Summer may have officially ended but that didn’t stop me and my friends from a enjoying a New England summer activity: we spent the weekend in Nantucket! I’ve been very lucky to spend some fantastic weekends in picturesque New England – from livin’ it up at Martha’s Vineyard to the Lobster Festival in Maine – and this weekend felt like a fun-filled mini-vacation.
We arrived in Nantucket on Friday night (we barely made the ferry out of Hyannis!). We had a great time just relaxing, doing some sight-seeing, and partaking in some alcohol tastings at Cisco Brewers, Triple Eight Distillery and Nantucket Vineyards. We also visited a farmers market, and discovered Nantucket’s best fudge.
We rented an amazing house for the weekend – spacious, clean, central air and a full service kitchen that we utilized because we stayed in on Saturday night for a home-cooked family-style dinner. We all loved the house.
the vacation rental was called “Back for More”
that’s me reading a magazine while eating… my thumb?
We had beautiful weather the whole weekend – perfect for walking around the island.
we went to the beach then visited the Sankaty Head lighthouse
we checked out the farmers market near the town center
and admired produce and the colors of fall
For lunch on Saturday, we couldn’t decide where to go because there seemed to be so many good restaurants in Nantucket! We ended up in Dune which serves contemporary American cuisine.
we shared some fried oysters for the table
I got the special of the day – seared tuna with goat cheese over arugula
and Val let me have a bite of her corn soup with a crab-filled hush puppy
The food was very good, but we all saved room for dessert! We wandered over to this cute store a few doors down:
yup, the bakery was called Bakery
they had a lot of sweet fresh-baked treats…
but I settled for a couple of macaroons
I don’t know why Em and I looked so serious after our Bakery trip…
Then we headed to Cisco Brewery, Nantucket microbrewers of Whale’s Tale Pale Ale, Moor Porter, Cap’n Swain’s Extra Stout, and Bailey’s Ale. It was actually a compound with three main areas: Cisco Brewers for the beer, Triple Eight Distillery for the hard liquor, and Nantucket Vineyard for the wines.
of course the girls made a beeline for the wine tasting
our friendly bartender Nicole
I’m not a big beer drinker but I have to admit that their Gray Lady beer was really light and refreshing
I really really like flavored vodka. Ever had blueberry vodka with club soda and actual blueberries? Sooo good.
we were all extremely happy after all the wine and beer and vodka
On Sunday, we hung around the Main Street and window-shopped. Everything is expensive there!
only in Nantucket: a Lilly Pulitzer Jeep (I want it.)
and we found Aunt Leah’s Fudge Shoppe
the chocolate coconut was the best!
can you tell how much I liked it?
We talked to Aunt Leah herself (in blue in the pic above) and she told us stories about her celebrity customers (Katie Couric is one), how the fudge has been featured in Martha Steward Weddings, and other entertaining anecdotes. For example, after Aunt Leah’s fudge was featured in the New York Times wedding section because the bride and groom met there when they were in high school, some local moms actually brought in their daughters and asked Aunt Leah “exactly where in this store did the bride and groom meet?” – because they thought it would bring good relationship karma!
My friends and I had a such a great time this weekend and we’re already looking forward to coming back next summer. Have you been to Nantucket? What’s your favorite summer vacation place?
Cute bakery! I love macarons. It looks like you had such a fun weekend. I go to the Cape every year but I still haven’t made it to Nantucket. I clearly need to go after seeing all this great food!
I love spending time on the islands. I was just down in MV this past week but for work. I’ve done the beer and vodka tastings at Cisco Brewery and the people there are the friendliest! Looks you had a great weekend and I hope we can meet up at the BLFF this weekend!
i miss new england so much!! i love all your pics :) they make me miss home though. NICE jeep. that thing belongs in the south.
How cute is Nantucket. Was the red vodka cranberry infused? I’ve been doing that for a number of years and it is AMAZING. I’m just waiting for the cranberries to hit the store shelves. Blueberry is a great idea, too!
Looks like a fun weekend. The house you stayed in is adorable. I’ve never had fried oysters before. Anything is good fried so I bet they were amazing!
Your trip looks amazing – makes me want to plan a trip there myself! I honestly love going anywhere in the summer! Don’t have a particular summer vacation spot, as I try to vary my trip locations each time. One place I’ve gone to a couple of times and loved was Sonoma/Napa – perfect place to go to eat and drink during the summer!
Looked like you guys enjoyed yourselves a lot! ‘loved that BAKERY. ..never been to Nantucket but looks very pretty and quaint.
You guys had such a great time! I am loving the looks of val’s corn soup and hush puppy. My girlfriends and I used to take the ferry over for day trips from hyannis all the time in high school! I stayed at a rental house on the 4th of july years ago. I concur, the shops are SO expensive. Gosh, I need to get back there!! I also enjoy the 8 ball vodka and cisco beers.
great photos of Nantucket!
I love ACK! Looks soooo fun!
this is so awesome! when I lived in new england we used to go to cape cod all the time and this made me think of that, I miss it so much! i cannot wait to go back, hopefully soon.
OMG…that fudge looks awesome. I had pumpkin fudge at the Outer Banks and I’ve been craving it ever since!
OMG this looks like such a fun weekend! My husband and I have been talking about doing this very trip. You have inspired me to make it happen. What’s the yoga scene like out there? Any idea?
I’ve never been to the northeast and would love to visit an area like this. Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard always sound so beautiful, homey, and fun.
Looks like so much fun!
i have always wanted to go to Nantucket…this just fed that craving even more! absolutely gorgeous!
Just found your site! Love it :) I’ve never been to Nantucket, but I’ve spent many a summer in Newport, RI, so I know how lovely New England is at the end of the summer! So jealous of all your good eats and good times :)
Awww, that jeep is too cute!!
Very nice pictures!
hahaha, i see that i already commented on this – so true. that thing needs to be here! i kinda want it? ew. i hate myself for saying that.