Off Season on Nantucket with The Roberts Collection
I love Nantucket. It's really hard not to love that sweet little island. And although the summer is magic, I think the off season might be my favorite time to visit. The crowds have gone back to their busy lives, and the island slows down a bit. Back to real island time. And I love that.
I recently went out to shoot some work for the fabulous ladies at Nantucket Looms with my good friend, Erin McGinn, and we got to see first hand how amazing this island can be without all the hustle and bustle. We had the great pleasure of staying at the Roberts Collection, and it was safe to say we never wanted to leave.
There are obviously one million travel guides to Nantucket, but I thought I would pull together my little off season travel love list. The older I get (I'm still 25, obvs), the more the off seasons appeals to me everywhere I go, but I was surprised how much MORE I loved Nantucket when I had it all to myself. So here's what I think makes it stand out, and how you should take advantage of it for your next trip:
1. No Reservations. This might be the best part about Nantucket in the off season. So many of the restaurants are open through October (and then again during Stroll), but without the crazy wait lines or reservation rules. This is a fabulous time to experience the spots you couldn't snag during the summer months ( Nautilus I'm talking to you). Be sure to check before you go though, many of the restaurants do take a break between Halloween and stroll, so you don't want to get your hopes up only to be met with a closed door.
2. Check into your dream hotel. It's no secret that Nantucket can get a bit pricey during the summer months. But prices tend to go down a bit come October, leaving you with a fabulous excuse to go a bit bigger than normal without having to worry if the place is booked to the brim.
3. Take a hike. There are so many gorgeous walking trails on Nantucket, and the fall is the perfect time to take some time to enjoy the great outdoors. Even typically busy walks like the Sconset Bluff walk with be all yours to enjoy as you please. No moving into rose bushes to let people pass!
4. Sunsets. Of course sunsets are stunning all year on Nantucket, but I swear something magical happens with that fall light on this island. That golden hour lives up to its name and the entire stretch of sand just seems to glow.
5. Explore, explore, explore. I think this is the perfect time to really get to the soul of old Nantucket. Before all the publicity and onslaught of crowds. There is no time better than the off season to go off the beaten path a bit and find your new favorite "secret spot" on the island. It's also an amazing time to get to know the locals, who just so happen to be the true heart of the island.
What did I miss? Are you an off season or peak season person?