All Fantastic Things to Do in Crane Beach

Crane Beach - Photo by -DSH- from flickr.com

Located in Ipswich, Massachusetts, Crane Beach is a great year-round destination and one of the best beaches in the area.

It has 6 km sandy beachfront, stunning dunes, and a maritime pitch pine forest that are easily accessible from the beach.

As it is among the world’s most important nesting site, this beach has been nationally recognized for its successful shorebird protection program.

To make this a memorable trip, check out the beach’s nearby places such as the popular Castle Hill and the serene Steep Hill Beach.

Engage more by having fun with Crane Beach’s water sports. Bring your own equipment or simply rent it at Essex River Basin Adventures.

Enjoy the soothing, white sandy beach, have a picnic, watch the sun as it goes down, sit back and take a moment to breath the fresh air, make this trip a memorable one.

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ONE DAY TRIP IDEA

There are many things you can do for a day in Ipswich area. Visiting Castle Hill on the Crane Estate would be one of the best decisions you can make. Located just 1.5 miles from the Crane Beach Massachusetts, this historical landmark is a lavish mansion that comes with English style with manicured gardens and a broad lawn sloping down the seashore. With a small fee, you can enjoy everything this place has to offer, whether it’s stunning grounds, classic building, dreamy gardens, and so much more. And the you can also make a visit to Steep Hill Beach. A lovely and quiet nearby beach good for alone time, relaxation, and even meditation. These two places are just some of the nearest ones to treat your visit at Crane Beach Ipswich, Massachusetts.

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Lavish, English-style mansion with manicured gardens and a broad lawn sloping down to the seashore.

Great to bring a picnic and enjoy national historic destination.

Address : 290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA

Steep Hill Beach

Ipswich's best hidden gem with scenic panorama to relax and lay on sandy beach.

There's lot photogenic spot to take picture.

Address : Ipswich, MA 01938, USA

THINGS TO DO FOR FREE

With its clean, inviting water, miles of shoreline, and mesmerizing views, Crane Beach is ready to be your year-round destination. Crane Beach is more than just sun and sand. It has been a favorite place for vacation since generations. As it is among the world’s most important nesting site, this beach has been nationally recognized for its successful shorebird protection program. Apart from that, you can also pamper yourself with the soothing, white sandy beach as you walk, have a picnic and extend your beach carpet, watch the sun as it goes down, sit back and take a moment to breath the fresh air, and make this trip a unforgettable one.

HEALTH ADVISORY

Keeping the beach’s cleanliness is an important thing one can do while visiting. This is how little one can contribute to keep the sea and the beach protected and safe for everyone. So, leave no trash behind and enjoy your vacation.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

As this beach is a year-round destination, Crane Beach hours operate daily from 8 AM to 6 PM. In and off seasons has its own facilities. In-season has lifeguards and rangers, bike rack, bathhouses (with toilets and changing area), outside showers, picnic tables, Crane Beach Store (refreshments and merchandise), drinking water fountains (located outside the bathhouses), information kiosk, transportation for mobility-impaired and challenged visitors. While off-season has family restrooms and visitor access to floating beach wheelchairs.

BEST WATER SPORTS

When it comes to having fun, water sport is one of the most exciting things you can do here at Crane Beach. If you have your own water sport equipment, don’t forget to bring it with you or you can simply rent it at the nearby rental service. Essex River Basin Adventures is a good recommendation for you. This rental service provides canoe and kayak for its visitors. If you are a first-timer, you are treated well here as this place has helpful and attentive staff. The knowledgeable working staff will make sure you have a blast.

Essex River Basin Adventures

Providing guided sea kayak tours, lessons and rent.

Perfect area for spending your summer time with family or friends.

Address : 1 Main St, Essex, MA 01929, USA

BEST HOTELS AND RESORTS

There are many hotels near Crane Beach lined up for you. With its classic and unique architecture, Castle Manor Inn is a 3-star hotel that comes with accommodations such as fully equipped casual rooms, free parking, bright and airy restaurant serving local fare, a deck with views over the inland waterway, and much more. For a simper living experience yet still sophisticated, make Shea's Riverside Inn & Motel as your next option. Located just 11-minute drive from the beach, this motel located along the Essex River with comfortable rooms and atmosphere. Check out their facilities such as free parking, a restaurant/bar with terraces, and a garden with seating and river views.

Castle Manor Inn

Victorian inn with a restaurant offering elegant main house rooms & basic motor court units.

Address : 141 Essex Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA

Shea's Riverside Inn & Motel

Down-to-earth riverside inn & seasonal motel with a restaurant/bar offering terraces.

Address : 132 Main St, Essex, MA 01929, USA

BEST RESTAURANTS

A line of restaurants near Crane Beach are ready to make this trip more special. One of the most popular among them is Boat House Grille Essex. This restaurant comes with a relaxed space with the company of store fireplace and bar area. It specializes classic American seafood that’s served with the best display. The good atmosphere will definitely create a good vibe to your visit. Be sure to also check out Village Restaurant for your next option. Located just 6 miles from the beach, this popular restaurant has a memorable feeling to it with its nice building and good decoration. When you are here you get to enjoy many exciting menus including seafood stews, fried clams, raw oyster, and lobster rolls.

Boat House Grille Essex

A menu specializing in classic American seafood, freshly prepared.

Set in a relaxed space with stone fireplace & bar area.

Address : 234 John Wise Ave, Essex, MA 01929, USA

Village Restaurant Essex

Established area resource for seafood stews, fried clams, raw oysters, lobster rolls & more.

Address : 55 Main St, Essex, MA 01929, USA

BAR AND NIGHTLIFE

To top this trip off, make a visit at Choate Bridge Pub for a good drink opportunity. As one of the most rated bars near Crane Beach, it offers a range of beers on tap in a cozy bar with wooden interiors. Not only you get to taste the best beer, you can also enjoy some of its best menus such as grilled steaks, clams, and pizzas. The amazing and attentive staff are just another good value to this bar/restaurant. Azorean Restaurant & Bar would also be a great recommendation for you. As popular as it is, this beautiful-looking bar/restaurant allows you to taste Portuguese specials in a warm and casual space. With its classy building, this place also has an outdoor seating to comfort its visitors. This is such a treatment for you after a fun day at Crane Beach.

Choate Bridge Pub

Grilled steaks, clams & pizzas, with a range of beers on tap, in a cozy bar with wooden interiors.

Address : 3 S Main St, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA

Azorean Restaurant & Bar Gloucester

Hearty land & sea specialties from Portugal's Azores Islands, served in a warm & casual space.

Address : 133 Washington St, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA