New England Coastal Getaway
- Tina Hill
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
When Travel and Leisure Magazine contacted me to add commentary for their article on one of my favorite New England beaches, I was pretty excited. As an AAA travel agent, I have great intel on most vacation destinations, but I'm also a local resident who has enjoyed many summer days and nites on Plum Island with friends. Plum Island is a special place for many reasons. This casual quiet, sleepy beach town rests along 11 miles of Massachusetts's North Shore coastline and offers a unique blend of nature and uncrowded beaches. It is home to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge that houses hundreds of different bird species, making this an ideal destination for bird enthusiasts. The historic seaport city of Newburyport is a five-minute drive away and also accessible by bike. Newburyport is quintessential coastal New England with a center full of fabulous restaurants, charming inns, boutiques, and a maritime museum representing Newburyport's history, including its contribution to the American Revolution, the Coast Guard, and shipbuilding in the 1800s. The museum features galleries showcasing nautical and maritime art and artifacts from the 1600s to present. Custom House Maritime Museum in Downtown Newburyport
#travelandleisure #travelandleisuremagazine #newenglandbeaches #coastalbeaches #northshorebeaches #northshorema #plumisland #parkerrivernationalwildliferefuge #birdrefuge #birdsanctuary #pipingplover
My interview is featured below:
T&L: What are three things you recommend visitors do on Plum Island?
I would recommend grabbing a bite and coffee at Mad Martha’s and enjoying an early morning sunrise over the ocean and catching an end of day sunset over the marsh. If you’re a real birdwatcher or an aspiring one, bring your camera & binoculars because this tiny island is home to hundreds of different birds. Lastly, treat yourself to an afternoon or dinner picnic with lobster rolls and clam chowder from Bob Lobster, a Plum Island staple, and head to Sandy Point, the southern tip of the island (about a 20 min drive from the entrance). Parking is limited, so I recommend getting there early, but this is a scenic sanctuary offering gorgeous views. It's also a great way to end the day. #madmarthas #boblobster #sandypointplumisland #sandypoint
Plum Island's Very Own Piping Plover
Photo cred: Jennefer Lloyd/Plum Island Resident
Photo cred: Jennefer Lloyd
Photo cred: Jennefer Lloyd
T&L: What do you love most about Plum Island?
I love the community, opportunity for exploration, and bird life found on Plum Island, which houses the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. Piping Plovers are nesting on the beach throughout the summer, and it’s a fun detail to be aware of. People mark the nests by putting sticks around them, so beachgoers don’t step on the eggs. Mama birds are never far from their nests. Throughout the Wildlife Refuge, you can bike, hike, and enjoy boardwalks to the beach. And if the weather allows, on Thursday nights, there is often live music on the beach which brings neighbors and visitors together for a night of relaxation and good conversation. It’s a local's thing, but people off island can go and park on the street.
T&L: I understand there's limited lodging on the island itself, aside from Blue Inn on the Beach. Where do you recommend visitors stay? Is Newburyport the best home base?
If you do not have a beach vacation rental booked, downtown Newburyport is the best home base. Newburyport has a quiet and laid-back vibe with charming inns such as The Essex Inn, The Garrison Inn, which offers an authentic English tearoom, and The Compass Rose Inn to name a few. They are all within walking distance to a lively downtown with restaurants, shops, art galleries, and a waterfront boardwalk. It’s an authentic seaport town with a whole bunch of maritime history. blueInnplumisland #blueinn #thecompassroseinn #essexinn #thegarrisoninn
T&L: Are there any must-visit restaurants?
Within a five-minute drive, some of my favorite Newburyport restaurants include Loretta, Sea Level, Mission Oak, The Poynt, and Bar 25. For a killer breakfast, Angies is tops in Newburyport and Mad Martha’s is a Plum Island favorite. Sunset Club on Plum Island is a fun gathering place for a casual lunch/dinner and is very family friendly. #lorettas #lorettasnewburyport #sealevel #missionoak #thepoynt #bar25 #angiesnewburyport #sunsetclub #bookclub
End of Summer Book Club Meet Up at Sunset Club, Plum Island
T&L: Is there anything else visitors should know before planning a trip?
Yankee Homecoming is a yearly summer festival in Newburyport loaded with daily events, waterfront concerts, food trucks, an art exhibit on Bartlett Mall, and an end of week spectacular fireworks show. It is a fun event enjoyed by all the surrounding communities. In addition to the summer festival, Newburyport stays busy throughout the year with events celebrating the season such as the Riverfront Music Festival and Literary Festival in the Fall, Invitation nights and Holiday House Tours in the Winter, and Kitchen and Garden Tours in the spring. Also, on most Thursday nights on Plum Island, beachgoers can enjoy live music on the beach. It’s a local's thing, but people off island can go and park on the street. #yankeehomecoming #artonbartlettmall #riverfrontmusicfestival #newburyportliteraryfestival #newburyportarts #newburyportnews
The Travel and Leisure article link: The Essential Guide to Plum Island, Massachusetts
**If you would like my expertise in planning your next vacation, please contact me at thill2@aaanortheast.com or call me at 978-208-3196. Best, Tina - AAA Northeast Travel Advisor, Newburyport, MA
Great Drinks at the Sunset Club, Plum Island
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