Another day, another post about Nantucket.
This post has the usual New England goodness in it: delicious lobster, cobblestone streets, charming shops, the gorgeous Atlantic ocean and spectacular weather. Basically, everything perfect in life. If you missed PART 1, make sure you click HERE first!
We woke up on Tuesday to more sunny skies and gorgeous weather! We headed off to Main Street to enjoy breakfast at…
…The Lemon Press. Now, the wait was super long (it’s not very big), so we decided to walk across the street and eat breakfast at Or, The Whale instead (we had eaten dinner there two nights before)…
…their breakfast menu did not disappoint! Looky here…
…my avocado toast with a poached egg was delish! They also make a daily donut which two of my kids enjoyed and then one of my kiddos had their granola and yogurt parfait! (Ashby also had the avocado toast!) We might not have meant to eat here, but we are so glad we did!
We were dressed for the beach on this day because right after lunch, we were heading to swim!
I feel like you really don’t need a car on Nantucket. You can always Uber, take a cab, take a shuttle bus (they’re all over), walk, bike or scooter anywhere. We decided to rent a car (and car seat) this one day though because we wanted to take the kids to a few specific spots.
Our first stop was Bartlett’s Farm! If you’ve ever read a Hilderbrand/Thayer book then you know what this is. It’s a really big (considering how small the island is) farm where they grow and sell fresh produce, flowers and have a gourmet market.
I could have stayed all day 🙂 .
We bought snacks for the day at the beach and then some things we could bring home to Texas (like their homemade granola). It’s just a lovely place to be.
Speaking of lovely…for lunch, we made our annual visit to…
…Something Natural! This is my favorite sandwich shop of all time. The line is always out the door! You order your sandwiches and then…
…enjoy them on picnic tables outside.
It makes me so happy to be there!
I had their lobster salad sandwich, Madeley had pb & j, Ashby had a BLT, Smith and Kensington had ham and Andrew had turkey. After our lunch, we drove to…
…Sconset Beach!
Being that Nantucket is an island, there are a lot of beaches. We like Sconset because it never seems crowded. Andrew and I sat in chairs and read while the kids played all day long. It was heaven. Andrew said it was one of his favorite days ever in his life.
This is a public beach, so you need to bring all of your own stuff. The hotel provided us with beach chairs and towels and then we brought our own snacks and drinks. It was just the sweetest day!
And then look who came to check us out?! A seal!
This guy swam right up to where we were, so we watched him for the longest time.
How fun is that?!
At the end of the day, we packed up our things and headed back for quick showers and a change of clothes…
All ready to enjoy a yummy dinner! (It was our favorite meal of the whole trip!) My romper is HERE. Side note, I forget how tall my husband is until I see us in pictures. Hahaha!
They clean up quite nice 🙂 .
Off we go to walk to dinner!
Dinner on this night was absolutely my favorite!!
The view is gorgeous and they have lawn games for kids to play. Win, win!
This boy is smiling because he and I both got…
…the lobster mac & cheese for dinner! Oh my word!!! IT IS SUBLIME!!!! We all loved our dinner so much!!!
For some reason, that was my last pic of the day. It was a great, great, great way to spend the day in Nantucket.
The next morning, we ate breakfast at…
…our hotel. Lobster Eggs Benedict? Okay!
We had big plans to visit Children’s Beach on this day (the beach in town), but it was overcast and rainy, so we changed our plans and made it a great day despite the weather.
Of course, we visited the bookstores again!
I heard Kensington tell Smith “this is like the bookstore in You’ve Got Mail”. Awe!!
Smith discovered John Grisham in this store and has loved his new book! Who knew John Grisham wrote books for young adults? Smith can’t wait to read all of them!
I think one of the reasons my kids loved this trip so much is that it wasn’t super scheduled. There was a lot of down time, throw the ball around time, smell the flowers time, stroll and enjoy time.
It started raining, so we took our new books…
…back to the porch of our hotel and read until lunch.
When it was time to eat, it had stopped raining, so we got out and walked there…
…happy girls 🙂 .
Another meal, another opportunity for me to eat…
…LOBSTER!!!
