Nantucket for Columbus Weekend
 

Would like to head to Nantucket with hubby and 3 kids (10, 8, 4) for the long Columbus weekend. Would rent a home through homeaway.com. Questions are these:
* do we need a car and if so, could I not take the high speed ferry?
* Is there a particular spot on the island that is better to stay? No idea what areas to look for when searching for a home... and this may affect the first question
* Could beach still be doable at this time (Oct. 10)?
* Any other info on this time of year would be helpful!

Thanks!
Rachel

No, the beach is not doable, especially if you're talking about swimming.

Overall, Nantucket seems an odd destination choice for Columbus Day weekend. Why there? I can think of a lot better choices during the fall foliage season in the northeast.

Well, I have always wanted to go and the prices at other times just seem to cost-prohibitive that I thought it might be a nice quiet getaway (though I'm always open to other ideas!)

1) If you want to "see & explore" more of Nantucket than you can reach by walking (whatever distance is comfortable to you & members of your family) you'll need some type of transportation - either car (your own or a rental), local taxi, bus or bike. For lots of useful info on getting around the island check out these websites or google "Getting around Nantucket" - everything you could ever want to know is just a few mouse clicks away:

http://www.visit-historic-nantucket....Nantucket.html

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/nantucket/744426

http://www.nantucketchamber.org/gett...he-island.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g2...ng.Around.html

If bringing your own car to the island you have to take the car ferry. If no vehicle you can take either the high speed ferry or car ferry - whichever works best for your situation.

2) Can't help you with specifics about areas to say as there are many to choose from and each has it's own pluses and minuses. What's best depends on what interests you most.

3) Average daytime temps in October are likely to be in the low to mid-60's F. with occasional forays into the low 70's - water will be colder which makes walking along the beaches "nice" but certainly not swimming weather unless you are training for membership in the "Polar Bear Club".

4) Google "Things to see & do on Nantucket" for tons of useful info.

Great, thank you! So if we were to rent a house say in Surfside versus Madaket, what would the differences be?

Our family has been to Nantucket several times and always enjoyed ourselves. But, our trips were always in the summer. I'm not sure how much fun your children will have there off season. Admittedly, the weather could be beautiful that weekend, but I would check those above websites thoroughly to find out exactly what there is to do that the children would enjoy!

I live in Nantucket. In fact I am sitting here avoiding finishing my cleanup for the visitors who arrive tomorrow, so I am happy to answer your questions.

The buses stop mid-September, so unless you stay in town, you will need to rent a car. You can bike everywhere on paths except right in town itself, but you would not be happy if it were pouring rain.

That said, the weather is likely to be good two out of the three days.* It is likely to be warmer than Boston, and you can certainly wade and brave people can swim, especially in closed bodies of water like Madaket Harbor or S'achaja Pond. It will be too rough and too cold to go in the water at Surfside, Nobadeer, or Cisco without dry or wet suits, and there can be dangerous rips. It is a great place to be if you like going to sleep to waves crashing.

95% of restaurants, shops, and attractions will still be open. It will be busy because we have visitors like you, leaf-peepers on their way home from Vermont, people closing their houses for the winter, and the tail end of the wedding season. People who live here are more relaxed than in season. There are flowers in bloom usually until December. It is a nice time to come.

If I were you, I would try to rent in town. We live in town and can walk to the ferry, most restaurants, both movie theaters, plays, shops, bookstores, and the smaller of the two Stop and Shop supermarkets. You could then rent a car for a day or take a tour with someone like Gail to see the rest of the island. There are luxury restaurants but a whole string of fast food takeout places called "the Strip" on Steamboat Wharf. Nantucket is very safe for kids.

If you have addresses for properties, I can tell you something about the neighborhood before you make a decision.

I also recommend the Steamship Authority boats over the Hy-Line because they are cheaper and much more likely to be on time. People who live on the other side of town like the Hy-line because it is easier for them to get to. Both require reservations in each direction for their fast ferries, you need to do it early, and you need to be in line for your scheduled boat. The slow ferries do not take reservations except for people traveling in cars, and they always leave people standing on the dock on big holidays if they have not made reservations.

