Nantucket, MA

Nantucket enjoys nearly 80 miles of beach with 10 individual beach areas. Some have lifeguards, restroom facilities, playgrounds and snack bars, some are just a secluded beach tucked away in a corner of the island. Roughness of the surf varies by the location on the island. For a beach with all the facilities, I like Surfside Beach, but Miacomet (also known as the “Fat Ladies Beach”) is my real favorite and the one the locals favor. Unspoiled, private, stretching for miles. Sometimes you never see another person. Stop at Bartlett Farms on the way and pick up lunch. On the way back drop in to Cisco Brewers on Bartlett Farms Road for a little “taste”.

In August/September, a nighttime dip at Steps Beach, swimming in the phosphorescence, is pretty incredible. Steps is also right next to Galley Beach one of our favorite restaurants and a great spot for lunch.

Miacomet Golf Club and Sconset Golf Club are links-type courses open to the public.. Sankaty Head, my favorite course, is private, but open to the public in the off season.

Most of the tennis facilities are part of hotels or resorts; however there are public courts at Jetties Beach.

There are miles of bike paths crisscrossing the Island that offer a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the Island’s beauty. Young’s. Broad Street at the Wharf is my choice for bike rentals. Been renting here since we carted our kids around in bicycle rickshaws. Hate to think how long ago that was.

Island Boat Rentals rents small Boston Whalers for fishing or cruising. Slip 1, Straight Wharf. From $550.

Try Endeavor Sailing Adventures for a bit of maritime history along the shores of the island. Best trip is the one at sunset ($35 for 1 1⁄2 hours). Shearwater Excursions offers whale watching, seal cruises and eco tours on a clean 49 passenger boat. Editor’s Pick from Yankee Magazine.

Sea Nantucket, Francis Street Beach. Half and full day rentals. Great way to explore the beaches and coves. Pack a lunch and your camera.

Capt Tom’s is the choice for charter fishing, he’s been featured on Field & Stream legends, This Old House and has won the John Havelicek Celebrity Fishing Tournament 11 of the last 14 years. Another good choice is Captain Pete Sheppard of Rusty Fly, particularly for shallow water and fly fishing. There is an abundance of fish off-shore and I have literally seen so many fish that the fishermen couldn’t pull them in fast enough

Gail’s Tours. (508-257-6557). Personal scenic tours of the Island. Voted Best of Nantucket. 10, 1, 3 pm departures. 1 1⁄2 hour tour. Nantucket Ghost Tour Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun 7pm. Opposite Jared Coffin House. No reservations necessary.

Pick up a copy of Nantucket Historic Walking Tour, a self guided exploration of Nantucket’s history and architectural heritage, presented by the Chamber of Commerce.

There are about a dozen museums on the island, but the one not to miss is the re-opened Whaling Museum, on Broad, downtown.

Some favorites; Antiques; Sylvia, Antique Depot, Rafael Osona Saturday antique auction at the American Legion, Nantucket Country Antiques, Lynda Willauer Antiques.

Galleries: Pierce Galleries, Dane Gallery, Quidley & Co.

Nantucket is filled with wonderful shops and boutiques, many very unique to the Island. Click here for a listing.

Events/Festivals

April – Daffodil Festival
May – Nantucket Wine Festival; Figawi Boat Race
June – Nantucket Film Festival
July – 4th Celebration;  Annual Green Thumb Flower Show
August – Annual Antique Show
September – Island Fair at Tom Nevers Park
October – Nantucket Arts Festival; Annual Chowder Contest
December – Christmas Stroll

Breakfast

Virtually all lodging offers breakfast, but should you decide to venture out, here’s our favorites.Top choice is Island Kitchen. Eat inside or out. Cocktails. Turkey hash is amazing. Sit beside the harbor at Brant Point Grill. Try Marcia’s Vanilla Bean and Challah French Toast. or, The Whale has excellent food and a wonderful outdoor patio with tables and umbrella’s. Fantastic buttermilk biscuits.

Lunch

There are lots of great choices. On the Harbor Cru at the end of Straight Wharf. Eat outside on the Harbor, inside or a combination in the bar where all the walls open onto the water. Excellent fresh fish sandwiches. Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant Hotel. Dine on the patio overlooking the Harbor. Upscale, more expensive. Excellent food. On the Sound Topper’s at the Wauwinet Hotel is one of my favorites for a leisurely and spectacular lunch. Best wine list around. Wonderful $24 lunch. Amazing burger. On the Sound. Make the trek to the Summer House in the charming village of Sconset for a delightful ocean side lunch. Wonderful setting among the dunes. One of our favorites for lunch or dinner, the Galley Beach restaurant, sits right on the beach east of town. The elegant Chanticleer in Sconet has a beautiful rose garden, perfect for a balmy day. Delicious French bistro food. In town, our choice is the Brotherhood of Thieves. They have added a sit down bar, there are fireplaces to warm you and the food (great pizza and burgers) is wonderful pub food. Now with an outside patio. If you like fresh fish sandwiches, the Straight Wharf Fish store has tuna,  swordfish, fillet and soft shell crab sandwiches and delicious 1/2 lb. lobster rolls.

