Images by Creative Collective
We’re all craving a bit of adventure these days. While traveling abroad might be out of reach, there are things you can do right in your own backyard to help stave off boredom and get a change of scenery.
Ipswich is a gorgeous coastal town boasting scenic historic vistas, a trendy downtown and café scene, farms and hiking, breweries, and miles of beautiful beaches.
Here are some of our favorite diversions from Ipswich, MA.*
* If you want a virtual tour of Ipswich, check out this Instagram highlight.
**Special Event this month: VERSE/VISUAL
April 2021 – with Poetry Pop Ups Happening the weekend of April
VERSE/VISUAL was created by Ipswich photographer Cynthia August (she/her/hers) and poet Sarah Vickery (she/her/hers), director of the Ipswich Poetry Group, in 2018 – and while this year the festival won’t be able to happen in the same way it has in years past, it is happening in a hybrid way, combining a rich virtual experience with in-person social-distance-friendly occurrences and a self-directed art walk.
Read more – “VERSE/VISUAL – Self guided art journey to open in Ipswich this weekend”
The Crane Estate at Castle Hill
The 2,100-acre Crane Estate is an unforgettable destination with winding salt marshes, miles of barrier beach, and beautiful hilltop mansion. Chicago industrialist Richard T. Crane, Jr. first purchased the land that would become The Crane Estate in 1910. Today, the Crane family mansion is known as The Great House on The Crane Estate and is protected, along with the rest of Castle Hill, as a 165-acre National Historic Landmark.
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon’s largest wildlife sanctuary, is located in Topsfield and Wenham, Massachusetts. Much of its 2,800-acre landscape was created by a glacier 15,000 years ago. While not technically in Ipswich, it’s close enough to count and worth making the journey.
Wolf Hollow
Wolf Hollow is a nonprofit wolf sanctuary and educational facility in Ipswich. Visitors to the educational center are given a unique opportunity to meet our resident gray wolves while enjoying an enlightening one-hour educational presentation.
Orchards and Farm Stands
With so much green space and natural beauty, it’s not a surprise that Ipswich is home to many farm stands and orchards. Some local favorites include Russell Orchards, Marini Farm, Appleton Farms, and Northern Lights Farm Stand.
Ipswich Museum and Visitor Center
The Ipswich Museum was originally founded in 1890 as the Ipswich Historical Society. The collection reflects more than 100 years of acquisition and preservation by these early visionaries.
Currently closed to the public due to COVID-19, but a reopening plan is in place.
Ipswich River Walk
The Ipswich Riverwalk is a bridge that spans the Ipswich River in Downtown Ipswich connecting South Main Street to Union Street through Ebesco Publishing’s parking lot.
The Riverwalk is also a delightful place to view public art along the water, including the Ipswich mural on the Ebesco building.
Restaurants and Shops to Check Out While You’re There
Nostos Cellar Door Ipswich Coastal Greengrocer
Food and Drink
- Zumi’s
- Heart and Soul Café
- 1634 Meadery
- Little Wolf Coffee
- Ipswich Ale Brewery
- True North Ale Company
- Ithaki Mediterranean
- Sandpiper Bakery
Shopping
- Nostos Boutique
- Betsy Frost Design
- Forget Me Not Shop
- Cellar Door Ipswich
- Coastal Greengrocer
- Henry Bear’s Park
- Labor in Vain
Who to Follow for more info:
Other Tourist in Your Own Town Guides
Looking for something we didn’t list or have a suggestion for a place to add? Send our a message at joeyphoenix@creativecollectivema.com.
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