travel — by sam & deanna

It’s probably no secret that the island of Nantucket (airport code is ACK) is one of our most frequented and favorite destinations in the world (yes the world!), so we thought we’d put together a “best-of” list with a health-conscious traveler twist. If you’ve never been, prepare to be totally charmed by the cobblestone main street (what the locals refer to as “town”) with great boutique shopping, blown away by the gorgeous beach sunsets and pleasantly surprised by the effortlessly healthy lifestyle once you step foot on the island (raw bar anyone?). Although the list is endless, below are our picks for sweating, eating, staying & playing in true island style.

Sweat:

First thing’s first, how can you get some good sweats in while on your island getaway? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. First of all, we’ve tried two local barre classes that will knock your grippy socks off (lol), both are 45 minutes(?) and give you the perfect start to a day full of activities. Studio Nantucket is located in town which is plus if that’s where you’re staying. It was also started by a former ExhaleSpa & Barry’s Bootcamp instructor, Meg, who clearly incorporates some familiar techniques and moves into the classes. This clean and fresh-looking studio offers both traditional barre classes, as well as megaformer classes (the only mega’s on island that we know of!). Located just down the street a 10-minute walk from town is Forme Barre- also a kick-ass option to get some sweating and toning in while on vacation xxxxxxxx. They also offer some cool-looking barre classes right on the beach which we’re dying to try!

Our other favorite options are old school, but still super cool. We love running on the roads outside of town- most have sidewalks and are super pedestrian friendly! On the same thread, it’s also very common for visitors to get around via bike. We’ve found a great option for an active day is to rent one of these bad boys (at Young’s or Cooke’s in town) and ride to the beach, brewery and to watch the sunset- you will acquire some serious mileage and it’s a great way to keep yourself active in between stops.

Most importantly, although it’s nice to stay active and have a sense of routine, we really like to enjoy our time on vacation and not worry TOO much about forcing a ton of workouts.

Half-sandwich vibes at Something Natural.

Eat:

One of the coolest parts about this small island is how many awesome restaurants there are in such a small area- some say the dining is as good as a major city (if not better!). Notorious for fresh seafood & tasty cocktails- we’ve picked through the laundry list to tell you about (what we think) is the best of the best for your ACK getaway.

Let’s start with our favorite ways to start the day. Lemon Press located on main street is our stop of choice for iced matcha, coffee, vegan treats and a quickie egg sandwich for breakfast- they also offer lunch and dinner options if you want to come back for more! Fresh, a liquor store turned juice bar, is our #1 smoothie destination on the island and “The Green LaTEAfah” with matcha is to die for.

Moving on to lunch, we’re a big fan of beach sandwiches or salads on-the-go. Provisions is a must-go in town and has an awesome menu with a ton of gluten-free and dairy-free options. Try “the other turkey” on GF bread, you won’t be sorry. Something Natural is a short walk or bike away from town and boasts a spacious yard with picnic tables- you may not be able to wait for the beach to consume your sandy! Their sandwiches are made with incredibly fresh ingredients but are definitely on the heartier side. Luckily, they offer half-sandwich options which is usually perfect for us. Don’t miss the herb bread- not GF but not to be missed if you aren’t intolerant or allergic.

Is Linner a thing…? If not, it definitely should be on Nantucket. There are a few places we recommend for a quick snack in between lunch and dinner, but could definitely be a meal if you so choose! 167 Raw, a Charleston SC favorite, has major raw bar chops and hosts a pop-up at Cisco Brewery along with it’s storefront sister. We love grabbing a half-dozen local oysters and a few shrimp cocktail after the beach from the convenient location. Millie’s, a local favorite, is a restaurant located at the edge of Madaket Beach on the southwest side of the island and also has a pop-up food truck at the brewery as well. Although you could definitely eat here for lunch or dinner, we love grabbing a quick bluefin tuna taco or poke bowl to share as a midday snack (PSA, the margs are also v yummy). The sunset is ah-maze-ing from Madaket Beach so we highly recommend that you time your Millie’s snack appropriately ;)

