Castle Hill Tour: Highlights on the Hill
Join us for a leisurely tour of the Castle Hill grounds from our comfy tour cart. You will hear the rich history of the estate while enjoying the breathtaking views of the gardens, marsh, and water. This is the perfect way to get a comprehensive overview of the Crane Estate,… Read More
Hull FireFly Storytelling at Weir River Farm
Join us for Hull FireFly Storytelling at Weir River Farm! Modeled after The Moth Story Hour on NPR radio, this live storytelling program invites participants to share a 3-5 minute, true story, spoken to an assembled group of friends, family and strangers. Feel free to share a story of your… Read More
Castle Hill Tour: Highlights on the Hill
Join us for a leisurely tour of the Castle Hill grounds from our comfy tour cart. You will hear the rich history of the estate while enjoying the breathtaking views of the gardens, marsh, and water. This is the perfect way to get a comprehensive overview of the Crane Estate,… Read More
Homeschool Adventures: Session 1
Young explorers are invited to join us in September & October for a 4-part homeschool series that will get them active & moving with nature adventures, exercise, and outdoor skill building. While exploring Appleton Farms & the Crane Estate, participants complete active adventures & design challenges that will exercise both… Read More
Full Moon Hike at Peaked Mountain with Adventure East
Join Adventure East for an enchanting Full Moon Hike at Peaked Mountain in Monson, MA, where the mystical energy of the full moon illuminates our path and fosters a sense of community. With panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley, the summit of Peaked Mountain is a great place to… Read More
CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes
CraneExplorer events are designed to appeal to the little ones* while giving their parents a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Crane Estate. These hikes cover less ground to accommodate smaller strides and have more frequent stops to look, listen, and learn from our CraneOutdoors guides. Not just… Read More
CraneOutdoors: Dunes by the Light of the Full Moon
Transformed and illuminated by the glow of the full moon, the beach and dunes of Castle Neck are a stunningly beautiful landscape. To experience this special place at this magical time, join us for a unique hiking experience. We’ll start with the beauty of a sunset while taking an evening… Read More
CraneOutdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River
One of the best ways 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
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
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… Read More
Beginner Birding in Whitney and Thayer Woods
Join The Trustees for a Beginner Bird Walk through Whitney and Thayer Woods! Our guide will introduce you to the fundamentals of birding while leading you through parts of this 834-acre forest. This hike is geared towards beginners but all are welcome! This will be an easy to moderate walk… Read More
Passport to the Past: Stevens-Coolidge Guided House Tour
Discover the stories behind the walls of one of North Andover’s historic gems. Join us for a guided tour of Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, a Colonial Revival treasure that reflects early 20th-century elegance and global influence. Once the summer home of Helen Stevens Coolidge and John Gardner Coolidge—a diplomat and… Read More