Pisano Plum Island Guidebook
Sightseeing
Best explored on bikes or kayaks and the earlier the better.
Or, for a beautiful soft white sand beach experience, drive to the state beach at the very end of the refuge (partially dirt road). Limited parking down there so go early and tell the gatehouse attendant that is where you are going. Otherwise you will pay to park on the refuge.
64 locals recommend
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge RoadBest explored on bikes or kayaks and the earlier the better.
Or, for a beautiful soft white sand beach experience, drive to the state beach at the very end of the refuge (partially dirt road). Limited parking down there so go early and tell the gatehouse attendant that is where you are going. Otherwise you will pay to park on the refuge.
Just up the road you can book fishing charters.
13 locals recommend
Captains Fishing Parties And Cruises
10 82nd StJust up the road you can book fishing charters.
Custom House Maritime Museum
25 Water StGreat piece of history!
The friends of the PI Lighthouse open it for tours throughout the summer. It is a fun tour with great views and some great history.
9 locals recommend
Plum Island Lighthouse
Harbor StreetThe friends of the PI Lighthouse open it for tours throughout the summer. It is a fun tour with great views and some great history.
Newburyport Whale Watch
54 Merrimac StThey give tours from the waterfront park in town.
Best Beach Spots
There is currently a growing sand bar off the main public beach in PI center. Bike or walk down and use boogie boards to swim out there and body surf perfect wave conditions for beginners. You can also rent boards from the cottage and try surfing.
Beach Yoga:
Ashley Matthews of Ride the Wave Yoga offers gentle beach yoga classes June through September at Newbury beach on Thursdays at 6am and Sundays at 8am for $15. https://www.ridethewaveyoga.com/
Newbury Beach
There is currently a growing sand bar off the main public beach in PI center. Bike or walk down and use boogie boards to swim out there and body surf perfect wave conditions for beginners. You can also rent boards from the cottage and try surfing.
Beach Yoga:
Ashley Matthews of Ride the Wave Yoga offers gentle beach yoga classes June through September at Newbury beach on Thursdays at 6am and Sundays at 8am for $15. https://www.ridethewaveyoga.com/
For a beautiful soft white sand beach experience, drive to the state beach at the very end of the Parker River Refuge (partially dirt road). Turn Left at the Plum Island Grill before you reach the turnpike that leads off the island and go straight until you reach the gate house. There is limited parking down there so go early and tell the gatehouse attendant that is where you are going. Otherwise you will pay to park on the refuge.
14 locals recommend
Sandy Point State Reservation
37-39 Refuge RdFor a beautiful soft white sand beach experience, drive to the state beach at the very end of the Parker River Refuge (partially dirt road). Turn Left at the Plum Island Grill before you reach the turnpike that leads off the island and go straight until you reach the gate house. There is limited parking down there so go early and tell the gatehouse attendant that is where you are going. Otherwise you will pay to park on the refuge.
Water Sport Spots
The Plum Island Basin has nice calm waters and is shallow. Perfect for all water sports.
Go within an hour or so before and after high tide. Public Access is at the end of 62nd street along the fence line. If you are there during a heavy rain storm, do not swim in the basin for at least 48hrs. Paddling is fine anytime.
Another good spot is under the bridge that takes you onto the island. Again, go close to high tide and parking is limited.
There is also a small inlet in the river just before it reaches the ocean. This is a great spot for calm waters as well. It can be accessed from the walking path at 69th Street and Reservation Terrace. Same rule applies as in any part of the river and basin after a rain storm -wait 48 hours to swim.
The best time to paddle in the ocean is at low tide. You can launch from our beach.
37 locals recommend
Plum Island
The Plum Island Basin has nice calm waters and is shallow. Perfect for all water sports.
Go within an hour or so before and after high tide. Public Access is at the end of 62nd street along the fence line. If you are there during a heavy rain storm, do not swim in the basin for at least 48hrs. Paddling is fine anytime.
Another good spot is under the bridge that takes you onto the island. Again, go close to high tide and parking is limited.
There is also a small inlet in the river just before it reaches the ocean. This is a great spot for calm waters as well. It can be accessed from the walking path at 69th Street and Reservation Terrace. Same rule applies as in any part of the river and basin after a rain storm -wait 48 hours to swim.
The best time to paddle in the ocean is at low tide. You can launch from our beach.
Food scene
The PIG is best known for weekend live music and sunsets over the marsh from their small deck. The food is good but a bit pricey.
40 locals recommend
Plum Island Grille
2035 2 Plum Island TurnpikeThe PIG is best known for weekend live music and sunsets over the marsh from their small deck. The food is good but a bit pricey.
The Beachcoma is a more affordable option on the Island with average pub fare and live music.
22 locals recommend
Plum Island Beachcoma
23 Plum Island TurnpikeThe Beachcoma is a more affordable option on the Island with average pub fare and live music.
Brine has excellent seafood. The chowder is my favorite. And of course the Oysters are fantastic.
28 locals recommend
Brine Oyster • Crudo • Chops
17 State StBrine has excellent seafood. The chowder is my favorite. And of course the Oysters are fantastic.
A little more upscale but delicious. Quaint bar on the first floor if Brine and Paddle in bars are too noisy for you.
15 locals recommend
Ceia Kitchen + Bar
38 State StA little more upscale but delicious. Quaint bar on the first floor if Brine and Paddle in bars are too noisy for you.
