My husband and I would like to go to Nantucket for a long weekend in June; we go to MV and take our car, but haven't been to Nantucket in years so I have a couple of basic logistical questions; we will be driving from CT. It is a special occasion so we are looking at the Wauwinet, but if we don't bring a car, it looks a little isolated. Should we bring our car and go for the Wauwinet or should we stay in one of the nicer places in town (White Elephant?) and just take a passenger ferry (if so, which one?).

All suggestions/opinions welcome.

Many thanks in advance,

Mary

The Wauwinet has jitney service to/from town and also the ferry docks.

It's best not to bring a car, as parking is very challenging, if not impossible, most places. It's also very expensive to bring a car. There is taxi service on Nantucket, which would be far more economical than bringing your car on the ferry.

We usually park our car at the airport in Hyannis, then take a taxi to the ferry dock. We fly back to Hyannis because the schedule is much more convenient than the ferries. Don't know if you can still do this, but used to be so long as you had a reservation, they'd put you on the next available flight no matter what time you arrived at the airport.

You are right about the Wauwinet being isolated. IMO I would opt for an intown location. Especially that early in the season.

For a nice dinner you can head out there via their launch and get a nice sunset boat ride, or if the weather isn't cooperating, you can take their car service out to the Inn.

IMO it's just a little bit too isolated for a long weekend stay, assuming you want to explore town and be free to do other activites around there.

thanks you guys; any suggestions on the nicest place to say in town?

thanks again,

Mary

We love the Cottages at Boat Basin, listening to the nautical rigging and walking to dinner. We also like renting a jeep from Island car rental at the airport. They seem to have the best rates, meet you at the ferry. It also gives you the opportunity to go out on the sand.

You've mentioned the White Elephant, which is very nice and also owned by the same group as owns the Wauwinet. There are also the inns in town affiliated with the Summer House (29 Fair Street and other locations). Also, I've heard good thinks about Union Street Inn. There's an extensive list of inns,etc. at www.nantucket.net for you to look at. One thing to consider (I don't know if you've picked a weekend yet) - starting Thursday, June 18th and continuing for the rest of the weekend is the annual Nantucket Film Festival (which could be a draw or something you might wish to avoid).

You would also want to consider one of the fast ferries that leave from Hyannis (either the Steamship Authority or the Hy-Line) if you aren't flying. The fast ferry gets you to Nantucket in one hour vs. the "traditional" ferry that takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

gyppie and Marie--thanks for all the good suggestions; I will look into them

Mary

We spent a few days on Nantucket in the spring and had a great time. We took the Hy-line fast ferry over, spent a couple of the nicer days exploring on foot and rented a car one rainy day to explore the other villages. I would suggest that you stay in town to minimize the hassle of having to take other transportation to town.

gyppielou--the Boat Basin looks fun! Were they private enough or did you feel like you are in the middle of a marina?

Hope my question makes sense!

Thanks!

Mary

Mary, I don't know if gyppielou has seen your question, but I'll try to give you more info based on what I know. While the Cottages are right along the boat basin, most of the activity at the boat basin is in the heart of the summer when the race season is held. There will be some boats docked, but I don't think that it will be too noisy there in June. Also, the Cottages are owned by the same group that owns the Wauwinet, White Elephant, Harbor House and Jared Coffin. They look really neat and if you want to be right on the water, I'd go for it! I've also seen their shuttle bus around town that goes out to the beaches.

Since I live in Nantucket and my friends all say with us I am not very well placed to advise on hotels. But:

1. Inquire carefully to find out if there is a festival in town like the film festival or the wine festival. If so, pick another weekend.

2. When you narrow your lodging choices, ask each of the places if there is a bridal/wedding party staying there or if they are hosting any receptions.

Personally, the Wauwinet is pretty far out of town and expensive. Staying there is like staying at a resort -- you stay there for peace and quiet and delicious food, not for touring.

The White Elephant is in the same price range, but you are in walking distance to everything in town and the busses may be running by the time you get here, so you can go pretty much anywhere without a car. Being in town will give you lots more choices for restaurants.

