Top Things to Do in Amesbury

Amesbury is a small city near the Merrimack River, full of charm. The area is both timeless and modern, with sites that showcase the city’s expansive industrial history and vibrant cultural art scene. Make your trip to Amesbury a memorable experience with our curated list of the best things to do in the area.

Outdoor Escapes in Amesbury 

Amesbury is full of outdoor parks and farms to get some exercise while also taking in the magic of nature. Discover some favorite outdoor escapes in Amesbury.  

Cider Hill Farm

As the #1 Apple Picking Farm Spot in the US, Cider Hill Farm is a great place to pick-your-own produce and flowers, go on a beautiful orchard walk, and eat some delicious apple cider donuts. Each season, from April to November, offers a new fruit or flower that is ripe and ready to be picked from the farm’s orchards. Head to the farm store, open daily from 8 am to 6 pm, where you’ll find a selection of fresh and local seasonal products, including produce, desserts, and sweet and hard cider. The farm hosts many events throughout the year, from workshops to live music and festivals.   

Lake Attitash

Lake Attitash is a 373-acre lake that is situated between the towns of Amesbury and Merrimac. This is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and wildlife observation as the lake is filled with swans, beavers, turtles, and various bird species.  

Amesbury Riverwalk

Connecting downtown Amesbury to the Carriagetown Marketplace is the Amesbury Riverwalk. Walk, bike, or skate along this 1.3-mile trail and soak in the beautiful views of the Powwow River.  

Ambesbury Town Forest

A hidden gem in the city of Amesbury, the town forest has 80 acres of rolling forests that lie between Kimball Road and the Great Swamp. Explore the forest’s five miles of well-marked trails that are popular for outdoor activities like hiking, running, mountain biking, dog walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. 

Find more places for outdoor adventure North of Boston.

Unlock the Past with Museums in Amesbury

Known for its impact on the carriage manufacturing industry in the 19th century, explore more of what makes Amesbury a historic city by checking out the museums here.  

Amesbury Carriage Museum

The Amesbury Carriage Museum, founded in 1986, champions the history of the former farming and mill town. Discover collections of objects that document the city’s evolution from gristmills to carriage and automobile manufacturing and celebrate the individuals who contributed to its industrial landscape. The museum’s Industrial History Center, located in Amesbury’s historic upper Millyard, features a special exhibit, “A Productive Story: Industry and Work Life in Amesbury,” as well as other rotating exhibits on the town of Amesbury. 

Bartlett Museum

Housed in the former Bartlett School, this museum is a nonprofit that preserves artifacts relating to the city of Amesbury dating from prehistoric times to the present day. Within the museum, you’ll find four rooms and a carriage house behind the building. Each of the rooms features the following artifacts:

• The history room includes Native American artifacts, a timeline of Amesbury history, a colonial kitchen, and a Victorian parlor.
• The natural history room includes Native American artifacts, birds, shells, and fossils. 
• The school room is a space dedicated to showcasing how a traditional school room would have looked.
• The carriage house displays carriages, a butcher’s wagon, and farm tools and machines.

Bartlett Museum is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm, operating from Memorial Day until Labor Day. 

The Macy Colby House

Uncover a historic treasure of an early-American home at the Macy-Colby House. The home was originally built by Thomas Macy in 1649, Amesbury’s first town clerk, who held many town offices and was involved in numerous land transactions. Experience what Colonial American life was like first-hand by exploring each room’s furnishings and special artifacts. 

Find more places to get in touch with history North of Boston.

Get a Taste of Restaurants in Amesbury

A long day of traveling around Amesbury calls for a nice meal or drink. While there are many restaurants in the city, here are a couple of our favorites.   

Brewery Silvaticus 

This European-inspired brewery and taproom offers a menu with full pints and small bites, serving cider, wine, and canned cocktails. Sit outside at their outdoor beer garden that overlooks the Powwow River. The brewery is open every day except Tuesday. 

Barewolf Brewing

Barewolf Brewery is a family and friends-operated fermentation factory in Amesbury. Located on the first floor of an antique mill building, the taproom uses innovative ingredients to create unique beer flavors. Plus, the brewery hosts various events throughout the year, including music and trivia nights. 

The Barn Pub & Grille

This beloved tavern is housed in a 150-year-old livery barn, providing a rustic and vibrant atmosphere. Choose from a variety of American favorites like a classic lobster roll, a bacon cheeseburger, fish and chips, and even some delicious wrap sandwiches. The restaurant also offers a gluten-free menu. 

Find more places to enjoy delicious food North of Boston

Color the Canvas with Art in Amesbury

There is a wide range of working artists right in Amesbury. You can tour galleries and even take a class. 

Alchemy + Art

Alchemy and Art is a creative art gallery and community hub that offers both retail art supplies and a venue for rotating exhibitions, classes, and events. Rotating exhibits feature a diverse selection of local artists and themes, utilizing various media types, including painting, printmaking, photography, and mixed media. If you’re interested in making your own art, the art hub also has classes for all ages and skill levels. 

Artists Muse Studio

Another art community hub you’ll find in Amesbury is the Artists Muse Studio. This studio space lives inside a brick mill building and includes 11 professional artists who work with a variety of mediums like oil, acrylic, photography, watercolor, fiber, collage, pastel, encaustic, charcoal, and metal. While you can visit the space at any time, make sure to contact them first before you come.

Find out more about art all around North of Boston.  

Boutiques and Treasures in Amesbury

The charming downtown of Amesbury is your next favorite shopping destination. Support local artisans and stroll through boutiques and gift shops.  

Apricot Lane Boutique 

Apricot Lane Boutique is a women’s clothing store with a selection of affordable and on-trend clothing. Pick from popular brands or smaller brands that offer a unique perspective on fashion. 

Eighteen Friend Street

Find handcrafted items from Amesbury artists and artisans at Eighteen Friend Street. This gift shop and artisan collective sells jewelry, pottery, photography, candles, soaps, and even driftwood art.  

Wild Dove

Wild Dove is a gift shop in Amesbury filled with metaphysical products for conscious living and the New Age. Find crystals, gemstones, tarot decks, incense, sage, and candles, and explore a Reiki session or mindfulness workshop. 

Find more shopping opportunities North of Boston.

Whether you’re a lover of the outdoors, are enthralled with history, or appreciate artistic expression, Amesbury is the place to be! And while you’re on the North Shore, check out more things to do in Marblehead and Gloucester.