| Question of the Month |
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What's your favorite Nantucket restaurant?
Next month we'll discuss the island dining scene. So where do you like to eat? We'll post the answers (and maybe some surprises) here.
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| Links, links and more links |
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| March Madness |
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LIVE CBS Sports coverage of the Championship games LIVE on your computer! Check out the BOSS button! (registration required) |
| Opening Day |
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(our 21th season!)
Nantucket Island |
| Nantucket Daffodil Festival |
April 27 - 29, 2007
Three million Daffodils
Antique Car Show & Parade
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| Nantucket Wine Festival |
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May 16 - 20, 2007
Grand Tastings and more!
Nantucket Island
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| Nantucket Film Festival |
Celebrating Film
Nantucket Island
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| Our Daffodil Weekend
photo album |
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 Here they come!
Parade cam
Arriving in 'Sconset
Cars, picnics and friends...
Daffy dogs!
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| DID YOU KNOW? |
| Nantucket is commonly referred to as ACK -- which is our airport abbreviation code -- llike LAX, BOS or PHL.
But what most people don't know, is that ACK comes from the original name for Nantucket Memorial Airport - ACKerly Field!
So now you know... |
FRESH AND HOT
RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR
Get your 2007
Official Guide here!
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Remember when travel was fun?
It used to be said that getting there was half the fun. Men wore hats and ladies, gloves and pearls. Children were seen and not heard. Stewardesses (not flight attendants) smiled and served actual food. I remember the first big flight of my life...what became an annual trek to see Grandma in FLA. Mom decked me out in my best hunter green leisure suit and put me on the cheapest red-eye to Fort something or another (ah, the good old days - are there even red eyes to Florida anymore?)
Today its sweat pants and strip searches and food for purchase. YES, destinations are fun - most travel is decidedly NOT. Thankfully Nantucket may just be the exception that proves the rule -- getting here can be half the fun! It does, however, take a little information, some pre-planning and occasionally some patience. After all, you can't just wake up Friday morning and say "hey lets drive over to Nantucket today!" So in the sections below, we'll give you an insider's guide to all your options along with some pros and cons of each. (once again, all absolutely FREE!) And once you're here, we'll give you the best information on how to get around the island -- including the ease of using the completely free Nantucket Inn shuttle service.
Before closing, thank you for the positive response to the February e-newsletter. Please keep the feedback coming. And as always, if this is just some thing that is clogging up your inbox, you may unsubscribe at anytime using the link at the bottom of the page. We also encourage you to forward this to friends and relatives that may have Nantucket in their travel plans. And for reasons that are too complicated to explain, please only forward using the link at the bottom of the page (no, they are not automatically added to our email list)
...and most importantly, continue to enjoy!
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Service to Nantucket!
For those of you that were intrigued by last month's tease about some exciting news...here it is! jetBlue will begin daily seasonal service to Nantucket on May 24.
(Yes! that "champagne popping" announcement came on the very the same day passengers were stranded on jetBlue planes for 10 hours or more, but we're fairly confident that the July forecast for Nantucket is snow-free!)
So now you're asking, "Well unless I am coming from NYC, why do I care?" and here's an answer in two parts. For those coming from other parts of the country, JFK becomes an attractive alternate to Boston as a connection. But in our opinion and more importantly jetBlue has announced a partnership with our own Cape Air. That allows one-stop shopping for connections via Boston to Nantucket. And if you haven't been to Boston's Logan airport lately, Cape Air's gate is conveniently located in the same terminal as jetBlue so that there's no need for additional passenger screening (how easy is that!)
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Yes, most travel decisions are based on price. But we think it's important to consider not only the dollars you actually shell out but also cost to your precious vacation time. Sure if we had unlimited dollars we would always fly a private charter. But we recognize that the vast majority of our clientele aren't the junior Senator from Massachusetts (yes, Mr. Kerry stayed with us, once!) and are looking for the best value for their money. Airlines are generally the most expensive per-minute-in-transit option but if you have limited time, they may make good vacation sense.
The big cities
Nantucket is well served by the area's larger airports. Continental flies from Newark, US Airways from both Boston and LaGuardia. jetBlue from JFK. And Cape Air from Boston and Providence. All flights are generally under one hour.
PROS: Fast and easy, especially from distance origins; mostly larger aircraft (except Cape Air).
