We discipline this query so much right here at Lonely Planet's New York Metropolis headquarters: Nantucket or Martha's Winery?
When you may go to each (each are beloved getaways, each are accessible by ferry, each have airports), summer time trip time (notably for these from the USA) is criminally restricted. And this query deserves a solution.
Affiliate Editor Ann Douglas Lott swears by the hilly landscapes and charming cities on Martha's Winery. Senior Director of Content material Brekke Fletcher's most up-to-date journey to Nantucket was chilly and rain-soaked, but she'd choose Nantucket time and again.
Though these two LP-ers work aspect by aspect, be they writing and enhancing one another's work or laughing over lunch, that is the row all of us knew was coming. Now it's as much as you to determine which author makes the higher case for his or her most well-liked summer time isle. Let the battle start.
Why Martha's Winery is summertime bliss
Rugged, hilly landscapes, jaw-dropping oceanside cliffs, over 120 miles of shoreline and 6 distinctive seaside cities – Martha's Winery is summertime bliss. On each Nantucket and Martha's Winery, you'll discover lovely seashores, lighthouses, recent seafood and charming, walkable (or cyclable) cities. However so far as New England summer time holidays go, Martha's Winery's (or, because the locals and regulars name it, the Winery) pure magnificence and sheer number of experiences are unmatched. About twice the dimensions of Nantucket, there's a lot extra to uncover in its number of landscapes – Nantucket, then again, is sort of completely flat. The Winery's wide-open areas make for an alluring getaway for each the Obamas and us New Yorkers particularly.
Initially, getting right here is approach simpler, with extra high-season ferry companies accessible from New Bedford and Cape Cod in Massachusetts, in addition to from Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. There's additionally an airport on the island, and direct flights right here from New York Metropolis might be very inexpensive for those who e-book early sufficient (I simply booked one for July for simply $88). However for those who're bringing your personal automobile, you'll have to take the ferry. As quickly as you step off the ferry in Oak Bluffs, you’ll be able to stroll straight into its colourful, vigorous city, admiring the well-known “gingerbread homes,” hopping on the carousel earlier than grabbing an ice cream, or you’ll be able to hire a automobile – or take a dependable and inexpensive public bus – and hold exploring.
And with a lot floor to cowl, you'll need just a few days right here to maintain exploring. Whereas Nantucket has an admittedly charming major city, Martha's Winery has that instances six: Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Winery Haven and West Tisbury. You'll have a very completely different journey relying on the place you base your self. Go to Aquinnah for the low-key vibe and beautiful cliffs, or keep in Edgartown and stroll via its charming brick lanes lined with shingle-style properties, stopping into ice cream outlets and boutiques. Extra locations to remain additionally means extra lodging choices for all budgets, so that you don't truly have to have a CEO's wage (or know somebody who has a CEO's wage) to remain right here.
You even have a humiliation of seashores to select from. There's Aquinnah Seashore, which is right for huge, crashing waves, dramatic cliff views and probably the most beautiful, peaceable sunsets. There's additionally Lighthouse Seashore, proper in Edgartown, which is an effective selection for calmer waters, an important tanning spot and, in fact, a lighthouse go to with a view of the harbor. Or, if you’d like the enjoyable crowds and thrilling waves, go to South Seashore, the place the opening scene of Jaws was filmed. Backside line: you gained't run out of choices.
And but, amidst all that “extra,” there's one thing magically rugged and unspoiled about Martha's Winery. It's straightforward to interrupt away from the extra crowded areas and expertise the island's pure magnificence, whether or not you're watching a sundown on a secluded seaside, driving via lovely farmland or mountaineering on wooded trails and alongside seaside cliffs. Sluggish dwelling is the norm right here. Virtually a 3rd of the island is protected, which means you gained't discover large chain inns taking on its seashores. The identical goes for native outlets and eating places. You additionally gained't discover strict gown codes right here as a result of all the pieces is so laid-back – no have to pack your most interesting, preppiest 'matches or Nantucket reds.
