Nantucket or Block Island
 

We are planning to rent a house for a week (early September) on either Nantucket or Block Island. I have spent time on Nantucket before (it has been a long time though) and have never been to Block Island (I have family members who love it). It will be my husband and myself with a then one year old looking for an escape from the endless summers of South Carolina. We love the outdoors - picturesque settings, beach days, hikes and other walks - and are looking for a low key but nice week away. What do you all think are the pros and cons of these two? others we should consider?

hi, between the 2,i would definitely choose nantucket. main disadvantage of nantucket is that you MUST get a ferry reservation very far in advance. the shopping and restaurants are much better on nantucket. block island has only a small area of shops and restaurants and they are prtty humdrum. to get around, you prob need a car and ferry reservations are relatively easy to get. However, consider martha's vineyard too. it is actually my favorite place - much more to do, especially if you have a car. there are several distinct areas on the island (chappaquittick, oak bluffs, gay head, chilmark, etc) each with its own personality. shopping and restaurants are great and range from cool and funky to prim and proper. my favorite area is Gay Head. you can go out to the cliff and have breakfast and never want to leave, it is so beautiful. karen

By your description on your wants, not interested in shopping or fine dining. I'd chose Block Island, a simpler life style unless it's changed the last ten years when I was there.

You mentioned that you love the outdoors, scenic settings, beach days, hikes...low key. All that describe Block Island to a 't'. If you and your husband are physically fit, the perfect way to really enjoy Block Island is biking all over the place. The bike rentals are plentiful and often have rear attachments or seats for toddlers available. Early September is the best time to go as the water is the warmest then. There are trails galore on Block Island that are easy to bike to. There are both inland and oceanside hikes. And the scenary is breathtaking. There's nothing more beautiful to me than a saltfarm or a view of old colonial stone fences with the Atlantic in the background. Another nature plug: It's one of that last untouched and undeveloped strongholds of the Nature Conservancy. Birders love Block Island.

I would suggest renting something near Town Beach or Mansion beach. Which is still somewhat close to town but also quiet and near the beaches. Also, while Block Island does not have the Lilly Pulitzer or the Ralph Lauren specialty shops it does have fun, funky and non-touristy boutiques. It also has a dozen or so restaurants that offer decent meals that don't cost $100 p/person.

While I love Nantucket and all the natural beauty that it has to offer, I find it very crowded and moneyed. It is definitely not an island that I would describe as low-key.

I agree with cigalechanta and kehsutton. If you are looking for more unspoiled beauty than commercialism, I'd opt for Block Island. Breakfast at the airport (Bethany's, if I remember correctly), and lunch or dinner at the Beachead, are a few places to try that are open year-round. Have fun - you'll love it!