Lobster mac and cheese again? Okay!
After lunch, we walked over and visited…
…The Maria Mitchell Aquarium!
This aquarium is small but super interactive!
We loved looking at the sharks! They had two. Everything is caught and donated to the museum and then released on Labor Day.
I said, “smile” and she did this. Sigh. #thatkidisamess
After our fun day, we changed so that we could head to dinner.
It’s so hard to photograph six people. #sigh
Galley Beach is another one of our favorite restaurants! It’s literally right there on the beach!
My white dress can be found HERE.
Madeley was super pumped to be there!
And then she decided to take a nap.
And then the sweet people there brought her a blanket and pillow. Hahaha!
I bet you can’t guess how we ended our night?! #thejuicebarofcourse
Two posts down, one to go. I’m ready to go back, friends. Like today.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Can’t believe you guys saw a seal at the beach? Are they common there? So cute! ?✨
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Gloria Macri says
I need Nantucket soooo very bad
Erika Slaughter says
Where can I get lobster with a side of scrambled eggs here in McKinney for breakfast? Because after this post, it just sounds right!
Tracie says
what a great trip!
I like the swimsuit coverup, where did you find it?
Sarah says
WOW! Loved both posts, cant wait to read the rest. Please consider linking the clothes the girls wear when you do these posts? xo
Rebecca Purdie says
Love when you post family trips.
I also like when your girls all wear different dresses. Bright, pretty, colorful and they show up well in photos.
How long were you at Nantucket?
The food looks so good!!
Have an awesome day.
Mix and Match Mama says
Five nights 🙂
Ralinn says
Lobster anything for me. Everything sounds delightful. I would love to go to Nantucket. When is the best time of year to go? Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to read the rest.
Briana says
Omg I need to go to Nantucket now
Kelly Nagy says
Oh my goodness! My sister and I both read your blog and we need to go to Nantucket….like, right now!!!! Love your white and blue striped top! Can you share if it’s a recent purchase? Thank you.
Mix and Match Mama says
Ah!! Thank you!! That’s J Crew Factory!
Shelly Gleason says
Are your Valentino sandals the “multicolor” color?
Mix and Match Mama says
They are!
Dorey says
oh my gosh this looks like the best trip! I’m moving to Boston next week and keep thinking about your love for that city/New England as I figure out my new life. Love the girls Lilly too 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Good luck!!! I hope you catch a Red Sox game this season!!
Angela Ellingson says
Oh Nantucket! These posts are a dream! What an incredible time!
Candis says
Gosh I couldn’t eat that much in one day. 3 big restaurant meals a day seems like a lot!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh it is! That’s the joy of vacations though, right?
Erin says
Yes it is!!
Rebecca Purdie says
Boy I could eat all of and then some.
The food looks so good.
dtra says
Awesome vacation! I live in Mass and spend lots of time on Cape Cod….always remember, when you see seals, sharks could be looking for lunch…safety first!
Ahna @ Hammers N Hugs says
Main Street in Nantucket looks a little bit like our downtown in Lititz, PA. I love that it’s an island though! And the Atlantic Ocean is our happy place as well. We love East Coast living! Some time you should take a Shull family trip to Lancaster, PA and we will introduce you to the Amish, Hershey Park, Sight and Sound Theater, and some shoo-fly pie! 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
What’s the best week to visit during the fall? I would love to go up when the trees are gorgeous!!
Lauren says
I also live in Lititz PA and have a home in Nantucket that we visit every summer. It’s so magical there! And I agree completely — the closest place to Nantucket, has to be Lititz. It was voted the Coolest Small Town in America! So much to do and see here, between Lititz and Lancaster (downtown booming right now!!) and Philly. I would say coming in October would get you to see the beautiful trees…and apple picking, hay rides, corn mazes.. Your family would just love it!!
Alexa Gutz says
I’m from Easton, PA….just a short drive away from Lititz…I would say late October early November. There are different festivals every weekend (easton has a bacon fest that is so much fun) but the leaves are changing colors and the weather is great! A long weekend would be perfect to do Lancaster and Philly.
