August is here and summer aint over just yet, my friends. This is the time of year to relish the final months of warm weather and island life, especially here in one of my favorite places in all the world – Nantucket.
We all know that I love Nantucket and always enjoy sharing tips, insider experiences and memories made on such a magical island. You can always find a “Best of Nantucket for Ladies” guide that I previously produced for readers here.
Rather than providing another extensive guide, I wanted to share glimpses of a typical summer day on Nantucket Island through a few photographs I recently captured. Hopefully these simple moments during a simple day will inspire you to get out there and enjoy the little luxuries of summertime on Nantucket.
LADIES BEACH
For me, the perfect day in Nantucket begins by packing up my Lilly Pulitzer cooler and heading out to “Ladies Beach” with family and friends. You can find this secluded beach by following the narrow and bumpy dirt roads behind Bartlett Farm. Once at the beach, I crack open a cold Cisco Brew and lounge on our beach blankets to the view of dogs, the ocean and paint brushed blue skies.
BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH AT BLACK-EYED SUSANS
Black-Eyed Susans is hands down the best breakfast hotspot on island, and in my personal opinion, maybe the world. This cozy little gem has only about 8 tables squeezed tightly together with a small outdoor patio, making for extremely long but worthy waits (unless of course you are Drew Barrymore circa summer 2014 when she came here everyday for breakfast). Don’t hold your breath, getting a table here at prime breakfast hours (8:00 – 10:00 AM) is impossible during peak summer season.
My suggestion? The restaurant stays open until about 1:00 PM, so outsmart the crowd like this lady and head there for a “late breakfast for lunch” right before they close. Sit at the counter for fast service and don’t leave this place without sampling the homemade pancakes. Oh yeah, leave your fad diet at the door, ladies, because there is no room for it here.
AFTERNOON SHOPPING AROUND TOWN
Since I was a wee little lady, I can remember shopping throughout town with my plastic Hello Kitty coin purse. Back in those days it was mostly spending my allowance at the penny candy shop and local toy store. Even at a young age, I was the queen of negotiating a good deal for a Charleston Chew.
Twenty-five years later and my heart still maintains a deep love and infatuation for the art of downtown shopping, even at the same old penny candy store. The variety of boutiques, unique products and pleasant store environments keeps me always coming back for more. I have countless shops in town that I love perusing, but this summer my friends over at Town Pool really set the standard for the ideal Nantucket shopping experience. From the incredibly creative ever-changing storefront decor to the eclectic mix of novelties for sale, I can never visit Town Pool enough or stop liking all their drone captured photographs of everything Nantucket. Check them out, they are awesome.
WINDOW-BOX GAZING & HYDRANGEA HUNTING
Who needs an organized activity or tour in Nantucket when you can take a leisurely stroll? A simple walk through the neighborhoods of the downtown historic district (Orange, Fair and the upper portion of Main Street) is always exciting for me summer after summer. Homeowners take great pride in their window boxes, updating and primping them daily. Whether it’s getting into the patriotic spirit for the 4th of July or showcasing seasonal blooms, I love gazing at the gorgeous flower arrangements of each unique home as I stroll on by.
My favorite summer flowers will always be my mommy’s row of hydrangeas leading to the back garden – they are one of my favorite sights compared to anything I have yet to see around the world in travels. Bright blue, deep purple, or soft violet depending on the time of summer. Looking at mom’s hydrangeas will never get old.
And hey, while wandering around residential streets of downtown, you may even spot the famous PB HATS convertible fully loaded with those signature hat boxes. I recently spotted the classic bright red car parked right off Broad Street and chuckled to myself the words “only in Nantucket”…
BARTLETT FARM TOMATOES
If you are familiar with Nantucket jargon, you will often hear the phrase, “Bartlett Farm Tomatoes“. These are ripe and luscious tomatoes grown on the island’s very own premier farm. There is something about these tomatoes in the summertime that is impossible to describe in adjectives, but hey, I’ll try: sweet, earthy, savory, fresh, and summery.
It’s easy to pick up some of these vegetables at the farm market and prepare them in your salad or sides at home – served with just a touch of olive oil, salt and pepper, they can be had perfectly just naked as they are. But when it’s been a while and I really need to get my Bartlett Farm tomato fix, I indulge in the Languedoc’s daily special of thickly sliced tomatoes smothered with a modest heap of homemade burrata cheese and green garnishes. Taste and see for yourself, this is summer on a plate.
DESSERT AT THE PHARMACY
What is the top nightlife activity on the island of Nantucket? Well for some it may be dancing the night away to live music at the Chicken Box and finding summer love (even for just the night). And for the older crew (cough, cough, you cougar ladies…), it might be mingling with attractive men in Nantucket reds at the Club Car. But no matter what age you are or what intentions you may have, there was never a person who went wrong by choosing ice cream.
When it comes to homemade quality and massive flavor selections, there is no denying that the Juice Bar always wins. Yes, they have the best ice cream on island, which makes sense when you are willing to wait over an hour for a God damn warm waffle cup.
But when it comes to the ice cream experience, there is no place like the old fashioned counter at the landmark Pharmacy located right in the middle of Main Street. Hop on a spinning stool like it’s 1951 and order a scoop of classically flavored ice cream topped with sprinkles, or as the locals say, jimmies. This is my favorite way to end the perfect Nantucket day.
I hope you enjoyed this compilation of my summer favorites through a typical day in Nantucket through the lens of Ladyhattan. For more tips on the best in Nantucket, New York City and destinations around the world, follow @Ladyhattan or e-mail [email protected].