Items for your Ipswich itinerary.
Pavilion Beach Park on the causeway between Little and Great Neck and launch your kayak onto Ipswich Bay for no charge. Turn right for quiet marsh paddling, veer left for the Ipswich Marina, or straight ahead on Plum Island. On the way home, stop at Clark Pond Overlook for birdwatching. Little Neck Road. Ithaki Restaurant Owner Petros Markopoulos has been serving modern Mediterranean cuisine since 1997. The baked moussaka is a crowd pleaser, but the cheese saganki is culinary nirvana. 25 Hammatt St., 978-356-0099. Zumi’s Former Everest sherpa Umesh Bhuju serves fair-trade coffee in his friendly spot downtown (try the Caramel Cloud Latte). The ice cream rocks. 40 Market St., 978-356-1988, zumis.com. Nails Etc. Day Spa The paraffin pedicure here provides serious toe time. The spa has comfy chairs to sit in. 34 Market St., 978-356-9491. The Farm Store Appleton Farms’ 40 milking cows produce fresh milk free of additives, sold in old-fashion glass bottles. Coming soon: Dairy manager and award-winning cheese maker John Miller aims to make fresh ricotta, cheese spreads, brie, cheddar, and a Jersey milk parmesan. You can also buy grass-fed beef. The store is located in the barn off the Route 1A entrance. 978-356-3825. 1640 Hart House Scrumptious American cuisine includes shepherd’s pie, pumpkin ravioli, chicken with cranberry sausage stuffing, and huge glasses of Cabernet. Save room for the blueberry cobbler. Dine alfresco on the rooftop deck. 51 Linebrook Rd., 978-356-9411. Russell Orchards On your way to Crane Beach, stop to pick your own strawberries, blueberries, or apples in season. Back at the barn, you may catch some family folk music by farm manager and singer Miranda Russell. 143 Argilla Road, 978-356-5366, .
Foote Brothers Canoe & Kayak Rental Early summer, the Ipswich River’s woods are alive with birdsong. Much of the river is accessible only by canoe, so you feel you have entered wilderness as you paddle through the wildlife sanctuary, state parks, and Wenham Wetlands. It’s also a favorite with trout fishermen. Willowdale Dam, 230 Topsfield Rd., 978-356-9771, footebrothers canoes.com. Luna Sea! Owner Elaine Pura sells an eclectic mix of crafts, clothing, and furnishings from local artisans, plus items from her travels, with an emphasis on South African foods and cooking. She also has an eye for colorful textiles. 18 Market St., 978-356-8848, lunaseaarts.net. The Inn at Castle Hill Drive through the iron gates and enter another world. Many rooms have stunning views of salt marsh or ocean.
After a hearty breakfast, enjoy a long walk on the 2,100-acre estate along Crane Beach or through the woods. Leave your cell phone at home. 280 Argilla Road, 978-412-2555.