Sail In, Sail Out: A Long Weekend in Nantucket
You’ve arrived on Nantucket, a 14-mile-long island blessed with pristine beaches, unscathed dunes and serene moors. An intimate town where sea captains once built elegant mansions on cobblestone streets and charming clapboard cottages housed salty sailors. These days, you’ll find a lineup of seafood-inspired dining, hip bars and iconic hotels (many of which date back to the 1840s). Below, a few ideas for how to spend a summer weekend in “ACK.”
Set on the water, the venerable eatery Cru hosts an all-star oyster, hushpuppies and champagne lineup (and, don’t skip the oatmeal cream pie). A few blocks away, the chic spot Dune serves pan-roasted sea scallops and Atlantic halibut with coconut-lemongrass broth. Opt out of dessert and ask for a Komos neat. For unfussy fish market vibes, Sayle’s Seafood doles out a proper Nantucket clambake – you know: mussels, steamers, lobster, corn on the cob and all the classic trimmings. Meanwhile, nab a patio table at Brotherhood of Thieves for Komos margaritas alongside your New England-meets-American classics (burgers, Quahog chowder). Alternatively, Via Mare (inside the Greydon House Inn) is a handsome, wood-paneled spot whipping up Venetian plates a la buttered clams and lobster risotto. Rest your head at luxury boutique hotel Faraway, which not only has Komos but also one of the best terraces to sip it on.
Elsewhere, the cozy, clubby room of Proprietors pairs its Komos-based cocktails with small bites (the smoked whitefish salad is a must) and mains a la seared arctic char; while the cheery Black Eyed Susans makes a local cod with a spicy puttanesca sauce. Pick me up? Linger over iced lattes at The Green Market – there’s also a curated shop inside with Tammy Fender skincare and Osea’s vegan beauty products. Come evening, Cisco Brewers is a buzzy spot pouring its homebrewed suds with live music. You can also sip the label’s 15-year single-malt whiskey or commit to tasting flights. For a casual lunch, Something Natural makes divine sandwiches on housebaked Portuguese bread. Ice cream? The Juice Bar scoops 30-plus homemade varieties like cherry chocolate chunk.
Later, stock up on cashmere throws inside the airy-chic Nantucket Looms. For maritime treasures, folk art and sailor-woven “lightship baskets, ” drop by Sylvia Antiques. Or – perhaps you’ll go analog with a paperback from Mitchell’s Book Corner and Nantucket Bookworks. If art is your thing, Maria Mitchell Association is showcasing Henry Michaelis photography and Zoë Markham’s paintings (through October). Later, stretch your legs with a rental bike courtesy of Nantucket Bike Shops and pedal to the famed Jetties Beach, where an on-site eatery hosts a roomy deck for lobster rolls and frozen slushy drinks. The more chill ‘Sconset Beach is a great place for sunbathing and seal watching.
And, now you rest. Celebrating 100-years this summer, the legendary White Elephant recently renovated its 54-rooms and garden cottages with nods to the island’s rich seafaring history. Nearby, the small 62-room Hotel Faraway is hosting a Saks Fifth Avenue pop-up with private appointments (through August 6th). On the island’s northeastern tip, the Elephant’s sister property, the Wauwinet is a remote, quiet escape for couples. And, set in an old sailor’s Federalist-style home, Life House Nantucket 17-sun-dappled rooms are kitted out with raffia writing desks and botanical rain showers. Outside, there’s a lovely garden bar for cocktails. Also nearby, the hotel’s restaurant Sister Ship serves New England seafood (crudos, clams and grilled summer squash).
