The Crane Estate
Ipswich, Massachusetts
Getting There
Ipswich is in northeastern Massachusetts, roughly an hour’s drive from Logan Int’l Airport in Boston. Whether you’re flying in, driving, or making the trip on foot, you can use the Google Map below to plan your journey.
Where to Stay
Hotel Options
We hope our wedding gives you the perfect excuse to plan the coastal New England summer vacation of your dreams!
We’ve secured two hotel blocks in the Boston Metro-North area:
The Hawthorne Hotel
18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA 01970
To reserve a room, call 978-744-4080 and ask about the McDonough/Gannon Wedding Room Block.
Group Code: MG0719
Boston Marriott Peabody
8A Centennial Dr, Peabody, MA 01960
To reserve a room, click here to use Marriott’s online reservation tool.
Transportation will be provided from both hotels to the venue. The room block at the Hawthorne is of limited size, so if you’d like to stay nearby and take advantage of that shuttle, there are a few other hotels within walking distance:
Hampton Inn by Hilton, 11 Dodge Street, Salem MA 01970 (978-414-3100, ext 7152)
The Hotel Salem, 209 Essex Street, Salem MA 01970 (978-451-4950)
Salem Waterfront Hotel, 225 Derby Street, Salem MA (888-337-2536)
Each hotel’s shuttle is roughly a 35-40 minute ride to the venue. If this is too long for your tastes, then we highly recommend you support one of the countless small inns, motels, or B&Bs in the Ipswich area, and arrange your own transportation to and/or from the venue. Please plan to travel safely. Vehicles may be left in the venue parking lot overnight until 10 AM.
Some Ipswich-Local Options for Lodging:
Arbor Inn Motel, 153 High Street, Ipswich MA 01938 (978-356-0220)
Ipswich Inn, 2 East Street, Ipswich MA 01938 (978-356-2431)
Kaede, 16 North Main Street, Ipswich MA 01938 (978-356-8000)
The Briar Barn Inn, 101 Main Street, Rowley MA 01969 (978-653-5323)
The Vine & Ivy, 212 Hart Street, Beverly Farms MA 01915 (978-927-2917)
Wylie Inn & Conference Center, 295 Hale Street Beverly MA 01915 (866-333-0859)
More information about Hotel/Shuttle transportation will be posted soon!
Check back here for more information as it becomes available!
What to Do
Activities in the Ipswich Area
Ipswich is nestled in a quiet corner of Massachusetts, with numerous nearby towns, food, and activities to make your visit as joyful for you as it will be for us.
CRANE BEACH
Visited by more than 350,000 people annually, Crane Beach remains a national model for balancing conservation of diverse natural habitats and wildlife—more than 1,200 acres of beachfront, dunes, and maritime forest grace the property—with the management of active public recreation. Whether you want to take a refreshing plunge, play in the sand, or bask in the sun, this unparalleled seaside experience has provided fun and lasting memories for generations.
Crane Beach is among the world’s most important nesting sites for piping plovers—a threatened bird that was nearly hunted to extinction in the 19th century for its eggs and feathers—and has been nationally recognized for its successful shorebird protection program. To protect threatened shorebirds during your visit, we ask that you avoid the fenced nesting areas and the wrack, the line of washed-up organic debris where the birds feed and hide.
CRANE WILDLIFE REFUGE
Rolling fields with historic structures are divided by ancient stone walls, while salt marsh, vast inter-tidal zones, and the islands—Choate, Long, Dean, Dilly, Pine, Patterson, and Round—provide a haven for wildlife. More than 200 species of birds have been seen here and several rare species of plants and animals thrive in the refuge.
The largest of the Refuge’s islands, the 135-acre Choate Island (formerly Hog Island), supports myriad birds and mammals including deer, fisher, coyote, and otter. The spruce forest, planted in the early 20th century, now attracts golden crown kinglets and sharp-shinned hawks, while Choate Island’s grasslands provide critical habitat for bobolinks and Savannah sparrows. Gulls, sanderlings, and sandpipers feed along the Island’s shore. Explore the historic remains dotting the landscape, including the circa 1725-40 Choate House and circa 1778 Proctor Barn.
SALEM, MA
Salem, Massachusetts, is a historic coastal city known for its rich maritime heritage and association with the infamous witch trials of 1692. Located on the North Shore of Boston, Salem features charming streets lined with well-preserved 17th and 18th-century architecture, including the stately federal-style homes that reflect its prosperous past.
One of Salem's most notable attractions is the Salem Witch Museum, which presents the story of the witch trials through exhibits and guided tours. The city is also home to the historic Peabody Essex Museum, which boasts an extensive collection of American art and maritime artifacts.