Nantucket Nightlife

by Vera Thornton

For the small island that it is, Nantucket offers a variety of nightlife options for all types and ages: the partying locals, the blue blazer and critter pants set, the twenty-something restaurant workers spending boat loads of tip cash, and the all-summer bluebloods.

The hands-down most popular night spot is the unpretentious Chicken Box, 6 Daves Street, just outside of town, where all types and ages are likely to converge and disappear on the dance floor – all lines of distinction vanish at the Box, where there is well-known live music three nights
a week. At 23 South Water Street is The Rose and Crown, with a huge dance floor and all types of themed DJ music, a favorite with the 30-somethings. The Muse at 44 Atlantic Avenue is a well-known hangout, known for its live music, pool tables, and pizza.


Restaurant bars get lively when the kitchens close at 10:00 p.m. with the bars staying open until 1 a.m. Popular choices this year are LoLa 41 at 24 Broad Street, 21 Federal, the Boarding House, 12 Federal Street, and the Straight Wharf at 29 Centre Street. And the insider info is that the party really takes off later in the evening at Slip 14, right on the water at 14 Old South Wharf.

The Club Car, 1 Main Street, is an 1800’s railroad car with a piano squeezed in at one end that is a favorite with the over-50’s crowd. At the White Elephants’s Brant Point Grill, 50 Easton Street, a jazz vocalist and trio keep regulars coming back, as does the popular piano bar at the Summer House, located on Sconset Bluff.

A great feature of Nantucket nightlife is that so many of these spots are within walking distance of the inns, hotels, and each other that nobody has to get in their car after a night on the town. Both the Union Street Inn at 7 Union Street and the Jared Coffin House at 29 Broad Street are within blocks of lively nightlife.

Photo credit:
Photo #1: Courtesy of LoLa 41
Photo #2: Courtesy of 21 Federal
Photo #3: Courtesy of The Club Car

A Summer Day on Nantucket

by Vera Thornton


Looking for a great way to spend the day in Nantucket? I’ve got the “insider” itinerary for you, courtesy of my friend Ken at the Union Street Inn, who sends his guests on this day adventure, which includes food, beer, wine & spirits, and beach time. Sounds pretty perfect.
Bike out to Bartlett’s Farm, the oldest working family farm on Nantucket, and a very social scene as well. There’s a great view of pristine fields with moors and ocean in the background, and the produce is some of the freshest you’ll ever taste - picked daily. Bartlett tomatoes and corn are renowned throughout the area, and the farm market carries all the staples, including colorful fresh flowers. Pick up a few things, buy lunch from the deli (soups, paninis, dessert) and head over to the nearby Cisco Brewery & Nantucket Vineyard for a little liquid refreshment to go with it. This is a small company that makes wine, ales, and the popular 888 Vodka, named after well #888 on Nantucket, which supplies the water for distilling this tasty spirt. Armed with food and drink, find the cobblestone courtyard at the brewery, and you’re ready for lunch.

There are two beach options waiting, when you’re ready to venture forth: Cisco Beach and Lady’s Beach. Cisco’s is at the end of Hummock Road with heavy surf and popular with surfers. Lady’s is at the end of Bartlett Farm Road, a little more off the beaten path and relatively uncrowded.

Enjoy, and thanks to Ken for sharing his Nantucket knowledge with me!

Photo credit:
Photo #1 & 2: Courtesy of Bartlett's Farm

Photo#3: Courtesy of Cisco Brewers

Photo #4: Courtesy of Nantucket Chamber of Commerce

Nantucket Whaling Museum and Historical Tours

by Vera Thornton

When: July 1 – September 1, 2008
Where: The Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street

