From Wikitravel

Newburyport [1] [2] is a lovely coastal town in Massachusetts at the mouth of the Merrimack River. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful natural areas, water activities and fine dining.

[edit] Understand

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

• Interstate 95, Exit 57.

• Accessible by Routes 1 and 1A.

[edit] By train

• MBTA, +1-800-392-6100, [3], more specifically the commuter rail from Boston's North Station.

[edit] By boat

Newburyport is located at the mouth of the Merrimack River. Call the Newburyport Harbormaster at +1 978-462-3746 for specific information on your trip to Newburyport.

[edit] By air

• Plum Island Community Airfield (IATA: 2B2 ICAO: K2B2), Plum Island Turnpike, Phone: +1 978-463-4222, [4]. Small airfield. Scenic flights available.

• Most travelers would arrive at Boston's Logan International Airport[5] or Manchester Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, NH [6]

[edit] By Bus

• Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) [7] Route 51 services Newburyport.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

• Cushing House Museum and Garden, 98 High St., +1 978-462-2681, [8]. This 21-room brick Federal home houses the Historical Society of Old Newbury. Visitors are treated to the treasures of the area’s rich historic past, encompassing every aspect of life from the countryside to the city and its merchants. There are guided tours, exhibits, special events, and lectures. Open May-October, Tue-Fri, 10am-4pm, Saturday, 11am-2pm.Last tour begins one hour before closing. Admission Charged.

• Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water St., +1 978-462-8681. Mar-Dec, Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 12PM-4PM. Housed in the restored 1835 granite Custom House, the museum exhibits artifacts form Newburyport’s rich maritime history as a major shipbuilding center and seaport, sending ships to the Far East and around the world. Admission charged.

• Joppa Flats Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, +1 978-462-9998, joppaflats@massaudubon.org, [9]. 8:30AM-4PM. $2.

• Maudslay State Park, Curzon Mill Rd., +1 978-465-7223, [10]. Daily 8AM-Sunset. A 480-acre state park with 19th century garden plantings, rolling meadows, pine forests and mountain laurel. Walking, biking, horseback riding, picnics and cross-country skiing are available to the public. A seasonal outdoor theater and performance center are on the grounds. A real gem along the banks of the Merrimack River. Best in May and June. Parking is $2.

• Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, off Plum Island Tpke, +1 978-465-5753. [11]. A 4,662-acre sanctuary located on Plum Island. The entrance to the refuge is situated less than four miles from Market Square, the historic center of downtown Newburyport. The refuge contains a wide variety of habitats including beaches, sand dunes, saltmarshes, salt pannes, freshwater impoundments, and maritime forests. The large salt pannes located on the west side of the refuge road are excellent places to see a large variety of shorebirds during fall migration (July through September) and egrets and herons from mid-April through October. The Hellcat Wildlife Observation Area has large freshwater impoundments, an extensive swamp, and deciduous forest. The impoundments and swamp usually support large numbers of waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds. The woodlands are excellent places during the spring and fall to observe large numbers of migrating songbirds, including the magnificent wood-warblers. Near the southern end of the island, Stage Island Pool is also excellent for waterfowl and waders. Sandy Point State Reservation at the sound end of Plum Island is a breeding area for the endangered Piping Plover during the summer and a very productive site in fall for shorebirds. During the winter, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to see waterfowl plus many northern species that winter in our area. Highlight species include the Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Shrike, and Snowy Owl.

• Newburyport Whale Watch, 54 Merrimac Street On the boardwalk, Phone: +1 978-499-0832, Fax: +1 978-463-4305, Email: bubblefeed@yahoo.com, [12]. Also dinner cruises and charters.

• Yankee Clipper Harbor Tours, 1 Merrimac Street #26, (978) 462-9316, [13]. Jun-Oct daily. Harbor tours leaving Waterfront Park. Adults $12, Children $6. Sunset cruise 6:30PM - 8:00PM; Adults $18, children $10.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Festivals

• Yankee Homecoming Festival - Begins Last Saturday in July (2008- July 26 - Aug. 3), Phone: +1 978-462-7196, [14]. The week long celebration of the first settlers to the Newburyport area. It features an art show, an antique car show, boat parade, the "Bed Race", a fireworks show, and, of course a parade on the last Sunday of the festival. There are concerts every night at the waterfront park.

• Newburyport Riverfront Music Festival (July 12 & 13, 2008), Phone: +1 978-462-6680, [15]. This two-day music festival features national recording artists at the waterfront park in downtown Newburyport. Admission is Free.

• Newburyport Buskers Festival (August 31 & September 1, 2008), Phone: +1 978-462-6680, [16]. This two-day festival is fun for all ages. Street performers of all kinds entertain crowds throughout downtown Newburyport. Admission is Free.

