Grey Lady Days
Grey Lady Days
Nautical charm off the coast of Cape Cod
Nantucket is a small island about 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod. It’s not the simplest place to get to, but that adds to the many reasons we find this spot so special. Stick around longer than a week or two, and you’ll be greeted by the coffee shop barista by name, your favorite bar on the Wharf will know what drink to make you as you walk in the door, and you’ll become a pro at finding parking on cobblestoned Main Street.
You won’t find many chains on the island, besides two Stop n’ Shops and a couple of Cumberland Farms. Restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars are, for the most part, independent and native to the island. The restaurants, in particular, are one of a kind, and here’s part of the reason why: Nantucket’s high-season is roughly four months long, May-September. The majority of restaurants and shops will close down during the off-season, so they have a small window to make it with tourists and locals alike. Not to mention, the incredibly fresh seafood defines Nantucket’s mouth-watering cuisine.
Let’s talk about the 82 miles of coastline this tiny island has to offer. One of the most quintessential Nantucket activities in the summer is driving onto the beaches. Nobadeer, in particular, is a popular spot for this, so be sure to get there early if you want to claim a position among numerous other cars (Jeep Wranglers galore) parked along the shore. Nobadeer is more of a social beach, and you might find yourself sharing a beer with the car next to you, or maybe even a drinking game or two. If you’re looking for a relaxing, undisturbed beach, we recommend heading over to Madaket or ‘Sconset.
The perfect Grey Lady day wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Cisco Brewery, Nantucket’s very own brewery. Plenty of fresh air, outdoor seating, live music, beachy cocktails, and local food trucks to satisfy everyone’s cravings. Have a history buff in your group? Nantucket will satisfy their cravings, too. Visit Sankaty Head and Great Point Lighthouse, explore the Whaling museum and learn interesting facts, like Nantucket was the first mainland wireless station to receive the Titanic’s distress signals in 1912. Even just skipping around town, on the brick sidewalks, and uneven cobblestoned streets, you might feel like you’ve gone back in time a bit.
Nantucket has a lot to offer, especially considering how small she is. You’ll feel far away from the world in the best way possible. Not every day is 75 and sunny – it can be foggy quite a bit, hence the nickname ‘the Grey Lady’ – but the magic never fades. As you admire all of the grey-shingled homes, historic churches, and fresh smells of blooming Hydrangeas, sea air, and green grass you may just start dreaming of never leaving.
photo credit: @henry_michaelis
photo credit: @dapperprofessional
photo credit: @wolffand.co
photo credit: @henry_michaelis
photo credit: @mimis_meals
photo credit: @laura_peruchi
photo credit: @dapperprofessional
