Christmas at Castle Hill: A Nod to Nature
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays. Go at your own pace and learn from interpeters stationed in rooms. Read More
CraneOutdoors: Winter Wildlife Walk
A CraneOutdoors Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are… Read More
Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus
Step into a sweet winter wonderland and join Mrs. Claus for a cozy, hands-on cookie decorating workshop perfect for kids and families! Decorate festive holiday cookies with colorful icing, sprinkles, and cheerful toppings—plus enjoy holiday crafts, festive music, and a warm hello from the North Pole’s favorite hostess. Workshop Includes:… Read More
Winter Cookie Decorating Workshop
Join us for a cozy winter adventure where stories and sweets come together! We’ll start with a winter-themed story that explores the magic of the season—snowflakes, animals in hibernation, and how nature changes in the cold. Then, kids will decorate cookies inspired by what they’ve learned, using icing and sprinkles… Read More
Sensory-Friendly Photos with Santa
Join us for Sensory-Friendly Photos with Santa at Stevens-Coolidge! Enjoy the beauty of December at Stevens-Coolidge by meeting Santa Claus, having your photo taken with him, and exploring our wintery grounds with fun holiday-inspired activities. During this program, we’ll have a photographer on hand with experience working with neurodivergent children. Read More
CraneOutdoors: Sunset Hike to Cedar Point
There’s no better excuse to explore Cedar Point—the western-most part of the Crane Estate—than a hike at sunset. This two-hour adventure in a lesser-known part of the property has it all… A stroll through the beautifully manicured gardens of the Great House A hike down the Woodland Trail leading… Read More
CraneExplorer: Coastal Holiday Crafts
This holiday season, give a gift from the sea! Beach treasures make beautiful holiday ornaments, jewelry, and keepsakes. Join this workshop to take a beach walk to collect coastal treasures and then make some coastal crafts with our educators. Bring your own shells and beach treasures and we will provide… Read More
Gingerbread & Cocktails: An Appleton Culinary Workshop (21+)
Why do kids get to have all the holiday fun? Join us for a grown-up day of gingerbread and cocktails as our culinary team leads you through constructing and decorating festive gingerbread houses. The perfect way to celebrate the winter and holiday season! The only requirements are imagination, patience and… Read More
The Five Days of Makers at Appleton Farms
Spend a week immersed in creativity and craft at Appleton Farms! Our Five Days of Makers event brings together local artisans and craftspeople for a celebration of artistry and tradition. Each day during the week of December 9th-13th we will host and feature a local artisan between 2-6pm. Visit our… Read More
Christmas at Castle Hill: A Nod to Nature
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays. Go at your own pace and learn from interpeters stationed in rooms. Read More
Halloween on the Hill 2025
This October, the gardens at Long Hill come alive with Halloween magic! Join us for Halloween on the Hill, an enchanting outdoor experience filled with glowing jack-o’-lanterns, creative seasonal displays, and family-friendly frights. Wander our woodland trail lined with over 1,500 hand-carved themed jack-o-lantern pumpkins, larger-than-life Halloween decorations, hundreds of… 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