If you enjoy visiting wineries and you have children, how can you combine the two and be sure that everyone is happy and has a great day? Visit Russell Orchards in Ipswich, Mass. and enjoy child and adult activities, including picnicing, farm animals, gourmet shopping, and home-made donuts. Add a side trip to Patton Park and Woodman’s Restaurant and you have a tired but happy crew heading home with a few bottles of New England fruit wine.
DESTINATION 1 – Patton Park- 5.5 miles
PUBLIC PARK – Patton Park has it all – a playground, gazebo, basketball court, baseball diamond, volley ball court, in-ground pool, frog pond, and historic WWII tank and guns to climb on. You also may see riders practicing in the nearby horse arenas. The pool charges a day fee and has life guards.
Special items to bring:
- a net for tadpole and frog catch and release
- a bucket to temporarily admire your catch
- a camera to capture your family on top of Patton’s tank
- a picnic lunch or snacks to enjoy at tables
- a bathing suit and towel for the nearby pool
Summer music in the park: www.salemnews.com
Patton Park, Hamilton, Mass (parking entrance on Bay Rd)
Hamilton town website
DESTINATION 2 – Woodmans of Essex, 5.5 miles approx
Bring a big appetite as Woodman’s will deliver with delicious fried seafood. Non-fried offerings are limited however and if you have a gluten allergy you may just order the fresh crabmeat without the roll and a side of coleslaw. Woodmans is a Yankee tradition since 1914. Save some room for the ice cream parlor out back, or keep a bit of room for the homemade donuts at Russell Orchards.
Woodman’s of Essex
121 Main St, Rte 133, Essex, MA 01929-1305
Phone: 1-800-649-1773
Visit the website for info: www.woodmans.com
Read a review of Woodman’s at the Cook or Go Out website. 
DESTINATION 3 – Russell Orchards Winery, 11.1 miles
Russell Orchards is a farm & winery with a ‘biting’ pig (safely restrained), a sweet duck pond, a playground under the apple trees, and lots of walking on the roads thru the orchards and cultivated fields. Unique fruit wines and hard ciders made on the premises.
Read a review of Russell Orchards
by Mary Schwager.
Russell Orchards
143 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA
Phone: (978) 356-5366
Visit the website for hours: www.Russellorchardsma.com
Travel start point: near Beverly, MA
- approx 28 mi north of Boston
- Total trip miles: 13.6 miles approx
- Rte 128 to Patton Park, then to Woodmans, ending at Russell Orchards
ADDITIONAL SIGHTS IN REGION
- Salem witch museum – www.witchhistorymuseum.com
- Newburyport Whale watching – www.newburyportwhalewatch.com
- First Saturdays – Explore historic homes – www.northofboston.org
- Pin Mill Studio – www.thepinmillstudio.com
- Ipswich Blue Badge Guided Walks – www.visit-ipswich.com
Please drink responsibly. Please check websites or call vineyards for tour schedules and specific hours for visits.
