My mom and I recently took a trip to one of my absolute favorite places in the whole world - Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard! I know most islanders expect you to choose a favorite between the two, but I truly love them each for their own reasons. Nantucket is a vibe all on its own. I’ve never known a group of people to be more loyal to their home, wear the name constantly, and truly make it a lifestyle. It’s certainly not inexpensive, but it’s a luxury that leaves you with a renewed sense of peace and wanderlust. It’s a shopping mecca, a dining connoisseur’s paradise, and one of the most calming destinations to just stroll for endless amounts of time. Martha’s Vineyard is, and feels, significantly bigger, and each part of the island is unique. I love that you can travel between towns and experience completely different atmospheres. One huge difference that is noticeable between the islands, in my opinion, is the aesthetic. Nantucket is full of the signature grey sided cottages (and mansions), while Martha’s Vineyard is lined with colorful houses (they literally have gingerbread houses) mixed with navy and white. Both islands have the most breathtaking view of yachts and various sea vessels, while being adorned with hydrangeas and other beautiful flowers.
I first fell in love with the islands because of my obsession with whales. I have them all over my house, and I adore using them as decor. I also have an intense fascination with them as animals, admire their power, and find them completely majestic. Knowing that both islands were previous whaling centers makes my heart happy and it’s so fun to see them on nearly everything, from merchandise to restaurants, and the whaling museum. While I certainly can’t afford frequent trips to this Northern paradise, I will definitely be counting down the days until my next visit!
A brief recap of our trip:
We flew into Nantucket airport via American Airlines
We stayed at the Sherburne Inn, part of Nantucket Resort Collection. The Innkeeper, Kara, was an absolute doll and made our stay so personalized. She helped us in insurmountable ways!
Several of our favorite dining choices - The Hub for salads, smoothies, a quick drink, and pastries, Born and Bread for delicious sourdough sandwiches, Brotherhood of Thieves, Millies, Rose and Crown, Nantucket Tavern, and of course Juice Bar!
We also ventured down to the Saturday Farmer’s Market and found so many amazing, sweet vendors. I bought several ACK woven bracelets that were on my wish list. I also experienced the ferocious power of New England horse flies - they don’t play!
We checked out the local post office to ship some of our goodies home, and quickly realized that it’s a morning ritual/hangout spot for many natives!
We then took the Hyline ferry over to Oak Bluffs, on Martha’s Vineyard.
We stayed at Summercamp, a beautiful hotel that over looks the water. You can’t have a more quintessential view than from the sprawling front porch swings, admiring the colorful boats.
We enjoyed meals at Nancy’s and pastries from Back Door Doughnuts, and loved walking through the gingerbread houses to and from our hotel.
We took the bus over to Edgartown one day, and strolled from the Whaling Church down past a variety of shops, ending at the water to dine at Seafood Shanty - one of the best meals with a view!
We had our fair share of ice cream throughout the whole trip!
On our final day we flew out of the adorable Martha’s Vineyard airport, to each of our home destinations.
It was the best late summer trip, and I have decided that a New England trip needs to be an annual tradition! Until next time, ACK and MVY will always hold a big piece of my heart!
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