Happy Monday, friends!!
We’re home from our summer vacation, so I have a little recap for you today 🙂 .
This year, we loaded up the kiddos and headed to probably my favorite place on Earth…NANTUCKET!
Here’s a little backstory for those of you who might be new around here…Nantucket is an island off of Massachusetts and growing up, my parents took me there quite a bit because it’s one of their favorite places (they try to visit every year), and it became one of mine too. I didn’t take Andrew there though until 2016 and then again in 2018 and that’s when we decided that our goal is to visit every year from here on out. (I think our ultimate goal would be to own a home there too.)
This year, we decided to take the kids with us…and friends, we ruined them. By the end of the trip, the kids were trying to convince us we could move there. They loved Nantucket. I’ve never seen my bigs more sad to leave a destination than this one. It must be in our blood because my parents and Andrew and I feel the same way. It’s hard to put into words why exactly we love Nantucket so much…it’s a compilation of so many things. I think a big part of it is just that it’s “our place”. You know how some people have “their place” in Colorado and some by the beaches in Florida and some on a lake…it’s just where your heart feels at home, and for us, that’s Nantucket.
I asked my kids to list things they loved about it: the air smells better, the ocean is right there, Juice Bar has the best ice cream in the world, the cobblestones let you know you’re on Main Street, the lobster, the weather, the people are nice, the boats, the sand, the whaling museum, the pretty flowers everywhere, the gray and white houses and there are no stop lights. ( I told them they could stop! Haha! I think they would have kept going!!)
So, if you ever want to visit my piece of Heaven or feel like you stepped right into an Elin Hilderbrand/Nancy Thayer novel (two of my very favorite authors!), then you should visit Nantucket too. As a side note, I have so appreciated you all who have reached out to me already about Mix and Match Travel Agency helping you plan a trip to Nantucket, but unfortunately, other than Walt Disney World, Hawaii and Alaska, we do not offer our services here domestically. Right now, we are focused on international vacations, Disney vacations and of course, cruises, but thank you for your inquiries. Perhaps one day, we will!
Ready for some pictures?
By the end of this post, you’ll be wanting lobster for breakfast 🙂 .
Last Sunday morning, we woke up and headed to the airport to fly to Nantucket. The kiddos were so excited!!!
Now, there are several ways to get to Nantucket and over the last three years, Andrew and I have tried three different versions. You can fly into a place like Boston and then drive to Hyannis and take a ferry over. This is the way my parents go every.single.solitary.time. We did it last year…
…ahhhh! Cozy on the ferry! Boston is about a 3.5 hour flight from DFW. After you land, you either rent a car or take a car service to Hyannis which, depending on traffic, can take you anywhere from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours (traffic plays a big role). My parents always rent a car and then leave it at the ferry terminal, but I don’t like renting a car for several days and not actually driving it, so we took a car service. Then, when you get to the ferry terminal, you wait for your ferry to depart and then can take either a 2 hour ferry ride over or a 1 hour speed ferry. During the summer, I highly recommend buying your ferry tickets in advance as they book up and sell out quickly! So, that’s one option for us. I like this way, but with so many people and so many moving parts, I didn’t think it would be quite as easy as flying directly there.
The second option we tried back in 2016 and that’s fly into Boston and then take a small Cape Air flight into Nantucket. Cape Air flies all day long back and forth from Boston to Nantucket (and other places too), and everyone raves about it. I get motion sick and don’t like small planes, but a girl can handle it for 45 minutes, right?
WRONG.
I was so sick.
So. Sick.
Andrew was too!!!
So after our flight into Nantucket that year, we quickly…
…went to the ferry terminal and bought tickets to take us back across the water (and then we took a cab) back to Boston when the trip was over. The small planes are just not my jam.
This year, I decided to fly American Airlines on a big plane all the way there (woohoo!!). There aren’t a ton of flights each day going in and out on larger planes, but there are some (it required we layover in DC for two hours), and we hopped on it. We left DFW at 9:00 AM and were in Nantucket by like 3:30, so all in all, not too shabby!
So, for those of you who are interested/curious, that’s how we got there this year…
…we got to DFW early enough to eat breakfast before we boarded the plane. My big girl here was super pumped about her first trip!
Side note, my suuuuuper comfy dress was PERFECT for a day of flying!
