Editors’ Choice
Crane Beach, Ipswich
Standout Qualities: With bathhouses, bike racks, an open time until sunset, and lifeguards and rangers who can help with transportation for mobility-impaired and -challenged visitors, this is a full-service beach—but one with unspoiled views of pure white sand. And National Geographic has ranked this one of the top 10 family beaches in the US. Kids can spend their summer here and at nearby Castle Hill, exploring nature as part of The Trustees’ SummerQuest program.
Insider Tip: Trails more than five miles long offer up a secret hike traversing stunning dunes. Be prepared for deep sand, take your sunscreen, and brace yourself for summer solitude.
Fun Fact: 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.
290 Argilla Rd., Ipswich, 978-356-4351, thetrustees.org
Readers’ Choice
Crane Beach, Ipswich