Rusty Can
6 Fruit StSadly, there is no great BBQ in the Port so head down to Byfield for a fun and yummy meal.
Middle Street Foods
25 Middle StGreat cafe for soup, salad, and sandwiches.
Best brunch/lunch ever! Lines are long and parking is limited so walk or bike down to 18th street. Closed on Mondays and for a long winter break.
40 locals recommend
Mad Martha's Cafe
51 Northern BlvdBest brunch/lunch ever! Lines are long and parking is limited so walk or bike down to 18th street. Closed on Mondays and for a long winter break.
This is a unique and fun place for food and drinks in downtown Newburyport. It is a family favorite.
20 locals recommend
The Paddle Inn
27 State StThis is a unique and fun place for food and drinks in downtown Newburyport. It is a family favorite.
Agave has the best Mexican food in town. It is fresh and high quality. The margaritas are great too. Indoor and outside seating.
25 locals recommend
Agave Mexican Bistro
50 State StAgave has the best Mexican food in town. It is fresh and high quality. The margaritas are great too. Indoor and outside seating.
Joppa at the Tannery has great salads, sandwiches and prepared foods. Also has the best coffee and espresso in town. If you are used to a classic cappuccino this is the place to get it.
12 locals recommend
Joppa Fine Foods
50 Water StJoppa at the Tannery has great salads, sandwiches and prepared foods. Also has the best coffee and espresso in town. If you are used to a classic cappuccino this is the place to get it.
Best quality baked goods in town. Sweet and savory. Lots of wheat free options too. The tarts and wraps are my favorite when I want something healthier. The croissants compare to what you can get in France.
Figtree Kitchen Newburyport
3 Liberty StBest quality baked goods in town. Sweet and savory. Lots of wheat free options too. The tarts and wraps are my favorite when I want something healthier. The croissants compare to what you can get in France.
Quick eat-in or take out options
These are less expensive food options for a quick bite or take out.
Best steak tip Sandwich. Nice selection of soups and sandwiches or make your own salad with choice of hot protein. They also have a bunch of prepared foods as well as grill at home meats to take home. Great prices too.
Plum Island Kitchen
134 Northern BlvdBest steak tip Sandwich. Nice selection of soups and sandwiches or make your own salad with choice of hot protein. They also have a bunch of prepared foods as well as grill at home meats to take home. Great prices too.
Abraham's Bagels
11 Liberty StGreat for bagels and sandwiches. Go early for best selection.
Best pizza in town. Take out only. It is inside Leary’s so you can pick up a six pack or some wine while you are there.
6 locals recommend
OTTO Pizza
202 Merrimac StBest pizza in town. Take out only. It is inside Leary’s so you can pick up a six pack or some wine while you are there.
Lexie's
88 State StAverage burgers, fast service, very nice people. Great for Kids.
Dos Amigos Burritos
24 Pleasant StBest quick Mexican for the price.
My favorites
Best brunch/lunch ever! Lines are long and parking is limited so walk or bike down to 18th street. Closed on Mondays and for a long winter break.
40 locals recommend
Mad Martha's Cafe
51 Northern BlvdBest brunch/lunch ever! Lines are long and parking is limited so walk or bike down to 18th street. Closed on Mondays and for a long winter break.
This is a unique and fun place for food and drinks in downtown Newburyport. It is a family favorite.
20 locals recommend
The Paddle Inn
27 State StThis is a unique and fun place for food and drinks in downtown Newburyport. It is a family favorite.
Agave has the best Mexican food in town. It is fresh and high quality. The margaritas are great too. Indoor and outside seating.
25 locals recommend
Agave Mexican Bistro
50 State StAgave has the best Mexican food in town. It is fresh and high quality. The margaritas are great too. Indoor and outside seating.
Joppa at the Tannery has great salads, sandwiches and prepared foods. Also has the best coffee and espresso in town. If you are used to a classic cappuccino this is the place to get it.
12 locals recommend
Joppa Fine Foods
50 Water StJoppa at the Tannery has great salads, sandwiches and prepared foods. Also has the best coffee and espresso in town. If you are used to a classic cappuccino this is the place to get it.
Best quality baked goods in town. Sweet and savory. Lots of wheat free options too. The tarts and wraps are my favorite when I want something healthier. The croissants compare to what you can get in France.
Figtree Kitchen Newburyport
3 Liberty StBest quality baked goods in town. Sweet and savory. Lots of wheat free options too. The tarts and wraps are my favorite when I want something healthier. The croissants compare to what you can get in France.
Everything is top notch for fresh fish, but Fred also makes the best poké bowls ever for a great price!
Newburyport Fish
75 Water StEverything is top notch for fresh fish, but Fred also makes the best poké bowls ever for a great price!
Ice Cream
Great Gelato! The cottage and Bob Lobster both serve Richardson’s local ice cream. In Town check out either Harbor Creamery or Dolce Freddo for gelato.
Dolce Freddo Gelato
38 Market SquareGreat Gelato! The cottage and Bob Lobster both serve Richardson’s local ice cream. In Town check out either Harbor Creamery or Dolce Freddo for gelato.
Locally owned and delicious. The cottage and Bob Lobster both serve Richardson’s local ice cream. In Town check out either Harbor Creamery or Dolce Freddo for gelato.
Harbor Creamery
39 Pleasant StLocally owned and delicious. The cottage and Bob Lobster both serve Richardson’s local ice cream. In Town check out either Harbor Creamery or Dolce Freddo for gelato.