Crane Beach: Best Beaches in the Northeast
Crane Beach was named the best beach in Massachusetts by boston.com with over 50,000 total votes cast. I have to admit this surprised me since it beat out the beaches on Cape Cod, so I had to see Crane Beach for myself. Crane Beach is a best beach for families, couples, retirees, nature lovers, and dog lovers (off season).
Beach Rating
Beach Personality: A Gem Of A Beach Near Boston
Crane Beach
Crane Beach is a sand dune protected, 4-mile stretch of pristine beach. According to one boston.com voter, it’s “hands down, the best family beach around! Easy access, very clean beach, facilities, food…” Probably the most unique aspect of Crane Beach is the natural quality of the beach combined with the number of amenities available. It’s not often you find a beach like that. Usually you have to choose between one or the other.
Since Crane Beach is part of The Crane Estate there’s more to Crane Beach than the beach itself. The Crane Estate encompasses an historic estate, gardens, outbuildings, a 1-mile walking trail, Crane Wildlife Refuge, Crane Beach, and even an Inn; The Inn at Castle Hill.
The Crane Estate also offers public programs including house tours, garden tours, guided kayak tours, surfcasting clinics, Beachcombers for 4 through 8 year olds and their parents/guardians, Choate Island field trips, and outdoor concerts.
Beach Activities:
- Lounging
- Swimming
- Skim boarding
- Kayaking
- Kite flying
- Bird watching
- Surfcasting, saltwater fishing license required for those 16 and over.
Beach Amenities:
- Public bathrooms – Yes.
- Showers – Yes, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Parking – Yes, for a fee.
- Food – Yes, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Lifeguard – Yes, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Dogs allowed on the beach – Yes, from October 1 through April 31. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Beach Rentals:
None.
Directions:
Crane Beach, part of the Crane Estate, is located at 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938. To get to Crane Beach from Boston, take Route 128 North, to exit 20A, Route 1A North, toward Ipswich. Drive for approximately 8 miles until you reach Argilla Road. Turn right onto Argilla Road and continue for approximately 4 miles until you reach the Crane Beach parking lot.
To many joyful beach experiences!
— Lisa Dworkin
Photos courtesy of Lisa Dworkin
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