Anyone know if it's worth a day trip (mid June) to Nantucket? Or am I better off spending the day exploring the Cape by car? My plans call for me to sleep over in Hyannis the night before so I'll be ready at sunrise to tackle on a full day of fun. I'll probably take a plane ride from Hyannis since the airfare appears to be only a little more $ than the fast ferry boat. Can only spend a full day in this area though, so keep that in mind. Thanks!

It's definitely worth the trip! Nantucket is much more compact than the Cape so you can see quite a bit in a small area in one day, town, beach, etc.

Unless you are leaving from Boston, I'd take the fast ferry over the plane. The plane is very small and scares me anyway. Also, fog or other bad weather could be a problem. The fast ferry is very convenient and fast! A day is plenty in Nantucket. Especially if you aren't interested in poking around the shops.

Good point, Sally. I've taken those puddle jumpers a few times before the Fast ferry and they scare the s**t out of me! Also, we have been postponed forever due to fog, only to end up driving to the ferry in the end. I'd do the Fast ferry too. Much more reliable.

Whimps! Where you sense of adventure?! ;-)

I live on nantuicket and have flown on those little planes approximately 600 times, and yes, there are delays, and yes there are cancellations, but nothing beats getting to the island, having dinner and a walk before the boat ever pulls into the dock...

G.

Yup,I'm a wimp. Especially since my husbands good friend and 2 others went down in a helicopter 12 miles off the coast of MV on the way to ACK. They were found 3 months later in 100 feet of water still strapped in. No the pilot wasn't instrument rated but I'd still rather take the fast ferry and increase my odds.

> They were found 3 months later in
> 100 feet of water still strapped in.

They must have been way off course. You've be hard pressed to find 100 feet of water anywhere between Nantucket and the Vineyard. Look, the truth is, you can count the number of plane crashes in this area in the last decade on both hands (including the Jimmy Buffet sea plane flip, and JFK Junior's unfortunate approach to the Vineyard) Given that Nantucket Airport is the second busiest airport in New England, I'd say those are pretty good odds.

G.

Nantucket the second busiest airport in New England???????????

Ahead of Providence, Hartford, and Portland, to name just three?????

Take the boat -- it's fun.

Actually, TF Green (RI), Bradley (CT) and Hanscom (Bedford, MA) also claim to be the second-busiest. I guess it depends on how you measure "busy"!

Eh, Im not sure what you're getting at Grant, that I'm making it up? I would never make up something so morbid and sad. It happened in 1986, and while it doesn't happen often, a good friend of my BIL also died in a private plane crash last year from Hartford to the Vineyard. These crashes are not widely publicized unless your last name is Kennedy, and they happen more often then you think. 2 good friends of 2 brothers is still high odds for me.

Oh and I didn't say they were between Ack and MV, I said they were 12 miles off the coast of MV, south of MV to be precise. It took a private search using submarine to find the helicopter.

I'd recommend going! We love the flight over and back. Flights leave about every 20 minutes, far more frequently than the high-speed ferries. Note, however, that the ferry dock is a short walk from town, whereas, you'd have to taxi from the airport into town. You'll see plenty in a full day. June isn't too busy, either - the summer folk, day trippers, and vacationers wait until July and August.

I too will be going to Nantucket for a day trip (from Martha's Vineyard) this summer. Is it hard to get around. Should one rent a car for the day or should we just take a bus tour. Thanks for any info.

The bus tour is nice because to get to have a look at most of the island. (Curiously, the huge tour buses have the best tours and commentary, along with the most comfortable seating too.) You may see a place you'd like to re-visit or spend more time, and it's a good overview for future reference when planning another trip. Don't bother to rent a car (you won't be able to park it anywhere anyway, as most streets are restricted to residents). You can walk all over Nantucket Town. There's plenty to see and do to fill up the day. If there's anyplace you want to go beyond walking distance, you can rent bikes or just take a taxi (taxi service is excellent and reasonably priced).

We were just in nantucket last month and we are already trying to schedule our next trip. The island is beautiful. There is alot to see and do. I am also terrified of flying, but we decided to take Cape Air and the flight was great only 12 minutes and it was really very pretty above the water. Crazy as it sounds I felt safer in the small plane verses our big flight back from Ireland. Have a great time!

I am also going to be taking a day trip to Nantucket in a few weeks. What is the best beach? I am planning on looking for shells!

Feff