ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO IN IPSWICH, MA
Ipswich Visitor Center located in the Hall-Haskell House at 36 South Main St. (SoCho District), is open 7 days a week through October. Hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mon-Sat, and 12:00 to 5:00 pm, Sun. For more info, call (978)356-3580.
Audio Walking Tour of Ipswich - The Ipswich Visitors Center is offering a self guided audio walking tour of Ipswich. The tour recounts many of the historic events that occurred in Ipswich, as well as a host of other information such as famous Ipswich artists, agriculture, wildlife, and activities available throughout the town. Enjoy fascinating stories about some of the 50+ First Period houses— more than any other town in America—and discover for yourself why Ipswich is named the“Birthplace of American Independence!”
A Visitor's Guide to the Crane Estate is a self-guided landscape tour booklet introducing visitors to Castle Hill, Crane Beach, and the Crane Wildlife Refuge. It is available from the Castle Hill gatehouse and may be mail ordered in advance of your visit.
Paine House Tours The historic Paine House at Greenwood Farm on Jeffrey's Neck Road in Ipswich is open for tours the first Sat. & Sun. of each month through Oct. One hour tours run 1-3 pm. the Last tour starts at 3 pm.
Tours are free to all on Saturdays. On Sundays, Trustees of Reservations members enter free, non-members pay $8 for adults and $5 for children. Recommended for children 8 and older. For info, call 978-356-4351 or visit www.thetrustees.org.
The Crane Estate Great House Tours - Wednesdays – Saturdays, May 28 – October 13 | 10am – 1pm (one-hour tour) Closed Friday, July 4 Members: free. Nonmembers: Adult $10, Child $5. Minimum age: 8 years old (16 without adult). Group tours by appointment. Call 978.921.1944 x4009. Fees include admission to grounds. Historic Landscape Tours of Castle Hill: Thursdays & Saturdays, May 29 through October 11 | 10AM. Take a guided historic walking tour of this grand, early 20th century summer estate by the sea and learn about the designs of Boston landscape architects Olmsted Bros. and Arthur Shurcliff. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Bring comfortable footwear and water bottle. Members: Free. Nonmembers: $5. Minimum age: 8 years old (16 without adult). Special Events July 4th Independence Day Celebration, Summer Picnic Concert Series, and Winter Holiday Showcase are among many annual events held at Castle Hill. Consult the Events Calendar for details.
CASTLE HILL SUMMER PICNIC CONCERT SERIES
Castle Hill's picnic concert series shows run Thurs. evenings, 7-9 p.m., on the Grand Allee of Castle Hill, 290 Argilla Road. Cost: Members of The Trustees of Reservations, $20 per car; nonmembers, $25 per car. Tickets are available at the gate only. In case of severe weather, concerts will be cancelled. Call 978-921-1944, ext. 4028 for last-minute update. Upcoming shows:
Aug. 7: Squeezebox Stompers, hot Cajun zydeco
Aug. 14: Entrain, groove music ranging from jazz and funk to rock and blues
Aug. 21: Beantown Swing Orchestra, big band 40s swing
Aug. 28: Orville Giddings Band, boogie blues
CRANE BEACH SANDBLAST!
Bring your sand sculpture dreams and tools for this annual event at Crane Beach. It's a contest too with categories for kids, teens, families, Corporate/Business.
This Year's Theme: Super’ Heroes Go Green
The competition categories are: Master Builders, Family, Adult, Teens, Kids, and Corporate/ Business. 
Registration includes parking for one car. Rain date: Sunday, August 26 Fees Spectators welcome with regular beach admission. Team Fees Member team, $18, Nonmember team $29 - (includes parking for one car). Day of Registration Fee: $7/team + regular beach parking fees..
*Advance registration strongly recommended.
About Crane Beach: Along with Castle Hill and the Crane Wildlife Refuge, Crane Beach was once part of the vast early 20th-century summer estate of Chicago industrialist Richard T. Crane, Jr. The white sands of Crane Beach stretch for miles along both sides of Castle Neck, forming one of the most picturesque swimming beaches in all of New England. Crane Beach also provides important habitat for myriad wildlife and is an important natural barrier that protects the Essex River Estuary and its inland communities. More than 1,200 acres of beachfront, dunes, and maritime forest are managed for both recreation and conservation. Elevated boardwalks, vegetation management programs, and fencing protect the dunes. Crane Beach Hours Open year-round, daily, 8am to sunset. Allow a minimum of 2 hours, 6.5 hours if also visiting Castle Hill (including Great House or landscape tour) and the Crane Wildlife Refuge.