Here I was about to leave. This dress is soft, it’s knit, it was cozy, and right now, IT’S 40% OFF!!
Right before we boarded our flight from Dallas to DC, I looked up and guess who I saw?!
JAMIE IVEY!!
Ahhhh! You guys know how much I adore her! She was flying with her hubby, so it was nice to be able to introduce him to Andrew. That was such a fun surprise!
So, we flew to DC, flew to Nantucket, landed, checked into our hotel and then…
…walked to Main Street! Ahhhhhh!! My happy place 🙂 .
At this point, it was probably like 4:30, and we had dinner reservations at 6:15, so we strolled and showed the kids “town”. The weather was SPECTACULAR!!!!! It was in the low 70s with no humidity. These Texas kids were super excited!
The kids wanted to head out and see the boats right there in town.
It’s really cool here because it’s such an eclectic mix of boats. There are yachts, fishing boats, huge sail boats, old boats, new boats, ferry boats…so many BOATS!
All smiles as we went to dinner at…
…Or, The Whale. (Can anyone name that famous line? Where is it from???)
Last year, we so enjoyed our breakfast and dinner at Met on Main and were bummed when we heard they were no longer there…BUT we heard great things about this place which came in and took over their building/garden area.
A cute little garden area for dinner? Yes, please!
Hi, my name is Shay, and in the summer, I want #allthesalads with tomatoes please! This was my starter. I shared this with Ashby and then the two of us split the lobster pasta. I was so proud of my kiddos because they really made an effort to eat all of the #nantucket food on this trip. Smith also had the lobster pasta this night (he ate the whole thing and didn’t want to share), and Kensington had clam chowder. Andrew had fish and Madeley ate off of all of our plates.
After dinner, we took the kids to our favorite spot on the island…
…The Juice Bar! Um, it’s the BEST ice cream ever! The line is always out the door and around the corner.
With our Juice Bar! We all agreed to eat there at least once a day but you couldn’t pick the same flavor twice. We laughed and laughed as we ordered our ice cream every day because by the end, we were ordering random things we never would have tried if not for our little pact.
After our ice cream, we went back to The Nantucket Hotel, took showers and got cozy in our room for the night. It was a great way to end our first day!
The next morning, we slept in and left the hotel around 9:00 for day two!
Kensington loved the hydrangeas 🙂 .
For breakfast, we stopped at Black-Eyed Susan’s. IT WAS SO DELISH!!!
Breakfast with my boy.
Our table was outside on their cute patio.
I had a scramble with chorizo and cheesy grits. Yes!!!!
After breakfast, we decided to just hang out in town.
I love an embroidered top 🙂 . Mine is HERE and it comes in several colors.
The kids’ favorite two stops in Nantucket were Mitchell’s Book Corner and Nantucket Bookworks. We visited both book shops every day and came home with several new books.
This trip wasn’t about the go, go, go…it was about the relax, enjoy, unwind and appreciate.
Main Street, you are beautiful!
For lunch, we headed to the water and ate at The Tavern…
…we love a table outside!
Clam chowder is always a good idea!
So is a lobster roll!!!!!!
After lunch, Madeley took a nap…
…and we continued the looking, the stopping and the enjoying.
We hit up The Juice Bar for a mid-day pick me up…
…and then walked out to Brant Point Lighthouse.
After the lighthouse, we headed back to the hotel to sit on the porch and enjoy our new books.
Later that night, we cleaned up because it was time for our very first good old-fashioned clambake!
Earlier that day, I found the girls’ dresses in a shop on Main Street. Ashby’s dress has lobsters and corn on it! I about died!
Photo cred: Kensington Shull.
(Psst: my dress is HERE and those are the shoes Andrew cannot stop wearing this summer! He swears they are the comfiest!)
The Nantucket Hotel hosts a clambake every Monday night during the summer, so this year, we made reservations and it was SO MUCH FUN! There was live music, a big lobster dressed up to take pics with the kids and of course, amazing food.
This boy was so pumped to crack into his lobster!
I’m pretty sure we could eat this food every day.
This girl loves tomatoes too 🙂 .
The littles just had to have their pics in here!
Ha!
After dinner, we walked back down to…
…enjoy The Juice Bar again. #sorrynotsorry
On our walk back, we made friends with the fluffiest, friendliest, biggest dog I’ve ever seen!
