Our Favorite Summer Activities in the Greater Newburyport Area

Summer is here, and there’s no better time to enjoy all that the Greater Newburyport area has to offer! From beaches to ice cream and everything in between, we love living in a place with such a vibrant summer scene. Whether you’ve recently moved or are planning a weekend getaway, here is a list of our favorite Newburyport area summer activities.

Plum Island, Newburyport, MA

Beaches

It wouldn’t be summer without a few trips to the beach! Luckily, Newburyport and Newbury are home to the beautiful Plum Island. While only 11 miles long, this barrier island, located off the coast in northeastern Massachusetts, has much to offer for fun and relaxation. Start your day with breakfast at Mad Martha’s, then continue across the street for a day of sunbathing and swimming. Once you’ve had your fill of the beach, head over to Sunset Club for some yummy food and fun cocktails and enjoy the sunset. 

Just across the river is the Salisbury Beach State Reservation. This beach is another beautiful spot to swim, boat, camp, or simply sunbathe with a good book. For dinner, visit downtown Salisbury Beach for tacos at Sin·A·Loa or beach pizza at Christy’s.

Plum Island Kayak Tours in Newburyport, MA

Water Sports

Newburyport is not only a beach town; it’s a river town as well. The Merrimack River has plenty of opportunities for water sports, from boating to jet skiing. One of our favorite summer activities is kayaking! Plum Island Kayak offers daily tours throughout the summer months that guide you along the lower Merrimack River and Plum Island Sound. They even offer full moon tours and seal paddles! These tours are a great way to start your morning or enjoy a peaceful afternoon on the water.

Newburyport Whale Watch

Boat Tours

Another great way to enjoy summer on the Merrimack River is with a boat tour! The Yankee Clipper offers daily scenic tours of the Newburyport Harbor, the Great Salt Marsh, and the Merrimack River, where you can learn about the river’s history and the most biodiverse ecosystem in the world. Want a fun way to end the night? We highly recommend a sunset cocktail cruise. Thursday night rides even include live music!

If you’re looking for more adventure, the Newburyport Whale Watch is a fantastic way to spend the day! These 4-hour trips, narrated by a Marine Naturalist, leave out of Newburyport Harbor and head to the Atlantic Ocean to see Humpbacks, Minkes, Finbacks, and other New England marine life along the coast.

Downtown Newburyport Waterfront Park

Concerts

One of the benefits of the warm summer days is being able to enjoy the outdoors. From patio dining to yoga in the park, there are many ways to take the indoors outside. One of our favorites is outdoor concerts; luckily, there are so many to choose from in the Newburyport area! Alex Anthony Band’s Beach Jam Series on Thursday nights on Plum Island is a hidden gem! All you need to bring is a chair, a good drink (or two), and some snacks for the perfect summer evening. Then at the end of July, get ready for Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming! The week-long festival is full of fun activities, shopping, and food, including a waterfront concert series with a different band every night. You can’t ask for a prettier venue!

Strawberries at Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury, MA

Cider Hill Festivals

It wouldn’t be summer without some delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, and you can’t get fresher than visiting our local farm, Cider Hill Farm, in Amesbury. Not just a spot for apple picking and cider doughnuts, Cider Hill has many events and festivals throughout the summer. On Saturdays, enjoy their hard cider bar and live music series. Mid-August weekends welcome their Annual Harvest Party, where you can pick 25+ varieties of blooms, sunflowers, beans, heirloom tomatoes, and carrots, plus take in live music, hands-on activities, hard cider, and food trucks! Check out their full event calendar here! We’re particularly interested in the Apple Cider Donut Burger Pop-Up Fundraiser on July 13. 

PI Sandy from the Cottage Creamery in Newburyport

Ice Cream

Can you even call it summer if you haven’t indulged in an ice cream cone (or 20)? There are so many great local shops in the Newburyport area. Had a day at the beach? You must stop by the Cottage Creamery, home of the famous PI Sandy (homemade ice cream sandwich between two massive cookies or a brioche doughnut). Shopping in downtown Newburyport? Get gelato from Dolce Freddo Gelato and enjoy it while people-watching in Market Square. Or visit our team’s favorite shop, Hodgies Too, in Salisbury. Nothing is better than homemade ice cream on a hot summer night!

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