Ahna @Hammers N Hugs says
I am a little biased as October is my favorite month, but the Appalachain trails around us are gorgeous around that time. End of September is pretty too! Lancaster also has a ton of farm show fairs that run through September to the first week or two of October.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so much!!!!
Tara G. says
This has nothing to do with Nantucket unless you count saving $ so you can go back?! ? Saw this deal on PBK backpacks & thought of you.
https://moneysavingmom.com/pottery-barn-backpacks-as-low-as-14-99-shipped-plus-more/
Emily R says
Gahhh! Very fun days. It sounds like the kids will be coming back, with or without you! Y’all are so active, I bet the big kids might be able to handle this, but the ride on the Polpis Road Path takes. you in a big circle on the east side of the island. Could be another adventure in the future 🙂
Sheaffer Sims says
Well. I don’t have plans to eat lobster today, and now I’m sad about it. Such great pics of the kids!!!
Summer says
I love following along on your trips!! Thanks for sharing! What an awesome vacation!! I have a super random question, with so much traveling and eating, off of normal routine…how do you bounce back? You never seem to worry about your weight and diet, and I love that. You always look no less than perfect!! I need to know your mindset. Please share!! I want to enjoy life, eat well, and not worry so much about my diet and exercise routine. Help! ?
Mix and Match Mama says
Awe, well, I just enjoy my vacation and then go back to my normal routine. I always feel energized and ready to resume working out, eating normal when I get back. I need a vacation from my normal diet and exercise a few times a year when we travel.
Summer says
Would you mind sharing what you typically eat in a day and how often you work out? You are GOALS!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
This post is two years old, but I think it’s probably still the same 🙂 .
https://mixandmatchmama.com/2017/04/what-i-eat/
Jenn says
So. Much. Food!!! I love the restaurant component to vacation, but I typically do something like brunch, a snack and dinner or a super light breakfast (fruit and coffee) and then lunch and dinner. Sometimes dinner is just drinks and appetizers. I’d worry about being too full and uncomfortable to enjoy the rest of my vacation activities. Do you guys split stuff for a lot of these meals?
Mix and Match Mama says
Um, some. If the kids order off of the adult menu, they’ll split. I share a split with some of them sometimes. We don’t ever feel obligated to clean our plates, so we eat as much as we need, enjoy that and don’t stuff ourselves.
Sammie says
I love the Harry Potter inspired sign behind Smith. “Flourish and Blotts” is a bookstore in the Harry Potter series. Personally, a big fan of Madeley’s poses.
Paula says
Nantucket definitely is on my bucket list. Between books and your family, it looks dreamy.
Elspeth says
So glad you all had an enjoyable time and I love how you plan certain vacations to do things and other just to relax, perfect balance!
http://www.elspthsdaybyday.com
Alicia says
Love your posts! Question, do you think it would be fun to visit the Island during Christmas break (after Christmas) with young kids or do think summer is better?
Mix and Match Mama says
If you go in December, I would only go during their Christmas Stroll week. From what I hear, everything is closed when it’s not that week.
Keisha Dawson says
This looks like such a lovely place to take a family! After reading all the books set on Nantucket, I do hope to go someday. Also, I had no idea that John Grisham wrote books for younger people. I hoped over to my library site and added a couple to my holds list for my 12 year old. I think he will love them!
Julie says
Your family always looks happy, but they look like they’ve never been happier in these photos! I’m so happy you all had a great vacation. You definitely need a house there. (Says the realtor!). I have a question for you! I’m a life-long New Englander (live in Boston, spend summers on the Cape) but I have only been to Nantucket once. I am taking my family of five (kids 9,11,13) for just one day this summer. (We stay on the Cape at our house but would take a ferry for the day).
So, this is hard, but if you had one day, what would you recommend? Beach, book stores, dinner out? Definitely an ice cream at the juice bar I take it! Trying to come up with a good plan for just a day. Thanks so much, Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
If you only have one day, I’d just stay in town. It’s beautiful and there is so much to do, see and eat right there!
