Crane Beach

When the city heat kicks in, it’s time to hightail it to the beach. Sure, there’s the Cape and the islands, but our readers prefer the sandy little North Shore stretch CRANE BEACH. Only an hour away and accessible by literally any mode of private transportation (access fees include rates for cars, motorcycles, busses, bikes, feet, or horses. Wait, horses? Really?), Crane might not be the cheapest outdoor adventure (it’s gonna set you back $22 to arrive by car in the middle of summer and up to $157 to take your bronco), but with plenty of other diversions in the town of Ipswich, it certainly beats another sweaty day spent in front of your fan. To save a few bucks, head to the beach after 3 pm, when sticker prices drop by 50 percent. While you’re there, consider checking out nearby Castle Hill and Appleton Farms, one of America’s oldest working farms. Or just park yourself on a towel and fry away that farmer’s tan.

CRANE BEACH | 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich | 978.356.4354 | thetrustees.org