Hey, hey, Monday!
Today, I’m going to answer all of your questions and share my random thoughts on our experience in both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket this summer. As I was blogging our vacation, I had so many questions/DMs/emails asking me to compare the two, so I thought it would be more succinct to do it in one post. BIG DISCLAIMER: I am in no way an expert on either location (especially MV!), and I imagine that if you’re reading this post for any sort of travel information, you aren’t either (or else you don’t need this post!). I’m just sharing a bit to make things easier for you/answer the FAQ and help any of you who want to go there. Again, my name is Shay and I’m not an expert. I am a travel agent, but my agency doesn’t offer services to these locations, so I’ve had to learn along the way.
RANDOM FAST FACTS:
1: I’ve been to Nantucket (ACK) too many times to count.
2: I’ve only been to Martha’s Vineyard (MV) once.
3: We stayed three nights in MV on this trip and 9 nights in ACK (and then, went back four days later and spent another 2 nights).
4: We stayed at the Winnetu Beach Resort in MV and The Nantucket Hotel & Resort in ACK. They’re owned by the same people (that’s why we picked Winnetu, we knew we liked The Nantucket).
5: You can fly into either island or take a ferry (with or without a vehicle).
6: Martha’s Vineyard is the name of an island made up of six different towns.
7: Nantucket is the name of the island AND the name of the one town.
8: There are no traffic lights on Nantucket.
9: Martha’s Vineyard is significantly bigger in both population and size.
10: ACK doesn’t have anything that’s a chain (no Subways, Starbucks, McDonalds, etc.).
Here’s that map again just to remind you…
…you can fly into either island from select airports or you can fly into a city like Boston and drive to a ferry terminal to hop a ferry over to the island (depending on the ferry and destination, it could be a one to two hour ferry ride). You can also take a ferry from one island to the other (about an hour). You can buy your tickets the day of, but we prefer buying them in advance. The Hy Line is the faster passenger ferry that I would recommend if you’re not taking a car over.
Martha’s Vineyard
1: We loved Martha’s Vineyard! It was so different than Nantucket that, even though they’re neighboring islands, it felt very much like two completely different destinations.
2: I would personally highly recommend you renting a car or taking a car over if you’re going to be there any extended period of time. We rented a car in Boston and set it up with the rental agency that we could drop it off in MV when we were done. We drove a lot in MV and were very thankful we had a vehicle.
3: Here I am holding a map of the island in the car as we took a GREAT scenic drive (told to us by a local). We were told specifically to use Music Street to Middle Road to get there for the most scenic route. It was GORGEOUS! I was shocked to see that this half of the island looked like Scotland or Ireland! Rolling hills, tall trees, stone walls, farm animals, old homes…it was about a 45 minute drive and I would tell everyone to do it!
4: Our hotel was over in Edgartown, but this drive took us all the way to the other end where we ended up in Aquinnah at the Gay Head Cliffs…
…I would highly encourage anyone going to MV to head to Aquinnah to see these cliffs!
5: We visited the town of Oak Bluffs on the first day, and it was fun, kind of hip, reminded me of a great college town, but by far, our favorite town was Edgartown.
6: Edgartown reminded me the most of Nantucket. It was quaint, historic, had the cutest little shops and restaurants tucked into old buildings, it had bigger stores like Lululemon and delicious waterfront restaurants. We could have stayed in this town for a week!
7: I would highly recommend making as many dinner reservations in advance as possible for MV.
Overall, we really loved Martha’s Vineyard! Our beach day was fabulous, we loved our resort, the towns were all so different and unique…it is a place we’ll want to revisit again and again. We BARELY SCRATCHED THE SURFACE of all the things you could do or see here, but in our three days, we realized it was a gem worth repeating.
Nantucket
1: Well, I’m obviously biased because I’ve been there the most. It’s a part of my childhood and where I want to retire. It has my heart for sentimental reasons, but that doesn’t mean it’s the “better” island.
2: I would say that having a car is not a necessity in ACK. Sometimes, we go and rent one for a day, sometimes, we go and don’t rent one at all, and on this last trip (because we have six people in our family and wanted to do things further away from town), we rented one for the entire nine days.
3: The ferry literally drops you off right in the middle of town, so everything is within walking distance. If you don’t want walk or rent a car…
4: You can rent from multiple bike shops either scooters or bikes for the day/week/etc. They have bikes for kids and families too…
…or you can rent a scooter 🙂 . This is a very fun way to see the island as well!
