As summer quickly approaches, you're probably thinking about your upcoming vacation plans. If you’re stuck on where you should travel to this summer, look no further--you and your family should head to Nantucket Island. Nantucket is a tiny, isolated island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. My family and I have been to Nantucket too many times to count. The beaches, quaint neighborhoods, and the seafood are just a few of the reasons why I wish I could vacation there every summer.
1. The Food
As an island off of Massachusetts, it’s no doubt that Nantucket is brimming with seafood. Pretty much every restaurant serves a wide variety of seafood. But when I visit Nantucket, I don’t only look forward to the seafood, but I also look forward to the ice cream and sandwiches. The Juice Bar serves some of the best homemade ice cream, which probably explains why the lines are always out the door. Something Natural, is a sandwich shop and bakery that serves fresh, customizable sandwiches that make for the perfect lunch on a long, beach day.
2. The Beautiful Beaches
Nantucket has so many different types of beaches. Whether you head to the beach to surf, sail, or tan, there is a beach for you. If you want to surf the waves, head to Surfside. If you’re a less experienced swimmer, or prefer calmer waves, then Jetties Beach is for you. No matter where you go, you won’t regret having a relaxing beach day on Nantucket Island.
3. One word--Dogs
Because Nantucket beaches are dog-friendly, dogs are just about everywhere on the island. If you don’t have a dog, don’t worry. Pretty much everyone will have one, providing you with ample opportunities to pet one.
4. Downtown
Nantucket’s downtown area is perfect to walk around after a long day at the beach. There is an abundance of restaurants and shopping, as well as hotels. Plus the cobblestone streets, make the area extra homey.
5. Biking to the beach
Because Nantucket is such a small island, it’s really biker-friendly, and you easily rent bikes. You can bike anywhere you want to go, especially the beach. When you bike to the beach, you can really appreciate the island and get some exercise in. There are bike paths to make the ride a lot easier.
6. Quaint Neighborhoods
There are plenty of hotels in Nantucket. However, most tourists prefer to rent out a house, and I would definitely recommend doing this. Nantucket has a ton of cute, cottage houses that surprisingly hold a lot of people. Some can fit up to 10 people, making the expense worth it.
7. It's isolation
Nantucket is so isolated, you need to take a ferry to get there. But, this isolation is definitely refreshing. A week in Nantucket during the summer almost feels like a week away from reality. The isolation definitely makes for a laid back vacation.
Nantucket holds a spot on my list of my favorite places on Earth. Check it out for yourself, and you'll see why.