This is Milo and he’s a bouvier. We talked about him the rest of the trip 🙂 .
Whew!
That wraps up PART ONE.
It was a great vacation 🙂 .
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Haha aww, looks like y’all had a nice time at Nantucket! I love how tan everyone is! ❤️✨
–
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Erika Slaughter says
Ahhhhhh!!!! Love these pictures and you’re right-now I’m wanting lobster for breakfast! Nantucket looks like such a picturesque town! Can’t wait for Part Two!
Sheaffer Sims says
Such a charming town with amazing food. I want to go!!!!! And good for your kids for eating all of the local fare. Carter would try to just get steak at every stop.
Narci says
What fun!!! This has me wanting to visit Nantucket stat. What a part 1!
polly P says
Did you find Nantucket to be a very pricey place to visit in the middle of summer. I am thinking of heading there in a shoulder season to save a few bucks, but only if it makes a big difference!
Mix and Match Mama says
I think Nantucket tends to be pricey regardless because it’s an island. I think there are times when it’s less pricey, but yes, I would imagine it’s even pricier during the summer.
Jess says
My husband and I went in later September/Early October and it was definitely cheaper to stay. Obviously its chilly but we still had lots of fun and alot of the resturants are still open.
Marie Claas says
I’m not sure if your question was rhetorical, or you really didn’t know the answer. Anyway, the full name of Herman Melville’s novel is “Moby Dick or The Whale”.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes!!! I didn’t know the title was more than Moby Dick, so I learned that little fact at the restaurant 🙂 .
Christina says
Nantucket is my dream vacation!! Hoping to go there next summer!! Did you love your hotel?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! We also stayed there last year and love it so much!
Vicki Leuck says
Your trip looks wonderful. Perhaps now is a good time to ask you…. I really want to read a Elin Hillenbrand or Nancy Thayer but I hesitate because I remember reading there was one you did not enjoy. I’m so afraid I’ll buy one I don’t like and it will spoil it for me. So my question is … which title was it???
Thanks!
Vicki
Mix and Match Mama says
You should read both of their new ones this summer! Elin wrote Summer of ’69 and Nancy wrote Surfside Sisters. I didn’t love her last two (Winter in Paradise and The Perfect Couple).
Constance says
You have the cutest kids!
Mary says
Looks like so much fun! Do you mind linking your sandals?
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re the Tory Burch Millers from Nordstrom!!
Mary says
What about the wedges?
Mix and Match Mama says
Those are oldies.
Kelly Strylowski says
Oh my goodness! Now researching trip to Nantucket with the fam next summer! After reading Nancy Thayer and Elin Hilderbrand this year, I have to add that spot to our travel list. Thank you for always sharing! Your family is adorable. ??
Lauren B says
Nantucket is one of our favorite places too! Our goal is to have a house there one day as well! There is just something about being there that is just magical and wonderful! I think it is awesome that your kids are as obsessed as you! But I don’t think they would love Nantucket come like January!! ?
Emily R says
If you’re able to time it, you and the girls would love the House and Garden Tour. You get to walk through beautiful historic homes and see such beautiful flowers in the homes plus gardens. A fun experience if your schedule lines up.
Hilary says
That’s the biggest dog I’ve ever seen!!
I love reading your vacay recaps. Now Nantucket is on my list of must visit places!!
Mary Wilson says
Where did y’all stay in Nantucket?
Mix and Match Mama says
It says it in the post! The Nantucket Hotel. We stayed there last year too and love it!
kathy says
I am so intrigued after reading this post. I keep wondering if my husband and I would like visiting there. It looks so different than anyplace I’ve been before.
Thanks for giving me some insights about it. I am really wondering if we should visit there for our anniversary.
Brooke Richardson says
Okay I don’t even like lobster but maybe I would in Nantucket. Must plan a trip there ASAP! lol!
P.S. Ashby’s lobster dress was perfection.
Shannon Foltz says
We just got back from our first visit and fell in love and too funny we met Milo one night…he was huge! We also met Elin I was so excited I love her books ?
Mix and Match Mama says
That is so cool!! I would love to meet her!
Amlakar says
Your trip looks fabulous!! I have a new book to suggest if you haven’t already read it- The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger. Written a lot in Liane Moriarty style?
