Happy TRAVEL TUESDAY, friends!
Today, we’re traveling on over to my iPhone for…
…THE TOP 10 NANTUCKET QUESTIONS IN MY INBOX 🙂 .
As you might imagine, especially this time of year, I get a lot of questions specifically about Nantucket. I try and answer as many as I can, but I thought it might be helpful to just round up the TOP 10 and share them along with my answers.
Of course, of course, of course, this is the internet so disclaimers and such are required because…I am not an expert, these are my own opinions, I know nothing in life, do whatever you want, don’t hold me to this, this is just one random mom on the internet giving off the cuff information.
I went through my DMs and Inbox and tried my best to find the actual TOP 10 NANTUCKET QUESTIONS right now, and based on my calculations, I *think* this is pretty darn accurate.
Ready, set, here we go…
I have no idea.
But…I asked my son who fishes EVERY.SINGLE.DAY that he’s on Nantucket, and he said if you really want to come to Nantucket and experience excellent fishing, you need to do a fishing charter. His favorite fishing charter is Top Spin, but there are many others. If you go on a fishing charter, you’re going to catch fish. If you fish off the beach, it’s very very hit or miss.
Absolutely not.
Whether you’re here for the day or the weekend or even a week, you can walk, bike, scooter, Uber or take a cab everywhere. For certain things, you can even rent a car for a few hours from one of the local “daily rent a car places” but truly renting a car for your stay is not necessary (and honestly…again my own opinion gathered from reading the newspaper and chatting with others…it’s frowned upon). Parking is crazy, traffic is insane, and it’s just not required. Even I bike and/or walk most places each day.
Well this list is long, but I would venture to say the *most* iconic bar is either the back bar at Cru or The Club Car bar.
There are so many great ones though.
Here is a very short list: back bar at Ventuno, the Tree Bar, the Gazebo, the Gaslight, Faraway bar, and the bar at Or, the Whale just to name a few. All of these are “in town”. You really can’t throw a rock…er, I mean seashell…though without hitting a great bar.
Nantucket likes its rules (which works for me because I’m a big rule follower), so there are a lot of rules about renting homes/renting out your home/etc.
If you’re looking for a home to rent, my recommendation is to get one as close to “town” as possible.
When my whole family came to visit a few years ago, they even got one on Main Street. Proximity is everything.
Without a doubt, my favorite is The Nantucket Hotel and Resort.
But…there are other great options too.
The White Elephant
Faraway
The Wauwinet
Hotel Pippa
The Beachside
Greydon House
The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin
Carlisle House Inn
Sherburne Inn
Union Street Inn
76 Main
Brass Lantern Inn
Jared Coffin House
The Chestnut House
…just to name a few.
Jetties!
The location is great because it’s right by town.
So many of the hotels have shuttles that take you and/or pick you up from there.
It has a family-friendly vibe, but it’s also fun and a little lively.
The water is a bit warmer than the south shore beaches.
You can access some “water toys” nearby (paddle boards, kayaks, etc).
And there isn’t a huge drop off. You and your family can actually walk out in there before it drops way off and you can’t touch the bottom.
Awwwww, well the food scene is a BIG deal on Nantucket.
It’s part of the charm.
It’s part of the culture.
It’s just a big, big part of things.
I have a very comprehensive “guide” to Nantucket restaurants that you can see HERE.
I went through and edited it a little (removing restaurants no longer in business and adding a few new ones) as well as adding a section for “no reservations”.
I want you to come and love it.
I want you to see the island for the first time at her finest.
I want all the shops to be open, the restaurants open, the hotels open, the weather as nice as it can be.
I always recommend mid-June through the end of September.
I have a guide for that!
Check out my DAY TRIPPER’S GUIDE if you’re coming in for just the day.
And without a doubt, the #1 question was…
…awwwww, not always an easy answer.
I have a guide for this too! Please refer to my HOW TO GET TO NANTUCKET POST for the deets.
Today, I’m also sharing a festive recipe! Make sure you check out my BERRY OATMEAL BARS too.
That wraps up this Tuesday!
