Short bicycle tours of historic Ipswich and Newburyport MA
Ipswich and Newburyport, Massachusetts are historic communities in the Essex National Heritage Area, rich with history, their streets lined with first period (1625-1725) American architecture that will transport you to the 17th century on your way out to their scenic barrier islands, Plum Island and Crane Beach.
This
ride starts at the
commuter rail station in Ipswich.
your
first stop is downtown at the
Ipswich Riverwalk Mural which portrays
the fascinating history of the town. Continuing
through the town's historic district, you'll
pass by dozens of you'll-preserved "first
period" homes, built soon after the town's
founding in 1630. Then head out to Jeffrey's
Neck, where after a moderate climb you'll
be delighted by the panoramic view of salt
marshes, Plum Island, and the open Atlantic.
Sometimes you stop by the
Cuvilly Earth and Arts Center, which
promotes ecological sustainability and environmental
education. Then the ride takes you out and
back on beautiful Argilla Road to a view
of
Crane Beach and the
Great Salt Marsh . After stopping at
Russell Orchards for refreshments, the
ride takes you to the former Chebacco section
of Ipswich, which became Essex in the 1700's.
A few miles along these pastoral l roads
with horse farms, forests, and winding roads
lined with old stone walls is a wonderful
way to wrap up your tour of Ipswich, one
of the best preserved of New England's colonial-era
towns. Having ridden 25 miles, return
to the commuter rail station in time for
the
3:00 pm train to Boston.
Go to the
Ipswich Ride Page
for more details and an interactive map
of the town's historic district.
Start
at the
commuter rail station parking lot C
s south of Newburyport at 10:30 a.m. and
head out on the new
Clipper City Rail Trail which takes
you to the wide Merrimack River that has
helped sustain the economy of this popular
small coastal city for almost four centuries.
your ride crosses Newburyport's lively downtown
and continues through the historic colonial-era
neighborhood shared by
Newburyport and adjoining Newbury. Soon
you're on the bike path to
Plum Island, and a brief stop at the
Joppa Flats Audubon Center. You reach
Plum Island after crossing the
Great Salt Marsh and turn to ride for
several miles through the Parker River National
wildlife Refuge, where you'll see many species
of waterfowl that thrive in the extensive
salt marshes. Back in Newbury, you head
south on the bicycle lane along scenic Rt.
1A, and stop at
Tendercrop Farm for refreshment before
winding your way along the marsh on Hay
Street. your return takes you to High Street
in Newburyport, riding past Federal-style
mansions built by sea captains in the 1800's,
reaching the commuter rail station after
25 miles in time for the
2:48 pm train back to Boston.
View details and more links
to this beautiful town at the
Newburyport Ride Page
.
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