The Nantucket Historical Association, established in 1894, owns 25 properties on the island, and offers walking tours of several. A great way to pass an afternoon and learn some of the history of this famous whaling town. Properties include the 1686 Jethro Coffin House, the oldest house on Nantucket, and the classically beautiful Hadwen House. Tours are given on the hour and half-hour, with the last tour at 4:30 p.m. A garden tour for the Coffin House is given on Fridays and Saturdays at 3:00 p.m.
Tours of the Old Mill, built in 1746 with wood from shipwrecks, are available daily on the hour and half-hour, weather permitting. Millers are still grinding corn here at the oldest working mill in the country.
For the historically curious but independent, self-guided tours are offered daily at the Old Goal and the Fire Hose Cart House. The Old Goal dates back to 1806, when it was constructed to accommodate the criminal element that arrived during the international seaport days. The 19th century Fire Hose Cart House is the only remaining one of several that were built after most of Nantucket was destroyed by fire in 1846, and contains some of the equipment used in that devastating 19th century conflagration.
The new Whaling Museum, which re-opened in June after a two-year renovation, houses the fearsome skeleton of a 46-foot sperm whale, a complete 1847 candle factory, and the 1849 Fresnel lens from Nantucket's Sankaty Lighthouse.

Tickets: Whaling Museum and Historic Sites - $18 - adults, $15 - seniors, and $9 - children over six.
Historical Sites Only - $6 – adults, $3 – children over six
Whaling Museum Only - $15 – adults, $12 – seniors, $8 – children over six
Walking Tours - $10 – adults, $8 – seniors, $4 – children over 6

For more information visit The Nantucket Historical Association or call (508)-228-1894 ext. 0.

Photo Credit: All photos courtesy of The Nantucket Historical Association.

Nantucket Film Festival

by
Vera Thornton

When: June 18 – 22, 2008
Where: Various locations on Nantucket

An independent film festival on Nantucket in its thirteenth year, this is
a film buff’s dream come true. Four straight days of movies of all
kinds - foreign, documentary, and short films in every genre, including
world and U.S. premiers. Films are selected with an eye for great
storytelling. Screenwriters, filmmakers, actors, film lovers, and
industry veterans gather to promote cultural appreciation for the art
of screenwriting, and celebrate the concept that it is the core of filmmaking. I'm told that

it’s a good mix of islanders and festival people, and the opening night party after the movies feels like a reunion every year. The
list of industry professionals is distinguished, and this year promises lots of celebrity watching along with the film screenings. Filmmaker PeterFarrelly (The Heartbreak Kid,
Shallow Hal, There’s Something about Mary) never misses these festivals. "I've never been to Sundance . . . and never done Cannes," said Farrelly . "But I love coming over to Nantucket. I love it here. I love that audiences can see these films and interact with filmmakers."

The opening night film this year is Transsiberian, co-written by Nantucketer Will Conroy. This action film, a martial arts police drama starring Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer, features “lust, murder, Russian cops, and lots of vodka.” Sign me up for this one!

In addition to the film screenings, there are daily featured programs which include

staged readings, where actors read from works-in-progress; the
late-night storytelling event, in which actors, filmmakers, islanders, and writers alike each tell their stories without benefit of notes, hosted by Anne Meara; the morning coffee hour discussion with prominent festival guests, hosted by film critic Leonard Maltin;
panel discussions; and beach screenings.
The beach screenings sound like crowd pleasers – bring a blanket and your dinner and watch free movies on the
beach!

This year Meg Ryan will attend to accept the first annual
Compass Rose Acting Tribute Award, and screenwriter
Judd Apatow, known for The 40-Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up will receive the NBC Universal Screenwriters
Tribute.

Several different tiers of passes are for sale, including the top-of-the-line Patrons Pass, which entitles one to everything that’s happening: all films, special events, parties, and priority ticket selection. The week pass will get you four films a day and one party, and a day pass buys four films.

The Nantucket film Festival is sponsored in part by NBC, Showtime, Comcast, American Airlines, and San Pelligrino.

