Happy Monday! Can you guys believe we're already halfway through August?! Summer 2016 has flown by. As you guys know, one of my favorite trips of the summer was Nantucket. After asking all of you lovely readers what kinds of Nantucket content you wanted to see, I got an overwhelming response about a travel post! In addition to learning more about 21 Broad, which I reviewed here, you wanted to know what my favorite things to do on the island were! So, without further ado, please find all my "must see, do, eat, shop" recommendations for Nantucket!
Travel: There are so many different ways to travel to the island. Connor and I chose to drive from NYC, and then take the ferry over from Cape Cod. We spent part of the week on Nantucket (where you don't need a car), and part of the week in Cape Cod (where you definitely need a car), so this was the option that worked best for us. You can also catch a direct flight from JFK airport right to Nantucket through JetBlue and Delta! If I was ever traveling to the island without making a trip to the Cape I would definitely choose this option. Flight prices can be as low as $150 depending on the season.
Pack: I usually find Nantucket to be a relief from the sweltering NYC summers, however when we went this year it was so hot #globalwarming!! I recommend checking the real feel temperatures before packing, as it said the temps would be in the upper 70s, but it actually felt like 90 most days! With that said, it still got so chilly at night. I lived in my Two Bees cardigan. If I could go back, I would bring a jean jacket and this Barbour coat as well. My best advice is to pack layers!! I wore a lot of sundresses during the day, and loved having white jeans and sweaters for the evening.
Eat: It's hard to have a bad meal on the island, however, there are definitely a few restaurants that stuck out to me. The first night we went to Cru for dinner, which I've heard is also awesome for lunch. It was a beautiful night so we sat outside and enjoyed the view of the boats docked in the harbor. Connor got the lobster roll, which was to die for, and I got the arctic char. If you are a fan of oysters, they have an amazing raw bar selection. We will definitely be returning next year! Reservation tip: Recommended but not necessary. They are one of the few restaurants that accept walk ins, and Connor and I went with no reservation. We got there on the earlier side, at 6:30pm, and had no wait. The next dinner spot you HAVE to go to is Galley Beach. Located right on the beach, it has the most stunning sunset views you'll ever see!! They have candlelit tables set up on the sand, and it's the perfect spot for a romantic meal. Reservation tip: Make them a month in advance! Seriously, this place books up quick and they don't accept walk ins. They do have a waiting list, so if they tell you they're full, ask to be placed on it! That's how Connor and I got in. The last place I'll go in depth on is Slip 14. This cute little spot is perfect for lunch while shopping around downtown Nantucket. It's tucked away on Old South Wharf, and we only knew about it thanks to the helpful staff at 21 Broad. They told us that this is where all the locals love to grab lunch, so we had to check it out. All I can say is, get the fish and chips!! You will thank me later. Reservation tip: Not needed! Just walk right in, the most you should have to wait is 10-15 minutes. A few other spots I want to recommend are Straight Wharf for a fancy dinner with possible celeb sightings, The Downyflake for doughnuts, Handlebar Cafe for an iced coffee, Black-Eyed Susans for breakfast, The Pearl for asian inspired cuisine, and The Boarding House for a farm to table meal. My last tip is to pad your budget!! Nantucket prices are downright shocking at times (even for this New Yorker!), so be prepared to spend a minimum of $150 on a dinner for 2.
Shop: Nantucket has some of my favorite boutique shopping ever. I love finding pieces that you can't buy at large department store. My must visit shops on Nantucket are Skinny Dip Nantucket, Ellie Kai, In the Pink, Blue Beetle, The Lovely, Murray's Toggery Shop, and Shift. For some classic ACK apparel, I love Annie and the Tees. If you're looking for children's toys and apparel, check out Pinwheels! It has the cutest kids stuff, and children stories written by a local Nantucket author.
Activities: There are seriously so many things to do in Nantucket, this list could go on forever!! But in an effort to keep this post as short as possible, I will list my personal favorites. I can't recommend heading to Cisco Brewery for an afternoon enough. Enjoy locally brewed beer (I had the seasonal grapefruit ale and it was delish!), live music, and food trucks! Pro tip: They have a free shuttle bus that runs every 30 minutes from the Nantucket Visitor Center that will take you to and from the brewery! My next recommendation is to rent bikes or a scooter for the day. Explore the island and get lost!! Be sure to make a stop in 'Sconset to see all of the #housegoals and beautiful hydrangeas, as well as a trip to Sankaty Lighthouse #doitfortheinsta. My last recommendation is to channel your inner college self and head to the Chicken Box for a night of drinks and dancing to a live band. Is it glamorous? Nope. It is fun as hell? Yep. You might not thank me when you're hungover the next day, but you'll thank me when you're looking back on your trip and smile about the time when you were the oldest and probably the most drunk person at the Box.
Places to Take an Instagram: Literally everywhere. There isn't a single spot on the island that isn't picture perfect! However, if I had a name a few of the classics, I'd say 'Sconset for the perfect Nantucket hydrangea shot, Galley Beach at sunset, downtown Nantucket (where these photos were taken! Hello cobblestone streets!), Sankaty Lighthouse for obvious reasons, and Brant Point for some awesome colorful sailboat shots.
Whew, that was a lot! Can I go back to Nantucket now?! I hope you guys enjoyed reading this post, and I hope it was helpful to those of you planning a trip!
