Is Nantucket a worthwhile destination in and of itself? What to do?

Can it be done in mid summer for a meager janitors salary? Any places to stay under $91.73 a night?

Do need help, please feed me your wisdom!

Yes.

Beach, history, shopping, eating, outdoor sports.

Not a chance even during the winter.

Dr. X
Thanks for tossing your two cents my way. I am a man who seeks second opinions though. Anymore thoughts on the $$$ of lodging for the "tuck" in July?

Sorry, Homer, at this point if you could find ANYTHING on Nantucket for July, it would be over $200 a night and require a 3-night stay.

Couldn't get a room under $100.00 10 yrs ago & you still can't-Nantucket & cheap (inexpensive) do not mix

Oh wait, there may be a hostel. Anyone know anuthing bout that?

You may want to try staying in cape cod and taking the day ferry over to nantucket for a day. We've stayed on the island and it was great, but we also had a nice time in town when we just spent a day. We also took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard for the day. Lots of much more reasonable hotels in Hyannis.

For Pete's sake! Where is the Motel 6 for the janitors, ditch diggers, and teachers of this world?

Tom Boddett told me he'd leave the light on for me!

If you have any friends with homes on the island, start courting them now. Otherwise, there is a Youth hostel on Surfside Beach. Location is great.

Homer-
I second the Hostel at Surfside. I've stayed there many times for about $12 a night. Great location - about 5-6 miles from the center - we always rode bikes and there is a bike trail right out to the Hostel. The Hostel was once a Coast Guard Station - rooms are dorm style, shared baths. There is a community Kitchen for meal prep. Its right next to Surfside Beach. The downside at hostels is that you need to leave the premises from 10-5 every day. I've been there in the rain and had to leave on my bike - but biking in the rain to 'Sconset is one of my favorite Nantucket memories. Others in my group opted to take a tour of the island in a mini bus and had fun passing and waving at the wet bikers in the rain. But eventually the sun came out and we enjoyed a drink at an outside resaurant downtown.
Nantucket can be done on the cheap - just hope for sunshine.

I stand corrected. I forgot about the hostel. Here is a review from Fodor's:

STAR OF THE SEA YOUTH HOSTEL
31 Western Ave., Nantucket Town, MA 02554, USA
Phone: 508/228-0433; 508/693-2665; 617/531-0459 off-season

One of the most picturesque hostels in the country, this 49-bed Hostelling International facility occupies a former lifesaving station on Surfside Beach, a 3-mile ride from town on the bike path. The hostel has common areas, a piano, a kitchen, and grills for cookouts, as well as a variety of educational, cultural, and recreational programs. There are no private rooms and the doors lock at 11 PM, after which time you're on your own. Reservations, essential in July and August, are always strongly recommended, since the price is a low, low $15 a night. Picnic area, volleyball, laundry facilities. MC, V. Closed mid-Oct.-mid-Apr.

www.hiayh.org/ushostel/nengreg/nantuc.htm

No private rooms? Can married couples stay there?
Do you rent a bike for several days and just use the bikes for transport to and from? What are the $$$?

HOmer - X's post and web site list $15 as the price. Married couples can go - just be prepared to spend the night in seperate rooms. Some hostels have family rooms but they usually are for 4 people, parents & kids.

You can ride your bikes everywhere but if you're out after dark even with bike lights it can be a little dicy. There are cabs - we had friends who loaded their bags into a cab - sent it to the Hostel and then off they went on the bikes to the hostel to catch up with their luggage later. It can be a challenge to pack everything you need on your bike rack and some people will wear a back pack also. It's an adventure and not for everyone but it is cheap......
You asked what to do - the island is beautiful with wonderful beaches. There is a couple of nice museums telling the history of whaling and Nantuckets role. Lots of beautiful old sea captains houses - cobble stone streets, nice shops and restaurants. But it's an island - and everything is expensive. Staying at the hostel you have the use of the kitchen to keep food costs down.

I'm not sure about the cost of renting bikes - we always bring our own. I'm sure there would be info on rentals at www.nantucketchamber.org.

Many, many years ago on my first visit to Nantucket - we did not have reservations and were going for a couple of days. The plan was to get there early and find a room - well we missed the first ferry and decided to call over from the mainland looking for to make a room reservation. Everything was full (duh) so the chamber of commerce had a list of people who rented out rooms. We ended up staying in someones' attic - nice enough room with a continental breakfast included.
It might be worth a call to the Chamber of Commerce.

Bikes are typically $ 30-35/ day, with the rates lowering slightly for successive days. Best to bring your own.

Hello Janitor man!

We rented a small house for a week on Nantucket two summers ago - it was a cottage with 2 bedrooms at $1500 for the week (maybe $1700)...Anyway - we shared the cottage with another couple and had a great time! The cottage wasn't luxurious by any means, but it had a kitchen and yard and it worked out to about $400 pp - that's about $65 per night. It's something to look into - maybe you can call a rental agent and see if there are any available weeks...it's really not too late. There are a lot of rental homes on Nantucket - in every price range - you're bound to find something...Good Luck!

- Jenny

TWO THINGS:

Ditch Diggers on Nantucket make six figures.

The Youth Hostel makes a fraternity look like the Four Seasons. It's in a great location, but if I was a couple seeking romance it's definitely not the way to go. If you want to party big - Lauderdale Style - then the Youth Hostel is a good bet.

ONE FINAL THING

why $91.73 per nite?