Burger

The best traditional burger in town is at the Brotherhood of Thieves at 23 Broad St. plump, juicy with just a slight charbroil crust. But if you really want a treat, the burger at Topper’s at the Wauwinet Inn, just may be the best I have ever had. Made with Kobe beef, short ribs, caramelized onion and capers, this takes the burger to a whole new level and at $25, it’s a bargain compared to the similar burger in NYC at $100.

Appetizer

Tuna Martini at The Pearl. This appetizer is legendary and even if you are not a sushi eater, it’s not to be missed.

Oyster Bar

Hard to top Cru for its location on Straight Wharf, fresh oysters and a very good wine list, albeit very pricey. Always our first stop off the boat.

Afterhouse Seafood & Wine Bar. Oysters, shrimp, chilled lobster, sardines, cheese platter, sushi and more. Great afternoon stop. Fantastic wine selection with many premium wines by the glass. How about a Chateau Figeac, Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion, FRA 2005 at $115 by the Glass?

Wine Bar

These restaurants have a good “by the glass” selection of wines; Brant Point Grill, Straight Wharf, Oran Mor, La Languedoc and Topper’s.  Topper’s is the recipient of Wine Spectator’s Grand Award.

Cocktails

Sit in Adirondack chairs overlooking the Harbor at the Brant Point Grill, stop at Ventuno’s, where the locals drink, at least the affluent ones, and have Johnny B or Jess make you the best dirty martini in town, make your way to Town a local’s favorite with some creative drink selections at the outside Tree Bar and the Ships’ Inn has some wonderful fruit martini’s. Prime at the Jared Coffin House has a stylish lounge and an outside bar and lounge. After dinner try the Espresso Martini at The Pearl or Johnny B’s famous lemon meringue martini with a gram crust rim at Ventuno’s.

Sunset

Sail Endeavor is a wonderful old Friendship sloop that offers sunset sails each day for $60 per person. Leaving from the Staight Wharf, the boat sails along the coast for the 1 1/2 hour sail. Pack some cheese and crackers, a bottle of wine and a blanket and head for Madaket Beach. Sunsets don/t get any better than this.even in Key West! See Special Things below. Add a sunset to your dinner plans by eating at the Galley Beach restaurant. Arrive early, get a cocktail and sit outside right on the beach.

Brewery/Winery/Distillery

Cisco Brewers/Nantucket Wines/Triple 8 Distillery, all located in the same complex on Bartlett Farm Road offer beer, wine and cocktails, live music, food trucks and is dog friendly. Lots of fun to taste things that are not on the market yet. You’ll also meet lots of great people out there. This is a must for any visit to Nantucket.

After Dinner Fun

Stop in at the Club Car bar (it’s an authentic old rail club car) on Main Street where there is a nightly piano player, leading the crowd in show tunes. Great fun. If you want something a little more lively with a younger crowd, the Muse on Surfside Road, The Bamboo Supper Club on Chin’s Way and the Chicken Box on Dave have dancing and live music.

While Away a Rainy Day

The Boarding House. When it’s open. Doors open to the street. Great Bloody Marys. Good food. Brotherhood of Thieves. In town. Great pub food. Dark and comfy bar.  Kitty Murtagh’s, pool tables, darts, Guinness and good pub food….what else is there?

Morning Paper

The Hub. Main Street. Opens at 7:30am. Boston and NYC papers.

Wine & Cheese Shop

Epernay has a good wine and cheese selection. Brix Wine Shop is another good choice.

Picnic Fixins

Provisions at the Straight Wharf. Homemade breads, muffins and cookies, wonderful specialty sandwiches, Cape Cod chips and Nantucket Nectars.I love the Turkey Terrific with turkey, dressing and cranberry sauce.

Take-Out

If you are planning to eat at home or perhaps to BBQ on the beach, Cowboys, Bayberry Court, is the place for great meats and other items. Pretty cool store. For fresh seafood, it’s worth the trek to East Coast Seafood, also known as 167 Seafood, at 167 Hummock Pond Road. It’s clean, the fish is fresh, (there’s even a sign that if you ask, you have to go to the back of the line.) I never miss the harpoon caught swordfish.

Sweet Tooth

Aunt Leah’s Fudge. 34 flavors. Chocolate covered cranberries. Best fudge Cape Cod Life. Main Street.

Gym

Nantucket Health Club. Young’s Way. The Island’s only full service health club.