in alphabetical order
ALTAR ROCK 100+ feet above see level
Altar Rock is one of the most dominant features in the Middle Moors. At 100 feet above sea level, it is the fourth highest elevation on the island (the highest is at 111 feet above sea level, located just south of Sankaty Head Light). On a clear day, this hilltop affords wonderful views of Polpis Harbor, Pocomo Head, Coatue, Great Point Light, Sankaty Head Light, ‘Sconset Village, and the surrounding heathlands. The building with the needle-like rooftop immediately to the west of Altar Rock is a navigational aid used by planes making their final approach to Nantucket Memorial Airport, located approximately 2 miles to the southeast.
There are 360 degree views here of Nantucket, so once at the top of Altar Rock, you will be able to see the network of dirt paths, bike trails, and roads that criss-cross these middle moors.
BAR YOSHI ~ O'BAR
Located on the Nantucket waterfront at the historic Old South Wharf, bar Yoshi and O'Bar offers innovative Japanese and Asian-inspired cuisine including sushi, noodles and dumplings, as well as raw bar offerings, poke, ceviche and larger plates. The beverage program features a curated beer, sake and wine list, in addition to creative cocktails....and the espresso martinis are a must!!!!!!!!!
CISCO BREWERS
EST. NANTUCKET
"A handful of years ago, a writer visited Nantucket and called Cisco “the happiest place on earth”. And we couldn’t have agreed more.
The brewery was founded 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, on the island of Nantucket -- making it hard to get to, but even harder to leave. A place where time slows and conversation flows. Where tourists become locals, and smiles are served by the pint.
Since 1995, we’ve bottled up that “happiest place on earth” energy into every beer we’ve served and instilled it at every brewpub we’ve opened, across New England.
Because at Cisco, good vibes are always in season. And our beer is pretty awesome, too."
We have been coming to Cisco for over 20 years and every year it gets a little better. It is a great place to come hang out with friends, grab a drink, enjoy their delicious food options from local vendors and food trucks and listen to some cool music.
GREAT POINT
Great Point is a large, undeveloped barrier beach protruding from the tip of Nantucket, home to the iconic Great Point Lighthouse. It is approximately 7 miles long and is the only way to access Coatue. You will need a beach sticker from the Trustees of Reservation or a Jeep rental that has a beach sticker to access. It is the most amazing place on earth!
JUICE BAR
The best homemade ice cream and waffle cones on island......enough said! Get in line and get yourself one. My favorite is the dirty grasshopper with chocolate sprinkles!
JUST BREATHE
This one should really be at the top of the list if I do say so myself, but to keep it fair, I put these in alphabetical order. Staying at Just Breathe is so relaxing and takes you to a place that you can leave the stress of the real world at home. Step into this 4 bedroom, 5 bath home, with open concept kitchen, dining and family room with 3 upper decks gorgeous private yard with new pool and patio with fire pit, outdoor shower and a short walk to a beautiful beach is all you need to just breathe!
Come be my guests this summer and let me help you plan an escape to the island that you will never forget!
Message or email me for availability: justbreathenantucket@gmail.com
MILLIE'S
Drive, bike, or take the NRTA shuttle out to Madaket and share the experience of Millie's. The views, the sunset, the food, and the cocktails... It's sure to become your favorite memory of Nantucket.
Highly recommend the Altar Rock appetizer and a Blueberry Lemonade cocktail! My favs!
SCONSET BLUFF WALK
This almost seems wrong walking on this beautiful path on the top of this amazing bluff in front of all these spectacular properties on Baxter Road...but it is public and you are welcome to enjoy this path but please be respectful. Here is some information from the Sconset Civic Association to give you some background.
SIASCONSET’S HISTORIC BLUFF WALK Open 7:30am until sunset
Siasconset derives its name from an Indian word meaning “near the great whale bone.” The village was first settled in the late 17th century as a whaling outpost to spot the giant sea mammals offshore.There was a footpath, running along the bluff top from ‘Sconset to Quidnet, which had been used by Indians and later villagers, farmers and fishermen. Sheep grazed in the grass and fisherman would haul up their dories in the gullies around the village to unload their catch. In 1849, the path was cut in half when the United States government built the Sankaty Head Lighthouse.In 1873, William Flagg, a summer resident of Nantucket, obtained title to a large section of land north of the village known as Plainfield. Flagg sold some of his lots in 1892, it was recorded that the easterly line of these lots was separated from the edge of the bluff by “a footpath along the top of the bank.” In August of that year, Flagg petitioned the Proprietors to accept a tract of land “for residents and visitors to Nantucket to be used as a footpath or foot promenade and for no other purpose or purposes whatsoever.” The footpath no longer ends at Sankaty Head Lighthouse due to erosion of the bluff but still provides outstanding views of the Atlantic. As historian Edouard A. Stackpole commented, the path is “situated as it is at the top of the bluff, always commanding intriguing glimpses of the sea and the heathland on either side, curves and dips as it follows the conformation of the bluff, and provides an entirely unique opportunity for a stroll.”The steep angle of the bluffs and its sandy glacial material are prone to erosion from water and storms. Sea-level rise and the deadly force of storm waves have had dramatic effects on the bluff and adjoining properties.
Following some simple rules will go a long way to protecting this fragile path and limit the impact of humans:
Keep your voices low.
Turn off or mute your cellphone.
No running or wheeled vehicles allowed (including bikes & strollers).
Dogs must be on a leash. Please pick up any of their leavings.
Stay on the path and leave only at designated exit markers.
Watch out for poison ivy and ticks.
The path is uneven and narrow in places.
Proceed at your own risk"
I will add that there is a public staircase near the beginning of the walk that you walk down and go the beach but this is the only public one, all others are residents private staircases.
Enjoy it is really beautiful.
MARIA MITCHELL OBSERVATORY
Built in 1968 and 2006, the two domes of the Loines Observatory house a beautifully refurbished antique 8-inch Alvan Clark telescope and a 24-inch research telescope. Loines serves as both an active research observatory and venue for public astronomical programs.
They open for the season in April and offer star gazing nights, check their schedule and sign up this is a really cool experience. They have professional astronomers that provide an impressive tour of the Nantucket's night sky.
Check out the Maria Mitchell website for Star Gazing Calendar!
SURFING AT CISCO BEACH
Last and finally not least....surfing at Cisco Beach whether your a beginner or veteran surfer...this is the place to be. The beach is gorgeous, the sand is soft and the waves are spectacular...and there are typically some yummy food trucks there...BONUS!
ACK SURF SCHOOL is right there waiting for you with surf boards, wetsuits and instructors. Highly recommend reserving in advance, the summer as you can imagine is very busy!
Check them out on Instagram ack_surf_school
p.s. if you mention this blog when booking your summer vacation week at Just Breathe I will throw in a free surf lesson!!!!!!!
There are of course way more than 10 awesome things to do on Nantucket and I will share those with you in your Welcome Packet when you stay at Just Breathe!
Looking forward to hosting you and your guests.
Linda
I MEAN HOW AWESOME IS THIS? SUN SETTING WHILE YOU ARE ENJOYING A COLD GLASS OF ROSE IN THE SPA.
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