Castle Hill Tour: Guest of the Cranes
It’s 1929 and you’ve just arrived after a long journey to see the Great House at Castle Hill and to visit your friends, the Crane family, of Crane plumbing fame. You are greeted at the door by household staff and your adventure as a “Guest of the Cranes” begins. A… Read More
Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms
Bring your little ones to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh story hour. We will read books about animals and nature, maybe sing a song or two, then head up to the carriage barn to visit our Nubian goats, Angora rabbits and see what other animals are out and about on… 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
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
Self-Guided Historic House Tours at Stevens-Coolidge
Step inside the historic elegance of Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens and explore at your own pace with this self-guided house tour experience. Wander through the beautifully preserved rooms of the early 20th-century home, once the summer residence of Helen Stevens Coolidge and John Gardner Coolidge. As… Read More
Planting Stories StoryWalk®
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant StoryWalk® experience for the whole family! Stroll through the gardens as each page of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre by Anika Denise unfolds along the path. This self-guided outdoor adventure invites children… Read More
Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms
Every day brings a full list of barnyard chores to keep our farmyard friends happy and healthy—so let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program. Grab your muck boots and farm together as a family! Help care for our rabbits, goats, cows, chickens, and… 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