For more information visit: http://www.nantucketfilmfestival.org
To purchase tickets on-line: https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/store/2071
If you need assistance placing your order, call OvationTix customer service
toll-free: 1-(866)-811-4111

Photo Credits:
All photos courtesy of The Nantucket Film Festival.

12th Annual Nantucket Wine Festival

by Vera Thornton

When: May 14 – 18, 2008

In just a few weeks, the historic whaling capital of Nantucket will once again become the nation’s wine capital. According to the Quarterly Review of Wines in its Spring 2008 issue "the Festival...has become one of the best wine events in the nation, with some of the finest global wine talent on hand every year....".
Events take place in the heart of downtown Nantucket, with everything in easy walking distance. Here are some of the highlights of the weekend.





Opening Reception
Wednesday, May 14, at 5:30 p.m.
The White Elephant

Featuring champagne,
appetizers,
and guitar music.
Tickets: $60








The Gala
Thursday, May 15 at 6:00 p.m.
White Elephant Hotel

Sample great wine and superb food specially chosen to compliment it.
This event offers 30 stations at which a winemaker is paired with a restaurant chef, some from Nantucket’s great restaurants and some who are special guest celebrity chefs. During the Gala there will be a Silent Auction to benefit the Nantucket Historical Association.
Tickets: $175




Luncheon Symposia
Friday, May 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Three separate events at different locations will present a discussion between distinguished winemakers and patrons, followed by a four- course luncheon.
Tickets: $175 - $250






Grand Tasting
Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Nantucket Yacht Club

This is your chance to taste great wines paired with some of Nantucket’s finest food, and take in cooking demonstrations from culinary geniuses. All four sessions will offer the same wines and foods. The hourly cooking demonstrations, however, will vary.
Food authors will also be on hand for book signings.
Please note that the Saturday 3:00 p.m. session is SOLD OUT.
Tickets: $110, single session; and $200, double session




Great Wine in Grand Houses
Thursday & Friday, May 15 & 16, starting times from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, starting times from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 18, starting times from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.


If a more intimate setting is what you’d like, these guided tastings in private homes are limited to 20 people, and require two hours. Some include brunch or dinner, as well. Due to limited attendance, please reserve early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets: $110 to $200





Celebrity Chef & Wine Auction Dinner
Saturday, May 17 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.
The White Elephant

A spectacular five-course dinner prepared by Chef David Daniels of the Nantucket’s Wauwinet will feature wines from Alex Gambal, one of Burgundy’s most respected winemakers. The auction immediately following offers rare wines and lifestyle packages, including a Napa Valley excursion and a five day, chauffeur-driven trip through Spain. The auction benefits the Nantucket Historical Association.
Tickets: $250
Call (508) 228-1128 to purchase, or email info@nantucketwinefestival.com



For a wine festival program, poster, or reservations,
call (508) 228-1128
or visit www.nantucketwinefestival.com


Photo credits:
Photo #3: Marlo Fogelman, www.marlomc.com
Photos #1, #2 and #4 - #7: www.nantucketwinefestival.com

Bicycling On Nantucket

by Vera Thornton

Nantucket is a great island for biking for several reasons: It small, relatively flat, and scenically gorgeous. And, in the busy summer season you can avoid traffic and often make faster progress on a bike than in a car, particulary downtown and mid-island. So if you have a bike, bring it along, and if not you can rent one, along with all the necessary accessories.

Nantucket has 24 miles of bike paths, which are separated from the roadways. A terrific feature is the color-coded sticker sign system on posts along the bike routes through downtown, which will lead you right to the paths. The bike paths vary in length and cover the whole island, of course leading to the beaches and scenic points of interest. Try the five mile Madaket path out to the west side of the island and the village of Madeket, where the beach is great for scalloping and crabbing, and where you can catch an incredible sunset. Along the way you’ll pass the Sanford Farm and the Quaker Cemetery.

