Newburyport, MA

Newburyport holds a special place in my heart. It's the location where Mike and I got married and it's where my in-laws moved when they retired. It's a quaint seaport town just 30 minutes north of Boston.

A map of Newburyport that I created and included with our wedding invitations.

The center of town is filled with lovely shops and restaurants. It's the kind of downtown area where each storefront has it's own wooden sign hanging above the door exuding that New England-y charm that you'd expect from a seaport.

Steps away from downtown is the boardwalk right on the Merrimack River. Many people dock their boats for the day and spend a leisurely afternoon in the port.


My favorite home stores also happen to reside in Newburyport. The Wishbasket won the Best of Boston award in 2006 and is located in the Tannery. This store carries an array of products from furniture, to Kiehl's beauty products to Stonewall Kitchen preserves.





The Red Bird Trading Co. is fairly new and it is also located in the Tannery in Newburyport. The styling is very French Country and has amazing finds, from French wardrobes so big that they almost feel like rooms to plush blankets and unique chandeliers.



The homes in Newburyport are a walkable distance from downtown, always convenient when you want to pick up fresh bagels or your morning coffee.


If I've convinced you enough to plan a trip, I recommend the Compass Rose Inn. It's on a quiet side street right across from one of my favorite restaurants 10 Center Street. (The lobster mac and cheese is scrumptious!)

I hope you enjoyed the tour of one of my favorite places. See below for more recommendations and accommodations.

DINING:

Abraham’s Bagels: 11 Liberty Street
Angie’s: (breakfast) 7 Pleasant Street
Fowle’s: (newsstand, great cuban sandwich) 17 State Street
Grog: (casual bar food) 13 Middle Street
Black Cow: (waterfront dining) 54 Merrimac Street
Michael’s Harborside: (waterfront dining) Tournament Warf
Ten Center Street: (american) 10 Center Street
Mission Oak Grill: (steakhouse) 26 Green Street

ATTRACTIONS:

Maudlsay State Park: Curzon Mill Road, 480 acre state park has trails across the meadows and through extensive pine forests as well as a 19th century garden.

Plum Island Beach: Northern and Southern Boulevards, 2 miles of public beaches on the residential section of the island.
Oldies Marketplace: 27R Water Street, warehouse full of antiques and collectibles

Tannery: 75 Water Street, restored complex of old leather mill buildings now housing a variety of stores.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Compass Rose Inn: 5 1/2 Center Street
Essex Street Inn:7 Essex Street
The Garrison: 11 Brown Square