5: Our hotel was in town, so we could conveniently walk everywhere (shops, dinner, grocery store, ferry…all of it!). You can even walk to the beach or…
6: You can use their bus system to take you all over the island and back. It’s very convenient!
7: I would highly recommend making as many dinner reservations in advance as possible for ACK too.
That’s really my thoughts in a quick nutshell (for a Monday, this seems like a lot of info 😉 ). I share ALL of the places where stayed, ate and as many sources as I could for all of the excursions we did in each individual post:
Cape Cod Vacation: Chatham
Cape Cod Vacation: Martha’s Vineyard Part 1
Cape Cod Vacation: Martha’s Vineyard Part 2
Cape Cod Vacation: Martha’s Vineyard Part 3
Nantucket: Part 1 The Ferry
Nantucket: Part 2
Nantucket: Part 3 Beach & Boat
Nantucket: Part 4 Grandparents!
I am positive that I missed some of your questions, so if you’ll leave them here in this comment section, I’ll answer them today (that way, later on, this post is one big resource for someone looking to go to either place).
Happy Monday, friends!! I hope you have a great day!
Erika Slaughter says
Martha’s Vineyard looks gorgeous too! Maybe we should head there for Tab’s Birthday 2.0?
Andrea says
Ummmm… girls trip??? Yes, please!
Sheaffer Sims says
What a great little guide for people to refer to!
Elspeth says
This is so helpful! I love your blog posts on them and I can’t wait to visit them for myself!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Jordan Miller says
About retirement, would you want to live their full time? If not, what do you think the best months to live in ACK? Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
We’re still deciding. Andrew and I love to think of a new adventure when our kiddos leave.
Ashlea says
I get super sea sick! Would cape cod be a nice substitute for me?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! Go to Chatham!! It’s BEAUTIFUL!!!
amanda farris says
this area is totally on my bucket list and i can’t wait to FINALLY be able to scratch it off!
Kelly says
Thanks for this, Shay! As I know home rentals are popular on Nantucket/MV, why do you typically prefer to stay on a hotel ?
Mix and Match Mama says
Location and amenities! We’ve rented before, but that’s why.
Sandy says
My husband and I are going to do a 5 night trip to Nantucket the end of May, we live in Maine and we can drive down to the ferry or we can fly. Probably would add a little time to our trip to drive and looks pretty comparable in price to flying, but flying could just be an easier process?? So if you could easily drive or fly which would you choose? I think we are going to get an Airbnb so we aren’t right in town.
Mix and Match Mama says
I hate driving because of motion sickness, so I would personally fly. You’re so lucky to live in Maine!!!
Sandy says
Yes! So lucky to live in Maine, I LOVE it here. Although in February and March when we still have winter, I think your pretty lucky to live in Texas ?
Kelly says
This had been the best vacay series! Love it! How far in advance would you recommend making hotel/restaurant reservations? Thank you, Shay
Mix and Match Mama says
I would make hotel six months or so if you can. As far as restaurants, they each had their own window…I would find that out and then make them as soon as their window opens.
Kelly says
Thank you!!
Lori says
Hi Shay,
I was wondering the name of you hotel in ACK?
Thanks for any info.
Lori
Mix and Match Mama says
The Nantucket 🙂 .
Alicia F. says
Have you ever done ACK in the fall? We have a 15 yr anny/40th bday coming up and now I am curious about ACK and MV!
Mix and Match Mama says
Several times! I would go end of September/early October as it does start to shut down around Columbus Day.
KK says
Amazing pictures, and you really make me want to make a trip that direction! How lovely!
Also, back to a post last week where you showed us the renovated part of the house. I’m so curious. What are those doors on tracks to in the hallway? It’s probably some cool idea you came up with for entry to another room or storage, but I’m just curious!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m going to do a blog post about it soon! Lower your expectations, it’s not that cool 😉 .
Maurie Tarpley says
Planning a trip to Boston and Nantucket. What’s the best way to travel from Boston to Nantucket…Ferry or Airplane? I see a JetBlue flight from BOS to ACK. What do you suggest as best way of travel from BOS to ACK?
Mix and Match Mama says
Either! I really don’t think one is a worse option than the other. Depending on traffic, the drive to the ferry is 1.5ish hours or so and then you have a one hour ferry ride. The flight is only about 45 minutes. I would look at how much time you have and make the decision based off of that and price.
Sarah says
Any particular reason you dropped your rental car off in MV just to get another one in ACK? Just curious.
