Ferry to Nantucket
 

We are going in mid June. If time permits we might go to one of the islands. I see the cheapest is $50 from Hyannis to Nantucket on the fast ferry. It mentioned long lines and limited parking. Will that be a problem around June 17? I see there is another place in Harwich but sounds like reservations are recommended but we won't know until the last minute if we will have time to go. Seems like most people think Nantucket is better than Martha's Vineyard. I like souvenir shopping. What are the lightship baskets about?

Oh goodness, one reason I picked Nantucket was for a lightship basket. I just looked at one of the websites and they are 100's of dollars. Are there any in the $50 range or are they all 100's of dollars? Just wanted one just because not for any reason.

kitten… I have a lightship basket that was made in the early 80's…. it cost $250 then with real ivory (grandfathered at the time).. relatively simple design. The baskets got fancier and fancier as Nantucket got fancier and fancier. I would imagine the cost is in the thousands now. I've seen ads for "fakes" in the hundreds.

kitten,

A lightship basket a work of art that takes hours to make and are well worth the money.
Consider going to Martha's Vineyard if you want a bit of an island experience. The traditional ferry is $17 round trip to go from Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard. Parking was $15 for the day last time we went. There is a bus to get around, or you could rent bikes.

We parked and walked on the ferry. There are big lots. We took slow ferry over and fast back because the fast were booked day before we went. Maybe you could get a charm of the basket. They are everywhere.

In Nantucket, we call lightship baskets "Nantucket minks" because real ones cost a lot. The materials are expensive, and they take a long time to make well. I made one once, a little one, and once was enough!

Rich ladies and collectors prefer dark baskets because they are old. Bright blonde means newer. Old baskets, as Gwendolynne notes, are likely to have real ivory fittings and decorations.

If you are interested in lightship baskets, there is a small but interesting museum at the end of Union Street, about ten minutes walk from Main Street through a beautiful neighborhood. When you leave the museum, you can walk a short block up a hill and walk back to Main Street on Orange Street, famous for its antique homes.

You can buy a Chinese imitation Nantucket basket for $50 or so, but they are not very convincing imitations.

I think flpab's way of getting to Nantucket is perfect for a first time visitor. Take the slow car ferry out and the fast ferry back. You get a sense of what it is like living out in the middle of the Atlantic, and you get home in time for dinner! The Steamship ferries are less expensive and more likely to be on time than the Hy Line. You will need a reservation on either of the fast ferries, but that shouldn't be a problem in mid-June.

(Eventually ackislander will respond to this - that will be your best advice)

You are going to be starting from where? Steamship Authority and Hyline cruises go Hyannis to Nantucket (Hyannis is mid-Cape). There is plenty of parking - but it is mostly in remote lots from which there are regular shuttle buses, but allow for time for that.

What do you want to do? Shop, eat, just say you have been to Nantucket? You want to go on a Friday in June. Day trip? You can wander around area closest to ferry, but beach or seeing rest of island will take alternate transportation. I collect baskets from various destinations - and the ones you like are hundreds of dollars for even a small one. If you find a bargain, it is a fake.

Marthas Vineyard is bigger - made up of several smaller towns. There is bus transportation (never taken it) from place to place.

>> It mentioned long lines and limited parking. <<

If you buy a ticket in advance online, the lines aren't an issue. I don't know what "last minute" means to you, but if you plan to walk up to the ferry dock and buy a ticket leaving immediately, you could have a problem at that time of year.

Parking in the area of the dock is expensive (though I can't remember the actual daily charge). There are several private lots within walking distance of the dock. If you're just going for a day trip, pay the charge of the close-by lots. If staying overnight, consider a remote lot.

>>Seems like most people think Nantucket is better than Martha's Vineyard.<<

>>Oh goodness, one reason I picked Nantucket was for a lightship basket.<<

Fuhgeddaboutit, unless you have unlimited funds for something whose cost far outweighs its practical value.

Matter of opinion.

>> I like souvenir shopping.<<

I can't say there are a lot of souvenir shops in the town. The town fathers and mothers like to keep it "quaint." Fairly easy, however, to buy and article of clothing that says "Nantucket" on it.

If you like to bike, Nantucket has wonderful paths and it's a nice way to see the island. We've also taken a trolley tour of the island.

We will be staying in Eastham. As far as last minute, we would probably know the day before. We will be arriving in Eastham Wednesday afternoon for 2 nights. So our options are Thursday or if we head home after getting off the fairy we could go Friday.
I like shopping, eating, sightseeing and heard the islands were wonderful but if they aren't any different than the Cape Cod area then maybe there is no need to go. Almost hate to spend a day there if there is plenty to do on the mainland.

Do they sell lightship baskets on the mainland? Is it possible to get one for $200 with a lid on it?

If you are staying in Eastham it will take more than an hour to get to Hyannis, park and get tickets. I would allow an hour and a half. You have limited time and there is a lot to do from Eastham: National Seashore beaches, exploring Wellfleet and Provincetown and Orleans (lots of shopping and galleries in all of those places).

Lightship baskets: https://www.oakandivory.com/