Designing for Delight: A Garden Tour of Naumkeag
Explore stunning terraces and garden rooms with sweeping views of the Berkshire Hills as our passionate garden guides share the stories behind the creation of this iconic estate. These popular tours take visitors beyond the blooms to focus on the fascinating history of the Choate family, the vision of landscape… 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
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
Designing for Delight: A Garden Tour of Naumkeag
Explore stunning terraces and garden rooms with sweeping views of the Berkshire Hills as our passionate garden guides share the stories behind the creation of this iconic estate. These popular tours take visitors beyond the blooms to focus on the fascinating history of the Choate family, the vision of landscape… 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
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: 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: 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
Full Moon Kayak with Adventure East
Launch at dusk for a guided full moon paddle on the quiet, flat waters of Tully Lake. We’ll ease into an unhurried pace along protected shorelines and coves, keeping lights low to preserve night vision while guides set a calm rhythm and offer simple night‑navigation tips. Expect a relaxed evening… Read More
Urban Wild Trackers: Leatherbee Woods
We’re looking to build a group of volunteers who want to learn phenology, the study of seasonal changes in plants and wildlife, and spend time in this Urban Wild noticing how things change over time. Urban Wild Trackers meets twice a month and invites you to… Read More
Landmarks & Landscapes: Beaver Discovery at Rocky Woods
Gather family or friends for a guided evening walk at Rocky Woods and discover the busy beavers of Echo Pond. As the sun skims the pond’s surface, we’ll settle in to watch the day quietly come to a close. Listen for bird calls, the splash of beaver tails, and the… Read More
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