Are you planning a memorable birthday bash in Nantucket this year? You can be pretty sure that it will be a truly fantastic experience for you and your guests.
The island of Nantucket, Massachusetts, is small but is a preferred vacation location for people of all ages and preferences. It has something for every taste – whether you love the beach, enjoy sports, prefer to party until the morning, or like a more relaxed experience.
Here are some ideas for you if you are still in the process of planning that perfect birthday party in Nantucket.
Travel by Ferry
Unless you own a private yacht, traveling to Nantucket is limited to a ferry ride or via airplane.
The easiest and least expensive way to get to the idyllic island is by ferry. There are regular ferry lines from Hyannis port in Cape Cod.
You can pick to travel on the traditional ferry by the Steamship Authority. It is the least expensive travel option and will take two hours and 15 minutes, but it is a pleasant ride, especially if the weather is nice.
In case you want to get to Nantucket as quickly as possible, you and your guests can board the Hy-Line passenger-only high-speed ferry. The trip through the Nantucket Sound takes only about an hour.
The good news is that you can even take your own bikes with you via the traditional ferry for a small fee. This will allow you to enjoy exploring the island and get from one point to another by cycling while enjoying the incredible views of Nantucket.
Choose the Venue in Advance
Nantucket is famous for its fresh lobster rolls and other seafood eateries. Recently, it has become a foodie haven, with some of the best chefs opening their own restaurants or working in Nantucket during the summer season.
There are venues suitable for all tastes and budgets. These include fine-dining top-of-the-line restaurants, raw oyster bars, and smaller diners with a cozier and more relaxed vibe.
If your birthday party is at the peak of the summer, it is advisable that you book your table well in advance. There are some restaurants that have a waiting list for months ahead.
So, it is a good idea to check the availability as soon as possible and book the venue at least two weeks in advance.
If you want a more relaxed and personalized party, you can book one of the superb short-term rental residences available in Nantucket for you and your family and friends.
There are houses and other residences for rent that have beautiful backyards with barbecues, pools, huge living rooms, and a lot of rooms for your guests.
Know Where to Shop
Nantucket is known as a preferred vacation spot for the rich and famous, so the prices on the island can be pretty hefty, even when it comes to shopping for groceries and beverages.
It is a good idea to research the local stores and markets before planning your birthday there in order to ensure that you don’t break the bank and that you buy the freshest and best local foods and drinks.
Some of the best places to buy fresh local produce, flowers, and snacks are at Bartlett’s Farm. It is the oldest family-owned farm in Nantucket and has a market, a flower shop, and a restaurant.
If you are looking for the best supermarket which is easy to get to and the prices are fine, then you should check out the Stop & Shop at the Nantucket wharf Downtown. It has everything, liquor and ice cream included. The only problem is finding a parking spot, but who drives in Nantucket, anyway? Go shopping with your bike instead to save time and frustration.
Don’t Forget the Cake
You can’t have a birthday party without an amazing cake. Don’t worry – there are some excellent bakeries in Nantucket where you can order and buy the perfect birthday cake.
One of the best places to go for a stunning cake is Wicked Island Bakery. It offers all kinds of bread, delicious morning buns and breakfast pastries, different lunch baked goods, and its signature cakes and tortes, including The Japonaise, The Blackhearts Truffle, The Sinful Carrot, and The Brûlée Cheesecake.
Be Prepared to Explore the Island by Bike
Nantucket is pretty small, and getting your car there can cost you a fortune, so it is much easier and arguably much more fun to explore the island by bike instead.
It is the cheapest, most enjoyable, and eco-friendly way to get around Nantucket.
There are bicycle lanes connecting pretty much all neighborhoods, beaches, and sites on the island. Plus, you can take your bike with you via the ferry or rent one as soon as you get to the island.
Some of the available rental homes come with complementary bikes for the guests included in the price.
Enjoy the Beaches and Water Activities
One of the main attractions of the island of Nantucket is its wide array of endless beaches. There are more than 20 beaches, spreading over 80 and more miles on all shores of the island. The northern ones at the Nantucket Sound shore have calmer, warmer, and shallower water, while the beaches on the south coast are more suitable for surfers and other watersports lovers.
There are two surf schools on the southern beaches, Nobadeer and Cisco Beach, where you can rent surfing gear or join in some of the group or private surfing, boogie boarding, and other watersports lessons.
Know where you can take the perfect pictures
The island of Nantucket is so picture-perfect that it comes as no surprise that it is so popular on Instagram and other social media. You can take some stunning photos of your birthday celebrations in the historical Downtown of Nantucket and in the famous Whaling Museum. Also, don’t miss out on the photo ops at the three historic lighthouses – Brant Point, Sankaty Light, and Great Point.
The best place to go for the perfect sunset photo in Nantucket is at Madaket Beach on the island’s westernmost end, and the best place to be for a stunning sunrise photo is at Siasconset Beach on the opposite eastern shore.
Some of the most adorable photos you can take in Nantucket are at the Sconset Bluff Walk, which is a short walking path passing through the village of Siasconset.
It leads to Siasconset Beach and Sankaty Lighthouse, and on your way, you will pass by some of the most charming cedar shingle-style cottages, all covered with and surrounded by blooming roses, hydrangeas, and other fabulous flowers.
The walking path is only a mile long, but it is one of the most beautiful and romantic ones in New England.