From its salty sea breezes to epic sand dunes, Nantucket is a beachgoer’s paradise. But there’s more than sand and surf here. Despite spanning only 14 miles long, the New England island off Cape Cod packs in a lot of luxury accommodations, fine dining, culture and seasonal events from world-class concerts to well-attended fundraisers. Here’s our guide to experiencing the best that this coastal community offers during summer.
White Elephant
The original White Elephant celebrates its centennial with a makeover by the same architects as its Palm Beach property. Among upgrades, its exterior areas from the enlarged front porch to private balconies feature Arhaus outdoor furniture with custom blue cushions; purchase these collections as well as limited-edition, embroidered throw blankets. More perks are Darýa Spa and Brant Point Grill’s lobster bloody Marys.
whiteelephantnantucket.com
The Nantucket Hotel + Resort
Follow the antique fire truck to The Nantucket Hotel + Resort, a local institution that always refreshes amenities for season. Its new al fresco Sailor’s Valentine serves small plates like oysters and blue crab hush puppies (pair them with the summery Sailor’s Spritz). The property also hosts an action-packed evening with “The Hotel Nantucket” author Elin Hilderbrand on August 3.
thenantuckethotel.com
The Pearl
The new owners of The Pearl and The Boarding House, the same hospitality group behind Massachusetts hot spots like Faraway Nantucket boutique hotel, commissioned Brooklyn-based Home Studios to reinvent the beloved institutions as well as a new concept called Below the Rose. Dine on delectable French/Asian-leaning cuisine (lobster Rangoon, lemongrass beef with papaya salad) while taking in the gorgeous interiors.
pearlnantucket.com
Home & Garden
Support the Nantucket Historical Society by participating in Nantucket by Design (August 2-5); the agenda features master classes, panels and parties with design luminaries like siblings Ashley and India Hicks and a preview for the Nantucket Antiques Show (August 4-7). Themed “Summer on Orange,” the Nantucket Garden Club’s 2023 Annual House and Garden Tour also includes a boutique and complimentary tea (August 2).
nha.org | thenantucketshow.com | nantucketgardenclub.org
Shops by the Shore
Massachusetts-born Alice Walk chose Nantucket for its inaugural store with perfect summer dresses to sweaters when the sun sets. Charleston, S.C.’s Beau & Ro offers its label and others (Agua Bendita swimwear, Shashi jewelry, MerSea travel wraps) through mid-October. Saks Fifth Avenue’s style suite comes to Faraway through August 6, while Top Banana’s tennis attire pops up at The Westmoor Club August 8-9.
alicewalk.com | beauandro.com | farawayhotels.com | hellotopbanana.com
Family Fun
Kids of all ages will appreciate the 48th annual Sandcastle & Sculpture Contest at Jetties Beach (July 29; rain date July 30). Catch hayrides and pick produce at Bartlett’s Farm, and sample 50 culinary teams’ entries during BBQ, Bocce & Bluegrass with kids’ activities at The Almanack Arts Colony’s fundraiser (August 13). The First Annual Nantucket Car Show benefits Nantucket Boys & Girls Club (August 6).
nisda.org | bartlettsfarm.com | almanackartscolony.org | nantucketboysandgirlsclub.org
Live Music
The Nantucket Musical Arts Society’s upcoming performances include Boston’s Balourdet Quartet and pianist/composer Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner. Michael Cavanaugh channels Elton John during “Boston Pops on Nantucket,” a fundraiser for Nantucket Cottage Hospital at Jetties Beach (August 12). The 2023 Tim Russert Summer Groove benefits Nantucket Boys & Girls Club (August 19). Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue play back-to-back shows at The Chicken Box (August 29-30).
nantucketmusicalartssociety.org | nantuckethospital.org | thechickenbox.com | one.bidpal.net
Nature & Wellness
Traverse the island’s many natural habitats by bike or foot via the 24-mile Coast to Coast Trail, a collaboration by Mass Audubon, The Land Bank and Nantucket Conservation Foundation, which regularly schedule nature and fitness outings of all kinds. Sustainable Nantucket’s Farmers & Artisans Market takes place downtown on Saturdays through early October. Book Forme Barre Fitness’s Barre Bus, exclusive to its Nantucket studio.
nantucketlandbank.org | sustainable-nantucket.org | formebarre.com