Dinner is a whole other beast on the island. There are a ton of amazing spots to choose from and it’s hard to pick just a couple. For Seafood, we love CRU (also good for lunch or a dozen oysters and a rose midday) for the harbor-encapsulated ambiance and classy vibes, as well as Straight Wharf Restaurant close by (their complementary bluefish pate tops our list). If you’re in the mood for a seafood changeup, we recommend Ventuno for some really bomb italian fare. Although they have great seafood on the menu, their pasta is just as delicious. As a PSA friends, these, along with most of the higher-end restaurants on the island will cost you a pretty penny- but hey, when on Island right?

Stay:

TBH, you can’t really go super wrong with hotels on the island, from quaint B&B’s to world-renowned five star hotels (cc: White Elephant & Wawinet), we’ve done it all, and there are a ton of pleasant options. A couple of our favorites are 76 Main & 21 Broad, as they do a superb job of mixing a quant, island feel with upscale, nautical elegance. Along with this cute-factor, they are also located “in town” close to all of the major restaurants and shopping.

AirBnB/VRBO/Homeaway is also a fabulous option, especially when traveling with a group. There are a plethora of houses available- from little cottages to mansions, depending on your group size. Many of them are rentals the majority of the season and the homeowners are used to groups coming/going so it’s generally an easy process. We are fans of this option as the houses usually come equipped with a stocked kitchen & grill, so you can pick up some groceries at Bartlett’s Farm and make some healthy meals at home! Pro tip: make sure to book houses early as they tend to get scooped up months before the high-season.

Play:

Ok ok, so now that you know where to sweat, eat & stay, DOING THINGS is really what this destination is all about! To start, you must visit the beautiful beaches the island has to offer. A favorite of ours is shell-lined Steps Beach, which is a relatively close walk or bike from town and is the most “instagrammable” in our opinion. It also is on the north side so has calmer water for swimming and beach-walking. On the southern side, Cisco Beach is our favorite, and mostly for watching big waves and local surfers do their thang. Cisco is also a close bike or cab ride to Cisco Brewery (mentioned above), which is a popular stop after a solid beach day. Here you can find local Cisco beer, 888 Vodka Cocktails, Nantucket Vineyard wines, Food Trucks for days and local bands most days.

Never miss a sunset while you are on vacation here as they are truly stunning on a clear (and even not so clear) day. One of our favorite viewing points is Galley Beach, a bar/restaurant next to Steps Beach with cabanas and fire pits in the sand- because is there anything better than viewing the sunset with an aperol spritz in hand? A tad less glamorous but more quante viewing spot is Madaket Beach. This beach sits on the south-western side of the island and is the perfect vantage point to see the sun hitting the water while sitting on a towel.

Another favorite pastime is checking out the lighthouses located all around the island. The iconic Brant Point Lighthouse is the easiest to access as it is a quick walk or bike from town. Sankaty Head Light, located in Sconset on the southeast side, is a bit of a hike (we recommend getting there via moped or uber) but totally worth the trip. While you’re there you can also do the Sconset Bluff Walk and checkout the ocean’s eroding edge with some very cool homes along the way. Even more remote is Great Point Light, located on the northeast tip of the island. To get here you’ll either need to rent a 4x4 with over-sand permits or go on a tour with the Nantucket Trustees. The land out here is extremely pristine, and perhaps the most untouched on the island. Don’t be surprised to see a seal (or ten) along your journey.

Lastly, when we’re back in town and have some downtime, we love to stop by the local shops. Here you can find some cool antiques, high-end clothing, souvenirs and everything in between. Our one must-go however, is Skinny Dip Nantucket, which (IOHO) offers the best clothing & non-tacky souvenirs on the island. We LIVE in the sweatshirts from this store.