What Are the Best Family Parks Near Newburyport MA and Amesbury MA?

Cashman Park and Bartlet Mall are the easy wins for kids under 10.

Cashman Park, Newburyport MA

Your kids get a pirate ship playground right on the Merrimack River. You can watch boats between turns on the slide. The paved river path works for tiny bikes and strollers, and the Clipper City Rail Trail starts nearby.

Bartlet Mall, Newburyport MA

You'll find a historic green in the middle of the city with the Frog Pond, a path around it and a playground. Your kids will love the ducks. In winter, the hill is a local sledding spot.

The Common on High Street, Newburyport MA

Ball fields, a lily pond and a playground. Here's the trick: the lower side, near Pioneer Field, is where you'll find the accessible playground and the basketball court. A lot of people park on High Street and miss it. · official page

Moseley Woods, Newburyport MA

You get shady woods by the river with short trails, a pavilion and a playground. The trails are short enough for a four year old and still feel like an adventure.

Yes. The Town Park in Amesbury MA has one, and your kids can splash for free.

Town Park, Amesbury MA

You get a playground, the splash pad, ball fields, a skate park, disc golf and a pavilion, all around a creek with little footbridges. It feels like summer camp. If your tween skates, the skate park is worth the trip by itself. · official page

Splash pads run in the warm months. Check the town page for this season's dates before you pack the towels.

Lake Gardner in Amesbury MA is the calm, freshwater pick.

Lake Gardner Beach, Amesbury MA

You get a small sandy beach on a quiet lake. There are no big waves, so it's a good spot if your kids are new swimmers. You can launch a kayak too. The entrance is easy to miss, so go slow and look for the sign. Check the town page for lifeguard hours and water test results first. · official page

State beach and campground, Salisbury MA

You get ocean swimming on a 3.8 mile stretch of coast, with 484 campsites if you want to stay over. The state lists beach wheelchairs and beach mats too. Daily parking this year ran May 23 to October 12 at $14 with a Massachusetts plate and $40 without one. · official page

Yes, and it's one of the best days out on the North Shore.

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newbury MA and Newburyport MA

You drive past salt marsh and birds, and the open ocean waits at the end of the road. The Hellcat boardwalk is wheelchair accessible. Entry is $5 per car. Most refuge beaches close from April 1 into August so piping plovers can nest, and dogs are never allowed. · official page

Bring binoculars. Your kids will spot more birds than you will.

Maudslay State Park is the classic. Old Town Hill is the one with the view.

Maudslay State Park, Newburyport MA

You walk old estate grounds by the river, on wide carriage roads that work for your stroller. In late spring, the mountain laurel and rhododendrons bloom. State parks charge a parking fee, so check the state's parking page before you go. · official page

Old Town Hill, Newbury MA

A Trustees property. The Ridge Trail climbs to a big view of the Great Marsh. The River Trail is shorter and flatter, so it's better for small legs. The lot is small, so go early. · official page

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury MA

Open farmland by the river, run by Historic New England. Your kids will love the meadows and the farm animals. The grounds are a nice quiet stop in any season. · official page

They're quieter, and that's the point. You'll often have the place to yourself.

Action Cove Playground, West Newbury MA

You get a big wooden play structure where a ten year old and a three year old can both stay busy. There's a toddler area and baby swings. Weekend mornings are calmer than fall soccer afternoons. · official page

Pikes Bridge Road and the Atherton Trail, West Newbury MA

You take a shady, easy woods walk past the Artichoke River and old stone walls. Pair it with Action Cove for a full afternoon. · official page

Washington Park, Groveland MA

You get two playgrounds, one for little kids and one for bigger kids, plus ball fields. On summer game nights it has a real small town feel.

Pick one area, pack lunch and plan for one big stop and one small one.

• Newburyport MA day: Cashman Park in the morning, Bartlet Mall before lunch, Maudslay State Park after.
• Amesbury MA water day: Lake Gardner early, then the splash pad at the Town Park in Amesbury MA.
• Nature day: Parker River refuge at opening, then Old Town Hill and Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm.
• Quiet day: Action Cove, then the Pikes Bridge walk in West Newbury MA.
• Beach day: the state beach in Salisbury MA, and camp over if you booked a site.

Many do on a leash. Two big ones don't.

Dogs are never allowed anywhere at the Parker River refuge, per the refuge's own page. The state beach in Salisbury MA doesn't allow dogs on the sand from April 1 to September 15, per the state. For the rest, check each park's rules before you bring your pup.

Because the house becomes normal fast. The places around it shape your week.

The trail you walk every Sunday. The playground your kids beg to visit. The lake that becomes your summer. Go see them before you buy. Then compare towns side by side with our Newburyport MA and Amesbury MA guide.