Katie Compton says
I second this book recommendation!! I just finished The Gifted School as well. So good!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
What a perfect family trip!!! Love the pictures of downtown–I’d want to visit those bookstores every day, too!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Erin says
So people have told me lots of different things about Nantucket but the one thing EVERYONE mentions is the TRAFFIC! So it’s bad getting there and you don’t mine once you get there? You walk everywhere and don’t need a car once you get there? So curious! I feel like it’s something I need to be prepared for ahead of time Ha!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t know what they mean about the traffic? Like getting from Boston there? If you time that not during the rush hour, then it’s not bad. I also don’t think traffic is super bad on the island. I do hear that it’s really bad on Martha’s Vineyard though…but maybe I’m just not seeing it???
Erin says
Yes I bet that’s it—from Boston getting there…
Jess says
Yes, the Cape can have awful traffic. Only one way in and one way out so depending on how you hit it, it can be awful. Memorial Day through maybe the last week or two of August is the worst. After labor day usually a breeze!
Paige says
I went to Nantucket in 2017 because of your passed blogs. It DOES NOT disappoint! I have been looking forward to this family post of your to see how the kids liked it too! I plan to go again ASAP, I have to ask, how far in advance have you guys been doing your booking for Nantucket for the hotel/accommodations?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that!! We book our hotel accommodations about six months in advance.
Martha says
Hi Shay, Thank you as always for being such a cheerful and inspiring start to the day. I want to give you [and your parents] an idea given your love of Nantucket and Christmas. Every year my sister, who has a heritage house on Main Street, hosts a bunch of girlfriends for the “Stroll” weekend in early December, and it is so much fun! The combination of Christmas season kickoff (every store decorated, many serving festive cocktails, and big sales) with the beautiful setting is spectacular. Given how I have come to know you through your wonderful writing, I think you and your friends/family would love it.
Leigh says
Martha, that is so funny because I’ve been researching Stroll weekend for a surprise trip for my daughter for her BD (turning 17) after reading Elin Hildebrand’s winter series. Any tips or suggestions?
Taylor says
This came at the perfect time! I leave this Wednesday for my first trip there.
Mix and Match Mama says
Ah!!! Have so much fun!!!
Erin H says
This is SO on my list of places to visit! Do you think it’s a location w/smaller kids? Next summer I’d have a 1.5 yr old…
Mix and Match Mama says
I think it would be lovely and laidback with smaller kids!
Kris says
I went to Nantucket last summer. And you are right, there’s something magical about it! Love it there so much! Have you eaten at Brant Point Grill? Great open area looking out over the water. Thank you for all your recs for my next trip!
Mix and Match Mama says
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post 🙂 .
Kris says
? Should have been more patient ! And I had the lobster Mac n cheese there too! I dream about having it again! Thanks for all the details you give us! My emails from you are my favorites!
Jeni says
FC 2020 needs to be HERE!!!! Loved the recap, what a perfect little family getaway.
Heather says
Oh Shay, we are soul sisters! Nantucket is my happy place, too. The cobblestone, the hydrangeas, the ice cream, the smells. This Minnesota girl has been twice with my husband in the past few years and we can’t wait to go back. Curious if you’ve ever spent much time on the main Cape and/or Martha’s Vineyard? We found a GREAT AirBNB in Dennis, MA that we love to spend a couple of days at when we go east. Visited Martha’s Vineyard for the first time last year and I loved that place, too, but Nantucket is still #1!
Rebecca Purdie says
Your family is beautiful! Everyone always seems so happy ( no meltdowns or tantrums).
I would love to take a trip to Nantucket.
Summer is winding down so I am trying to get my teacher mind ready for August 26 first day of school in Greensboro NC.
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Kathy says
Love all the pictures! Now I’m going to research a trip to Nantucket! 🙂
Sarah says
Shay, what do you book in terms of hotel rooms for your family of six? We just had our fourth baby and it seems like getting a hotel room to accommodate six is impossible. I’ll keep the baby in a pack and play for a while, but once he’s out, what do you do? With five we would have two queen beds and a cot. Not sure about six. Do you book two rooms and a parent stays in each room?
Mix and Match Mama says
It depends on where we are staying. At this particular hotel, they have suites that accommodate six people, so we stayed in one of those.
