Boats of every description make their home in Newburyport, where there is no shortage of facilities to accommodate them.

Newburyport’s past is defined by the mighty Merrimack River, which pours from the New Hampshire mountains and empties into the Atlantic at the northern end of Plum Island. Initially a trading hub that saw its first commercial wharf built in 1655, Newburyport has served, at one time or another, as a hideout for privateers who plundered enemy ships in the early 1800s; a mill town dotted with tanneries and steam-powered mills in the mid 1800s; and a shipbuilding center famous for its schooners and clipper ships. After falling on hard times in the early 1900s as the mills and shops were shuttered, Newburyport became a dingy and disreputable place for many years.

However, like Portsmouth and Portland to the north, the city wisely invested in the revitalization and preservation of its historic downtown in the late 1970s, pulling itself from economic slumber by promoting its best asset—the waterfront. Today, restored Victorian homes, brick Federalist mansions, and tidy townhouses line the streets just outside the bustling downtown on High Street, and are well worth the walk for architectural aficionados. And history buffs should be sure to check out the Custom House Maritime Museum on Water Street.

Newburyport Restaurants

Newburyport is now appreciated by boaters and terrestrial travelers alike. In early spring, tourists and residents eager to take advantage of long-awaited sunshine pack the brick sidewalks. Outdoor seating at many Newburyport restaurants and cafés is in high demand. Fortunately, there is no shortage of dining options.

The Black Cow treats diners to good food served with a waterfront view.

The Black Cow and Michael’s offer waterfront dining, while dozens of other restaurants and bars throughout the city serve everything from Chinese and Indian to Mexican and Italian fare. If you want a real taste of local flavor, be sure to check out The Grog on Middle Street—a favorite watering hole that usually features musical entertainment. The Firehouse Center for the Arts in Market Square offers a great lineup of music, theater, and visual art exhibits.

Boardwalk and Boutiques

As you stroll along the riverside boardwalk, check out Oldie’s big red barn, a decades-old mecca for flea market fanciers. At the entrance, a life-sized cow statue beckons shoppers to explore the cool, dimly lit stalls packed with colored glassware, movie posters, vintage clothes, records, furniture, and endless knick-knacks.

For those with more refined shopping tastes, a quick walk to Market Square, as well as State and Pleasant Streets, will lead you to everything from gourmet provisions to luxury pajamas. Local boutiques offer the finest fashions for the whole family, pets included. Just like the Merrimack, the streets of Newburyport flow with a strong current of people enjoying the beautiful New England summer and fall afternoons.

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Newburyport Beaches and Boating

Speaking of strong current, it’s the reason many boaters decide to bypass Newburyport. The Merrimack’s narrow inlet can be notoriously challenging as 177 miles of water charges into the Atlantic between Plum Island to the south and Salisbury to the north. Conditions get particularly hairy when the ebbing tide meets a strong easterly wind or swell. It’s one reason the Coast Guard has been stationed

From schooners to this amphibious QuadSki, the Merrimack is a most accommodating river.

at Plum Island for more than 100 years, and more than a few boats have capsized in these turbulent waters during that time. However, the prudent mariner who pays attention to his chart and monitors the inlet conditions should be just fine.

Once inside the river, the visiting boater can tie up along Waterfront Park for up to three hours for a reasonable fee, payable via the harbormaster’s office. City-managed moorings are also available for overnight stays. Or you can always secure transient accommodations at one of Newburyport’s six private marinas and its venerable yacht club.

No trip to Newburyport is complete without at least a day spent at Plum Island, a sprawling barrier beach only four miles from downtown and within easy biking distance. The northern part of the island is home to a community of tightly-packed beach cottages and a fleet of party boats and whale watching vessels, while the southern end is part of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, which hosts more than 800 species of birds, plants, and animals at some point during the year. The beach is pristine, but beware the riptides if you’re tempted to take a dip and the surf is up.

Perhaps the best way to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the Parker River is to take a guided tour with Plum Island Kayak. And be sure to stop by Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center on the way to the island, so you can learn which bird species to look for as you paddle through the marshes.