Hollie M says
Loved that Andrew named that one of his best days ever and that Kensington referred to You’ve Got Mail. Also, I just ordered your romper. Thank you for sharing!
Kristin Lester says
Personally, I love all the food pictures! Looks like such a fun trip! I’ve added this to my bucket list now 🙂
Kelly L Forbes says
Would you consider doing a Nantucket Q&A post…these are my favorite kinds of posts! Also…I am NOT a fan of fiction books…I’ve tried to get into a few, though it’s HARD for me to. BUT now you’ve literally got me wanting to read #ALLtheHilderbrand. I’ve started with her newest one, “Summer of ’69”; its actually hard to put down! #shocked ; )
Sharon says
You’ll also LOVE “The Blue Bistro”— one of my other favorite books of Elin’s! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Mine too!
Amanda@ Cupcake N Dreams says
The second post was even better! I have to remember Something Nautral since you’ve been raving about it for years! So glad you enjoy the food on your vacas! That’s half the fun!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Beth Valenta says
What a charming place to visit! Definitely on my list. Love the line from Kensington…I adore that movie.
Debbie says
What a great vacation and that Smith and his cute dimples, wow! Great memories!
Jess Ackermann says
love this whole trip series! Question- do you have a link for your light multicolored dress/ romper? Looks like it may be Lilly? I love it!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s linked! It’s from Nordstrom and super comfy!
Jas says
Can you put link for romper you wore on your beach day when you saw the seals? Looks like a Lilly… Its super cute!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
It is but it’s old. Boo. I think it’s from three years ago.
Michelle says
After your post yesterday I was inspired to see if a trip to Nantucket would work for just my husband and me in the fall. All the stars aligned (with a babysitter for our kids) and we are headed 1st week in Oct for restaurant week!! So excited! Esp when I found great flights on jet blue for super cheap!!
Mix and Match Mama says
No way?!?! Oh my goodness!! Have the BEST time!!!
Megan says
Fun days- what did you all think of our chilly New England water temps?
The seals have been abundant the past few summers around here. This summer the lifeguards at the guarded beaches seem much more vigilant with shark warnings too. We’ve been cleared from the water several times on the Cape Cod beaches- Makes us consider more lake vacations, but those beaches are just so beautiful and relaxing.
Kara says
If my husband and I were going for the first time, would you recommend a specific time of the year.. weather wise/crowds ect?! Thanks!! ?
Mix and Match Mama says
My favorite time to go is in the fall 🙂 . That is a hard time for us to travel now with all of the kids’ sports, but that’s my fave!!
Betty says
Nantucket is OUR place too! We go a couple weeks every year but rent a house so we can settle in more comfortably and feel more like a local than a tourist. We are also very lucky to have different friends with homes on the island—one of those cute cottages in Sconset, a classic old house toward the end of Main St and one of the huge estates on Cliff Rd. So great to get to visit and hang out with friends. While Main St/ town is awesome, there are only so many laps you can do before you need to change it up.
Have you also spent time on the Vineyard or the Maine coast? Also awesome!! And more laid back. The New England coast can’t be beat!
Tiff says
Your trip posts are probably what I look forward to the most! Thanks for the recaps and now you’ve got me craving lobster mac and cheese 😀
Nicole says
I have been following your blog for a long time and I CAN NOT believe how grown up Kensington looks. I dream about visiting the East Coast, sigh, if only I could quit visiting Disney lol. It looks like it was a wonderful trip.
Kiley Floridino says
I’m from Maine and reading that you plan to go back to Nantucket every year you might like some of these items to bring with you! They are perfect New England attire! I have no connection with these local stores,aside from owning a few items from both, I just felt like you would love them. They are all handmade in Portland, Maine.
https://www.alaina-marie.com/ these are adorable purses and other items made out of the same materials that lobstermen use
https://seabags.com/ these are bigger bags that are made from recycled sails.
I hope you’re able to check these out. They would absolutely be perfect for your future trips!
Diana says
I really want to eat all the lobster right now! haha 🙂 your trip sounds amazing!