Kerri says
I love that you love Massachusetts! Born and raised in boston and been going to Nantucket for many summers, it’s my happy place too! It’s just such a special place! Did you try Lola 41? One of my favorite restaurants! We have Lola 42 now in Boston which bring a little bit of Nantucket to Boston! Also, some Something Natural and the Juice Bar is definitely some favs too! And can’t go wrong on Main Street! The tavern, gazebo and straight wharf!
I can’t believe you haven’t met Elin yet! I fee like that meeting needs to happen for you one of these trips!!!
Arika says
Shay, did you ever watch the TV series Wings? I happened to see a rerun on TV yesterday and remembered that it was set in Nantucket. They never showed any footage of actual Nantucket since the whole thing pretty much took place in an airport, but it was a fun show that I had totally forgotten about.
Mix and Match Mama says
All. The. Time! I think my parents even have the box set of the whole series! Hahaha!
Meredith says
I’m a little misty eyed reading this because I have been craving time away in Nantucket. It really is a special place!
Theresa Childs says
I really want to plan a trip to Nantucket. We have a time share in Dennis Port and want to schedule a day trip from there. How do you and Andrew stay so tan ? What self tanner do you use ? Love your vacation posts ! We did a Mediterranean cruise last year with Princess. Sailed from Barcelona to Rome. It was great. Would love to talk with you about an Australian cruise.
Mix and Match Mama says
Hahaha! No self tanner right now. I use it until about June 1 and now, it’s just from being outside every day. Andrew basically gets tan from a lightbulb. He tans so easily!
Jenn says
Whoa. Didn’t you have skin cancer? I have had enough friends and family members who have had it and they have all been told no tan at all that doesn’t come from a bottle. I have also worked with dermatologists before and they don’t play around when you have a history.
Mix and Match Mama says
I use SPF religiously…I just tan in the summer when I’m outside. I also visit the derm religiously too. I was just there July 12th.
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
You, Elin and Nancy have inspired me to visit Nantucket so hard that I’m going in September and I CANNOT WAIT!! Juice bar here I come! I know what you mean about a place being your family’s “place”. My family’s is Newport, RI (we just got back too!) and while nothing will ever replace it in my heart, I feel like Nantucket is going to be a close second!) If you ever have the time I think you guys should check out Block Island, RI too!!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Alissa says
Hi Shay! I’m so glad y’all had a good time on tour trip- love the pictures! Funny story- I ran into Andrew and Madeley at the airport Sunday morning outside of our gate! I saw that y’all were at DFW per your stories and thought it was awesome seeing some of y’all there! He’s a super nice guy and Madeley is just precious. Hopefully we’ll run into y’all again at some point! Have a blessed week!
WhittyWife says
After reading all of Elin’s books (at your recommendation!), I have determined that I definitely need to vacation in Nantucket. We own a timeshare, and despite so many negative reviews of them, we have always had amazing luck with booking very high quality resorts. Except Nantucket… there just isn’t much available there. So with that said, please let us all know if your agency ever decides to book trips to Nantucket – I would so be interested in working with you all to book that. I would love your expertise and love of the area. ❤
Mary Jane McNeill says
My bff and I stayed at 76 Main B&B…right up the street from Murray’s and Mitchell’s Book Corner. A great location and luxurious rooms. We actually got to meet Nancy Thayer at Mitchell’s one day! We were there during FIGAWE. Lord help us if we ever do THAT again!! One big party!
Annie says
Hi! Where else have you stayed on Nantucket, and which hotel do you most recommend?
Mix and Match Mama says
Other than this hotel, we’ve only stayed at smaller bed and breakfasts spots. Those are so great too!
Jodi says
Love, Love, love Nantucket! It really is such a special place! Have you guys been to Cisco on the island yet? Town pool?
Could you tell me where you got your oldest daughters brown sandals?
Mix and Match Mama says
Nordstrom!
Annie Lieberman says
Hey Shay! Which hotel did you stay at? We were looking at a vacation on MV or Nantucket this summer but I couldn’t find a house that would work – so we moved over to the Cape. I didn’t think about booking a hotel through!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s in my post today! The Nantucket Hotel!!
Annie says
Thanks! I totally missed that lol!
Paige says
Ok Shay, you have to tell me how you enjoy all this delicious food and not gain a ton of weight!!! Do you eat lighter before your travels to compensate, or eat just a bit of everything to taste???? Maybe just an amazing metabolism! Either way, your little family looks like they do live on Nantucket! Beautiful pics!
