Edition #32, 29 December 2008

Hello, my name is Cynthia, a mermaid from the cool waters of New England. Thank you for visiting my collection of articles on coastal New England. Please tell your friends and family about my web site.

Look for other articles in this series on the home page.

Newburyport is located at the mouth of the Merrimack River, which winds its way through northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Plum Island, a national wildlife refuge, forms a breakwater which protects the large body of water at the mouth of the river.

Plum island is the place to be for swimming, walking, and hiking. The island offers several miles of public sandy beaches. At the southern tip of Plum island is Sandy Point State Park with excellent swimming and sunning opportunities.

For patrons of the arts and culture, Newburyport has a lot to offer. The Newburyport Art Association galleries are located at 65 Water Street. The galleries are open daily from 11am to 5pm, year-round.

Located in downtown Newburyport, the Firehouse Center for the Performing and Visual Arts offers musical and stage productions as well as art exhibits. While downtown, make a point to visit Somerby's Landing Sculpture Park. This exhibit is sponsored by the City of Newburyport, the Newburyport Waterfront Trust, and the Firehouse Center for the Arts.

Grab your camera and take a stroll down the boardwalk along Newburyport's central waterfront on the Merrimack River. Along the boardwalk you will find picnic and seating areas, memorials, restaurants, and a fantastic view of the passing ships. The boardwalk connects with the downtown area, making it much easier to get around. Read more about the boardwalk at the City of Newburyport web site.

The Custom House Maritime Museum is located at 25 Water Street. Discover the maritime history of the Merrimack Valley including commerce, culture, artifacts, foreign trade, seafaring facts, and more. You will also learn that Newburyport is the official birthplace of the US Coast Guard. The museum is open Thursday through Saturday 11am to 4pm, and Sunday noon to 4pm. Admission is $7 for adults, and $5 for seniors and students.

One restaurant that people are talking about is The Grog in downtown Newburyport at 13 Middle Street. This mermaid loves music and good food, and The Grog has both. Dinner selections include seafood, salads, pasta, steaks, lamb, chicken, and Mexican food. Be sure to check out their web site for the complete schedule of performing musicians for the upcoming month.

Get out on the water and do some whale watching with Newburyport Whale Watch. Located at 54 Merrimac Street, cruises are available from mid May through early October. The adult price is $45, and you can book online. The cruise schedule varies during the season, so be sure to check ahead. Don't forget to bring your camera, but leave the tripod at home.

Learn more about Newburyport at www.newburyportchamber.org and www.cityofnewburyport.com.  If you should see me in the water, be sure to wave!

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