The Milestone Road bike path is a little longer, 6.5 miles, and cuts right across the middle of the island to the eastern side, passing the Nantucket moors, a cranberry bog and views of the golf course. Milestone connects to the Polpis route, 8.2 miles, which brings you back to town on an alternative route past the Sankaty Head Lighthouse and the Life Saving Museum. If all the pedaling gets to be too much for you, the public shuttle busses all have bike racks.

Remember that bicycle etiquette asks you to obey one-way street signs and walk your bike if you’re on the sidewalk. And when you stop, make sure you’re off to the side and not in the middle of the street, a situation which will not endear you to the locals! And as elsewhere in Massachusetts, anyone age 16 or younger is required to wear a bicycle helmet.

For rentals and touring information, contact the following local businesses:

Young's Bicycle Shop
(508) 228-1151
6 Broad Street - PO Box 1229 - Nantucket, MA

Nantucket Bike Shop
Steamboat Wharf/Straight Wharf
(800) 770-3088

Easy Riders Bicycle Rentals and Delivery
(508) 325-2722
Nantucket Memorial Airport, 14 Airport Road and 65 Surfside Road - Nantucket, MA

Island Bike & Sport
(508) 228-4070 – (877) 228-4070
25 Old South Road - Nantucket, MA

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Young's Bike Shop 

April On Nantucket

April On Nantucket
By Vera Thornton

As I turned the calendar to ‘April’ this morning, I had much anticipation to take my pen and mark a very important date: April 25th – 27th. Yes, one of my very favorite events of all-time is taking place that weekend: The Annual Nantucket Daffodil Festival. Spring has arrived and Nantucket will soon be springing into full bloom with millions of daffodils. This magical festival is a true delight, whether it is your first visit to the Island or one of many. So get out your pen, mark the calendar, and start planning your visit.

Annual Nantucket Daffodil Festival Weekend - 2008
Sponsored by the Nantucket Chamber Of Commerce
Friday, April 25th thru Sunday, April 27th

This hugely popular event celebrates the arrival of spring, when over three million daffodils are in bloom all over the island. This floral extravaganza was the brainchild of Jean MacAusland, former editor of Gourmet magazine, who in 1974 planted masses of bulbs along Milestone Road. Several thousand more were added every year, and Jean persuaded the Nantucket Garden Club to invite the American Daffodil Association to sponsor a daffodil show on the island. Nantucket residents embraced the idea with enthusiasm and joined in the planting. And since the rabbits and deer on Nantucket don’t care for daffodils, the blooms flourished. Good thing they didn’t plant tulips!

The Daffodil Festival’s grand event, held on Saturday at 12:00 noon (rain or shine) is the Annual Antique Car Parade, featuring over 100 daffodil-bedecked antique cars. You can see that these “petal heads” put a lot of effort and imagination into the decorations – these cars are worthy of a Hollywood movie production! After winding through town and across the island to the charming village of Siasconset, participants join residents and visitors for the Annual Tailgate Picnic, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Held on the lush lawns leading into the village, the picnic boasts fare ranging from elaborate gourmet cuisine served on fine china to box lunches and burgers. The parade and picnic have been held every year since 1978.

This is as much an event for residents as it is for visitors. Locals are ready to come out into the fresh air again after the long, often harsh Nantucket winter, and see neighbors they haven’t run into for months. Summer residents come to open up their homes, and businesses and restaurants open their doors for the public to enjoy as part of the celebration.

Other events include a Childrens’ Parade at 10:00 a.m. and the Daffy Hat Pageant at 10:45 a.m. on April 26. The annual Nantucket Daffodil Show – Rainbows of Daffodils takes place on April 27 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Coffin School on Winter Street, and is sponsored by the American Daffodil Club and the Nantucket Garden Club. A fun weekend for the whole family!

Admission is free.

For More Information:

Contact the Nantucket Chamber Of Commerce: (508) 228-1700
or visit: www.nantucketchamber.org target="_blank"

Contact the Nantucket travel experts at Destination Insider: (508) 332-3069