How to Travel Like a Local in Nantucket

Photo credit: yahoo images

Situated just thirty miles to the south of Cape Code, the Atlantic island of Nantucket is also the southernmost section of Massachusetts.  Renowned for its historic past as a New England whaling capital, the island has retained its maritime appeal and is visited by throngs of vacationers each year.  Yet unlike many vacation destinations where being a tourist is part of the holiday package, Nantucket beckons visitors to experience island life like a local in order to discover what really makes life on this island extraordinary.

Procuring a Rental

When planning your Nantucket vacation, try getting a Nantucket summer rental for an authentic island experience.  Travelers can choose ocean cottages with pristine ocean views or even antique-filled guest houses that boast period décor.  Choosing an accommodation package is part of the fun.  There are plain rentals with merely the basics as well as luxury villas with pool access and other sumptuous amenities.  To find out more about inns and various Nantucket rental options, visit Nantucket.net to find out more about the vacation rental of your dreams.

Shopping

To experience life like a Nantucket local, visitors will want to visit the local market place to purchase fresh seafood to cook at their villa!  The local grocery stores will supply all the ingredients you need and there are also gourmet shops with specialty items to complement your delectable seaside meals!  To prepare recipes with Nantucket flair, bring this cookbook along—The Nantucket Restaurants Cookbook: Menus and Recipes from Faraway Isle.  You’ll fit right into the Nantucket shopping scene as you browse for food items that will delight your family or significant other!

Dining Out

On the other hand, you can eat out like the locals do at their favorite Nantucket eateries and experience the most revered island cuisine.  Although the island boasts fine dining experiences, most locals prefer the casual restaurants perched beside the sea.  You’ll enjoy hearty island fare prepared with fresh ingredients in an atmosphere as nearly as timeless as the sea itself!  What should you eat?  Although that’s a matter of taste, one can’t help but suggest the island’s pan-roasted Maine lobster, lobster tacos, seared Atlantic salmon, littleneck clams, and tasty crab cakes!  While seafood reigns supreme, there are also plenty of great cheeseburgers, pizza, and other great American staples to be enjoyed on the island!

Recreation

Both tourists and locals alike appear to favor the same pastimes.  Travelers must experience a boating excursion off the island as well as various watersports or fishing trips.  Biking and hiking the trails around the island is also a great way to experience the scenic charms of Nantucket.  Be sure to attend the island’s various festivals and events to see why island life is so special.  Nantucket’s wine festival along with its film festival are both highly popular events that draw both tourists and locals.  Of course, if you're like most locals, you'll simply be dazzled by a long walk by the sea.

Nantucket is best experienced when one is immersed in the everyday life of the island.  Then visitors find that there are truly few places as special as this unforgettable Atlantic isle.  

Adam Jenson is a Nantucket resident. He loves to share his best tips about the area on travel blogs.

Cape Cod Tourism Ideas and Tips

Cape Cod is known for its beautiful beaches and harbors, rich history and culture, and plenty of outdoor activity possibilities. The area attracts hikers, artists, golfers and tourists from around the world. Here are a few Cape Cod tourism ideas to help you make the most out of your visit.

The Beaches

The Cape Cod National Seashore boasts miles of sand beaches preserved in their natural beauty. Their high sand dunes and picturesque sunsets make the trips to the sea unforgettable. The bathing water is monitored by regular testing, and is known for its high quality. Cape Cod has a total of more than 550 miles of beautiful coastline for visitors to enjoy.

Pristine Nature

Several conservation organizations in Cape Cod make efforts to preserve the local nature and its resources, maintaining the environment in its pristine condition. A lot of emphasis is placed on recycling and other waste-reducing activities.

Outdoor Activities

From fishing trips to schooner cruises, sailing is one of the most popular activities in Cape Cod. Whale-watching is another exciting adventure, which hundreds of tourists undertake every day during the summer months. Miles of dedicated hiking and biking trails with breathtaking sceneries along the routes are available to those who prefer a more active vacation.  

History and Architecture

Besides its natural beauty, Cape Cod has a lot of other attractions for tourists to enjoy. Its lighthouses are great architectural landmarks, exciting to watch from both the land and the sea. Many of the buildings along the scenic Route 6A are former sea captain homes. When traveling the route, one can also visit Sandwich, a small historic town with a lot of character.

Culture and Art

The galleries of Cape Cod attract many art lovers to the area. They display the works of local and national artists, Saturdays in July and August being popular exhibit opening nights. Provincetown is one of the county’s oldest art colonies, with the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket having a rich art scene as well. A popular Cape Cod tourism feature, Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, are 100 acres of galleries, antique exhibits, concerts, and various other cultural activities.

(Photo credit: yahoo image)