TOURS OF NEWBURYPORT

Newburyport is a wonderful place to explore, whether you go on a self-guided walking tour or a guided walking or bus tour or go birding with an expert, you’ll always find something new and interesting in Newburyport. There are other ways to explore the city, from the river on a Harbor tour or a Plum Island Eco Tour. Why not go on a whale watch out of Newburyport harbor and see nature up close.

A Self-Guided Walking tour of Newburyport’s hidden treasures

Head up State Street past the (A) A.S. Page Insurance Building, home to army militia headquarters during the civil war. The (B) Newburyport Public Library, 94 State Street, built in 1771, was a frequent stopover for George Washington, John Quincy Adams, Benedict Arnold, and Aaron Burr. The (C) Dalton House, 95 State Street, built in 1792, was once home to Tristam Dalton, the first U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.

Turn right onto High Street towards the (D) Bartlett Mall and the (E) Superior Courthouse, designed by Charles Bullfinch and built in 1805. Walk around the "Frog Pond" and the (F) Old Jail, Auburn Street, built in 1825, where stocks and pillories once stood in the garden. General Lafayette placed the cornerstone there in 1825. Many of Newburyport’s famous sea captains and Revolutionary War veterans are buried in the (G) Old Hill Burying Ground, just beyond the Frog Pond.

Heading down Green Street, past the (H)Clark Currier Inn,  built in 1803 by shipbuilder Thomas March Clark and is an Elegant example of a three-story "square house" of that era.(I) Brown Square on the left is home to the (J) Garrison Inn, named for patriot William Lloyd Garrison, a vocal spokesman against slavery (his statue stands in the square). City Hall is across the street.

Proceed down Green Street, then cross to the public lot to begin a breathtaking walk along the (K) Boardwalk. The Boardwalk winds along the Merrimack River, past (L) Waterfront Park, the(M) Public Docking area, and the newly renovated Firehouse Center, which was built as a markethouse and lyceum by the citizens of Newburyport in 1822. Note five historic markers along the way: (O) Warehouse Point; (P)Somerby’s Landing; (Q) Middle Shipyard; (R) Tracy’s Wharf; and the (S) Custom House Slip. For a sailor’s view, try a harbor tour aboard the (T) Yankee Clipper.

Leaving the Boardwalk, turn left onto Water Street past the (U) Custom House Maritime Museum, built in 1835 by Robert Mills, who also designed the Washington Monument and the U.S. Treasury building. Pass the Newburyport Art Association, built in 1815, and the (V) Rangelight, controlled by the U.S. Coast Guard, one of the few lighthouses of its kind still in existence.

Turn right to (W) The Tannery, 12 Federal Street, a restored mill now an indoor mall. Up Federal Street to (XI) the Windsor House, built by Lieut. Aaron Pardee of the Continental Army for his wedding in 1786. The house was designed as a combination residence/ship’s chandlery. (X2) The Old South Church, built in 1756 was home to Rev. George Whitefield, the famous evangelist, and he is buried in a crypt there. The church bell was cast by Paul Revere.

Along Middle Street, the 18^th century attached brick row houses are fascinating examples of 19^th century middle class homes. (Y) The Grog Building, 13 Middle Street, was once Thompson’s Ladies and Gents Oyster and Eating Room.

Cross the street to (Z) Market Square, the site of a tea burning as Newburyport joined Boston’s tea revolt in 1773. In 1811 the "Great Fire" leveled hundreds of buildings. They were rebuilt using the bricks that were used as ballast in ships returning light of cargo from the orient.

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Guided Tours

There are some great options for a guided tour in Newburyport. Port City Tours offers the chance to experience the sights and sounds of 300 years of local, regional and national history aboard this bus tour of Newburyport and Amesbury. Your expert tour guide, Michael DeCastro will entertain you while also exposing you to the historic roots of the region. 

Newburyport Walks offers historical walks of Newburyport. These guided tours, led by a 4th generation Newburyporter, last for 2 hours and cover topics including the Colonial History of Newburyport, the River and its importance through Newburyport's history, abolitionists and the underground railway, religion in early New England, major historic sites, as well as historic and hysterical personages. Tours can be designed to meet your group's needs. $10 per person. Call 978-255-2386 for reservations and information.

Newburyport resident Ghlee Woodworth offers free Tiptoe through the Tombstones tours of the Oak Hill Cemetery and the Old Hill Burying Ground. Learn about Newburyport's history as you tour the graves of some of its most prominent citizens. Call Ghlee at 978-462-2010 for arrangements.

Birdwatching

Newburyport/Plum Island is world-famous as a "natural history" destination. Recognized as the nation’s finest birdwatching area, birders and nature enthusiasts from around the world come to this area to observe a tremendous diversity of habitats and species. A number of factors make Newburyport/Plum Island a four-season natural history destination. The large number of habitat types in close proximity-ocean, salt marshes, mud flats, freshwater ponds, mixed forests-attract a tremendous diversity of species. During the spring and fall migrations, thousands of land and water birds move through this area. The migrant land birds seek sanctuary and food in the thickets of Plum Island and surrounding areas. In mid-May, it is not unusual to see 15-20 species of warblers-those magnificent songbirds so sought after by birders. During spring and summer, large numbers of waterfowl, herons, egrets and land birds nest and feed in the extensive salt marshes. During fall, huge numbers of shorebirds pass through en route from arctic nesting grounds to Central and South America. These birds stop to rest and feed on the mud flats and salt meadows of the Merrimack River estuary. The shorebirds are augmented by vast numbers of land birds also moving to their southern wintering grounds. During the winter large flocks of loons, grebes, and ducks seek the ice-free waters of the Merrimack for shelter and food. Snowy owls and rough-legged hawks, species closely associated with northern latitudes, are annual visitors to our area. Self guided tours are available at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (978)465-5753 or guided tours are available through the Massachusetts Audubon Society at (978) 462-9998 or click here for their web site: www.massaudubon.org

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Harbor Tours

Daytime and sunset narrated cruises of Newburyport Harbor aboard the Yankee Clipper. Call 603-682-2293 for more information or click here for their web site: www.harbortours.com

Join Captain Bill Taplin for a Plum Island Ecotour;  a 2 1/2 hour river cruise on Joppa Flats. See the Great Marsh and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

Ninth Wave Sailing Charters, a 48-foot day sailing catamaran is available for daily tours leaving from Newburyport Waterfront with over 900 sq. ft. of deck space, 2 bathrooms, a fast level ride and always a touch of history!

Whale Watching

In summer, regularly scheduled whale watching cruises depart from Newburyport to Stellwagen Bank. Here, observers can reliably see humpback, fin, and minke whales. A whale watch cruise is a wonderful family experience. Call Newburyport Whale Watch at (978) 499-0832 for more information or click here for their web site: www.newburyportwhalewatch.com


 

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Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & Industry
38R Merrimac Street, Newburyport MA 01950
Phone: 978-462-6680  Fax: 978-465-4145
info@newburyportchamber.org

Copyright © Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and Industry 1999-2008