It is very different from the Vineyard in that it is all one town (even in the country), and the island is only 3 1/2 miles wide in the middle. It is only about 13 miles long end to end, with town in the middle, so there's nothing like going from, say, Vineyard Haven to Gay Head.

All beaches (well, virtually all, beaches are open to the public, and you can bike or get public transportation to the good ones.

I suppose what I am saying is that you can get along without a car just fine.

I would absolutely stay in town rather than the Wauwinet. Town is so beautiful, with so much to do and see and eat! i'd want to be as close to town as possible.

Friends have stayed at the wauwinet and werent as wowed as they thought they would be based on what they were paying. If i were in your shoes, i'd stay at the white elephant, and i'd try to find a room in the hotel, rather than in the cottages. I stayed in a cottage once and wasn't too wowed.

Otherwise, i'd find an amazing B&B. have fun!

Thanks for chiming in MarieF. Well said. A few years ago we took a quick trip and booked the Harbor House. Unimpressed, I got the Sunday paper and found an equal deal at the White Elephant which was a major improvement. This was when they still had a harbour side pool on premisis. That said, it never called us back.

We have visited the Cottages a few times. Always off season - June or September with special midweek rates. We have always stayed at the closer to the street 'Woof Cottages' with our viszla, Max.

The website has a map of the cottages, so if you decide to go for it, between the map and the reservationist, I am sure you can get a prime cottage.
We have never, in June or September/October felt people walking on the wharfs intrusive. Love the sound of the nautical rigging and love the space compared to a hotel/inn. Love that it feels like our own little home with kitchen or kitchenette, living area and bedroom.

On season the rates are nuts, but if you book now you could get one of their special rates.

One place we always thought we would stay was Union Street Inn. But we fell in love with bringing our dog and staying at the cottages, and have no desire to look elsewhere, unless we rent a house.

We also thought about staying with Ack, but the chores just felt unbearable compared to listening to the harbour sounds and drinking martinis in town. Aloha ack!!!!!

The thing about Nantucket - deciding which great restaurant to eat at~~~

I just noticed MarieF also mention Union Street Inn earlier on the thread. Either would be my choice. I have never felt drawn to stay at Wauwinet. Maybe in full season it is amazing, but it pales to me as a destination.

I apologize for taking so long to sayi thanks! to all of you--all great advice; both the Cottages and the White Elephant are running great deals (I guess one upside of our dismal situation?) so we will take the ferry and stay in town.

Many thanks! If people would like to chime in on restaurants, I am all ears.

Thanks again,

Mary in D.C.

Hi again Mary! There are so many great restaurants in Nantucket that I don't know where to begin. We have a house on the island and eat out on average once a weekend come the summer so I definitely have my favorites. Here they are:

$$$$: The Pearl, which is delicious but not the "classic" Nantucket experience (it feels more like you are dining in NYC as the designer I hear is the same one that did Nobu). They have a stir fry lobster that is outstanding as well as other "fusion" style dishes.

21 Federal - more of a classic Nantucket dining experience with a more traditional menu.

$$$: The Boarding House, which is the sister restaurant and downstairs from The Pearl. More of a mediterranean style menu. They have IMO the best dessert on the island - fried to order donuts in a chocolate sauce

Fifty-Six Union - just outside of Town. We went there for the first time last summer and I really liked it. It's kind of funky and I had their signature "javanese" spicy rice dish which was really good.

29 Fair - this is also quite good and they have a lobster in a puff pastry signature dish (you can tell I like lobster!)

$$: Lola - quite a weekend scene but good sushi and a tasty burger.

The outside bar at Straight Wharf Restaurant- very nice outside dining experience, especially if you can get their lobster rolls (again, the lobster!)

$: The Brotherhood of Thieves - if you go, I like the downstairs which feels like you are eating in an old English pub. They have good burgers and sandwiches.

The Atlantic Cafe - one of our favorite, casual places to eat. It's closed now but there is hope that it will re-open again in the summer.

The Tavern (located on Straight Wharf across from the Gazebo) - good salads and fried seafood.

For lunch/sandwiches: Taco's Taco's, Stubby's and the NY style deli (can't remember the name) all on Steamship Wharf; Something Natural (a short walk outside of town but worth it).

