bakerstreet

I'm trying to decide whether to arrange daytrips to both Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard in the one week I'll be staying in Cape Cod. I've never been to any of them (including Cape Cod). Do you think it's worth the time and expense to make both daytrips, and if not, which would you pick over the other?

Would you also make a trip to Provincetown?

Staying near the Chatham area, which ferry line is quickest/best?

What would you while ON Nantucket and/or Martha's Vineyard with no car?

Thanks for any help and advice!

HappyTrvlr

I would only do one of the islands with such a short stay on the Cape.
It's fun to drive up to Provincetown, walk around, have a seafood lunch, take in the scene.You can also go out to the beach and dunes.
MV has bus shuttle service.
Chatham is a great location, drive up along Pleasant Bay, go out to the dunes and beach.

Lookin_Glass

One island, flip a coin. Provincetown and the surrounds, most definitely. One of the highspeed ferry's is marketing a same day roundtrip sale - not sure which, but it is about a $20 discount and free parking.

vincenzo32951

From Chatham, I think Hyannis is best spot for the ferry to Nantckt; Woods Hole to MV.

fourfortravel

We have spent multiple weeks on Cape Cod, and only once have we visited either of the islands (Nantucket was our coin-toss winner on our fourth or fifth trip to the Cape.) The Whaling Museum, idle strolling and shopping filled the day, but it didn't inspire our family to return.

Provincetown: a morning whale watch and an afternoon/evening in the town makes a day. Biking through the dunes and catching all that you missed on the first day can take another.
Chatham: fish pier, seal cruise, dunes and strolling the pretty town--a day is filled.
Sandwich: glass factory, the salt box house, lunch at Dunbar's, a little shopping. Add a stop at the fish hatchery for fun as you leave Sandwich along 6A with its antique stores and there's another day.
Brewster: one of the organized walks from the natural history museum in the morning followed by a little beach time and low-tide beach-combing is another day.
Wellfleet: a morning audobon bird watching hike and an afternoon on Grand Island beach looking for Common Jingle...
Eastham-ish: canoe trip on the salt pond chasing cormorants with your camera while your partner paddles the canoe.

Before you know it the week will be over, and you'll not have done half of the things you wanted to do. Because Cape Cod is captivating in that way.