6 Things To Do on the North Shore This Summer
There’s no better season to enjoy our little corner of the world than summer. The North Shore of Massachusetts comes alive, and there are so many fun options this year to take advantage of this charming coastal community. From beach concerts to outdoor exercise classes, here are our favorite activities to enjoy a North Shore summer!
1. Festivals & Markets
After a long winter, one of the best parts of summer is enjoying fresh local produce again. We’re lucky to live in an area with access to some incredible farms. One of our favorite farm experiences is Cider Hill in Amesbury, MA. Not only do they offer fruit and flower picking, farm animals (including the option to feed their chickens), and an impressive farm store every day, but they also host festivals throughout the season. Here are a few you won’t want to miss:
- Blueberry & Flower Festival: July 19-20 & July 26-27
- Peach & Sunflower Festival: August 9-10 & August 16-17
- Country Fair: August 30 – September 1
Even though not all farms offer interactive experiences like Cider Hill, you can still take advantage of their offerings at local farmers’ markets all summer long! Stop by the Tannery in Newburyport on Sundays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm or visit the Ipswich Homegrown Market on Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
2. Beach Jam
Looking to experience the perfect New England evening? It doesn’t get any better than live music on the beach! Every Thursday night from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, local bands play free concerts on Plum Island Beach in Newburyport. Pick up a pizza and a bottle of wine, and you have a ready-made summer night. Be sure to get there early for a good parking spot!
3. Take in a Show
Looking to beat the heat? Try a night at the theater! While it’s easy for residents of the North Shore to hop down to Boston and take in a show, we have a talented theatrical community right here in our backyard. This summer, the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport will premiere Legally Blonde, the Musical. Opening night is July 4, and it will run until July 27. The Cabot Theater in Beverly always has an impressive array of musical and comedic talent on their event calendar. While their main stage will be closed this summer for renovations, Off Cabot, their intimate 120-seat venue down the street, will have a full lineup of comedy, local music, dance, and other unique programming.
4. Boat Tours
From whale watching to sunset cruises, one of the best ways to experience summer on the North Shore is on the water. Newburyport Whale Watch runs tours from May to October, with peak season being July and August.
Essex River Cruise is another excellent option for exploring our coastal home. They offer daily narrated sightseeing tours of the river and salt marshes seven days a week. On Sundays, don’t miss their Coffee & Muffin Cruise; it’s the perfect way to start your day!
Also out of Newburyport is the Yankee Clipper Tours. We recommend taking their Sunset Cocktail Cruise, departing Wednesdays -Saturdays at 6:45 pm. On Thursdays, they even provide live music!
5. Outdoor Fitness
Warm weather and longer days mean we can finally move our bodies outdoors! Beyond long walks on the beach and rediscovering the area’s bike trail networks, many fitness businesses will start to host classes outside. One of our favorite activities is beach yoga. Yoga is a fantastic way to improve your body and mind, and the addition of crashing waves and sunlight on your skin makes it an even more magical experience. Ride the Wave in Newburyport has classes every Saturday from 8:00-9:00 am on Plum Island Beach, or visit GroundSwell in Salisbury for beach yoga every morning from 8:00-9:00 am. Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury also hosts a variety of outdoor fitness classes, from CrossFit and barre to kids’ fitness and family yoga.
6. Yankee Homecoming
Nothing feels more like summer than Yankee Homecoming Week in Newburyport. The annual celebration started in 1958 as a way to share and celebrate where history was made in our small, local communities. Knowing the national significance of the town’s history with the beginnings of the United States Coast Guard, the founders chose August 4, the birthday of the Coast Guard, as the timeframe for the celebration.
This year’s Yankee Homecoming will take place July 26 – August 3. The eight-day event includes road races, Waterfront Concerts every night on the Merrimack River, Market Square entertainment, outdoor fitness classes every morning in the Waterfront Park, and craft and artisan fairs. The week wraps up with a sensational fireworks display and Grand Parade past the historic houses of High Street. Make sure not to miss Olde Fashion Sunday on July 27 or the waiter/waitress race on Monday, July 28, at 3:30 pm!
We love living on the North Shore all year round, but summertime is when it truly shines. If you’re considering making this special place your home, we’d love to help make your dream home vision a reality! Connect with us, and let’s build something extraordinary together.
