Newburyport is a small coastal, scenic, and historic city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 35 miles northeast of Boston. A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes part of Plum Island. The mooring, winter storage and maintenance of recreational boats, motor and sail, still contribute a large part of the city’s income. A Coast Guard station oversees boating activity, especially in the sometimes dangerous tidal currents of the Merrimack River.

Plum Island is very small but has a clean, sandy beach. It is a perfect way to spend a few hours, walking or sitting to enjoy nature. Though nature is the heart of a visit to Plum Island, several restaurants offer a chance to relax and refuel. Bob Lobster has an outdoor, beach-shack vibe and a unique variety of lobster rolls (wasabi lobster, anyone?), the Plum Island Grille serves up Mediterranean-influenced fare with breathtaking sunset views, and the Plum Island Beachcoma is a local favorite watering hole. Between the beaches, the natural beauty, and the welcoming atmosphere, the region might have you wondering if you really want to leave. Grillo certainly doesn’t.

The town of Hampton Beach sits right on the Atlantic Ocean and is packed with arcades, motels, and beach bars every inch of the way. One of the biggest draws to the area, for locals and tourists alike, are the famous musicians that headline at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. Just a few miles inland is the town of Hampton, New Hampshire that is the year-round neighborhood destination for locals. Here you’ll find the headquarters and visitors center of Smuttynose Brewing Company, the first craft brewery in New Hampshire, started in 1994!