CONS: Airport hassles (including passenger screening); limited schedules; Nantucket's predilection for fog; expensive.
INSIDER TIP! While we love the convenience of direct flight connections via Boston. The Plymouth and Brockton bus line has excellent, comfortable, clean and direct service from Boston's Logan airport to the Hyannis Transportation Center (a short cab ride to the Barnstable (Hyannis) airport or ferry terminal).
The smaller towns
Cape Air also serves Nantucket via New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard (Provincetown through Boston only) but little sister Nantucket Airlines steals the show locally with its hourly service from Hyannis. If you ever saw the NBC TV show "Wings" you already know all about Nantucket Air - but for those that haven't. This airline is truly a commuter shuttle. The 10 seat planes (one pilot and 9 passengers (and/or dogs and Chinese food) and yes, someone will sit in the co-pilot seat) wing across Nantucket sound in about 15 minutes. And while there is a set schedule, the airline adds "sections" (other planes) as needed to satisfy the demand. This often means that if a plane fills early the flight will leave early or if there are multiple sections your 8 o'clock flight may not leave until 8:15. But such is the nature of a shuttle.
Island Air offers almost identical service and schedule. While start-up Nantucket Shuttle also offers similar service and low fare specials!
PROS: Fast; convenient bookings and schedules; no passenger screening required; great aerial sightseeing; flies in most summer weather except fog.
CONS: Flies in most summer weather (occasional turbulence); fog; you must reveal your body weight (flight load factor); small aircraft.
INSIDER TIP! Because of the flexibility of the schedules, there is generally no penalty for cancellations - just use your ticket within one year! But don't expect compensation for a cancelled flight. Flights are only cancelled for weather, so either wait like everyone else or use your ticket within a year! |
Steamship Authority launches
New High Speed Ferry Service
Ah, talk about the old days of travel. Imagine booking a stateroom (and your leisure suit) for your family as you traveled in style on a real steamship to Nantucket. Sure the trip took six hours from Wood's Hole but in our opinion well worth it.
Today the Woods Hole, Marth'a Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority - better known as the Steamship - is proud to be launching the new Iyannough high speed ferry. The brand new catamaran style ship will make the crossing from Hyannis with about 350 passengers in just about 50 minutes. The beautiful Iyannough replaces the ever unreliable Flying Cloud (or Dying Cloud as it was well-known) on the Hyannis to Nantucket route beginning on March 28, 2007.
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Getting Here - Boats
(Almost all) Nantucket ferry service originates from Hyannis (and no matter what your guidebook or map says, there is no service from Wood's Hole). And there are two operators -- The Steamship Authority and Hy-line Cruises. Both lines offer slow or traditional service and fast or high speed service. Unless you are taking the bus, (or some other car-less means) you will likely be leaving your car in Hyannis (please don't bring it to Nantucket!). The ferry lines both offer pay parking or you may chose to park at any number of private parking lots that surround the docks. Both ferry docks are within walking distance of each other at the end of route 132 in Hyannis (look for signs) exit 6, off route 6.
Slow Boats
As mentioned above, the grand-daddy of all service is the Steamship's slow boat. These large and lumbering vessels aren't necessarily pretty, but they get the job done. Holding as many as 1400 passengers and up to 50 cars or freight. They make the crossing from the South Street docks in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. This is the only vehicle ferry and reservations can be difficult and expensive. The Steamship makes 6 crossings per day in season.
The Hy-line also offers traditional service but it is a smaller passenger only ship. The Hy-line departs from the Ocean Street docks and makes as many as three crossings per day. The Hy-line also offers limited, seasonal service between Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. While the schedule lends itself to island hops, it doesn't afford great day-tripping options.
PROS: Least expensive passenger travel option; least subject to weather related cancellations; not subject to passenger screening; outdoor decks and seating; snack bar with adult beverages; satellite TV and WiFi service.
CONS: Limited creature comforts; often crowded and noisy; limited luggage storage; considerable rolling in rough seas.
INSIDER TIP! Because of the size of these ships and their schedules, passenger reservations are not accepted. However, boarding is first-come first served and there may be occasions, particularly in bad weather or on holiday weekends, where ticket holders are turned away.
