2024/25 Create a Winter Family Weekend in Newburyport!
Intro
You’ve selected one of our festive art and cultural winter events to attend, but what else can you do with the kids before or after to make it an extra special family day or weekend? Our members have put their heads together to share some of their favorite family oriented Newburyport tips!
Snap a Family Photo on the Waterfront
From downtown Newburyport you can head right or left on the waterfront walkways for a beautiful stroll with lots of scenic photo stops along the way. To the left you'll pass outdoor sculpture and head into Cashman Park with its large playground. Turn right and you'll pass the kid-favorite swinging benches and hammocks.
Browse Family Friendly Shops
A wonderland of unique toys and games awaits at Henry Bear Park in the Tannery Marketplace. Richdale Convenience Store offers quality Newburyport themed hats, tees and sweatshirts at budget prices for both kids and adults. Ganesh Imports and Life is Good are popular with teens, and Partridge in a Bear Tree brings Christmas Magic to families year round.
Take the Kids to Lunch
Angie’s is a favorite among kids and teens for their homemade macaroni and cheese, all day breakfasts and the chance to sit at an old-fashioned diner counter. Other local family favorites include Park Lunch for their huge menu including the famous $3.00 grilled cheese sandwich and their quirky sour cream and onion French fries, as well as Port City Sandwiches and Stone Crust Pizza. And kids of all ages cannot resist Jen Ju Boba on State Street.
Customize a Bag of Candy
Try the new and rapidly becoming a favorite Candy Man on Pleasant Street. You can scoop your own little bag of treats from row after row of bins that line the walls. For the old fashioned penny candy many of us grew up with, head to Richdale on the corner of State and Pleasant which has their own wall of candy bins with scoops and bags.
Ice-skate on the Mall or at Graf Rink
Locals rhyme Mall with Pal for this beautiful spot on High Road right behind the old courthouse. If the small, shallow pond is frozen over, bring your skates and join in. If the weather’s not right, check Graf Rink’s schedule for indoor hours of family skating (with rentals): https://www.thegrafrink.com/home/
Sled on March’s Hill
You’ll always see a throng of kids laughing and sledding on March’s Hill on High Street (across from Bromfield St.) if there’s snow. Everyone is welcome!
Visit the Rescued Animals at Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm
A five minute drive or half hour walk into neighboring Newbury will take you to the Spencer-Pierce -Little Farm just off High Road. The goats will rush to the fence to see you, Roger the old donkey will bray louder than you expect, and Annie the pig will roll in the mud and ignore you. Check their website for any special events happening when you visit: https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/spencer-peirce-little-farm
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