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06/20/2018 12:00 AMSet like a gem in blue Atlantic waters off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket will grab your heart even before the high-speed ferry docks. At least that's the promise of Nantucket tourism expert Arlene M. O'Reilly.
"Most people from Connecticut would likely drive from Hyannis and take one of ferries over — that's a delightful way to go," says O'Reilly. "Once you get on the boat, you can have a bite to eat and enjoy a cocktail; it's a nice way to relax. And as you enter the harbor and see the island, it's just gorgeous."
Nantucket lies 30 miles away from Hyannis, Massachusetts; but as soon as the ferry docks at the island's wind-weathered wharves, you're in another world. It's no wonder National Geographic calls it the "best island in the world."
"There's nothing like stepping off the ferry and being thrown into this cobblestoned, bustling district, with all of the people, all of the shops, and the smells of great seafood restaurants," says O'Reilly.
It's the scent from those restaurants that will beckon you to sit down to some of Nantucket's best-loved fare: mouthwatering, incredibly fresh seafood – from clambakes to lobster dinners, fish and chips to haute cuisine. And if the food doesn't draw you in immediately, new arrivals to the island will notice they are immediately immersed in downtown Nantucket's gorgeous historic buildings. The collection includes well-preserved 18th and 19th-century homes rooted to the island for hundreds of years.
"So many of the buildings in the downtown area have this great, historic charm," says O'Reilly. "A lot of bed and breakfasts and other spaces are redesigned inside, using interior designers that are so totally hip, that when you walk in, you're in for a delightful surprise. But overall, it still has that charm. When you're staying overnight downtown, you can hear the sounds of the town clock, the ferry, or sometimes, the fog horn."
Nicknamed "The Gray Lady" for her on-again, off-again coat of rolling fog, Nantucket's heart lies in her postcard-perfect, cobblestoned Main Street, recognized by Travel & Leisure magazine as one of American's "greatest Main Streets." All that downtown Nantucket has to offer lies within no more than 10 minutes' walk of Main Street. Stroll the scene and you'll be steeped in a treasure trove of bakeries, boutiques, galleries, and purveyors of sweet treats and ice cream. Take in a wine tasting, try a new brew, visit vendors, or stop in at one of the lively bars and pubs along the "Strip" on lower Broad Street.
Nantucket celebrates its culinary diversity during the first week of June for Spring Restaurant Week. The island also has big plans for Fall Restaurant Week, set for Sept. 24 through 30.
"All of the restaurants are so varied," says O'Reilly, who also serves as the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce marketing director. "You can have a very exquisite dining experience, or you can go into restaurants that are very reasonably priced for a family; or find one that's a great spot for a 'girlfriends' trip, or places with great food and live music."
Set aside the food and you'll find that culture also thrives here, with a mix of historic museums, galleries, and theaters to enjoy. Nantucket's rich maritime history is well represented – check out Broad Street's Nantucket Whaling Museum. Fully restored by the Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) in 2005, the top-quality exhibition space shares a wealth of island history and is home to a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton.
Nantucket's past also includes its heyday as an art colony and the island continues to be home to many talented artists, with all forms of media well represented by artwork filling local galleries. Nantucket's vibrant performing arts community created a home for the annual Nantucket Film Festival (June 20 to 25) and set the stage for productions and offerings ranging from live theater to audience-grabbing, "pitch-perfect" a cappella performers enlivening Main Street.
And if you're looking for wide open spaces, Nantucket is also home to plenty of stunning vistas. Thanks to the island's small scale (just under 50 square miles), travelers can reach all of them with just a little planning. One of the best ways to experience Nantucket is on foot. Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (NRTA) offers maps of all walking areas; while the island's historic district hosts guided walking tours. Another way to get around: stop in at the NRTA Greenhound building on Washington Street to learn more about catching the "The Wave" shuttle bus. The line takes people to points across the island for a minimal fare. Other island transit options include taxis and auto rentals.
Far and away, Nantucket's most-used form of summer transportation is a bike, with plenty of rentals available island-wide. Over 30 miles of dedicated, well-groomed bike paths on 12 designated trails traverse Nantucket, with the majority making the most of the island's mostly flat terrain and diminutive size of 14 miles long by three and half miles wide.
If biking isn't quite your cup of tea, the island is home to a number of walking and hiking trails like the popular Middle Moors, Sanford Farm, and Squam Farm. The non-profit Nantucket Conservation Foundation offers guides and trail maps online, and marked trails include interpretive markers pointing out Nantucket's diverse flora and fauna. Bird lovers can expect great bird watching with 300 species thriving here – from shore birds to species inhabiting hardwood forests, cranberry bogs, and other unexpected island interiors.
Going to the beach? Nantucket offers over 80 miles of easy-access, free public beaches. The north side of the island includes the calm waters of Jetties' Beach (a quick bike ride from town, or take the shuttle bus; vehicle parking also available). If you're looking for a family beach, Jetties' Beach is the place: it's staffed with lifeguards and offers changing rooms, concessions, seasonal restaurant take-out food, and water recreation rentals and lessons (windsurfing, kayak, and more). Jetties' Beach is also where Nantucket celebrates the Fourth of July with fabulous fireworks at night and day-time New England traditions like pie eating contests.
Speaking of New England traditions, just a few minutes from town is photogenic Brant Point beach, featuring the Brant Point Lighthouse, America's second-oldest light. Further afield, on the eastern side of the island, lies Great Point Lighthouse, part of the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge.
For a quiet beach experience complete with sandbars and great views of Nantucket Sound, head to north shore's Steps Beach -- but be prepared to take on the steep steps that lead to it. For adventurous souls, surf-worthy waves pound Nantucket's southern beaches. Cisco Beach pulls in big crowds of surfers and young adults for a big-time beach day; while popular Surfside Beach is considered a bit more family-friendly (same rip currents and crashing waves; but lifeguards are on duty in season).
Surfside is also popular for surfcasting. Anglers also love Fisherman's Beach (north shore) and frequent Nantucket's many piers and jetties. For a deeper dive into fishing the open Atlantic, book one of the island's fishing charters. Nantucket's charter captains and crews know just where to find bass and other big-time prizes including marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna.
"It's a cool island that caters to all types of travelers," says O'Reilly. "It can be peaceful, but there's also a lot of fun stuff to do."
Getting There:
Two ferry services, Hy-Line Cruises and the Steamship Authority, run from Hyannis, Massachusetts to Nantucket year-round, with onsite parking available. Both offer high-speed passenger ferries that reach Nantucket in an hour. To bring your car with you, book Steamship Authority's traditional ferry (travel time is just a little over two hours). Two other high-speed ferry services run out to Nantucket seasonally - Freedom Cruise Line and Seastreak.
Nantucket's commercial airport greets travelers year-round from Massachusetts-based airports in Boston, Hyannis, Martha's Vineyard and New York's Westchester/White Plains; while some carriers also offer seasonal service from New York's JFK and LaGuardia and Newark, New Jersey.
For more information about visiting Nantucket, visit
www.nantucketchamber.org