EXPERIENCE NANTUCKET HISTORY WITH SIX UNIQUE ACTIVITIES
NANTUCKET, MASS.— Sitting pretty off the coast of mainland Massachusetts, Nantucket is an island rich in maritime history and blessed with natural beauty. Its iconic cedar-shingled homes, cobblestone streets and spectacular beaches have made it a hot holidaying spot for more than 125 years — here’s why.
Brewery: You may think an hour is enough time to taste a brew or two at Nantucket’s only craft brewery, Cisco Brewers, but it’s not — schedule the whole afternoon to enjoy this local hangout and you won’t be disappointed. The wide range of delicious Nantucket-inspired brews such as Grey Lady Ale and Sankaty Light Lager will draw you in, but the chill atmosphere of friendly bartenders, live music, food trucks and roaming dogs will make you stay. More info: ciscobrewers.com
Whaling Museum: To get a good grounding on what made Nantucket what it is today, make the comprehensively curated Nantucket Whaling Museum your first stop. Housed in an old candle-making factory in the historic downtown, learn how the island’s industry grew on the backs of whalers who hunted sperm whales for their lucrative head oil, called spermaceti. It also features a 14-metre sperm whale skeleton, which made an appearance in the last episode of the Gilmore Girls reboot. More info: nha.org
Shop: If you’re seeking that quintessential Nantucket look for your home, mother-daughter owners Debbie and Jillian Fraker will help you find just the right elements at the Lion’s Paw. Whether it’s an end table handcrafted by a local 92-year-old furniture maker or a set of whimsical Coral & Tusk embroidered narwhal pillows, browsing the shop’s beautiful displays will make you want to run to the real-estate agents so you can decorate your own cedarshake-covered seaside cottage immediately. More info: thelionspawnantucket.net
Gastropub: Taking its name from the title of an 1844 pamphlet written on Nantucket, attacking those who still supported slavery, the dimly lit gastropub Brotherhood of Thieves continues an island tradition of individualism and eccentricity — albeit on a smaller (more delicious) scale. With ingredients from local, organic growers and producers, dishes like the Brotherhood house salad and lobster bisque, which comes with a puff pastry top and huge chunks of this delectable crustacean, are sure to delight. More info: brotherhoodofthieves.com
Vintage: In a retail manifestation of “follow your bliss,” current-Vintage owner Elisabeth English left the restaurant industry and decided to open a seasonal store selling her two loves: vintage clothing and wine vintages. Half of the seaside shop stocks hard-to-find (and, quite likely, one-of-a-kind) frocks, tops and accessories from brands such as Liberty of London and Lacoste, while the other half is filled with wine from Sonoma to Sicily, ranging in price from $15 (U.S.) to $250. More info: currentvintage.com
Luxury hotel: It’s all the little extras that make the luxury White Elephant hotel such a relaxing island retreat. A fruit-filled iced-water carafe in the lobby provides refreshment upon arrival and the complimentary afternoon port and cheese in the library sets the tone going into the evening (the on-site Brant Point Grill makes a mean surf and turf, featuring Maine beef and lobster). Plus, the staff really go the extra mile to make sure your experience is the best it can be. More info: whiteelephanthotel.com
Book shop: With its diverse selection of Nantucket-themed tomes, Nantucket Bookworks is the place to go if you’re looking for a literary souvenir from the island — plus it also stocks bestsellers for easy holiday reading. It’s clear this store is there to support the community (and not just visitors) with a variety of in-store events, a water-bottle-filling station, healthy, locally made snacks for sale and a colourful room at the back just for kids, complete with toadstool-shaped reading stools. More info: nantucketbookpartners.com
Historical building: As the birthplace of Maria Mitchell, the first female astronomer in the U.S., the Mitchell House museum hosts a variety of programs focusing on the daily life of the Mitchell family, who bought this traditionally built Nantucket house in 1818. Mitchell was an advocate for women’s education, going on to become first woman fellow elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the first professor of astronomy at Vassar College — she clearly had the pioneering spirit that defines Nantucket. More info: mariamitchell.org