We’ve had a tough Spring here in the North East and Newburyport in particular has been hit hard. There’s still roof shingles floating around all over the city! Though in wonderful news this weekend is supposed to be glorious. Luckily Newburyport has an amazing selection of outdoor beauty to choose from. We hope to inspire you to get out there and explore Newburyport.
Maudslay State Park is the former Moseley family estate on the Merrimack River, and features gardens, rolling meadows, towering pines, and one of the largest naturally-occurring stands of mountain laurel in Massachusetts. It is a fantastic place to bike and hike and this weekend should be ideal picnic weather. Its a little early for the flowers to be in bloom, but you should spy a crocus or two and its always lovely to see the trees as they just start to bud. There is also a beautiful backdrop of evergreens and the rhododendron lined paths should be gearing up to explode with color in just about 6 weeks. Use the time to explore what is getting ready to sprout. That way when you make your way back in a few weeks you be able to see nature’s progress.
Head to Old Town Hill and climb to the top of this beautiful coast bluff and enjoy the views! From Old Town Hill you can enjoy open fields,tidal ponds and inlets, river, salt marsh, and even some woodlands. It is a 3 mile network of trails and pathways, just there for the exploring. Located along the Parker River, there is the Ridge Trail which has a moderate climb to soaring vistas and the River Trail, which is short and scenic – perfect for families with little ones who need some room to explore. Look for nesting birds, salt meadow grass, seaside goldenrod, and other wetland flowering plants. For adventurous ones who want to enjoy themselves in what is sure to be the muddle inlets, seek out the indigenous mud snails, crabs, and mussels that call the wetlands home.
Spend some time downtown. We have amazing shopping and restuarants. Our brink sidewalks make for easy strolling and the Inn Street prominade is filled with benches for resting those tired shopping feet. Take some time to enjoy our beautiful historic architecture and give your kids a break at the tot lot.
Then head over to the waterfront to appreciate the sculpture park and have a stroll on the boardwalk. Let us know if you see any boats in the water yet! And if your heading out in a kayak or canoe please be careful, we hear the recent rain has made for rather treacherous currents.
This is one of the best times of the year to head to the beach. Head down to Plum Island and enjoy a stroll through the dunes. It should be warm enough to take off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes. Isn’t it always a great feeling? Its one of those things that seems brand new the first time every year.
Lastly, here at Newburyport-Today, our favorite thing is to walk through our neighborhood. It’s been a long cold winter and the rain over the last few weeks all we’ve seen of our neighbors has been them running from car to house! We are bond to see just about everyone out this weekend though. There is something particularly wonderful about the spontaneous moments and plans that can be made by running into friends and catching up. We hope to see you around town this weekend.
