Photo by Muffy Aldrich
The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Is Nantucket worth visiting in November?


A reader question:

Hey SWNE friends -

The girls and I are thinking about an off season (November) jaunt to Nantucket in search of quiet relaxation and seafood.  Any thoughts - pros or cons - about visiting at that time of year?   

Thanks!

 

15 comments:

  1. Pros: few tourists, so restaurants, lodging are much more reasonably priced and accessible; great weather for wearing heavy sweaters and other warm clothes; most businesses should be open through the winter holidays.

    Cons: all maybes, and all weather-related. It can get cold, down to the 30s Fahrenheit; rough seas if you ferry; though November would be late for a big storm, the "perfect storm" nor'easter was end of October and caused major flooding, power outages, and made a big mess.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't know, never been there, but I have been to Cape Cod in winter, early spring and for Thanksgiving and love the Cape off season. Always lots to do and many wonderful places to eat delicious food. For instance, in front of the fire at the beloved Old Yarmouth Inn. Also spent a February weekend at the Chatham Bars Inn in a blizzard, had a cottage by the sea to myself. The staff kept me supplied with piles of firewood. A great place for a peaceful time of reading and reflecting and imagining what it was like for Henry Beston in his book The Outermost House many decades before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We treasure the Old Yarmouth Inn. Arpad and Sheila are amazing!

      Delete
    2. My family has a house in Chatham, but I've always fantasized about heading out there in the winter. My parents go year-round, but I rarely feel like taking a trip there during the winter. I've been a few times during the winter, but even if there's snow on the ground, I've yet to experience anything but a dusting while on the Cape.

      Delete
    3. I believe the snow storm I remember was around February 8-9, 1994.

      Delete
  3. Any time is a good time to be there! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Many restaurants will be closed, but the bay scallops will be in season. The weather can be gorgeous, enabling nice bike rides and beach walks. And no crowds!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Read Moby Dick, absorb the Whaling Museum, walk the cobbled streets enjoy the archtecture, take a quick spin around the island to see it's many faces, stroll the beaches in between trying delish food offerings everywhere. Take a sunset sail and watch the great ball of fire sink into the ocean. Enjoy your visit. PBH

    ReplyDelete
  6. We were there last November and had a great visit. Plenty of places were open to get food and drink and the weather was typical of NE in November. We were able to enjoy the firepits at our hotel and have great hikes and strolls. Be forewarned to be flexible about travel plans, if the weather gets nasty, the ferries will not run.

    ReplyDelete
  7. IMHO, November is great month to visit Nantucket. Some of my best Thanksgivings have been there. Slower island pace… one can even find parking on Main Street…
    Yes, weather can be nasty.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Personally, I think the off season is the only time to visit those places. Fewer people, better service, short waits, unobstructed views, sweater weather, and what could be better than a stormy day, spent reading inside by the fire, overlooking the ocean? Tourist meccas in the busy season don't feel relaxing to me - they just feel congested and hurried.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's fun to visit when summer is in full swing and there are a ton of people and lots of action. But I've visited MV and Nantucket a few times in the fall, once during a huge storm. I had a great time. I've always enjoyed the different pace during the off-season. I'm sure it will be a lot of fun and well worth a trip.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy news -- you can take the ferry from the tri-state area to Nantucket if you'd like -- https://seastreak.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I live in Nantucket and don’t believe the SeaStreak runs in the winter.

      Delete
    2. SeaStreak is a bargain- but yes nothing after Mid October I believe. Leave NJ early Friday afternoon- leave ACK 230 Sunday. Stops at MV and the city both ways.

      Delete

Comments are moderated.