For brunch: Blackeyed Susan's - a long, long line on the weekends but IMO it's worth it. They also have a nice (but limited) dinner menu.

Places to avoid? I've truly never had an awful meal on Nantucket, but I think that you can do better than The Even Keel, Captain Tobey's or Arno's (although Arno's has a new chef now, I hear).

I hope that helps you out and please check back in if you have any questions!

Marie--thank you for the great list! I especially appreciate the "to be avoided."

It is so much fun to think about an early summer getaway. You are so lucky to have a house out there.

thanks again,

Mary

MarieF's list is terrific. Here are some more details.

The patio at the Brotherhood is always pleasant on a nice day.

The deli on Steamboat Wharf is Walter's. It is the only place on island where you can get a half-sour pickle, should you have a craving.

Right across the alley is The Juice Bar. This is an ice cream stand that is an infuriating madhouse at night since there is no line discipline at all, but during the day, the ice cream is delicious and the Chocolate Chubbies are fantastic. I have a friend with heart trouble who only breaks his diet once a year -- with a Chocolate Chubby!

Stubbies has a few Jamaican selections, a good way to be introduced to Jamaican food, in addition to the normal fast food.

All these places are on "the Strip" where all the kids hang out at night. It is a zoo. You can have a peaceful picnic with takeout food about five minutes away on Children's Beach, next door to the White Elephant.

Another hot food picnic can be bought at Sayles on Washington Street extension. Go out beyond the town pier and Marine Department, walking past the beach on your left and on through the new yacht club to the two story building with the cooking smells. You can get fried or steamed seafood and sit on the porch or walk another hundred yards, bearing to your left, to a usually deserted stretch of beach with views down the harbor and across to Monomoy.

The best seafood, generally, is thought by locals to be at the Seagrille, a taxi or bike ride from downtown in a not-very-attractive business district. It is very nice inside. Their chowders are Chowderfest prizewinners year after year, and the other seafood is high quality and well cooked. The best pizza is at Pi Pizza, in this same general neighborhood but on the other side of the Stop and Shop. Brick oven, wood fired, thin crust. At the Rotary, also in this neighborhood, last summer a Jamaican takeout or picnic table place was good on two occasions, and about 1/4 mile beyond the rotary itself was El Rincon Salvadoreno, a central American restaurant with great food and even better prices with a very diverse crowd.

If you like what we used to call
"Fightin' Bars" back in Mississippi, the Chicken Box has become sadly respectable of late, but you ought to be able to get into a punchup with one of the locals at the Muse on Surfside Road. There is occasional disgraceful but mostly non-violent behavior on Straight Wharf, much of it married lawyers in on a boat and hitting on college girls, who happily let them buy drinks, then laugh at them behind their backs. Otherwise, Nantucket is a boringly respectable place, except when neighbors try to put something across on the Conservation or Historic District Commissions.

The most important thing is MarieF's post is that chefs constantly come and go and this season's star may be next season's dog. Ask locally and do not depend on the reviews in the local papers.

Havent stayed at the White Elephant yet since it's always been a little overpriced. Who wants to pay $800 a night when you can get a better deal at a local inn. But that's Nantucket for you, it's just not for me and I've been going to Nantucket for many years. Cottages are nice and affordable when shared with other people.

We settled for the bb experience a while back and my wife loves it and that's good enough for me. Don't know about Union Street Inn. We found The Century House and so far so good. There's a lot of privacy and the rooms and bathrooms are a decent size. Last minute my sister and family wanted to come. The inn didnt take kids so my sister had to find a different place and ended up at Beachside. Most of the inns offer breakfast for free which is nice. Watch out for the small closet size bathrooms at some of the inns on the island though. I'd search around and get a fair price.

Nantucket has really great restaurants, some more expensive adn worth it. Oran Moor Restaurant is the best in my opinion. Classy, good food, and not noisy. Straight Wharf really good service, and food. Galley Beach was good too, right in front of the ocean. Something Natural's sandwiches worth the walk from town.
We never rent or bring a car on the island. Dont need it. We rent bikes or walk or take the buses. The traffic can get a little too busy on Main Street. Hope that helps.

Are there any hotels with pools and suitable for kids on Nantucket?