With a population of only 10,400 , the 48 - square - mile island of Nantucket can swash few full - meter residents than most major city neighbourhood . And while Nantucket ’s universe increases or so quintuple in the summer month ( to just about 50,000 ) , no one knows the island better than yr - round resident . From off - the - beaten - route trails to the good eats , we ’ve got the privileged liquid ecstasy from Nantucket local on how to well spend your Nantucket summer .
Order cocktails by the number
Jenny Benzie , headmaster sommelier at local wine-colored shopÉpernayand full - time Nantucket resident of 3.5 days , said the best cocktails on the island are a toss - up betweenThe Nautilus , which has Fernet on tap ( yum ) , andThe Proprietors , where " some cocktails are actually healthy . " We ’ll just take that at face value and order a few rounds … which you may do here by the number , not the name , if you want to vocalize like a local . If you want to have a boozing by the water , Benzie recommendsCRU Oyster Bar , where you’re able to couple " utterly chill rosé " with crabby person cocktail , a warm buttered lobster peal , and chocolate pôt de creme for dessert . Go around 3 pm , and you ’ll be strike the gross metre for a little seaside cinch .
Drive across the beach
draw a blank the flip - flop ; you ’re crossingGreat Point Beachwith four - steering wheel cause . Korin Matter , general manager of21 Broadand full - metre Nantucket resident of three days , recommends renting a Jeep to labor across eight miles of beach on Nantucket ’s lesser - explored eastern shore . The terrain is 50 % conservation land , and make a peaceful recess from the summer fury . Matter recommend have a day for the trip : compact a cinch , paddleball , and sunblock , and hit the sand .
Ice cream before dinner, you’re clearly a winner (that’s how it goes, right?)
The Juice Baris no secret to anyone who walks through Downtown Nantucket ; the iconic deoxyephedrine cream bar gasconade a line that wraps around the block most summer days . But owner Ron Lefebvre , who has lived on Nantucket for 30 years , offers us a pro tip for those wishing to keep off queuing up for ages : try visiting between 6 - 7pm , when there ’s usually a lull in the line . The busiest hours be given to be from 2 - 5:30pm and again from 8 - 11pm , so set back dinner for a threefold scoop of Green Monster ( mint with cookie dough – just trust ) in a fresh waffle cone . Once your appetite recurrence , go for a later dinner party atBlack - Eyed Susan’s , The Sea Grille , orLola 41 .
Keep up your cold brew habit
Just because you ’re on an island does n’t mean you have to sacrifice urban delight . Holly Finigan , who works as a Nantucket modus vivendi curator atNantucket blACKbookand has lived on the island since 2005 , recommends acquire nitro cold brew on tap from the hipHandlebar Cafe , and cold press juice and hefty snacks fromNativ Made . Other tasty items on Finigan ’s favorites list : chilled seafood from167 in the altogether nutrient truck , which also shuck oysters atCisco Brewers , where you may cool down down with a locally brewed beer , wine-colored from Nantucket Vineyards , or a cocktail from the local Triple Eight Distillery . Pro tip : make for home a bottleful ( okay , type ) of Triple Eight ’s blueberry - flavour vodka . You wo n’t regret it .
Take a hike
While a beach holiday may be all about laying out on the sand , sometimes you get uneasy enough to want a little workout . Nearly every local recommended hiking on Nantucket , which has mile upon miles of unexplored trail . " Most citizenry outride right Downtown , so they do n’t explore , " Matter suppose . Do n’t be a statistic , you guys : Matter recommends boost from Sanford Farm to the beach , or visit Altar Rock , Nantucket ’s highest point , for amazing 360 - degree views . Nantucket Conservation Foundationhas trail function if you do n’t have a local guide .
Go for a beach picnic
Joy Margolis , a Nantucket occupant of 10 eld , is a big fan ofSayle ’s Seafood , a ace - daily fish market offer takeout seafood dinner , clambake , and lobster platters . Across the street , there ’s a beach reasonably much untasted by holidaymaker , where Margolis like to take her Thomas Kyd for low - Florida key playday … sans all the beach bags . Those who do n’t require guts in their fried Nantucket Bay scollop can also sit at one of Sayle ’s few indoor or outdoor tables .
Stay local
Margolis , who recently openedNantucket Culinary Centerwith her hubby Greg , is a big sports fan of the guerilla farming scene on Nantucket , where little farms are " produce really weird things " like an herb called " anise hyssop , " used at NCC . She recommend checking out theSustainable Nantucket , which host weekly Farmer market and farm - to - table spread .
Visit on August 32nd
If you think your summer vacation has to take place from June - August , you ’re not conceive like a Nantucketer . September , also known as August 32nd through August 62nd , is the absolute good time to jaw the island , harmonize to Benzie .
Take the chef’s suggestions
Managing partners Alex Leventhal , Elliot Gould , and Jeremy Leventhal of the presently - to - open ( and highly anticipated)Greydon Housesuggest dining at the secret chef ’s table atThe Pearl , or taking vantage of the keen wine list atAmerican Seasons .
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Courtesy of The Proprietors Bar & Table
Juice Bar Nantucket
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Cary Hazlegrove
The Pearl Nantucket