Mix and Match Mama says
The rental car agency asked us to do that. For whatever reason, they wanted the car to stay in MV and then made us a second reservation for ACK. That was 100% their call.
Erin H says
Loved seeing all the pics from your trips here! It’s definitely high on my destination list! Just wondering – Do you think Nantucket is a good destination if you’re going with a 3-yr old? I mean, she goes wherever we go, but I’m wondering if this is a trip that would be more fun when she’s a bit older…
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m big on “go where you want to go and your kids will have fun”. If you guys want to go, do that and she will have a great time!
Barbara says
I was there in July of this year with friends and family. I simply loved it. We took a bus tour to all of the neighboring islands. We were there overnight. I highly recommend it for your next vacation.
Ellen Brown says
I love your blog and catch up weekly. Strangely enough we were in Martha’s Vineyard June 30-July 5. We loved it and I wanted to go to Nantucket just because of your posts. I loved seeing y’all at at some of the same places we ate at on MV. Next year, ACK!!!
Laurie says
Hi! I haven’t gotten through All your posts yet regarding Nantucket and MV, so maybe I’ll find an answer further on. But i would love any recommendations of restaurants on Nantucket as well as one nice restaurant where we will celebrate our 30th anniversary while on Nantucket.
I love reading your posts of your vacation!!
Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwww! There are so many, but I would say Cru or Brant Point Grill would be my top two choices!
Laurie says
Thank you!
Arika says
I’ve never been to Nantucket but reading your posts makes me want to visit. But only if Brian can be my pilot and Fae greet me at the ticket counter. Maybe I’ll just re-watch Wings instead. 🙂 I loved that show!
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhhh! I love this comment extra today!!
Joanne says
Having been to both myself I must say I preferred Nantucket; maybe because it was smaller and more cozy feeling?! I’m really not sure but both my husband and I knew within moments of setting foot on the island that we were going to like it more than Martha’s Vineyard. Next you’ll have to try out Block Island (off Rhode Island’s coast– a tiny but cute island).
Amy says
Would you recommend visiting ACK in the summer or early fall months. My husband and I eventually want to make a trip to the east coast but I’m torn on whether I’d prefer to visit in the summer or be there for the fall foliage.
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhh…you really cannot go wrong. If you want to do more beachy warm things, go in the summer. If you want to sip coffee and stroll in the streets in a jacket, go in the fall.
Megan jeffries says
I’m interest level (on a scale of 1-10) in either of these places went from -3 before reading your blogs to 12 after reading!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwww! YAY!
Diana says
I try to go to mv every year as my brother lives there and has a b&b. Ack is kinda rich for my blood but do like to tour.
Laura LaToof-Martinez says
Hey Shay!!
We are going to stay in Chatham for our fall break Sept 29-Oct. 3. (So really just 3 full days)
This will be our first time to the area. It looks like taking the passenger ferry to Nantucket and spending a day over there makes the most sense. (Instead of MV) We have 2 daughters – 5 & 7.
I know we need to make ferry reservations. Would you do lunch & dinner in Nantucket & come back on the last ferry? I was also thinking going Thursday – maybe less crowded?!
Any thoughts & recommendations would be soooo appreciated!!
(We booked Chatham Bars Inn while you were there!! – you influencer, you!❤️)
Mix and Match Mama says
I think if you’re there three full days, I would make the most of Chatham and Cape Cod! There is so much to do in that one area. I feel like between the drive and the ferry trips back and forth, that would be a lot of your time lost to transportation.
Wilson says
Just remember that you are ON Martha’s Vineyard. Not in. You are ON and island. Never in.
Mix and Match Mama says
So many details…I’m so glad I have others to make sure I get everything right 😉 .
K says
Did your second trip with couples change your plans for birthday trips now that you did one doe Tab?
Mix and Match Mama says
No, we’re still going to try and do our big bucket list trip! That was like a bonus, sort of last minute trip.
Nancy Flemming says
This is fabulous info! Thinking of planning a getaway next year based on this. I know you said your travel agency doesn’t specialize in trips to this area but could you recommend one that does, or how to find one? Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
I goodness, all of the agencies I’m in community with are mostly international. I would look on Instagram and probably search hashtags like #capecodetravelagency or something like that!
Ann says
We are in our 70’s and visited Martha’s Vinyard! We took a bus tour around the island! We did not have a car, big mistake! We only got to the one town where the ferry ⛴ drops you off! We missed so much we left early crazy busy!
Probably would plan better next time!