Fast Boats
Both the Hy-line and the Steamship now offer similar high speed service. These sleek modern boats offer comfortable airline style seating along with small lounge areas. And the catamaran design limits the effect of wave action on passengers. Both vessels offer expanded food and beverage choices along with satellite TV and WiFi access. Crossings take about 50 minutes.
PROS: (In our opinion) The best value for travelers; often limited availability of reservations (although the new Iyannough may change this).
CONS: More weather-related cancellations than slow boats.
INSIDER TIP! The high speed ferries are a great way to actually make "getting there half the fun" -- relax and unwind before arriving!
Freedom Cruise Line offers a wonderful alternative to the congestion of downtown Hyannis which is summer only departures from beautiful Harwichport. The trip to Harwichport is a little further from the bridges, but if you are already on the lower cape it's a great option to explore. Also makes a nice day trip - either way! |
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Nantucket Inn Shuttle Services
You'll hear and read a lot of advice that goes something like - unless absolutely necessary, please don't bring your car to Nantucket! Don't get us wrong, its good advise! But how exactly are you supposed to get around without your car? Well, the Nantucket Inn is the only Nantucket hotel to offer free shuttle service to both, the historic downtown and Surfside Beach as well as free transfers between the ferry docks and the airport. All vans are equipped with bike racks.
Taking the lead from our friends at Nantucket Air -  we operate our service as a true shuttle. If a van is full we may leave a few minutes early but a second vehicle is always dispatched to complete the run and no one is ever left behind. (unless you're late - and honestly who's fault is that?) Town service, to the Visitor Services Center on Federal Street, begins as early as 8AM in the summer season and runs every hour until as late as Midnight. From our drop off point you are within a two block radius of 90% of all dining and shopping as well the Whaling Museum and many other attractions. In the summer season we add more service in the evenings - so as you finish dinner, you are no more than 29 minutes from the next shuttle back home again!
Weather permitting, Surfside Beach service begins at 10:30AM and runs every hour until 5:30 PM. From Surfside it's an easy walk east to Nobadeer or a moderate hike west to Miacomet. Regular town service puts you within easy reach of Children's Beach or the Jetties Beach. (links thanks to our friends at nantucket.net)
Our white vans meet every regularly scheduled Steamship Authority vessel. The vans park in the generally chaotic arrival area parking lot. Drivers can only wait until everyone has departed the ship. (so no dilly-dallying, ok?) Unfortunately, the even more chaotic Hy-line dock is inaccessible by vehicle. So we invite you to connect with the next town shuttle departure at the Visitor Services Center on Federal Street (about 3 blocks) or, on your dime, flag a taxi at the end of the wharf in the Grand Union parking lot. The normal fare is under $10.
A phone call is all it takes for an airport transfer. Give us a call from luggage claim and our van will meet you outside the terminal.
Need more information? Check out our website for location and getting around. |
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Getting Around the Island
Yes, this is the third time we are going to mention it. Unless you are staying longer than a week or are renting a house in either Madaket or 'Sconset, please don't bring your car to Nantucket! This 14-mile long island has no four lane roads, no street lights and no public parking lots. And with a summer population often approaching 60,000 - there's just no more room! (of course a few less Hummers and Expeditions wouldn't hurt either but that's another story...)
In addition to the wonderful and free Nantucket Inn shuttle services, Nantucket has one of the best and continually improving bike paths we've ever seen - bring your own or rent them here. With the exception of the core downtown area, you can now safely traverse the entire island by bicycle or on foot. The Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (NRTA) also offers extensive summer only public bus service across the island - at surprisingly reasonable rates. NRTA buses are also equipped with bike racks (which makes that bike ride to 'Sconset and cocktails at the Summer House pool, much easier to manage!) And of course there is readily available and courteous taxi service.
For island-wide exploring, we highly recommend a one-hour guided tours that include all the major sites including a stop in 'Sconset. But if you really want to see the island for a day or maybe get out fishing at Great Point then consider a day-long car rental (instead of dragging along the "family truckster"). All the major car rental agencies are represented on the island along with a few independents.
And if everything else we've said here doesn't convince you - gas prices are currently hovering around $2.94 a gallon from a high of $3.90 ish last summer. So take our word for it...as much as you may not think so, you can get around the island without your car!
For more information visit Wheels, Heels and Pedals - the Nantucket Way to Get There! |
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