Linda Henderson says
“It’s just where your heart feels at home.”‘ Love that!
Kayla Parsley says
“This year, we decided to take the kids with us…and friends, we ruined them. By the end of the trip, the kids were trying to convince us we could move there. They loved Nantucket. I’ve never seen my bigs more sad to leave a destination than this one. It must be in our blood because my parents and Andrew and I feel the same way.” WOW SHAY… WAY TO LEAVE OUT THE ORPHANS!
Mix and Match Mama says
I tried to email you directly, but of course, your email address that you used to leave this comment was a fake. I don’t have any orphans in my family, but if you’re referring to my younger kids (which that would be an incredibly harsh and insensitive way to describe them), they didn’t say to us that they wanted to move there and stay forever (probably because they’re 4 and 7 and would like to live in Walt Disney World). Why would I quote them if they didn’t say it? Why would you be so ugly?
Danielle Mcdermott says
Yaaaaaas qweeeeeeen! This comment is so ridiculous. I teach kindergarteners and they don’t know the difference between McDonalds and a 5 star restaurant. Because they’re FIVE. Keep on keepin on much love from a friend and client. You’ve inspired us to adopt!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Danielle
Leigh says
KAYLA PARSLEY what an absolutely horrible thing to say about any child! It sounds as if this is the wrong blog for you. There are so many spots for vapid meanies to argue back and forth; move on please.
Elspeth says
Looks so much fun! Love the pictures and memories made! I would love to visit soon
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Holley@beesimplyorganized.com says
Shay, I just love your trips! They are so fun! I feel like you were born to be a travel agent! Love it!
Penny says
The very first picture of your kids at the airport- I thought Smith was wearing a bow tie ???♀️ It’s just the way he’s standing behind Ashby ha ha ha
Katie says
Love the post! Would love to see a post about your closet and how it’s set up!
Diana says
I love reading all of your travel posts, and now I really want to visit Nantucket! Did you all walk everywhere? It looks like the kind of place where you wouldn’t need a car to get around, and I love that! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Almost everywhere!!
Liz Thorson says
What a special, wonderful family vacation! Bucket list for me! We lived in Boston for a year, decades ago when my husband was getting his Masters at BU and we couldn’t afford a trip to Nantucket. I love every picture you shared of your darling family, the cobblestone streets, the shops, the food, the vistas! Nantucket would be my happy place, too! Are the girls dresses you bought Vineyard and Vines?
I’m surprised their was no beach time for your kiddos on days 1and 2? Was it just not warm enough?
Mix and Match Mama says
They weren’t Vineyard Vines. I don’t know the brands, but they were not.
Meghan Kennedy says
Would you say that you can pretty much do without a car during your stay? Looking to book a trip sans car but just want to make sure it’s doable. Thanks!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I talk about that more in tomorrow’s post, but yes!
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
I want to go to Nantucket but I’m not sure it’d be Craig’s thing. I need to take my parents!
That Inspired Chick
Carly says
Swoon, can I just live in this blog post?? Amazing.
Mix and Match Mama says
Only if you take me with you!!
Carly says
I just finished reading Elin Hildebrand’s The Identicals, so I have to ask . . . Have you ever been to Martha’s Vineyard? Are you truly either a Nantucket person or a Martha’s Vineyard person and not both?!?! Looks like an amazing trip!
Mix and Match Mama says
I think you are. I haven’t been (because I’m always afraid that when I get there, I’ll be disappointed that I’m not in Nantucket), but my parents have several times and they like it, but it’s not Nantucket (it’s larger).
Danielle says
I feel relaxed just reading about your trip! And we had bouviers growing up!! I had 6 throughout my childhood, they are the best.
Mix and Match Mama says
You did??? Were they so sweet? This dog sure was!
Taylor says
Hi Shay! I am heading to Cape Cod for a friend’s bachelorette party over Labor Day weekend and we’re taking an early ferry out to Nantucket for the day that Sunday. You got me hooked on Elin Hilderbrand books a few years ago and I’ve been wanting to go ever since. This post made me so excited! Do you have any suggestions for places that would be fun for a large group of 19 girls?! None of us have been to Nantucket so any suggestions are very much appreciated. Sounds like The Juice Bar is a must 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Like a place to eat? You need reservations! I think all of the restaurants we enjoyed would be great, but everything is very small there, so I don’t know how most places will accommodate a party that size without reservations in advance.
