newburyport Brewing Company love adventure, playing music and great beer, all of which are present when experiencing this Newburyport, Massachusetts brewery.

From the citrus hints in the Plum Island Belgian White, to the bright hops of the Green Head IPA, with an award-winning Brewmaster onsite you can be sure the beers at Newburyport Brewing Company are top-notch.

Known for prime ingredients in a can, Newburyport Brewing Company beer styles are brewed with domestic and international premium based malts.

Refreshing and flavorful with a light toasted sweet malt finish, these American-style beers with an English-malt backbone have become fan favorites among beer enthusiasts throughout the country.

And with a “Kegs & Cans” ONLY policy, you’re beer will stay colder, longer. Perfect for camping, boating and enjoying other Newburyport adventures – a full circle concept.

Tasting & Pouring Hours

Thursday: 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Friday: 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday: 12:00pm to 8:00pm

Newburyport Brewing Company

4 New Pasture Rd, Newburyport, MA 01950

978-463-8700

info@NBPTbrewing.com

More about Newburyport Brewing Co BEERS!

NBPT Brew Co Online Store

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Newburyport Farmers’ Market

Supporting Local Farmers, Fishermen & Many Other Small Businesses

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The Newburyport Farmers’ Market is a must visit destination to shop for farm fresh products and unique items from local artisans—all while you support local small businesses! Located in the Tannery Marketplace parking lot, the Farmers’ Market is open for shopping Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm, rain or shine, from May to November.

Whether you are looking for free-range meats, fresh fish, homemade cheeses or in-season produce, you can shop confidently knowing you will be getting only the freshest products straight from local Massachusetts and New Hampshire farms and local fishermen. And with a huge variety of vendors each week, you can check off everything on your shopping list all in one stop.

For shoppers with dietary needs, the Newburyport Farmers’ Market has got you covered too. There are multiple vendors serving up vegan, gluten-free and organic options.

While you may come for the amazingly fresh foods, the Newburyport Farmers’ Market also features a rotating roster of local artists and shops. Need a special gift for that person that has everything? Swing by any Sunday to discover handmade products like homemade soaps, jewelry, and artwork.

And when we say the Newburyport Farmers’ Market is a destination, we mean it. Even if you don’t have a shopping list to fill, it’s still worth the visit. Grab a bite for breakfast or lunch from one of the stands, listen to the weekly live music, and stroll the tables for a little window shopping.

If you are interested in participating, supporting, or volunteering at the Newburyport Farmers’ Market, there are representatives onsite with more details, or email TheNewburyportFarmersMarket@gmail.com.

After spending time at the market, make sure to take advantage of all of the shops located inside the Tannery Marketplace. Visit Affamata for all your cooking needs like fresh olive oil and specialty culinary items, score designer pieces at consignment prices at Gentry’s, and treat yourself to fresh beautiful flowers at Beach Plum Flower Shop. If your a fan of delicious Thai Food check out the The Joy Nest or Brown Sugar By The Sea.

Newburyport Farmers Market

Tannery Marketplace
50 Water Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-457-6644
TheNewburyportFarmersMarket@gmail.com

9 am – 1 pm Sundays
May – November

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This Thanksgiving the Newburyport High School football team will have the opportunity to play its traditional rivalry game against Amesbury High School on the newly renovated turf field atop of Mt Rural. Mt Rural, as the hill was called where the magnificent NHS now sits, is home to one of the grandest high school stadiums in the entire state, World War Memorial Stadium. Built in 1930, during FDR’s administration, the stadium took three years to build and employed many men during the Great Depression.

My grandmother was a member of the first freshman class at NHS and was able to enjoy this amazing stadium from the very beginning. The building of this stadium gave the community a newfound sense of pride and the entire community would come out each weekend for the games, seating as many as 8,000 fans in the stadium! Over the years, the stadium has been home to concerts, various sporting events, numerous NHS graduations, as well as community events.

The stadium was built for longevity, however, after over 60 years, in 1999, the visitor side of the stands were deemed unsafe and the wear and tear of the years of usage started to show. A group of concerned alumni, parents and community members decided to form a group called RESTORE and set off on a long journey to raise the necessary funds to renovate the stands and provide todays students with a state of the art turf field.

It took over 10 years, but this Thanksgiving we can all join together to celebrate the efforts of the RESTORE group and watch the historic game vs Amesbury on our new field. The new field will be dedicated to legendary football coach and long time Athletic Director, Jim Stehlin, who was around when I was at NHS. The history behind NHS and the entire City of Newburyport continues on for all to remember and enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!

Ideal location to enjoy skateboarding

Newburyport Skatepark

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One of the fastest growing sports in the country

Built and designed for enjoyment, the mission of the Newburyport Skatepark is to have fun!

