As the island of Nantucket thaws this spring it is time to book your flight or spot on the ferry. Whether you visit Nantucket for the day or a longer overnight stay, this Massachusetts gem has something for every type of visitor.
History Buffs
Opening May 23, a new exhibition at the Whaling Museum, “Behind the Seams: Clothing and Textiles on Nantucket,” will spotlight Nantucket’s rich craft heritage through more than 150 textile objects, including everything from bathing costumes and resort-inspired garments to historic whaling flags. While there you can view the museum’s new acquisitions now on display in the Williams Forsyth Gallery. Cranberry Pickers by Eastman Johnson, the primary artist of national importance associated with Nantucket in the late 19th century, and Eventide by Elizabeth Rebecca Coffin, Nantucket’s most notable female artist from the turn of the 20th century.
Book Enthusiasts
This year’s Nantucket Book Festival, June 12–15, has a lineup that includes Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward and Australian novelist Geraldine Brooks and the acclaimed poet Ocean Vuong, whose highly anticipated third book, “The Emperor of Gladness,” is set to be published in May 2025. Almost all Festival events are free and open to the public. A ticketed event and highlight of the Festival is The Blue Bistro Bash. Join author Elin Hilderbrand at the Nantucket Hotel & Resort as one of her most popular novels, The Blue Bistro is brought to life to benefit the Nantucket Book Foundation. All proceeds go toward the annual Nantucket Book Festival and their year-round work with island schools and readers of all ages. Tickets are 350.00.
Film Aficionados
The 30th anniversary of the Nantucket Film Festival, June 25–30, brings a milestone year of screenings, panels, and filmmaker conversations. Don’t miss the U.S. premiere of JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY, a new documentary that dives into the making of Jaws, and an exclusive 30-minute sneak peek of The American Revolution, the documentary series from filmmaker Ken Burns. After the preview, Ken Burns will be joined by Nathaniel Philbrick for a wide-ranging conversation on the revolution’s enduring legacy, the complexities of its promises, and the urgent relevance of its unfinished questions.
Foodies
Brant Point Grill at the island’s White Elephant Nantucket will unveil an all-new look of its harborside terrace, with a replacement of the canopy and a refresh of the alfresco bar area with stunning harbor views. While introducing new food and mocktail menus, the Brant Point Grill will still serve their classics like their renowned lobster roll and signature Lobster Bloody Mary featuring a quarter pound of lobster. Other delicious Nantucket dining choices include dinner right on the sand at Galley Beach, breakfast at Island Kitchen, and small plates at The Nautilus.
Families and Groups
Right in the heart of town, the Jared Coffin House, a grand, red-brick mansion once home to a 19th-century shipping merchant, is the perfect base for families looking to soak up Nantucket history. This 43-room property has family rooms, which sleep up to four guests and come with king beds, pull-out sofas, and complimentary kids’ amenities. For a waterfront retreat, the White Elephant Residences offer one-to three-bedroom accommodations that feel more like private beach homes. Each comes with a pantry-style kitchen, gas fireplace, and access to courtesy BMWs to zip around town and one of the only in-town pools complete with a poolside ice cream cart.
Dog Lovers
Fresh off a multi-million-dollar renovation, The Cottages at The Boat Basin will add two newly designed pet-friendly accommodations this season—High Tide and Low Tide—to its Woof Cottages collection. Each sleeping six guests, the new two-bedroom accommodations make easy work of traveling with a furry friend, with private decks (one for Low Tide, two for High Tide), a full kitchen, and amenities like food and water bowls, beds, a welcome basket of treats and toys, and custom pet tags. Owners will also enjoy complimentary use of Priority Bicycles, fishing rods and nets for kids, and shuttles to the beach.
Couples
An adults-only escape, the 32-room Wauwinet provides couples exclusive access to two private beaches. Complimentary activities include a sail across the sparkling harbor, use of Priority bicycles, a 4×4 Jeep tour to Great Point lighthouse, and cooking classes at TOPPER’S. The highlight? A sunset dining experience each evening with locally harvested selection of Retsyo Oysters, cultivated just 300 yards from the restaurant, paired with a crisp selection from the 1,400-plus-label wine list.
Image Credits: Photo courtesy of The Nantucket Hotel & Resort .