Lara says
Random comment but Smith has grown so much this summer! I feel like his face has transformed into a young adult in your pictures. I am going to blink and my 18 month old twin boys will be right there! As you always say – “time slow down!”
Mix and Match Mama says
Kiss those babies and get all the snuggles you can, Mama!!!
kellie says
LOVE this! We’re lucky to live close enough to pop over on the ferry for a day trip — and one of our favorite places for lunch is the White Elephant! Great views, yummy lobstah…
And the seals on the beach are amazing!! So cute, but be careful, we’ve had some huff and talk to us, so we’ve always kept our distance, but used the zoom on our iphones! 😉
And the bookstore — the sweetest, must stop a million times before we leave spot!
Laci says
This trip looks amazing and the food looks so yummy! What a wonderful break from the Texas heat!
Lisa says
I went to Nantucket for a wedding 12 years ago and have wanted to go back! Your posts about your trips there have led us to book a trip for our 7th anniversary in April. I can’t wait to be there with my husband!! Any must see, do or eat I need to know about?
Mary Jane McNeill says
Are those Nantucket Reds Andrew is wearing??
And did you take the kiddos to the Whaling Museum? That was one of our rainy day outings. Plus we went to the movies at the Dreamland Theater a couple of times. We saw John Shea’s movie “Grey Lady” one afternoon, and afterwards he ran up to us out in front on the street and asked us how we liked it. Then he walked us around town and showed us where various scenes were filmed!
Leigh says
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by Grisham was one of my class’s favorite books this past year. They are just so different than much of what’s written for kids – particulary boys. They’re exciting and there is real danger that the kids are smart enough to get themselves out of. Love to see boys getting into these kinds of books and taking a break from graphic novels.
Sharon Anderson says
Ok— this is my DREAM VACATION— Top 3 on my bucket list. I’m a HUGE FAN of Elin Hilderbrand and have read every single book (except the winter ones, which I will do). Bartlett’s Farm— ahhhh!!! Great pics. Your family is just the cutest!!! (Side note: not sure if you saw my comment on insta or not, but my 16-year old daughter is a lifeguard at the Gaylord. I showed her y’all’s pics from there and she TOTALLY remembers y’all!!! She thought your hubby was handsome. Haha! 🙂 And she loved your kids.) Anyway— the lobster and ALL of the food looks delicious. I can’t wait to go here sometime. (And maybe by then, you’ll have decided to make travel arrangements/suggestions for clients?!) 🙂 Oh— and a vaca with TONS of downtime to relax, shop, READ BOOKS— Sign me up!!!! 🙂
Emily says
I’ve been trying to go to Nantucket forever. Maybe once we are out of the baby stage of life. Question…would you say the restaurants have somewhat decent non seafood options? Between dislike of fish and shellfish allergy I just stick to land options and it’s always made me nervous I wouldn’t be able to dine at all the hotspots.
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a good question! Yes, they do! We just don’t have access to fresh seafood, so we get it as much as we can when we’re there.
LisaD says
What a fun family trip! There’s not much that can top a beach vacation. May I suggest a trip to Maine? Absolutely gorgeous in the Fall. Nantucket is now on my bucket list!
Kacy M says
Such a fun time! Andrew’s pants tho… #toocute
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says
Nantucket is high on my bucket list and these posts make me want to go even more! What a perfect little place!
Taylor says
As a NY’er we also frequent the cape ( we stay out on the tip, gorgeous!) and have done day trips to Nantucket. I have 3 kids ranging from 11 to 2, and I must say, we go to the bay instead of the ocean beaches because those waves, currents, and SHARKS ( where there are seals, there are sharks and seals are seen so frequently!! ahhhh) scare the daylights out of me. I would love to hear your tips on how to relax ( and read!) on the beach because I feel like I need to be lifeguard all day and it is quite stressful!!!!
Dana says
Loved these posts!
Kensington’s comment about the bookstore and You’ve Got Mail is so cute. Has she watched it with you? What other movies do you enjoy as a family? Would you or your kids do a post on their top 10 favorite movies each? It would be fun to get some family movie night recommendations.
Thanks Shay! You have a beautiful family. Blessings to you all.