A Family Trip to Nantucket

Stacie Flinner x Nantucket White Elephant Hotel-96.jpg

It’s a banner year for hydrangeas in New England, and there’s no better place to take in these glorious blooms than Nantucket! Last month we were thrilled to return to this magical island for a trip with my parents, and enjoyed the best weather and most stunning flowers of any trip in recent memory. While we’ve visited Nantucket many times, this trip with my parents was so special, especially since they first brought me to the island for the first time almost 30 years ago! This is one of the longest blog posts I’ve ever put together because everything was just so beautiful I couldn’t stop taking photos!

STAY.

This was our first time staying at The White Elephant, a luxurious waterfront property right on the edge of town. From traditional hotel rooms in the main inn to freestanding cottages nested amongst rows and rows of hydrangeas, there’s a room category for every type of traveler. We had a two bedroom residence that included a living room, breakfast nook, kitchenette and laundry which was perfect for having enough space to hang out together, and also separate areas (and entrances!) if someone needed a quiet space to get some work done or nap. One of my favorite aspects of The White Elephant is it’s waterfront location and beautiful gardens and lawn. Very few Nantucket hotels have much outdoor space where you can just hang out outside, and we were thrilled to spend time in the sunshine enjoying the row of loungers overlooking their marina. If you’re traveling with kids, the hotel is right next to Children’s Beach which is a nice sandy spot with gentle water in the harbor. There’s also a pool on the property perfect for little ones (or adults) who want to swim, since the surf can be a bit rough and tumble on Nantucket beaches.

EAT.

Brant Point Grill – We like to go here for a leisurely breakfast even if we aren’t staying at the White Elephant as their Lobster Bloody Mary is a wonder to behold and a meal in-and-of itself. It’s so relaxing to dine on the sweeping patio overlooking their private marina and Children’s Beach.
Toppers – One of our favorite places on the island, this fine dining restaurant at The Wauwinet Hotel is a sister property to the White Elephant and a member of Relais & Châteaux. There’s an option to take the Wauwinet Lady, a small boat, that picks you up at the White Elephant Marina and takes a leisurely cruise through the harbor before dropping you at Toppers for dinner. (So fun, but note it’s for a 21+ crowd, David traveled separately with our baby boy!) Be sure to grab a drink on the lawn at the Wauwinet before or after your dinner. The sunsets here are some of the best on the island!
Straight Wharf Fish – The island’s newest restaurant, it opened the week before we visited! This small waterfront “clam shack” is a delicious, no reservations required spot. I ordered my lobster roll hot (with butter and shallots) and it was incredible, as was the greek white wine (so fresh) and blue fish dip as a starter.
Something Natural – A casual sandwich shop half a mile outside of town, the sandwiches are huge (I always get a half sandwich – as pictured below) and they have the loveliest lawn scattered with tables for picnicking. I love a BLAT (BLT + avocado) which just tastes like summer to me!
Mille’s – Perhaps our favorite casual dining spot on the island, they create Mexican-inspired dishes like quesadillas and tacos with incredibly fresh seafood, and don’t even get me started on the queso. SO GOOD!
Black Eyed Susans – This has been a favorite for years (decades?!) and while it closed for a year or two we were thrilled to discover it has reopened under new management and is now run by the folks behind Proprietors (another favorite). The breakfast here is so so good, as is dinner – which is still, rather charmingly, BYOB.

DO.

Brant Point Lighthouse – Nantucket’s iconic lighthouse that you see from the ferry is only a short walk from town and a beautiful spot to take photos, enjoy a morning coffee, look for shells or even go fishing!
Shopping/Antiquing in town – Nantucket shopping is just so good. Whether you’re looking for women’s clothes to antiques to books and more I highly recommend taking a couple hours to peruse the shops. Some of my favorites I go back to again and again are J.McLaughlin, Alice Walk, Nantucket Antiques Depot, Peachtree Kids, Murray’s Toggery (Home to Nantucket Reds!), and BonTon for tiny treasures.
Sconset Bluff Walk – A beautiful, mile-long dirt path along the ‘Sconset bluff, with panoramic views of the ocean to one side, and the yards of some of Nantucket’s most impressive estates to the other. You head out and back along the same path so if you do the full walk its about 2 miles total. The ground is a bit uneven, and there isn’t much shade so just come prepared! We often take the Wave Bus out to ‘Sconset, but rented a car this time from Affordable Rentals since we were traveling with a baby and my parents!
Beach days – There are so many wonderful beaches to explore on Nantucket, we love Steps Beach close to town, Children’s Beach next to the White Elephant for calm water, Sunsets at Madaket, and low key beach days in ‘Sconset.
Harbour Cruise – Getting out on the water is a favorite Nantucket past time, and it was so fun to cruise aboard the Wauwinet Lady on our way to dinner at Toppers!
Sunset at Madaket Beach – Worth it’s own bullet point because the sunsets really are special here. If you do dinner at Millie’s I like to time things so we can head to the beach after dessert.
Bike rides – The White Elephant has tons of bikes at the ready for riding around town or across the island. Steps Beach is an easy ride from town, and you can stop at Something Natural on the way to pick up lunch (or enjoy at their picnic tables!) We’ve also done a bike ride out to ‘Sconset on past trips, and it’s a definite workout if you’re looking to sweat a bit!
Hydrangeas on Old Wharf – Some of the most impressive hydrangea displays are along Old Wharf, as clouds of pink, purple and blue blooms rim some of the island’s sweetest cottages.