• Newburyport Fall Harvest Festival (October 12 & 13, 2008), Phone: +1 978-462-6680, [17]. This two-day festival is the perfect way to celebrate autumn in Newburyport. Crafters and artists fill the streets of downtown. Admission is Free.

[edit] Recreation

• Plum Island Kayak, 38R Merrimac, Unit 102B, Phone: +1 978-462-5510, [18]. Instruction or guided river, wildlife refuge, full moon or Isle of Shoals tours.

[edit] Boat Charters

• Atlantis Charter, 18 Russell Terrace, Phone: +1 978-463-7765, [19]. Charter (fishing, whale watching, etc.) 6 passengers.

• Coastal Discoveries, 55 Hay Street, Phone: +1 978-462-8859, [20]. Marine environmental education program. Charterboats for fishing, evening cruises, etc.

• Full Moon Classic Yacht Charters, 253 Low Street, Suite 305, Phone: +1 978-463-3388. Certified for up to 49 people year round. Summer only.

• Lady Diane Charters, 68 Curzon Mill Road, +1 617-594-8142, [www.ladydianecharters.com]. Lady Diane Charters offers Bass, Bluefish & Mackerel fishing, whale watching, dive charters and scenic cruises from May 15 through October 15.

• Tunacious Sportfishing Charters, Hilton’s Marina, Merrimac St., Phone: +1 978-462-8862, [21]. Sportfishing charters aboard a 33' Blackfin for Giant Bluefin Tuna, Sharks, Cod, Haddock, Striped Bass and Bluefish.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Moderate

• Agave Mexican Bistro, Phone: +1 978-499-0428, [22]. Authentic Mexican restaurant on three floors, each with its own atmosphere.

• Aquatini, 27 State Street, Phone: +1 978-463-8266, [23]. Dinner W-Su 5PM-?; Lunch Th-Su 11:30AM-3PM. Great food and drinks.

• The Black Cow, 54 Merrimac St # R Phone: +1 978-499-8811, [24]. Comfortable and classy waterfront location with a diverse menu. Moderately priced: Appetizers, $5 — $14; entrées, $9 - $25

• Gallery and Grille, 26 Market Square, Phone: +1 978-463-7411, [25]. Sun-Thur 11:30-8PM; Fr,Sa 11:30AM-9PM. Hours reduced in winter. Nice casual atmosphere with art displayed. $10-$17.

• The Grog, 13 Middle Street, Phone: +1 978-465-8008, [26]. Daily 11:30AM-10PM. Dinner $10-$20.

• Rosie O'Sheas Irish House, 84 State Street, Phone: 978-499-0606, Fax: 978-499-2257, [27].

• The Purple Onion, 44 Inn St., Phone: +1 978-465-9600, [28]. M-F 11:00AM-8PM. Sa-Su 11AM-4PM. (Closed Sun. in off season.) Fun, funky, different stuff.

• Wild Bites, 65-A Market St., Phone: +1 978-388-2777, [29]. Creative Italian. $12-$30.

[edit] Splurge

• Plum Island Grille, Phone: +1 978-463-2290, [30]. M-Th 5PM-9PM, F,Sa 4PM-9:30PM, Su 4PM-8PM. Great views to go with the excellent food and service. Year round.

• Glenn's Restaurant and Cool Bar, 44 Merrimac Street, Phone: +1 978-465-3811, [31]. Tu-Su 5:30PM-?. Acclaimed chef.

• Bluwater Cafe, 140 High Street, Phone: +1 978-462-1088, Fax: +1 978-462-5265. Daily 5PM-11PM. Best choice for fish.

[edit] Super Splurge

• Newburyport Lighthouse, 61 1/2 Water St., +1 800-727-BEAM, [32]. Climb the 55 stairs to the top of this lighthouse, then select (for delivery) from multi-course gourmet meals offered by Newburyport's finest. Reservations required months ahead. $375 per couple, all you can eat, includes membership in the Lighthouse Preservation Society (with possible tax deductibility). Bring your own liquor.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Upstairs at Michael's Harborside, One Tournament Wharf, Phone: +1 978-462-7785, [33]. 11:30AM-1AM.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• The Essex Street Inn, 7 Essex Street, Phone: +1 978-465-3148, Fax: +1 978-462-1907, Email: info@essexstreetinn.com, [34]. 27 rooms.

• Morrill Place Inn, 209 High St., 978-462-2808 or 888/594-4667. FAX: 978/462-9966. 9 rooms, 5 with bath

• Garrison Inn, 11 Brown Square, 978-499-8500, [35]. 24 rooms in 1809 inn.

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!