* a note on the weather. Anywhere on the coast, US or Europe, has much more changeable weather than places that are inland. This is good when the weather is bad because it will change, but four perfect days in a row . . . . Maybe, but don't hold your breath. If you are from Washington, DC, our south of there, you will want layers to wear, especially at night, and a goretex jacket for rain or wind. The good news is that October is not the foggy season, and the stars are brilliant just a few blocks off Main Street.

Although I am by no means a Nantucket expert, I do want to add that you'll be there during a great time for fishing. You can expect striped bass and bluefish, and several other species may also be available. So, if you've a family of sportsmen, consider hiring a guide, for either boat or shore fishing.

Good point from Fra_Diavolo.

On the water, Jim Genthner will still be sailing on the Friendship sloop Endeavor, a great ride. Sunset cruises at that time of year will be great, if chilly. Bring a bottle of wine.

Fred Tonkin on the Herbert T and Marc Genthner on the Just Do It II will get you fish if there are fish to be caught and are honest enough to tell you if there aren't.

I must disagree with HowardR who has not visited Nantucket off season. It is most certainly not an 'odd' destination. I only visit off season - the shoulder season when many restaurants are still open, if only on weekends and jeep rentals are easy to hit the beach.

We've done the airport rentals and in the past few years really like this group. They seasonally trade out most of their vehicles, so if you're thinking of buying a used Jeep, think again. The first year can be a killer.

http://www.nantucketislandrentacar.com

We never get as far as we want on Great Point as we usually end up visiting in the late Spring and winter storms have made paths very soft. Autumn should have the sands properly graded from a summer of vehicles, so with care you won't have to call 'the dude' to pull your akahine out of the sand for a small fortune.

Nantucket is smart to keep the cost of vehicle ferry often prohibitive.

My point about it being an odd choice was aimed at the fact that they are bringing their children (ages 10, 8 and 4) and my point is that I'm not sure whether Nantucket in the off season is the ideal choice, when there are other options in the northeast.

Our daughter loved Nantucket in the summer. When we traveled in the fall, we felt there were better options for her.

Thanks, it just seemed an odd response to me. Different strokes I guess.

And, for the record, we love Nantucket!!!!

ackislander… this is off topic… but…..
We used to vacation on Nantucket 70's early 80's and there was the Dreamland Theater. Is there another movie house now? I'd love to come back but am afraid there are too many changes -:( Like the house we rented on Squam Road has been demolished and replaced by some million dollar mega palace.

Well, the dreamland has been completely remodeled a few years back, which means that a few beams were left from the old building but it now has heat and A/C so you no longer have to bring a quilt in October and May, and it is open year round.

A cafe/movie house called the Starlight opened some years ago on that street behind the Post Office that runs from Main to the Atheneum. They were open winter and summer and seem to be holding their own against the "new" Dreamland.

There have been many changes, but between mid-September and mid-June, it is very quiet. You ought to give it a try!

Don't forget to stop by the Starlight Theater and Cafe!

I can't believe somebody in Fodorville knows Jim Genthner.

What a small world.


Thin

PVS,

My son was his mate on the Endeavor during college and even for a couple of years when he was a young investment analyst in Boston.

I know his astonishing wife, and have known both his children since they were born. This makes me feel old because his daughter starts Dartmouth this fall.

Jim is one of the finest men I have ever known. He was a much better influence on the character of my son and of the other young men and women who have sailed with him than I ever was.

How nice to know that you know each other!

We did that last year. Took the slow ferry over and fast back without car. I think it is easy to get around if you are staying in town. Loved it there with a little cooler temps. It was warm during the day and you could still do water sports. We went to see cranberry bogs on the cape and loved going to ptown. It was still a busy weekend on Nantucket.

I don't know Jim, but my nephew and his father do. Both are Nantucket sailors. Jim gets mentioned from time to time by my sister, who is in Nantucket right now. You could have passed her today if you walked down Main Street.

I graduated from Dartmouth, by the way.

Thin

ackislander… thank you for the update. Friends have a year round place on the island. Maybe I should screw up my courage and invite myself. Can't hang on to nostalgia forever -:)