If you've stepped into The Hive before, you know how much this little coastal city means to us. We love helping people create beautiful spaces at home, but we're just as invested in the small businesses that make Newburyport what it is.
This guide isn’t sponsored. It's just a running list of the places we send friends to, whether they're visiting for a weekend, in town for a wedding, or seeing Newburyport for the first time.
Start Your Morning Like a Local
Coffee
A good Newburyport day starts with coffee. Near the North End or wrangling little ones? Olive's Bakehouse is our go-to. Downtown, swing by Coffee Factory. And if you pass Changing Tides Café, grab a donut, they go fast!
Breakfast
Angie's Diner on Pleasant Street is a classic New England breakfast spot. It's family-friendly, the owner will make you feel like a regular within five minutes, and the staff genuinely means it when they say hello.
If you’re in a hurry, Angry Donut has breakfast to go, and there's a playground right outside for the kids to burn off some energy before you head into town.
Move a Little
Try a Pilates class at The Set Studio with Meg. It's a nice way to keep some routine going even when you're away from home.
Pictured above: The Set Studio on the left (credit: Melena Ward from Plum Port Photography), Angry Donut on the right
Explore the Scenic Side
Newburyport is made for walking. The Clipper City Rail Trail runs through town and works for pretty much anyone—families, runners, people who just want to wander. For waterfront views, walk the docks and watch the boats.
Our favorite quiet moment: a bench overlooking Joppa Flats, coffee in hand.
If you've got a few extra hours, drive out to Plum Island. Stop at Surfland, grab a quick bite at Riptide Café, and let the afternoon end at Sunset Club.
Shop Local
We'd love to have you stop into The Hive while you're downtown, but there's plenty more worth browsing. Charleston & Coco and Jefferson Road are definitely our picks for women's fashion. And if you need something for the kids, stop by Lively Kids for the cutest wardrobe picks & accessories. Shopping for the men in your life? Banter is part barbershop, part men's clothing shop, part social club—think sharp cuts, curated menswear, and a shuffleboard table to hang around while you're at it.
Pictured above: Banter on the left, Charleston & Coco on the right
Lunch with a View
Rosita's Cocina, inside The Tannery Marketplace, is a great grab-and-go mexican. Take it to one of the waterfront benches and eat with a view.
Craving oysters? Brine is a favorite, especially if you can snag a spot on the patio or near the open windows looking out over downtown. (Full disclosure: our own florist Abbie bartends there & makes a great chai-infused tequila espresso martini!)
And lastly, Nu Kitchen is our regular stop for fresh, healthy food.
A Little History
Spend an hour at the Custom House Maritime Museum to get a feel for the city's maritime past. Then walk by the Essex County Superior Court on High Street. It’s one of the oldest courthouses in the country and a genuinely beautiful piece of colonial architecture.
Afternoon Cocktails
After a day of shopping (or just because), Bar 25 and Paddle Inn are both good calls for a relaxed drink.
Dinner
Too many good options to pick just one, honestly. LaRosa's Italian in Market Square is our cozy Italian pick. And fun-fact: they opened this new location the same year we did! The Black Cow is where we take the kids because everyone always finds something they love. Park Lunch has been a Newburyport institution for years, and Joy Nest serves Thai food in a warm, intimate setting.
Pictured above: Larosa's on the left, The Paddle Inn on the right
Celebrating Something?
If you're in town for a wedding, chances are you'll end up at Mission Oak Grill at some point. Rehearsal dinner, welcome party, or even the big night itself. We've worked with their team more than a few times and always enjoy it.
Save Room for Dessert
Harbor Creamery on Pleasant Street is our pick for ice cream (and a shoutout to fellow Central alumni who own it)!
Where to Stay
The Garrison Inn is a beautiful home base for exploring downtown. Built in 1809 and named for abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, it's a registered historic landmark right in the heart of the city, with a boutique feel that mixes old character with modern comfort. Newburyport also has a handful of charming historic inns, each with its own character worth checking out.
Pictured above: The Garrison Inn
Spend the Weekend Like a Local
What makes Newburyport special isn't really the restaurants or the shops or the waterfront—it's the people running them. Every coffee shop, boutique, and small business here adds up to a community we're genuinely glad to be part of.
Hope this helps you find a few new favorites. And if you're downtown, come by and smell the roses at The Hive.