Nantucket | Our June Trip + Staying In Town vs. Sconset + What I Packed
We decided to visit Nantucket a littler earlier than usual this summer, going mid June instead of late. We wanted to be there at the same time as my brother and his family and also allow Andrew to work the kick-off for the Nantucket film festival. We rented a house in town instead of Sconset so we would be closer for the film festival and visiting cousins, which was a fun new experience. I have stayed in town the last couple years for the Christmas Stroll, but never in the summer. The island was deserted! It was kind of amazing. Such a difference going a week earlier! Massachusetts schools were still in session when we arrived, such a different energy being there before the summer season officially kicks off . We didn't have great weather and never put our swim suits on once, except for Charlie, who went swimming with his cousins in the freezing cold water and didn't even have goose bumps!! There are a few things that weren't open yet, like the secret candy shop, the water taxi to Topper's, kid's nights at the Casino, but honestly, the trade off is having the island to yourself, getting same day dinner reservations at typically crowded restaurants, having less expensive rental homes, and skipping all the summer traffic. It felt more like early fall and we weren't mad about it.
I know I'm going to be asked, so I'll address it right off the bat...what's better, staying in Town or staying in Sconset? If you can, you should try to experience both. Sconset is my favorite place in the US. I used to say in the world, but then I visited the Cotswolds and had to revisit that statement. Haha. There is something extra special about that part of the island. You truly escape in a way you don't when you are in town. Biking around Sconset is much prettier and safer, we are typically a few steps from one of the island's prettiest beaches and you forever feel like you are living in painting or movie or wonderful book. Staying in town is more convenient to everything else. You don't need a car, you have more options for rental homes, there is more to do, especially when the weather isn't beach weather, and you can be more spontaneous about where the day takes you. My kids prefer town. Jimmy and I prefer Sconset. Of course there are lots of other places to stay like Madaket or Tom Nevers or other mid island locations, places I have driven or biked to, but have never stayed.
Staying in town allowed us to explore new parts of Nantucket which was fun! We biked everywhere! We did three different bike trails: Cisco, Surfside and Madaket. A few new discoveries...Surfside has an amazing snack shack, healthy and delicious with little picnic tables overlooking the beach! Madaket was the prettiest ride, with a stop for hiking trails (Sanford Farm) and a pond for feeding snapping turtles (make sure to bring raw chicken legs and string if you ever find yourself out that way! Charlie had a blast feeding them!). We had lunch and a prime table at Millie's before playing on the beach at Madaket. We rented kayaks in town which was a perfect family activity and we didn't tip over. I would definitely recommend this, whether traveling as a family or just couples. We also went to a new to us restaurant that I have wanted to try for years, Le Languedoc, right across the street from Bookworks on Broad Street. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic, perfect for a rainy date night, which is what it was for us. Request the tavern if you make reservations. The Beet was another new spot we would recommend, with made to order salads and sandwiches. Perfect for picnics or a simple light dinner. It's right by the movie theater. My favorite part of the trip was taking long walks down the back streets and hidden lanes and just slowing down for a week. Many deep breaths of sea air, foggy mornings drinking the best iced lattes, reading (and napping) with my feet up on the wrap around porch of our home, the crunch of gravel driveways under our bike wheels, picnicking at Great Point, and hearing cousins giggling. It was a good week. Nantucket has a way of restoring and inspiring me like nowhere else. It was bittersweet leaving this time because we will not be going back for more than a year. We aren't going to Stroll at Christmas and next summer we have a different sort of adventure planned, which I'm super excited about, even though I'll miss the familiarity and comfort of a place we know so well. We might have to sneak in a long weekend before then...
Packing for June was a bit like packing for England in April, lots of layers, to account for big temperature shifts from warm afternoons to chilly nights. I'm rounding up things that I took with me, some items are low on stock because they were bought earlier in the spring. When possible, I've tried to find similar options for things that are sold out. Since I clearly went with a red, white and blue theme, it feels fitting to post during a holiday week!!
, I brought in
and
which I wore over this
Red stripe skirt, still stocked in blue
, which I like even better
, I wore this to fly to ACK with my navy
(stock low on tunic, but they restock this every fall)
I wore
this t-shirt dress to travel home
,
with
and
and it was the comfiest
(the one I wore is sold out, but I like
)
(my chambray ones are from last year)
**blue and white chinoiserie dress I'm wearing in the family pic above is from last year. Same print but different style is linked below. Size up 1, they run small in the waist. Wearing a 2 for reference**
All the items that I packed are linked below..
including shoes, more sweaters, shorts and t-shirts, a super cute navy gingham skirt and my favorite shoulder tie coverup that sadly didn't leave my suitcase but is in full demand now!
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