cape cod advice
 

Hi everyone,
I've recently moved to Boston and am looking to explore the Cape and the islands on my weekends... I was just wondering about the feasibility of visiting Nantucket in one day. As far as I know there is a ferry from Hyannis to Nantucket but I don't know how long it takes... The drive from Boston to Hyannis is about 2 hours with traffic, right? I would ideally drive out in the morning and return to Boston in the evening. Is the ferry expensive? Can you take your car on the ferry? If you get on the ferry without your car, how do you get around once you are on the island? Are there beaches in walking distance from where you land?

A day trip is do-able.

There are two ferry services, each with traditional and "fast" ferries - Hy-Line and Steamship Authority. You can find their fares and schedules on their websites. You can take a car, but it's expensive and reservations, especially for summer, are required way in advance.

Once on Nantucket, much is within walking distance. Tour buses are waiting at the dock. Taxis are also available. Check for trolley service on days you plan to visit. You could also rent a bike, moped, etc., for getting around.

Friday (especially after work) is NOT a good day to head for Cape Cod, especially in the nice weather. On Saturdays and Sundays, Nantucket is mobbed with day trippers, in addition to the summer folk and vacationers.

There are beaches within walking distance.

There is also Freedom Cruise Line out of Harwichport. A longer drive from Boston but shorter boat ride to Nantucket.

One might also consider the feasability of exploring Cape Cod first and the islands second as one's ancestor's were apt to do.

Welcome to the forum.

A day trip can be pricey. Fast ferry for two r/t is around $120 = 1hour each way. Regular ferry is over 2 hours and about $60 for two. Not sure the price of parking for a day trip, but include that.

I live on Nantucket year round.

Don't come here for a short trip until the week after Labor Day at the earliest. The weekend after Labor Day is traditionally dead on both the Cape and the Islands; it cranks back up a bit after that, though nothing like to August levels.

Try to stay two night. There is a Steamship fast ferry at 7:15 on Friday night, a stretch unless you can get away from work early. If you miss it, there is a slow ferry at 8. Alternatively, you could spend Friday night in Hyannis and take the first fast ferry to Nantucket at 8 the next morning. You may be able to park at your Hyannis motel for next to nothing, and there are several within walking distance of the Steamship docks.

You can leave Nantucket on the slow ferry on Sunday at 5:30 or the fast ferry at 6.

All the shops, historical attractions, restaurants are open, and the beaches are finally warm enough for people who are not native New Englanders.

I can't tell you where to stay because I live here and have never stayed anywhere, but djk and I have both answered posts about restaurants before. There are lots of choices.
Things cost about 15-20% more than the same thing on the mainland.

We recently enjoyed our annual Nantucket vacation -
Ackislander I was hoping you'd see the link I wanted to know what happened to the West End - I was imagining those burgers all year long only to find it closed !

I'll chime in and say if you live in Boston, take advantage of the fact that you can visit nantucket anytime - and definitely spend at least two nights - and if waiting until early September or October when rates are better makes that more palatable for you, then do it then - the islands (MV included) are gorgeous in early fall and spring too -

The bus on MV, which we used this yr instead of renting a jeep , are easy, everywhere and a dollar or two - and the bike paths are marvelous.

If you type "Nantucket" into the search this forum bar you will see lots of great threads and ideas of what to do and where to stay,a s well as trip itinerary ideas and trip reports !

here are some of the restaurants we ate at, didn't do much exploring this time but you will never run out of places to explore on either island.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35030388