In the event you nonetheless can't determine between the 2, save the smaller island of Nantucket for a day journey. You’ll be able to return to the Winery very quickly to look at the pink sundown.
Nantucket's seashores are for everybody
Um, the sunsets are pink in Nantucket, too. Good strive. And also you say smaller prefer it's a nasty factor, however that's one of many causes I want Nantucket to the Winery. (So: what's with that moniker? There are different vineyards on the planet? That is another excuse I don't love MV as a lot. Snooty!)
Now, as a journalist, I have to disclose that I broke my foot in Martha's Winery over a decade in the past, descending a single stair carrying a tray of martinis. It was a prime traumatic expertise of my life (ambulance to island hospital, ambulance to ferry, ferry to ambulance, ambulance to Mass Normal and a number of other 1000’s of {dollars} I didn’t have).
However this isn’t the rationale I advocate for Nantucket. Sure, it's smaller and flatter, however that simply makes it a lot simpler to get round, notably on two wheels. You’ll be able to bike (or e-bike) virtually wherever on the island, and that reality alone makes it the higher eco-choice. And for those who're not a biker, Nantucket can also be served by a free shuttle service that covers a lot of the island. Not so on Martha's Winery.
The explanation there are extra transportation choices to get to and from Martha's Winery is that it's busier. To be truthful, in the summertime excessive season, some preplanning and reservations are completely crucial on each islands. You can’t simply roll onto a automobile ferry. And whereas Martha's Winery boasts many celeb summer time residents, just like the Obamas, Nantucket is the island of selection for the sitting president's household, the Bidens.
Nantucket's Foremost Avenue downtown space is an idyllic and bustling New England village, with shingled buildings, historic sea captain's properties and beautiful, church buildings brick-lined streets and sidewalks. So as to add to the old-timey vibe, look out for his or her ornamental avenue lamps. It’s as walkable as it’s charming with many extraordinary eating places to select from (Through Mare and Nautilus are stand-outs), distinctive, hyperlocal purchasing experiences, and one-of-a-kind museums. Tootling round city, sure, you'll see some people carrying Nantucket's signature pink, however it’s removed from a requirement. In truth, I might argue that Nantucket is considerably much less fussy about trend than Martha's Winery, however we'd want the style police to kind that one out.
Outdoors of typical summer time vacation fare, Nantucket's whaling historical past and literary bonafides – ever hear of somewhat tome entitled Moby Dick – make it a more sensible choice for historical past buffs and readers of historic fiction. Don't miss out on the Whaling Museum.
Keep in mind after I talked about that “The Winery” could be a bit snooty? I’ve two phrases for you that ought to by no means be uttered collectively: personal seashores. All seashores on Nantucket are public, no personal safety will chase you off the shore.
And talking of seashores, Nantucket has lots to select from. There's family-friendly Jetties Seashore only a stone's throw from Foremost Avenue. North shore seashores are typically calmer and hotter (there may be one referred to as The Bathtub), whereas the south shore is best for catching waves – Cisco Seashore is fashionable with surfers and younger adults. Siasconset (or Sconset) is all the best way east, and since its seashores are a bit out of the best way, they are typically much less filled with crowds (don't miss out the Sconset Bluff Stroll, though that’s incessantly crowded). TLDR: There’s a seaside in Nantucket for anybody and everybody.
There are many charming lodging scattered throughout the island, from family-run B&Bs to loft residences downtown, however no massive resorts or deafeningly loud golf equipment. Lease a home with mates or put up up at one of many domestically owned luxurious inns, like The Wauwinet or The White Elephant (I like each and not too long ago stayed at newly renovated Cottages on the Boat Basin). And the purveyors on the farmers markets and native provisioners decidedly present superior produce and seafood. Specifically, the oysters in Nantucket are the very best.
I may go on, however I'm out of house: belief me, Nantucket is the place it's at, and never simply in summer time. My choice is to go to Nantucket in late September to savor the final flash of summer time warmth within the quiet, calm perfection that precedes a phenomenal autumn.
