8 Ways To Stay Active in Greater Newburyport

 

The greater Newburyport area offers residents and visitors an abundance of things to do and see. There are museums and exhibits for learning about the rich history of the historic town, a wildlife refuge for nature lovers, the views along Plum Island, expansive hiking trails, a farmers’ market, and whale watching tours—all within reach of beautiful, luxury homes.

Below are eight ways to stay active while living in or visiting Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Established in 1941 as a migratory bird habitat, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge features 4700 acres and over 300 bird species. Parker River is a fantastic place for visitors and residents of Newburyport real estate to view wildlife, including those endangered, such as the piping plover. Visitors to the refuge can practice their wildlife photography, surf fishing, or take part in seasonal hunting. The sanctuary is open daily from sunrise to sunset, but take note of temporary closures.

For potential buyers of homes for sale in Newburyport, be sure to check out Plum Island, an 11-mile barrier beach island. Enjoy kayaking, fishing, birdwatching, and hiking along this quaint island, and make sure to stop by The Plum Island Lighthouse. When you’re ready for a snack or a quick shopping trip, check out The Cottage Island Market & Spirits.

Maudslay State Park is a beautiful park with 19th-century gardens. It's perfect for a day trip or for spending a few hours outdoors. There are plenty of activities offered at Maudslay State Park, including walking and biking trails, river fishing, picnicking in the gardens, and horseback riding. Visitors are welcome to bring dogs, as long as they remain well-behaved and on-leash throughout the visit. The park is open from sunrise to sunset year-round. 

Take a leisurely scenic walk near homes for sale in Newburyport. The Clipper City Rail Trail is the perfect spot, with 1 mile of trail along the Merrimack River. Visitors will wander past a gallery of local paintings and sculptures. The ten-foot-wide trail is paved, well-maintained, and handicapped-accessible.

The Pink House is a historic house located near Plum Island. It’s the subject of an urban legend among residents of Newburyport real estate. According to the historical society of Newburyport:

“The house's notoriety is in part due to a popular local urban legend about its creation. The story suggests the house's location was a result of a divorce in which the wife demanded an exact replica of their Newburyport house. She failed to specify the location which resulted in the spiteful husband building it on the edge of town, in the Great Marsh with saltwater plumbing. For this reason, the building is often listed as an example of a spite house.”

The MetroRock Indoor Climbing Center is a great place to go if you're looking for a fun activity to do indoors. The center has a climbing wall perfect for people of all experience levels. If you're new to climbing, the staff at MetroRock will be happy to teach you how to climb safely in their Intro to Climbing Class. The center also offers personal training and a climbing-based strength training option. Youth can attend one of the camps offered throughout the year or participate in the after-school programs. The center is happy to host birthday parties and sleepover parties.

Residents of Newburyport real estate enjoy the Newburyport Farmers' Market, a great place to go when looking for fresh, locally-grown produce. The market is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May to November. The vendors sell a variety of locally farmed fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products from nearby farms, and baked goods, jams, and honey. There are also crafts available from local artisans.

If you're looking for a fun outdoor activity near homes for sale in Newburyport, be sure to check out the Newburyport Whale Watch. The whale watch is a guided boat tour that takes passengers out into the Gulf of Maine to see whales and other marine life. The tours run from May to October and are a great way to see beautiful animals in their natural habitat.

With 149 passengers, the 106-foot-long Captain Lady III welcomes tourists to book their tours online. With trips that run about 4 hours, tourists most commonly see finback, humpback, finback, minke whales, and a variety of seabirds.

If you find yourself yearning to call Newburyport home, reach out to local realtor Alissa Christie. Alissa is a former full-time attorney who understands the importance of trust and experience when representing clients and closing deals. She can offer you the best market analysis, negotiation experience, and customer service the Newburyport real estate market has to offer. Contact Alissa and her team today!