Newburyport Cycling Tour

Newbury, Plum Island, and the Merrimack River

Elegant Newburyport Massachusetts sits at the mouth of the broad Merrimack River and has some of the finest Federal, Georgian and Victorian architecture in New England. The adjoining community Newbury is rich with first and second period pre-revolutionary homes, is bordered by the Great Salt Marsh as has miles of quiet country roads through state forests and wildlife preserves. A cycling lane begins in Newbury and continues along beautiful High St. in Newburyport, joining with the recently completed Clipper City Rail Trail. A bicycle lane takes you out to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, a world-class “natural history” destination, known as one of the best bird watching areas in New England, with a tremendous diversity of habitats and species.

This bicycle tour of the Newburyport, MA area starts at the commuter rail station just south of downtown for a group ride in the historic district of Newburyport, Plum Island, and along the Great Salt Marsh. Rides are on Newburyport's three bicycle paths and on quiet safe roads, with primarily flat terrain.

Start location: Tours start from the parking lot C on Parker St. at the commuter rail station south of downtown Newburyport, MA. View location map. View MBTA commuter rail schedule .

Route: Head out on the Clipper City Rail trail and continue through historic Newburyport and Newbury out to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge at Plum Island. Back in Newbury we often stop at Tendercrop Farm for refreshments before winding your way along the marsh on Hay Street. The return to Newburyport takes you past gracious Federal period homes built by sea captains during the 1800's.

Directions: Plan for an hour to an hour and a half if you are driving from Boston. Take I-95 north then right on Scotland Road just before Newburyport. At the first set of lights, turn right on Parker St. Commuter Rail parking lot C will be a short distance on your right in about 1/4 mile. Note: parking is $4.00

Commuter Rail: The train from North Station in Boston arrives in Newburyport at 10:31 on Sundays and returns at 2:48 and 5:48 pm. Bicycles are allowed .

View map and cue sheet for Newburyport and Plum Island 18 mile ride

View map and cue sheet for Newburyport-Plum Island-Artichoke Lakes 31 mile ride

View map and cue sheet for a 24 mile Newburyport and Merrimack River Ride

Historic Newburyport Houses

Newburyport MA has many first and second period Colonial homes, and even more Federal, Queen Anne, Victorian , Second Empire , Greek Revival and Gothic Revival buildings, preserving a historic montage of American architectural styles . Click on the house shaped links below to view historical data about many of these houses. View Ipswich first and second period houses in nearby Ipswich.

View Newburyport MA historic houses in a larger map