Eileen McCullough says
Looks amazing! Nantucket is definitely on my bucket list (thank you Elin Hilderbrand and Nancy Thayer!). I totally get having a place that feels like home – that’s what Hilton Head Island is for me and my family.
Natalie says
Thanks for sharing! My mom and I were just talking about going somewhere and a travel agent mentioned Nantucket and it stuck with us! Now I’m excited and thinking it’s the winner!
Laura says
This piqued my interest – When you talked about getting a house in Nantucket, do you mean as more of a retirement/snowbird type of thing? We have a beach place and it’s awesome to have but it’s only a three hour drive. I feel like you guys being so far away would make it pretty tough for maximizing your usage and for care taking. Plus I would think most people with places there would be New Englanders/East Coasters?
Mix and Match Mama says
I think it would be something we would do later in life when we could go and spend several months there at a time (like the whole summer).
Kimmy says
What a great family trip!!! Can you link your necklace in picture with you and Smith?? Thank you
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s Accessory Concierge, but I don’t think they have it any more.
Kelly Menou says
I was reading your post old loud to my four month old. (Promise I read her story books too, just makes me feel better about taking the time to read posts if I’m still talking to her haha). Well she smiled so big when I read the line with all the different types of boats. It got a little Dr. Seuss;)
Love anything Nantucket!!
Felicia McCoy says
What a great family vacation, so enjoyed the photos & details. Can you share a link to your pink lip stick, such a pretty
color on you.
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m pretty sure that’s just Bobbi Brown’s Bikini Pink!
kellie says
OMG! We LOVE Nantucket too! We live an hour outside of Boston, so considerably easier to get to…and after nearly 20 years of going to the Vineyard, we hit up Nantucket. And we feel the exact same way you and the kids do.
We love the Nantucket Hotel too — i’ve walked the same steps…and omg. Juice Bar. Give me ALL the flavors!
So fun seeing you enjoy! It’s heaven on Earth!
Sarah says
Love it, Shay! My framily crew just got back from “our place”…Estes Park, CO. Been going for 25 years and our crew of 18 always tries to make plans to buy every time we’re there. ? The Shull and Slaughter vacays remind me of us years ago…what precious, precious traditions to instill for your families!
Rebecca says
Oh my goodness, I MELT every time I see a photo of sweet Madeley!!! That big yellow bow looks perfect nestled on her little head. God is amazing that he completed your family with such a perfect creation!! Crying a little at that lobster photo brb
Leah Reinemund says
Hi Shay! I have always wanted to visit Nantucket and my husband and I have talked about going next year. My one caveat is I am deathly allergic to shell fish…I mean I can eat at a restaurant if it is prepared there but I can’t consume it myself. Would this not be the place for us or would I be able to find alternative things to order at restaurants???
Mix and Match Mama says
There are plenty of alternatives!! We go overboard on the shellfish because we don’t get a lot of that (fresh) down here, but yes, you guys could eat many other things!
Mother of 3 says
I’m thinking winter on island might be tough for your Texas family! LOL. As much as I loved being on Nantucket, living in New England we’ve learned how much MORE snow and cold the cape and the islands get so I know I could never live year round there… though I’d love to get out there one winter for their stroll!
Spencer says
Hi Shay! I am re-reading your Nantucket posts because we are planning a surprise trip for my mom’s 60th birthday next summer. This is getting me SO excited!! It is funny you mention Elin Hilderbrand because that is part of the reason we decided Nantucket would be perfect — my mom and I LOVE her books!
Also, you actually planned my dad’s 60th birthday Alaskan Cruise so it seems fitting that I’d follow along with your Nantucket travels to plan this. This is probably a dumb question, but what airport did you fly into that got you straight to Nantucket? Is this Vineyard Haven? I am trying to figure out the best way to get there with a 1.5 year old and a nervous flier (my husband ;)). If you have any other Nantucket advice (other than your detailed posts), we’d take it! Thanks in advance!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awe!! This makes me so happy, Laura!! What a fun surprise!!!!!!!
Caroline says
I’m getting caught up on All Things Shay #newmomprobs and I always LOVE to see you visiting my neck of the woods and enjoying yourself so!