I am off to do something today I’ve always said I wanted to do but never got around to it. 🙂
I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Dana P says
I’m so surprised by what you said about traffic and parking…I was beginning to think that Nantucket was heaven on earth. 🙂 I kinda like to keep it that way. It’s super fun to think about visiting there one day. Is there kind of just one Main Street? It’s hard to picture its size.
Really random, but I noticed the other day that you had just a normal (pretty) watch on. Did you stop wearing your Apple Watch for the aura ring? I will need to replace mine at some point and was wondering if that would be a good swap. I’ve read your previous posts on comparing them, but I kinda like the idea of going back to an old-fashioned watch with all this tech around us. But I do like to be able to scan texts before I look at my phone…
Mix and Match Mama says
If I come in January, I can drive from my house to the grocery store in less than two minutes. In July or August, it could easily take me 30. (I walk or bike instead!). I sleep in my Oura ring every night and often wear it during the day (it’s on right now!), but I have been trying really hard this year to wear my Apple Watch less when I’m not working out because it does distract me. Even on DND and silent, I get distracted by it, and I’m trying really hard to eliminate distractions.
Susy says
What a wonderful effort and goal!!
Elspeth Mizner says
I hope to visit Nantucket one day for myself and will be using your guides!
Happy Tuesday!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Susy says
Do you worry about sun exposure for all four kiddos? My husband is dealing with melanoma from childhood sun exposure he experienced as a child growing up in New Mexico.
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m so sorry about that, Susy. I am not inherently a worrier, so no, I do not. We wear sunscreen daily and all get skin checks, but goodness, I love that my kids live outside.
Michelle P says
Such a fun post! I have now been to Nantucket 5 times in the past two years. ( I live on the south shore of MA)
We took the WAVE everywhere (so excited that it now go to Bartlett Farms/Cisco as of yesterday) but at the end of April, we rented an electric car and it was amazing. I was able to go down almost each and every street on the island and got to visit the beaches. My mom was intrigued by the cemeteries. I couldn’t imagine driving around in the summer, but I am so glad that I did it.
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! I love this!!!
Missy says
One day. One day I will make it there. My late fiance and I always talked about this being a place we wanted to go. Thank you for always sharing the beauty of Nantucket.
Mix and Match Mama says
Sending YOU so much love. xx
Beth Valenta says
Thank you for this! My bestie and I are coming for our “big” birthday and need to plan. I do have one additional question as to how far in advance should we book the hotel? We plan a two night stay. Also, can’t wait to hear what you are doing today! Enjoy!
Mix and Match Mama says
It depends on exactly when you’re coming. I would say no matter what, the earlier the better. I would also say that many many hotels require a three night stay during the high season.
Sarah DeWald says
Have a great day with your people! 🙂
Alyssa says
Just commenting to say I so appreciate all of your transparency and sharing about this special place. Because of your blog- I have planned four different trips to Nantucket, including a friend’s bachelorette party for 15 girls!! Excited for all the continued Nantucket content to come this summer.
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! Wow! That is AMAZING!!
Rebecca Lingerfelt-Brown says
Thanks for all the info. One question- you mentioned the ferry to Ack but also Martha’s Vineyard. Does the same ferry stop both places or is that a separate ride for another day?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s two different ferries!
Sheaffer says
I’ve got a question. When am I coming?
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m ready for you today!
Sherri Chandler says
Thank you! I was just coming to your blog to look at your email address and ask you a question! But you answered it for me! We are coming the last weekend in June and can’t wait.
Mix and Match Mama says
I hope I get to bump into you!!
Emily says
Is 4 of July crazy crowded on the island? I think it would be so much fun to visit during the holiday 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I would predict it’s the busiest three days of the entire year…
Darcy says
This is all so helpful! Thank you for the wonderful tips…so excited to have a trip booked for June 2027!
Mary Jane McNeill says
You left out the Chicken Box on your bar list! 😂
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t know that I would ever recommend it. Bahahaha!
Whitney Schultz says
Love to see all the places on your list that I have either been to while on island or read about in books!! So fun!! My fave time to visit is July 4th!!!!