Some Highlights in Nantucket
Some Highlights in Nantucket
Mark Fedoronko
Available for hire
My partner has been visiting Nantucket for the better part of two decades. The best word to describe the island - in her eyes - is "salty". You're never more than 5 miles from the ocean. In the summer, the sea air is impossible to miss.
I recently got to visit Nantucket for its annual Christmas Stroll - a festive weekend in December where the entire island reopens for a weekend full of holiday cheer. It's a little less salty in the winter, but just as quaint and charming. The town of Nantucket with its cobblestone streets and historic buildings are adorned with Christmas trees and garland and lights. Truly a wonderful sight!
Inspired by my recent visit, here is my guide to Nantucket - regardless of the season you visit!
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Beaches
Nantucket is synonymous with summer beaches. There really isn't a bad choice on the island. These beaches are beautiful in all seasons, even the winter. I love to take runs to the various beaches in winter for sunrise and sunset, with amazing vistas to be seen.
Madaket Beach
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A perennial favorite of Nantucket visitors (including myself), Madaket is all the way on the western coast of the island. It is also a stark reminder of the ephemeral nature of Nantucket, with the coast being extremely close to the ocean and the beach seemingly shrinking every time you visit. It's a great spot for both sunrise and sunset
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Smith Point
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Google didn't have any pictures which is a shame. Smith's Point is an old neighborhood out by the beaches, most famously where Mr Rodgers had a home on the island. You will need four wheel drive to get here.
The neighborhood is pretty much off limits for construction as it is "high risk" for homes to fall into the ocean. However the beaches out here are as remote as you'll get on the island. It's a great experience to see these older homes and almost therapeutic sandy havens
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Dionis Beach
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A little bit less crowded than Madaket, Dionis is still a great beach. I particularly enjoy (attempting) to run on the beach and sunrise. The area around Dionis is also a wonderful nature reserve with paths to explore the local flora and fauna
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Other Attractions
Sankaty Head Lighthouse and 'Sconset
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On the eastern end of the island you'll find Siasconset, Don't call it that or you'll be made fun of; it's just 'Sconset to the Nantucket in crowd. 'Sconset is a beautiful small village with these impeccably manicured English gardens. It almost feels like the gardens from the Cotswolds ended up with Nantucket homes and the ocean.
At the end of the "bluffs walk" is Sankaty Head. While you can't go into the lighthouse, it is an iconic site and a great chance to take in the more "protected" part of the island. It's also a great place to have a picnic, or ride a bike to from town.
The bus also runs out to 'Sconset in the summer season
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Whaling Museum
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A true right of passage for any visitor to Nantucket is the Whaling Museum. Dedicated to the history of the island at large - specifically the once thriving whaling industry found along the coast in Massachusetts - the Whaling Museum provides plentiful commentary and artifacts that help you understand how Nantucket got to its current state.
Some other cool things: the roof of the Whaling Museum has some of the best views of the historic downtown area, as it is one of the tallest buildings. Further, if you visit in winter time, admission to the museum will also let you see the Festival of Trees, a tradition on the island where various groups decorate Christmas trees with different themes for display. If you haven't been to the museum and you want to see the trees around Christmas, it really is a bargain to get admission and see both!
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Cisco Brewers
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A more modern Nantucket staple, Cisco Brewers is the beer of choice for all visitors to the island. If you've heard lots of negative comments about Cisco Brewers' location in the Boston Seaport as being a frat boy haven, the one in Nantucket is a far more diverse crowd. Situated next to a farm and home to both a distillery and a winery, Cisco is one of the best places to spend a nice day on Nantucket. And they have nice beer - if you can get it (as the brewery often jokes)
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Nantucket Downtown Historic District
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The center of town is about as quintessential New England as you can get. Cobblestone streets, colonial buildings - both shingled and non shingled (which is noteworthy as most of the rest of the island is shingled), elegant stores and restaurants. The town of Nantucket is one of the most enchanting Main Street experiences you will find.
Want to go shopping? Make sure you bring your purchasing power as most places are astronomically expensive. Even much of the wares would be 2x cheaper simply if they were sold in Newport or Cape Cod, but Nantucket brings out the big spenders. Regardless, the shops are lovely and certainly worth browsing even if you don't have the disposable income to afford items
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Restaurants
The Proprietors Bar & Table
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A lovely modern American restaurant, Proprietors is a favorite among most people who visit the island regularly. Their semolina cavatelli is a culinary highlight for those visiting the island. While all the dishes are delicious, save room for desert as a lebneh cheesecake awaits you
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Queequeg's
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A jovial tavern-looking restaurant, Queequegs is a warm place to enjoy a good meal. While the inside is very casual, the food is quite impressive. Particularly popular are the lobster bisque and the bolognese. The restaurant is on a very quaint alleyway, so the outdoor seating is lovely in season
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The Nautilus
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A rustic-modern hot spot featuring a Pacific Rim twist, Nautilis serves up seafood-centric small plates & inventive craft cocktails. Some of the favors include blue crab fried rice, oyster tacos, and Hawaiian tuna poke
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Millie's Restaurant - Nantucket
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Once upon a time, Nantucket was graced by the life of a lady named dubbed Madaket Millie. She was a volunteer in the Coast Guard and became a legend for caring for animals and humans on the island. If you can find it online or at the Shipwreck and Life Saving Museum, there's a great interview of Madaket Millie done by Mr Rodgers himself.
Sadly, Madaket Millie is no longer with us. However, Millie's Restaurant - close to Madaket Beach - continues to bear her name. Serving delicious sandwiches, salads, and other dishes during the summer, Millie's is a hopping joint for lunch and at dinner time around sunset. It's also a great place to grab a drink!
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The Juice Bar
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A staple across from the Whaling Museum, the Juice Bar is the premier place for ice cream on the island. Really any choice is a good choice
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Ethos Wine Bar & Bistro
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Not technically a restaurant as there is no functioning kitchen, Ethos is a lovely cellar that offers light snacks and delicious drinks in an elegant setting. I highly recommend stopping here either before or after dinner to enjoy some of the wonderful wines on offer
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Hotels
The Nantucket Hotel & Resort
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Probably the most famous hotel on the island and a place that serves up hospitality in all seasons, the Nantucket Hotel is a bit of an inspiration for the Elin Hildebrand book entitled "The Hotel Nantucket"
Do you not have up to $3000 for a night at a hotel? Then you may not want to stay here. However, the lobby bar is delightful and worth checking out. If you can a good rate it's a phenomenal property to stay at
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The Wauwinet
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A member of Relais & Châteaux hotels, the Wauwinet combines historic charm and modern coastal elegance. It sits a bit away from town, which could be both a positive or a negative depending on the experience you are looking for. However, the rooms are well done and the property is a phenomenal place to base yourself on a trip to Nantucket
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White Elephant Nantucket
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A luxury inn situated in the center of Nantucket, the White Elephant is a quaint spot to stay while on Nantucket!
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The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin
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Probably the closest place you can stay to the water with lovely little apartments right on the harbor
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Fedoronko
Available for hire
My name is Mark, and I've been travel planning since the age of 11.
About Me
I help redefine the way you experience the world. I don't just plan trips; we craft extraordinary adventures tailored to your unique desires. Mark's journey into the realm of travel planning began at an early age, driven by an insatiable curiosity to uncover the hidden gems and cultural nuances that make each destination truly exceptional.
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