10 REASONS NANTUCKET ISLAND IS THE ULTIMATE SUMMER VACATION SPOT

Just a short ferry ride off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket offers a unique experience for all ages.

1. The Beaches

Via beach.com

Nantucket Island obviously has beaches virtually down every road or path (there are 55 miles of them) but what is unique is that there are all kinds of possibilities for different interests. On the southern side of the island facing the Atlantic, there are incredible waves for surfing, boogie boarding and skim boarding. Surfside and Cisco beaches are notorious for some of the best waves on the island with swells reaching 10 feet at times. For others trying to just relax and read a book, the other side of the island offers numerous beaches with little waves and amazing sights across the harbor.

2. Mainstreet

From R. Gamble, Nantucket Island. WW Norton & Company.

Right after coming off the ferry, main street is one of the first things that visitors will see. With cobblestone streets, high end shops, and some of the friendliest people in the North East, downtown Nantucket is THE hub of all events. An interesting fact about the cobblestones is that back in the early 1800s, these stones were shipped in by whaling ships that were using them as ballast. They were laid down on main street so food and goods brought on carts could be brought up to stores and houses on main street. To this day, not much has changed and downtown nantucket still holds its vintage original feel that is unlike anywhere on earth.

3. Great Food (especially seafood)

Via nantuckettavern.com

There are a range of restaurants on the Island to suit most culinary tastes and budgets. At the higher price range there are some amazing places to eat right on the water, featuring fresh caught fish, lobster, crab and much more! Straight Wharf restaurant and Brant Point Grill are some personal favorites. At the other end there are some less expensive, but still great eateries such as a breakfast spot called the Downyflake or the Jetty Beach Shop & Grill where you can get a great burger while watching a great sunset. Other perfect local Nantucket places are The Tavern or The Brotherhood of Thieves for burgers.

4. The Nantucket Comedy Festival

Via nantucketcomedyfestival.org

If you are lucky enough to be on the island in July (the 15th to the 18th in 2015), it is definitely worth attending some of the shows that are part of this really amazing Festival. Organized by standup comedian Kevin Flynn, a longtime summer resident of Nantucket, this event has brought numerous talents to the island in recent years. Some of the acts include Caroline Rhea, the cast and writers of Parks and Recreation, Dick Cavett, Lewis Black and “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. One truly hilarious part of this event is the Boston vs. New York Comedy Smackdown, where comics from the two cities face off against each other joke for joke in a boxing ring -priceless!

5. 4-Wheeling through the Sand Dunes

Via toyota-4runner.org

Blasting across miles of white sand and huge dunes is a sure way to get the adrenaline pumping! Since open top jeeps are some of the most common cars on the island, no wonder why most people decide to get over sand beach permits. So check in with the beach rangers, let out some air out of your tires, and strap up for a great time with your friends!

6. The History

Via nha.org

For you history buffs out there, Nantucket has an interesting and rich background. First seen by an English explorer in 1602, it became part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692 by order of the British Parliament. When first settled by the English, it was already inhabited by 3000 members of the Wampanoag tribe, in whose language “Nantucket” translates into the “faraway land”. In the late 1600s the Nantucket residents started to organize whaling expeditions, and the deep-sea whale business really took hold around 1715, with the intent of extracting and selling huge quantities of oil used in household lamps and even streetlights all over the country. For 150 years up to the 1840s or so Nantucket was the whaling capital of the world. The years after this were difficult for islanders and the Great Fire of 1846 destroyed hundreds of buildings on a summer night. Three hundred Nantucket men served the Union Army in the Civil War. Interestingly, Nantucket abolished slavery in 1773 (10 years ahead of Massachusetts) and records show that 571 free people of color lived on the island in 1840. The Nantucket Whaling Museum and the African Meeting House (the only public building constructed and occupied by African Americans on the island in the 19th Century) are fascinating places to visit today to remind people of the heritage of the island

7. Viewing the Mega Yachts in Nantucket Harbor

Via whatsupdocsailing.blogspot.com

While boats of all shapes and sizes travel to the island, it is worth walking along the docks in town on a summer night to see some of the amazing vessels that venture out to Nantucket. Most of these privately owned boats come from all over the world and just add to the great diversity of people on the island!

8. 4th of July at Nobadeer Beach

When it comes to 4th of July celebrations, Nobadeer Beach is the place to be. College kids from all over the island flock to this beach to show their patriotism. Some features about this beach that set it apart from the rest are that cars are allowed to park along the water and with nantucket airport right near by, jets fly right over and rumble beach goers. So grab some friends, pack the coolers, and raise your USA flag!

9. The Tradition of Throwing a Penny When Passing Brant Point Lighthouse

Via nantucketstock.com

Riding on one of the Steamship Authority ferries out and back to Nantucket is a fun adventure in its own right and often a place to meet and talk to interesting people before your time on the island even starts. It’s long enough (2 hours and 15 minutes or so) to make the trip feel like an adventure, but not so long as to be unmanageable. Tradition says that on the way back one should throw a penny in the water after the ferry rounds the Brant Point lighthouse to ensure a return to Nantucket and a safe trip across the sea. Islanders and visitors alike follow the tradition as people flock to the edge of the decks to throw the coins overboard as the ferry rounds the bend.

10. The People

Nantucket is known for having some of the nicest, easy going people in New England. From the time you step on the island, people will be glad to help you around and find some of the best beach spots and restaurants Nantucket has to offer. You'll find most people wearing the classic Nantucket red shorts and dressed up nice around town since many people come in off their boats from all over the world! So next time your in Cape Cod, hop on the ferry and make your way to Nantucket Island for a unforgettable time around some great people!