Nantucket has become a summer vacation spot that seems to be reserved for the rich and famous only.
Yes, it is pretty expensive on the island, but there are ways to visit it and spend your vacation there without having to take out a second mortgage or break the bank.
Here are some of the best tips for traveling to and spending time in Nantucket.
Leave your car behind
Yes, driving is convenient, but in the case of Nantucket, it is difficult and expensive to take your car with you. The Steamship Authority Traditional Ferry cost can vary from $360 up to $600 per car.
Instead, you can ditch the car, get on the same ferry at Hyannis Port on Cape Cod, and get to the island of Nantucket for only $39 per person for a round-trip ticket. Children from 5 to 12 years of age can travel for $20. If you want to have your own means of transportation, you can take your bike with you for $14. You can also rent one as soon as you arrive at the Steamship dock.
The 30-mile ride through the Nantucket Sound is about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
If you prefer to get there faster, you will need to pay $65 for the passenger-only ferry, which takes an hour to and from Nantucket.
A bike is the best and cheapest way to get around the island. There is a network of bike paths throughout the island, so you can cycle to the Surfside beach on the southern coast, or take a trip east to see the charming Siasconset village, or west to enjoy an unforgettable sunset at Madaket.
If you don’t feel like cycling on your vacation, you can get around the island using the low-cost WAVE shuttle buses. They cost about $2 to $3, and you can get just about anywhere with one of them.
There are also many taxi companies in Nantucket, with average prices of $11 to $38 depending on the zone and the number of passengers.
You can also reach Nantucket by flying in. Jet Blue offers some amazingly low rates for mid-week flights starting from $55 to Nantucket.
Choose a less expensive accommodation
The accommodations in Nantucket account for the most significant expense for most vacationers. There are some high-end luxury hotels and inns and more affordable ones. But still, you can expect to pay a minimum of $175 per night for a bed without a bath or up to $650 or more for a double room at the different hotels on the island.
There is a less expensive hostel near Surfside Beach suitable for youngsters and adventurers.
You can also find some excellent deals for short-term rentals in Nantucket, especially during the shoulder season (May, June, September, and October) and when you book early. For further money-saving, you may want to consider splitting the accommodation costs with friends or family.
Be warned that camping is forbidden on the island.
Hit the beach and choose some cheap eats
The island of Nantucket has some of the most stunning beaches in the world. There are over 25 beaches spread along 80 miles on the shoreline of the island.
Even though the majority is privately owned, they are accessible by all and free to use due to the local conservation policies and regulations.
You only need to choose the best beach for your preferences and head off.
The northern beaches on the bayside of the island are a better choice for families with young kids because the water is warmer and calmer, and the weather is much more predictable.
The other beaches are on the shores of the open Atlantic Ocean, so some of them can have some pretty strong currents and big rollers, making them a better option for surfers and adventurers.
The best way to save money for food while spending time in Nantucket is to buy your own groceries and fresh produce from the stores and markets and prepare your breakfast, lunch, or snacks. You can pack some snacks and drinks in a cooler and not have to worry about spending money for eating while on the beach or sightseeing.
But even if you don’t have the chance to bring your own food, you can still find some affordable eateries while on the beach. You can grab some snacks or eat something on your way to the beach by choosing a cheaper eat of up to $10 per person. You may be able to find some delicious rice wraps, sandwiches, and different Mexican and other foods in the nearby cafes, markets, and food trucks. If you are lucky, you can even enjoy some fresh oysters at the Sandbar at Jetties beach if you happen to catch the happy hour in the afternoon.
If you want to experience the fine dining experience that foodies from around the country come to Nantucket for, then you can expect to have to pay as much as you would in the finest restaurants of Manhattan. The food and the service, of course, will match those of the finest restaurants in mainland USA too.
Enjoy some free or low-cost entertainment
A day at the museums or on sightseeing and historical tours in Nantucket will cost you about $27 per person per day.
But thankfully, there are a lot of free events organized by the Nantucket Parks and Recreations and other local organizations.
You can go see a free outdoor movie, a concert or take part in a yoga class for free. Some are held at the Nantucket Atheneum, others at Children’s Beach, and elsewhere on the island.
There are other affordable ways to enjoy the lively art and music scene on the island. One is to go to Cisco Brewers, where you can spend all day tasting the craft beers and local wines and liquors and at the same time enjoy the live music and performances which begin at 3 pm every day during the season.
You can also take part in the traditional gallery stroll every Friday night and visit the many galleries in Nantucket.
Many of the local bars also offer live music, and periodically there are some optional donation charity concerts held at the African Meeting House on Sundays, the Unitarian Church on Thursdays, and at the Congregational Church occasionally.
If you want to do some shopping – go to the thrift shops
Yes, some of the most exclusive boutiques are located in the center of Nantucket, but the prices are skyrocketing.
If you want to do some shopping when visiting the island, we recommend that you go to one of the two charitable thrift shops – the Nantucket Hospital thrift shop and the Seconds Shop.
You can find some good as new branded clothes donated by the wealthy and help support the hospital and the Fairwinds counseling center.
If you are lucky, you may stumble upon a private weekend yard sale where you are very likely to find some hidden gems.
