Is Nantucket a good place for families?

We are traveling to the east coast next summer, and want to pick a nice beach town destination to spend a week. Is Nantucket a good place to bring kids for a week? They are 8 and 11. We love to do outdoorsy things, eat, go to the beach, etc.

Any input is much appreciated!

Is Nantucket a good place for families?

Yes, Nantucket is a good place for children. However if this is your first trip to the east coast perhaps you might consider staying on Cape Cod and taking a day trip across to the island.

Is Nantucket a good place for families?

If you want crowds at beaches, endless traffic, honky-tonk build-up with litter, stay on the Cape. If you want great restaurants, no traffic lights (because they%26#39;re not needed), good beaches for kids (or rougher ones for surfers), seals visible not far offshore, bike paths linking all parts of the island, no litter since plastic bags are outlawed, historic houses and a very good whaling museum, all contained on an island, spend the week on Nantucket.

Well, there are plenty of bike paths on the Cape. Historic houses galore. Seals aplenty. Vast stretches of beach in the National Seashore and not too crowded if you know where to go. There may not be any traffic lights on Nantucket but there%26#39;s plenty of people and traffic in the summer. Not to mention the difficulty of taking a car across if you need it. I don%26#39;t think that children of this age are necessarily impressed by expensive restaurants and high priced accommodations. However, it was just a suggestion and as I confirmed previously Nantucket is a good place to take children.

Nantucket is great for kids, plenty of activities, and the beaches are great.

Eventhough nantucket has no traffic lights, its debatable whether they are needed or not. The last time I was there during the summer, some of the intersections were a nightmare. Maybe, more of a problem of the increased traffic than need for lights per se.

Bottom line ... go and enjoy.

Granted, some weekends in the summer have more cars at the major intersections than anyone would like (which is also a good way to let orrclan know that for a week%26#39;s stay, a car is not needed) but the island is so civilized that there is the courtesy of ';you go, then I go'; when you%26#39;re at a busy stop sign. And I%26#39;ll never forget leaving my digital camera at Tupancy Links while walking the dog and it was there much later in the day with a St. Francis medal laying on top of it. The island is not just about the gazillionaire home owners, but good, basic decency in everyday life.

If cars didn%26#39;t observe a ';courtesy'; you go I go ... no one would move ... that%26#39;s the reality.

I lived on Nantucket for 6 or 7 years, and I love it, great memories, a great place to visit ... but it has changed .... while safer than 99% of other places you may visit ... its not as idyllic as you paint or as it once was (even 10 years ago).

All of the above advice was excellent. May I also suggest Cuttyhunk Island? I would only go there if you need a totally relaxing vacation, but who needs one of those nowadays;-)

http://www.cuttyhunk.net/

If cost is a concern, staying on the mainland Cape will be much cheaper in all areas (restaurants, gas, lodging, etc.) than on Nantucket. At least my experience! You can use the bus system on Nantucket to get around so a car isn%26#39;t absolutely necessary.

Yes, nantucket is more expensive, and as mentioned decent bus service around the island, and many bike paths.

A car on the ferry is not needed, is very expensive, and you%26#39;d want to reserve now!

You could base yourself on the cape and spend a couple of days on the island, if cost is an issue. If not .... nantucket for the week!

I have to say all of New England is gorgeous.

Nantucket is awesome - been going there my whole life and it is great for kids - but it certainly isn%26#39;t the only great place on the East Coast.

You could also go up to Maine - Bar Harbor area - gorgeous!

Also - it depends on when you are coming to Nantucket. August seems to be better than July weather wise. Sometimes you go to Nantucket for a week in July - and all it does is rain rain rain - or be foggy and cold. On the mainland - more options for that.

Good luck. I am a true lover of Nantucket - but just do some research on the dates you are planning to come. So many people go and are disappointed because of the weather.