Frog in Water

Vernal Pool Explorer Hike at Copicut Woods

What’s a vernal pool? During this family-friendly hike, you’ll learn about these ephemeral wonders and investigate how nature changes in the spring season. Vernal pool hikes are extra special at Copicut Woods, where you can look and listen for woodpeckers at field edges and warblers in the thickets. You’ll also… Read More

cupola upright

Castle Hill Tour: Cupola with a View

This is our most Instagram-able tour experience and a particular treat for those interested in the architecture of the Great House and its surrounding property. You’ll gain insight into the architectural choices made by David Adler as he designed and built the Great House, the second home the Cranes built… Read More

Kayak with Dragonfly

CraneOutdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a… Read More

Kayaking Toward Choate Island at Sunset

CraneOutdoors: Sunset Kayak in the Crane Wildlife Refuge

There are few places on the North Shore that more reliably enjoy spectacular sunsets than the back side of Crane Beach, overlooking Essex Bay. On this outing into the heart of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, we will be paddling in the protected waters of one of the most scenic… Read More

Kayak with Dragonfly

CraneOutdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a… Read More

Solstice

CraneOutdoors: Summer Solstice Hike and Fire Pit Adventure

Join us for a beautiful hike to Cedar Point to celebrate the Summer Solstice! Summer at the Crane Estate has so much to offer, and while many guests may be familiar with Crane Beach, Cedar Point is a much less-explored part of the property. Offering maritime scrub forest, woodland Trails,… Read More

Kayaking Toward Choate Island at Sunset

CraneOutdoors: Sunset Kayak in the Crane Wildlife Refuge

There are few places on the North Shore that more reliably enjoy spectacular sunsets than the back side of Crane Beach, overlooking Essex Bay. On this outing into the heart of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, we will be paddling in the protected waters of one of the most scenic… Read More

Kayaking to Choate Island

CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure

Kayaking the pristine, sheltered waters of the Essex River Basin offers one of the top on-the-water experiences to be had in Northeast. Add to that a hike on the area’s largest island and you have the makings of an epic adventure. This combined outdoor trip in the Crane Wildlife Refuge—home… Read More

Kayak with Dragonfly

CraneOutdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a… Read More

Kayaking Toward Choate Island at Sunset

CraneOutdoors: Sunset Kayak in the Crane Wildlife Refuge

There are few places on the North Shore that more reliably enjoy spectacular sunsets than the back side of Crane Beach, overlooking Essex Bay. On this outing into the heart of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, we will be paddling in the protected waters of one of the most scenic… Read More

Kayaking Toward Choate Island at Sunset

CraneOutdoors: Sunset Kayak in the Crane Wildlife Refuge

There are few places on the North Shore that more reliably enjoy spectacular sunsets than the back side of Crane Beach, overlooking Essex Bay. On this outing into the heart of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, we will be paddling in the protected waters of one of the most scenic… Read More