Nantucket lodging
 

My 12-year-old daughter and I are planning a weekend getaway to Nantucket for Sept 5-7 and are looking for lodging recommendations. We want to be able to walk to a beach as well as walk to the shops and restaurants. In reading other posts, The Cottages at the Harbor Boat Basin look good. Are they within walking distance to a beach? Any other recommendations? Also, we were hoping to try wind-surfing...maybe even get a lesson....but it's looking like that's not an option after Labor Day. Thanks for any advice.

We stayed at the Martin House Inn and liked it; we were able to walk to the restaurants and shops in town and also to Jetties Beach. We went sailing on The Endeavor and loved that. Our room at the inn had a fireplace and a little private porch, as well as a private bath.

We stayed last Summer at the Veranda House...it was simple but fine...within walking distance to all the shops and restaurants in town. We rode our bikes to the beach.
http://www.theverandahouse.com/

The White Elephant seems to fit your needs, and there's a variety of accommodations there.

The Veranda House has undergone a major rehab and advertises itself as a "retro chic" hotel, if that suits your taste. Most inns in town are within walking distance to Jetties Beach (a nice beach just outside town center with a restaurant, bath house and bathrooms). You might want to check out the Beachside http://www.thebeachside.com/ which is on N. Beach Street on the way to Jetties Beach - it has a pool and attracts lots of families so your daughter will feel comfortable there as opposed to the inns and B&Bs that cater more to couples. Check out www.nantucket.net for a list of activities, restaurants, etc. There is also a place to rent sea kayaks on Washington Street just down from Main Street that may be open after Labor Day. If you and your daughter like to ride bikes, the bike trails on the island are terrific and pretty flat riding and there are several places to rent on Steamship Wharf where the ferry comes in. September is a great time to visit the island - enjoy your trip.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll check these places out.