One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to visit historic homes and buildings. I love learning about the people who lived in these buildings and enjoy seeing the old architecture and preserved furnishings. Although I find these tours entertaining, I also recognize they are not always as interesting for my little one who often gets dragged along against his will. While I would love to help foster his interest in history, I know that for now, he really just wants to play and explore. Finding historical tours that are designed for children has always been a challenge. However, they do exist, and the Crane Estate in Ipswich puts on a fantastic one called The Cat's Meow!
The magnificent Crane Estate is one of the most beautiful properties north of Boston. If you haven’t visited here before, I highly recommend doing so. The mansion, which dates back to 1928, has 59 rooms. Once the summer residence of industrialist Richard T. Crane, Jr., the home and property is now managed by the Trustees of Reservations. Over the years, the property has been featured in several films, including "The Witches Of Eastwick," "Flowers In The Attic," and "Little Women."
The Cat’s Meow tour of the mansion is perfect for children ages three to eight years old. Children are encouraged to help locate the Crane’s Siamese cat, Ptolemy, who has gone missing just before an important party. The child-focused tour allows visitors to see some of the home’s guest and family spaces in a fun and interactive way. The tour lasts about 30-40 minutes which is the perfect amount of time for littles. Please note that the tour does include some stair climbing (about 30 steps), so you may wish to bring along a comfortable baby carrier if you also have infants in tow.
When you are finished with the tour, you will definitely want to take the kids outside to explore the grounds. The property contains lush gardens, unique sculptures, and this gorgeous rolling hill which is so much fun to run down! You can also hike to Crane Beach, a beautiful spot to enjoy the scenic coastline.
If you are visiting the estate without kids, you may want to opt for one of the property's other tours. These include the "Grand Stairs to Back Stairs" tour, which is an extended tour of the entire house, and the "Little Women at Castle Hill" tour, which highlights key filming spots from the 2009 movie that was filmed onsite. You can even stay overnight at the estate bed and breakfast, the Inn on Castle Hill. This is a wonderful way to make the most of your visit to this stunning property.
Have you toured the Crane Estate? If so, please tell us all about your experience. Find out more about this gorgeous mansion and book your tour on the Castle Hill on the Crane Estate Trustees website. Be sure to also visit nearby Appleton Farms, another beautiful property that is managed by the Trustees.
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