Newburyport ma things to do this weekend

Newburyport, Massachusetts is a coastal city known for its old-time charm and a constant stream of new shops and restaurants. It's about a 45-minute drive north of Boston and just 5 miles south of the New Hampshire border. The city, dubbed "The Port," has evolved immensely since it was settled in 1635. While it’s most popular in the summer, partly because of its proximity to nearby beaches, there are also many parks, shopping areas, restaurants, and day spas to visit any time of the year. Newburyport offers plenty of activities to keep travelers entertained, from a can't-miss summertime event to a restaurant with the best Italian food around, plus a park perfect for winter sledding and snowshoeing.

01 of 08

Sip Craft Beer and Mead at Local Breweries

Newburyport ma things to do this weekend
Newburyport ma things to do this weekend

Riverwalk Brewing Company

View Map Address40 Parker St, Newburyport, MA 01950-4056, USA

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Phone +1 978-499-2337

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After a long day of sightseeing or relaxing at the beach, there’s nothing like unwinding at one of the city’s best breweries and sipping craft beer alongside the locals. At RiverWalk Brewing Company, try one of their 12 rotating brews and enjoy handmade Bavarian-style pretzels and other small bites. Nearby, Newburyport Brewing Co. is known for its popular Overboard New England India Pale Ale (IPA) and live music. If you’re more into mead than beer, head to House Bear Brewing to try its award-winning creations, made by fermenting the sugars that are generally found in honey.

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02 of 08

Indulge at Local Restaurants

Newburyport ma things to do this weekend
Newburyport ma things to do this weekend

Abraham's Bagels and Pizza

View Map Address257 Low St, Newburyport, MA 01950, USA

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Phone +1 978-465-2225

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If hunger strikes while you're visiting Newburyport, there are plenty of dining available depending on what you’re in the mood for. Abraham's Bagels and Pizza offers nearly 20 flavors of bagels and is a must-visit in the morning—don’t let the long lines stop you, even if they wrap around the block outside. Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant, just a few minutes from the downtown waterfront, is where you’ll find the best, most authentic Italian cuisine north of Boston. There are also several seafood restaurants to choose from along the Merrimack River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean roughly 3 miles downstream.

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03 of 08

Embrace Retail Therapy

Newburyport ma things to do this weekend
Newburyport ma things to do this weekend

 Amie Fedora / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0

View Map Address22 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA 01950-2610, USA

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Phone +1 978-462-2320

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Those who would rather spend the day shopping should head to State Street, the heart of Newburyport's fashion center, where you’ll find even more shops on the streets and squares branching off from the main retail thoroughfare, all offering an eclectic array of merchandise ranging from bookstores to boutiques and everything in between. Fashionistas should check out Bobbles & Lace; if your passion is vintage goods, there are a number of antique shops scattered throughout the city. One of the best places to browse is the indoor/outdoor Oldies Marketplace, located right by the boardwalk, which sells everything from clocks and furniture to fine art.

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04 of 08

Attend Newburyport's Top Summer Event

Newburyport ma things to do this weekend
Newburyport ma things to do this weekend

Tim Booth / Flickr / CC

View Map Address36 Market Square, Newburyport, MA 01950, USA

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The biggest summertime event in Newburyport is the annual Yankee Homecoming celebration, a family-friendly event that runs throughout the day and evening for about a week from late July to early August. Visitors can enjoy everything from arts and crafts to an endless lineup of food vendors, while other events include a Lighted Boat Parade and a waiter/waitress race. Stick around for live musical performances and a rousing fireworks display by the waterfront marking the end of the festivities, always a major highlight.

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05 of 08

Discover the Area's Best Beaches

Newburyport ma things to do this weekend
Newburyport ma things to do this weekend

TripSavvy / Kim Knox Beckius

View Map AddressHarbor St, Newburyport, MA 01950, USA

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Beaches are, of course, the main summertime attraction in North Shore area of Massachusetts. Plum Island, just 11 miles long, is where the locals tend to spend their summer days and nights, only a 20-minute drive from the city center. Stop by the majestic Plum Island Lighthouse, built in 1898 and known as the Newburyport Harbor Lighthouse, and catch a beautiful coastal sunset.

Nearby, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is a 15-minute drive from downtown Newburyport, though this popular beach and birding spot feels worlds away. More than 300 species of birds, plus mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians make this river their home; if you’re lucky, you may also get a chance to see the federally threatened piping plover shorebird.

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06 of 08

Spend a Day at Maudslay State Park

Newburyport ma things to do this weekend
Newburyport ma things to do this weekend

 Marc Flores / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

View Map Address74 Curzon Mill Rd, Newburyport, MA 01950-6254, USA

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Phone +1 978-465-7223

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Maudslay State Park in Newburyport is a perfect place to spend the day outdoors and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Go for a relaxing walk or bike ride along the trails or pack a picnic and enjoy the fresh air. If you happen to be in the Newburyport area during the month of October, check out Maudslay is Haunted, a series of skits performed along the marked trails by the theatrical troupe, Theater in the Open. In the wintertime, Maudslay State Park is also a favorite place for locals who want to snowshoe along the trails or sled down the hills.

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07 of 08

See a Show at an Intimate Theater

Newburyport ma things to do this weekend
Newburyport ma things to do this weekend

The Actors Studio of Newburyport 

View Map Address109 Main St, Amesbury, MA 01913-2823, USA

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Phone +1 978-465-1229

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If you are a theater fan, get tickets to a show presented by The Actors Studio of Newburyport, established in 1991 and located in The Tannery downtown. This intimate, 50-seat theater hosts cultural events, concerts, and interactive performances throughout the year, ranging from stage dramas to storytelling slams and book signings. For locals or visitors staying in town for a while, the theater also has improvisation comedy and daytime scene study classes.

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08 of 08

Go On a Food Tour

Newburyport ma things to do this weekend
Newburyport ma things to do this weekend

Courtesy of TripAdvisor

View Map AddressCape Ann, Rockport, MA 01966, USA

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Cape Ann Foodie Tours will guide you through a Taste of Newburyport on a tour lasting about 2.5 to 3 hours, where you can sample some of New England’s favorite dishes, like clam chowder, scallops, and whoopie pies. Besides having the opportunity to try a satisfying array of local treats, you’ll also receive an overview of Newburyport's history as you're walking through its historic streets.

Is Newburyport worth a visit?

Newburyport, Massachusetts is a coastal city known for its old-time charm and a constant stream of new shops and restaurants. It's about a 45-minute drive north of Boston and just 5 miles south of the New Hampshire border.

Can you walk to Plum Island from Newburyport?

3 miles (4.8 km) one-way. A pleasant, paved path that runs from Newburyport Commuter Rail station to the water for 1.2 miles, where you can continue along waterfront paths. Industrial at first, then pleasant through downtown. Can also run over the Bridge, and continue along the trail for another mile.

What is there to do in Newburyport in the winter?

Winter Activities in Newburyport.
Ski or Snowshoe at Maudslay State Park | 74 Curzon Mill Rd, Newburyport | (978) 465-7223. With over 450 acres, this state park has ample trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. ... .
Take a Winter Walk on Plum Island | Refuge Rd, Newbury | (978) 465-5753. ... .
Skate at Henry Graf Jr..

Does Newburyport have a beach?

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.