The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin

September is the best time of year to visit Nantucket. The weather is consistently sunny and 70 degrees and the ferries have whisked most of the Memorial-Labor Day crowd back to the mainland. So if you missed out on a trip in the last three months there is still time and I’ve got just the spot for you. The harbor and its activities have been and always will be at the heart of this island’s story and there’s one place were you can stay right on the docks and wake up to the reflection of the water dancing on the ceiling above your bed - and that’s at The Cottages at the Nantucket Boat Basin. This waterfront resort is the perfect place to gather with friends, and we had the best weekend with Jackie and Paul in one of their charming 2 bedroom cottages. 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the Nantucket Boat Basin, celebrating five decades of welcoming visitors from around the globe, and a rich history stretching back to the 1720s when Nantucket was the busiest whaling port in the world. It is such a treat to stay on the water right in the center of town, with the darling shops of Old South Wharf at your doorstep. (Nantucket Whaler and Skinny Dip being two of the best!) On past visits I have always loved walking the docks east of Old South Wharf admiring the beautiful boats. The yacht above (named “ShadowL”) has been my favorite for years and you can see it basking in the light of a pretty pink sunset from a 2016 trip here. Each cottage comes with a kitchen, and we had the best intentions of cooking during our trip…but ultimately ended up dining out for every meal. There are just too many incredible restaurants to stay home! Some of our favorites:

• Breakfast at Brant Point Grill - Their legendary Lobster Bloody Mary is a meal in itself with lobster meat all the way down the skewer!
• Mille’s - Enjoy the best Mexican food on the island here before walking down the street for a beach day at Madaket Beach. (Also a great spot for sunset!)
• Dinner at Black Eyes Susans - Most often recommended for their incredible breakfasts, this charming BYOB destination is a favorite of locals and worth visiting for dinner as well. I love eating on their back patio after the sun goes down. Follow dinner with the most perfect Old-Fashioneds at Proprietor’s across the street.
• Dinner and Drinks at The Club Car - A 3 minute walk from our cottage the recently redesigned space is light and bright and their coastal-inspired menu impressed us at every turn.

• Dinner at Topper’s Restaurant at The Wauwinet - Take the boat from town or drive Wauwinet’s back roads to reach this exclusive resort on the east end of the island. Topper’s is a snug spot with beautiful views across Nantucket Harbor, best enjoyed at sunset. Just look at the pink skies! We wandered down to the beach with cocktails in hand before heading into for their gorgeous chef’s tasting menu.

Of course, no stay at the boat basin would be complete without a harbor sail and we had the chance to join friends out on the water in a pair of crewed Hinkley yachts with Barton & Grey Mariner’s Club. Despite the grey horizons we had the best time scooting about the harbor and I even got to take a turn as “captain” of our yacht. Until next time, Nantucket! xx,SF Thank you Nantucket Island Resorts for an amazing weekend and partnering on this post!