As part of Newburyport Youth Services, the Skatepark supports growth through encouragement of youth ambitions and interests.

Since 2001, the Newburyport Skatepark has been a great place for youths and young adults to learn, practice and enjoy skateboarding in a safe, yet challenging environment.

Created through community fundraising, an annual Skate Fest each summer allows the skateboarders to show off skills in appreciation.

The members of the Skatepark also assist with other Greater Newburyport area events, demos and tournaments at the park as volunteers continue to raise funds for park maintenance.

With safety of the utmost importance, the Skatepark accommodates various skill levels from beginner to pro, and helmets are required for all skateboarders ages 16 years or younger according to Massachusetts law. Children under 10 must also be accompanied by an adult.

And while skateboards and in-line skates are allowed, bikes, roller skates, motorized vehicles are scooters are not permitted, nor are the use of additional obstacles like ramps or jumps.

If ever an accident or incident should occur at the park, please contact Newburyport Youth Services at 978-465-4434.

Newburyport Skatepark

70 Low St. (behind Nock Middle School)

Newburyport, MA 01950

Free parking is available at the school. The park is also accessible via the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail line and Route #54 of the MVRTA bus line.

Panoramic Park Photos

Newburyport Skatepark Rules

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Enriching the lives of kids through soccer.

Newburyport Youth Soccer

If players have fun, they will return

If players return, they will learn

If they learn, they will have the skills to compete

If they compete to the best of their abilities they will have fun

It begins and ends with fun.

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Videos

http://youtu.be/9FFSlZtSEXI

Non-profit athletic community

Since 1980, the Newburyport Youth Soccer Association has been teaching soccer to thousands of kids each year as part of a community effort to learn, compete and have fun.

The program also strives to teach the value of physical activity and promote the social skills necessary to assist kids on and off the soccer field, ensuring kids have fun and enjoy themselves.

Games are generally played at Cherry Hill Soccer Field and Cashman Park in Newburyport, MA where encouraging words only are supported.

In turn, kids will not only learn the sport, but meet new friends while releasing the pressures of school and homework. Plus, by developing their soccer skills and an understanding of the game, kids will learn how to relate to others in a competitive, yet healthy manner, exhibiting good sportsmanship.

Win or lose, players will learn the real prize is to be a dependable member of a team and respectful of other players, coaches and fans. At the end of the day, playing in an environment that supersedes winning, kids build great character, make friends and get the exercise necessary to enjoy a balanced life.

If you would like to show support for the Newburyport Youth Soccer Association there are both volunteer and sponsorship opportunities available. The NYSA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are used solely for the advancement of our youth development programs and are a major source of the league’s funding.

Newburyport Youth Soccer Association (NYSA)

Schedules

Register Online

Player & Parent Expectations

Volunteer Here

Sponsorship Opportunities

Contact NYSA

Mission

“Newburyport Youth Soccer Association (NYSA) is a non-profit athletic community whose mission is to enrich the physical and mental lives of kids through the sport of soccer.”

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Plum Island Beach

Newburyport’s Beach – Explore, Play, Relax!

Plum Island Beach is a beautiful New England barrier island offering locals and visitors an opportunity to explore, play and relax. A family-friendly Newburyport attraction, Plum Island Beach offers many fun and interesting things to do. Discover amazing bird watching and the natural beauty of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking or just chill out on the beach and make sure to visit the cool Plum Island restaurants. Slideshow video created by Newburyport.com, utilizing pictures taken by local photographer/resident Donna Landry. Check out Donna’s Instagram page to view more of her beautiful photos (dlandry5) or watch her perform live with her band, The Boondock Sinners.

Plum Island is named for the beach plum shrubs that grow in the dunes and is 11 miles in length. There are three popular Plum Island Beach destinations on the island: The Refuge, Plum Island Center and The North Point. As you come across the bridge towards Plum Island, turn right on Sunset Drive to reach the Refuge entrance. If you’re heading to Plum Island Center continue straight a few blocks on Plum Island Boulevard. As you pass through Plum Island Center, follow the road as it veers to the left. Continue a few miles on Northern Boulevard to the North Point parking lot. Each area of Plum Island Beach has a parking lot and offers either public rest rooms or portable restroom options.

The Refuge, (Parker River National Wildlife Refuge) runs through Newbury, Rowley and down to Ipswich spanning 4,700 acres including 3,000+ acres of salt marsh and provides habitat for over 300 species. On the far Southern Point of the Island you will find Sandy Point State Reservation, a very picturesque Plum Island Beach located across from Cranes Beach in Ipswich, MA. The Hellcat Interpretive Trail is another very popular destination also located on the Refuge. Make sure to check the Refuge website or facebook page before planning your trip as the Refuge closes at certain points for the protection of Piping Plover breeding and nesting. The Refuge offers beach access from the following Refuge parking lots: 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. Public restrooms are located at lot 1, lot 4 and the Refuge maintenance area and all restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Other Refuge lots offer portable restroom options.

Plum Island Center is located in Newbury and is the best choice if your priorities include being near restaurants, ice cream and convenience stores. There are a few parking lots just across the street from the the main beach entrance and portable restrooms are located on the edge of the beach.

The North Point of the Island is located in Newburyport and is where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Merrimack River at the mouth of the Newburyport Harbor. This part of Plum Island Beach offers beautiful views but swimmers are warned to stay close to the shore and not to swim out to the sandbar as the tides are known to change rapidly causing dangerous conditions. The Plum Island Light House is a picturesque historic landmark located at the Northern end of the Island, across the street from the North Point parking lot and public restrooms. If you have kids they are certain to spot the cool playground on the edge of the beach next to the parking lot. Captains Fishing Parties is a another popular destination located directly on the beach offering both public and private boat trips.

Although Plum Island is a popular vacation destination, the majority of residents live on the Island year round. If you’re looking to purchase a home on Plum Island you will find a very broad range of homes and price points.

Plum Island Beach
Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley & Ipswich, MA

Plum Island Real Estate

Things to Do:

Plum Island Light House

Captain’s Fishing Parties

Plum Island Pink House

Plum Island Airport

Hellcat Interpretative Trail – Boardwalk Trail

Sandy Point State Reservation

Things to Know:

Plum Island Parking Lots

Piping Plovers

Rules for Dogs on the Beach

Suggestion for Dog Daycare

Greenheads

US Harbors Tide Guide for Newburyport’s Merrimack River

Directions from Boston

Take I-95 North to Exit 86, Rt. 113 East. As you drive through Newburyport, MA Rt. 113 will become Main Street and then will turn back into Rt. 113 as you leave Newburyport and pass into Newbury. You will pass the Newbury Town Green on your right and take a left at the traffic light on to Rolfe’s Lane. At the end of Rolfe’s Lane you will take a right on to Newburyport Turnpike and follow it over to the beach. You will pass the Newburyport Airport on your right and Bob Lobster on the left.

If you want to go to the Parker River National Wildlife Reservation Beach, take a right at the Plum Island Grille, on to Sunset Drive. Keep straight if you want to head to the main public beach.

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Agricultural adventures await your family.

Tendercrop Farm Field Tours

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Meet Farm Animals & Explore Field Tours

Best known for the freshest produce, meats and poultry, Tendercrop Farm in Newbury, Massachusetts offers a healthy, family-friendly experience that reaches behind groceries.

In addition to delectable farm to table foods, plants and crafts, the Farm now offers Tendercrop Field Tours!

Great for school groups, scout troops and birthday parties, Tendercrop will open their fields and pastures to the public, sharing the farming experience.

On the tour you’ll discover how food goes from the farm to table, and visit with Tendercrop Farm Friends including baby chicks, cows and turkeys.

Guests will also pick their own fresh strawberries, peaches, apples and whatever else is in season. Plus, taste treats from inside the store.

Each child will also be eligible to earn a “First Time Farmer” certificate.

Tendercrop Field Tours are available May through October with a 20 person minimum. Tickets are $8 per person.

Tendercrop Farm

108 High Rd, Route 1A, Newbury, MA 01951

(978) 462-6972

info@tendercropfarm.com

Meat & Poultry from the Farm

Fresh Produce

Order a Farm Fresh Holiday Turkey! Gift Shop

New, New Hampshire Location

Tendercrop Farm at the Red Barn 123 Dover Point Road Dover NH 01951

phone: 603.740.4920

email: info@tendercropfarm.com

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Plum Island Light House/Newburyport Harbor Light

Guide Us Through the Channel

The Historic Plum Island Light House

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Community Theater in the Open

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Nature School Learning Programs

Land & Sea Nature Exploration in Newburyport’s Outdoor Classroom

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Yankee Homecoming History

US Coast Guard Station Merrimack River

Protecting Our Local Waters for Over 225 Years

Newburyport’s Maritime First Responders

US Coast Guard

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Events

Get informed about Newburyport news and events sure to make you smile...

Bartlet Mall

A Scenic Park Rich in History

Bartlet Mall

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Plum Island Airport Historic Contributions to Aviation

Plum Island Aerodrome

Plum Island Airport History and Current Operations

Metzy's Taqueria Truck at Plum Island Airport

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Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm

Historic Farm in Newbury

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm

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The Clipper City Rail Trail –
A Bike Path Lined with Exceptional Local Art