Things to do in Ipswich & Essex
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Essex River Basin Adventures
Explore the tidal estuaries of the Essex River with Essex River Basin Adventures. Tours include basic kayak instruction, as well as plenty of opportunities for bird-watching. Romantics will have a hard time choosing between a sunset paddle and a moonlight paddle.
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Great House, Crane Estate
On Castle Hill sits the 1920s estate of Chicago plumbing-fixture magnate Richard T Crane. The 59-room Stuart-style Great House is the site of summer concerts and special events. It’s open for tours in summer, but only a few days a week. The lovely landscaped grounds, which are open daily, contain several miles of walking trails.
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Crane Beach
One of the longest, widest, sandiest beaches in the region is Crane Beach, with 4 miles of fine-sand barrier beach on Ipswich Bay. It is set in the midst of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, so the entire surrounding area is pristinely beautiful. Five miles of trails traverse the dunes. The only downside is the pesky greenhead flies that buzz around (and bite) in late July and early August. Parking costs weekend/weekday $22/15.
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Woodman’s
This roadhouse is the most famous spot in the area to come for clams, anyway you like ’em. The specialty is Chubby’s original fried clams and crispy onion rings. But this place serves everything from boiled lobsters to homemade clam cakes to a seasonal raw bar. Friendly, family service and tried-and-true seafood make it one of the classic New England eateries. It’s on MA 133 on the way to Ipswich from Rockport (exit 14 from MA 128).
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Appleton Farms
One of the country’s oldest continuously operating farms, Appleton Farms is now maintained and operated by the Trustees of Reservations. Four miles of trails wind along old carriageways, past ancient stonewall property markers and through acres of beautiful grasslands. The store sells fresh, organically grown produce, not to mention tantalizing jams, spreads and sauces made with said produce. From MA 128 take MA 1A north. Turn left on Cutler Rd and drive 2 miles to the intersection with Highland Rd, where parking is available.
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Essex Shipbuilding Museum
This unique museum was established in 1976 as a local repository for all of the shipbuilding artifacts of the local residents. Most of the collections of photos, tools and ship models came from local basements and attics, allowing Essex to truly preserve its local history. Most of the collections are housed in the town’s 1835 school house (check out the Old Burying Ground behind it). The historical society also operates the Waterline Center in the museum shipyard, a section of waterfront property where shipbuilding activities have taken place for hundreds of years. The historic Essex-built schooner, Evelina M Goulart, is moored here. From Rte 128, take exit 15 and turn…
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