After 8 months of lockdown and multiple cancelled trips because of the ongoing pandemic, (Clearwater, Sweden, Southern Caribbean Cruise) our family was itching for a getaway. We decided on Nantucket since it had been on our bucket list and is easily accessible with a short car ride and ferry trip from our home. We knew it was going to be our only trip before our third baby was born, so we called it our Babymoon and decided to splurge on a stay at the Nantucket Hotel & Resort. (Mid-week and off season also helped with cost!)
From the moment we stepped off the ferry, the people at Nantucket Hotel & Resort made us feel like family. While we could have walked from the ferry terminal, we opted for the free ride to the hotel and were greeted with our first names and congratulations on our pregnancy. As we entered the lobby the staff gave our boys blue whale lollipops and let them press a special button that “woke up” a whale on the wall – this was quite the hit throughout our stay! The kids were convinced they were responsible for waking up the whale each morning.
We were brought to our “room” which ended up being an upgraded suite with multiple rooms, a full fridge and microwave, a library with children’s books, high chair, and crib. Welcome gifts included two stuffed dogs for the boys, a whale bath toy in the shower, chocolate covered strawberries and oreos, cookies, and amazing chocolate-covered cranberries from Aunt Leah’s Fudge. It felt like we were at home instead of a hotel!
After checking in we decided to head out to explore the area around the hotel. Our first stop was the Brant Point Lighthouse. It was easily walkable from the hotel and was a great place to watch the ferries and other boats come in and out of the harbor. The day we arrived was extremely windy so we didn’t stay at the beach too long, but the boys loved running the ramp to the lighthouse and exploring the beach for treasures (sea glass is a huge hit for our oldest!).
The next morning we decided to start the day with a walk to Steps Beach. If you walk there make sure to take Cobblestone Hill – the cobblestone road in a residential area was beautiful to see. It was another extremely windy day so our plans of football and beach walks were cut short since we were being pelted with sand. We checked out the dead horseshoe crabs and then headed back. If we come back during a warmer time of year we will definitely spend more time at this beach.
After Steps Beach we headed downtown to grab lunch to go, and treats from Born & Bread bakery (the cupcakes, cookies, and cruffins were delicious!) before catching the WAVE bus to Siasconset. Our hotel gave us free passes to ride and the schedule was easy to follow.
As you’re riding the bus, make sure to have the kids keep their eyes peeled for safari animals in the fields. Along the drive I commented to my husband that the scenery made me think of the landscape in parts of South Africa where I studied abroad, and then the next thing I knew we saw a huge wooden giraffe! Searching for the animals kept our 5 year old entertained the rest of the way.
When we got off the bus in Siasconset we headed down to Sconset Beach and found an adorable nautical themed playground (on Codfish Park Road). Our youngest was sleeping in the stroller so we played on the ships and tossed our football.
After playing we decided to find the Sconsett Foot Path. To get there, find your way to Front Street and the entrance to the path is on your right (ocean side) before you hit Broadway. Walking Front Street felt magical as the road is actually grass with tire marks and is tightly hugged by tiny cottages decorated with what must be beautiful hydrangeas when they’re in bloom. Once you reach the bluff walk you’ll find that it weaves through backyards along the ridge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and eventually ends at Sankaty Lighthouse (probably 1.5+ miles each way). We had our UPPAbaby Vista stroller and unfortunately the path really is a footpath with high edges which made using the stroller almost impossible. We made it about half a mile before giving in to the stroller struggle and walking the street back to the bus stop. Next time we go we’ll plan better and leave the stroller back at the hotel!
When we got back to the Nantucket Hotel and Resort we decided to take advantage of the outdoor heated pool despite it being somewhere right around 60 degrees F and windy. The pool attendant was very friendly and gave the kids pool noodles to play with. Unfortunately the hot tub was closed so we lasted about 15 minutes and then ran back to our room and a hot shower.
The rest of the afternoon we spent exploring the cobblestone streets and tiny shops in downtown Nantucket. If you’re bringing a stroller keep in mind that the cobblestone can be tricky for some types (i.e. umbrella strollers). That night we got dinner takeout from Brotherhood of Thieves. Their Gochujang Cauliflower was amazing and makes me want to go back to the island just to get it again! We also highly recommend the Lobster Bisque with Pastry.
On our last night the boys picked out a movie from the lobby DVD collection, we set up a bunch of blankets and pillows on the floor, and while they were watching the movie we surprised them with a room service delivery of milk and cookies.
The next morning we walked around downtown again to find some shirts and souvenirs and then walked to Something Natural to pick up sandwiches for the beach. We headed to Jetties Beach with our lunch and set up a picnic on the sand. I highly recommend our beach blanket because it’s extremely lightweight and you can stuff it back into its small bag easily for travel. The boys ate and then played at the playground there. We’d recommend everyone keep their shoes on at the playground- even though it’s in the sand my oldest cut his foot on something
Overall we loved our first visit to the Island and 10/10 recommend the Nantucket Hotel & Resort for families. In addition to the amazing staff, the little extras made it feel so special. There was a kid’s activity room filled with games, toys, basketball, and a table shuffleboard. We felt welcome from the moment we got there until the moment we left. Unfortunately when we visited their antique fire truck was off-island for repair, but that is another activity families can enjoy. There is so much to do on the island and we definitely need to go back! Maybe one day we’ll make it there during summer and get to enjoy the beach and pool in season!
