Time to Go bACK

"For my mind was made up to sail in no other than a Nantucket craft, because there was a fine, boisterous something about everything connected with that famous old island, which amazingly pleased me." - "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville

(Photo Credit: The Foo Dog Ate My Homework)

As summertime approaches, I can’t help but think of one of my favorite summer destinations, Nantucket. For those who know little about the small island off the coast of Massachusetts, it is a chic, yet surprisingly not haughty summer destination for people who want to escape the summer heat from northeastern cities, such as New York and Boston. However, I am proof that Nantucket isn’t exclusively for northerners because as a South Carolinian I used to go in the late summer every year with my family. One of the best parts about Nantucket is that even though it can be thought of as an expensive, stylish vacation, it is the opposite of conceited or snobbish. The people are extremely friendly and I have never felt like I didn’t belong on the island. I have completely fallen in love with Nantucket and am always anxious to return because once you’re drawn in by Nantucket’s charm you are infatuated for life. Here’s a little list of some highlights and activities to do during a perfect summer weekend in Nantucket.

(Photo Credit: Compass Rose Real Estate, Inc.)

The Bean – If you’re in Nantucket, you definitely have to start your morning off at this cute, independent coffee shop in town. It has a quaint, friendly feeling that provides you with a more intimate experience than a Starbucks.

Mitchell’s Book Corner – I wrote an earlier blog post about this charming bookstore, but I will reiterate how much I love Mitchell’s. It is the perfect place to get a book to take to the beach with you while you’re on Nantucket. Not only does it have a great fiction selection, but it also has a good nonfiction section of books about Nantucket if you want to do some research on the interesting history of the island while you’re there.

(Photo Credit: Gypsy)

Gypsy – For me, a vacation wouldn’t be complete without a little shopping. Nantucket has a wide variety of boutiques that cater to almost everyone’s needs. However, my favorite is Gypsy. Even though I can afford almost nothing in the store (because it carries extremely high end lines like Isabel Marant, The Row, and Celine), all of the couture-level clothes and accessories are complete eye candy. If you’re ok with doing more browsing than purchasing, definitely go to Gypsy because the clothes they carry really are a form of art.

Salt – Slightly different from Gypsy, Salt is a more affordable boutique that has an island vibe. It is a perfect place to go if you’re in need of a bathing suit or cover-up for the beach.

(Photo Credit: Salt Boutique Instagram)

Cisco Brewers – For the 21+ crowd, Cisco Brewers is a great place to spend a warm, sunny afternoon. Cisco Brewers is a brewery, winery, and distillery where you can go drink any of their various types of alcohol that they make on site. It is the perfect place to enjoy live music with your friends (and your dogs) in a beautiful, picturesque spot.

(Photo Credit: All About Beer Magazine)

Sconset Bluff Walk – If you’re up for some (very moderate) exercise, you have to go to my favorite part of Nantucket, Siasconset, and go on the Sconset Bluff Walk. The Bluff Walk is a path that takes you (a little awkwardly) through the yards of some of the beautiful Sconset homes along the edge of the island. It’s a great chance to get an intimate perspective of some of some of the “typical” Nantucket homes with the gray shingles and open porches, while also getting a spectacular view of the ocean.

The Club Car – After a long day of walking around town or going to the beach, I would highly recommend going to each dinner at the Club Car. The Club Car is a very cute restaurant and piano bar that offers fare from both land and sea, catering to a variety of tastes and culinary preferences. Some of the menu options, like the duck confit salad and the roasted broccolini are making my mouth water. But if you don’t believe me, check out their website and Instagram because it’s pretty much food porn.

(Photo Credit: The Club Car Restaurant)

(Photo Credit: Spoon University)

The Juice Bar – If you’re still in the mood for dessert after eating a delicious lunch or dinner at the Club Car, you have to go to one of the main institutions of Nantucket, the Juice Bar. Even though this ice cream shop is pretty much always crowded, it’s worth waiting in line for their delicious homemade ice cream.

xx