Girls Weekend on Nantucket

On a warm summer weekend in June, I joined three of my book club friends for a girls-only weekend on Nantucket, where we stayed at my friend M.Y.’s husband’s family’s property. We did a whole lot of….nothing. It was fabulous. Walks through the ritzy neighborhoods were followed by lounging on the beach, followed by wine and cheese back at the house.

To get to Nantucket fast, take the Hy-line high-speed ferry from Hyannis. For a large group, purchase a pack of commuter discount tickets – we saved about ten dollars per person.

Where to Eat
Breakfast:
Nantucket Bake Shop
79 Orange Street
(508) 228-2797 / +1 (800) 440-2253
Get there early for super-fresh homemade donuts. The powder-coated jelly donuts are to die for!

Brunch:
Black-Eyed Susan’s
10 India St
(508) 325-0308
Their sourdough French toast with Jack Daniels orange butter is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Lunch & Dinner:
Brotherhood of Thieves
23 Broad Street
(508) 228-2551
Try the grilled chicken sandwich on focaccia with pesto, artichokes, and mozzarella.

Late-Night Snack:
The Juice Bar
(508) 228-5799
Yummy homemade ice cream in buttery waffle cones.

Where to Shop
Nantucket Bookworks
25 Broad Street
Tel: (508) 228-4000
This adorable bookstore next to Brotherhood of Thieves is open late and has a cozy, cottage feel, with both new and used books as well as cards and gifts.

Manor House Antique Co-op
31 ½ Centre Street
(508) 228-4335
Nantucket is filled with antique shops and we didn’t pop in to many, but my friend M.Y. has this shop on her list of favorites (and she loves antiques so I trust her judgment). The store is jam packed with one person’s trash and another’s treasure. Don’t even think about walking in there with a large handbag or backpack unless you’re prepared to pay for what you break.

Parchment
11 Washington St.
(508) 228-4110
For adorable and quirky invitations, cards, and gifts don’t miss this little shop where items are arranged by color.

Skirtin’ Around
42 Straight Wharf
(508) 325-0022
You can’t miss this women’s boutique since it’s the first you’ll pass on the right as you get off the high-speed ferry. Though the clothes and accessories are sold in other boutiques around the country, the Nantucket shop is exclusively Skirtin’ Around. I couldn’t help but be attracted to the bright, bold colors in the window that are reminiscent of Lily Pulitzer but definitely more modern.

Vacationing in the great outdoors

With gas prices rising and the airline crisis underway, it’s no wonder more Americans are choosing to vacation closer to home. New England has many great options for day or weekend trips and I personally love to go camping. My parents never thought I’d survive a week on a farm in Poland when I was 15 and were surprised when I became a fan of sleeping outdoors. The way I see it, I don’t mind bugs and other critters in their natural habitat but I’m not so keen when they visit my habitat.

For the past few years, my guy and I make an annual trip to Wellfleet to Paine’s Campground on Cape Cod, MA. We usually stay for 3 days and love it here. It’s only $40 bucks per night, and the campground offers family sites as well as a quiet couples section. Restrooms/showers are very clean and each time we’ve stayed here, our site is less than a minute’s walk from these facilities.
















Before you hit one of the beaches in Wellfleet (Newcomb Hollow, Cahoon Hollow, White Crest, Maguire’s Landing and Marconi), stop by the fruit stand in the library parking lot in Wellfleet Center for some really good fruit and other produce and treats.

My guy used to work at The Beachcomber on Cahoon Hollow Beach, a very popular place that I’ve also become a huge fan of. You pay $10 to park and go to the beach but you're reimbursed by the restaurant if you eat there, which I highly recommend. During the summer, The Beachcomber has many live shows in the evenings and some great acts have performed there, like Ween! If you plan to visit during the day, it’s best to get here early because the parking spots fill up fast.

Where else but the Cape to grab some seafood if you get bored of your hot dogs and burgers? We enjoy the Bookstore and Restaurant, with indoor and outdoor dining options. Located by the water, it has a bookstore next door to the restaurant, and there is a bar underneath the restaurant, called The Bombshelter, where many locals hang out.















Wellfleet is also well known for its art galleries so if you’re up for checking these out, but your guy is not, send him to Chequessett Yacht & Country Club, a semi-private golf course for a round of golf. Apparently, there’s a gorgeous view of the Cape from the 6th hole.

Don’t forget the s’mores!