Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard (I know it's Ptown forum)

Hi Folks,

We%26#39;re thinking of taking a day trip or an overnight trip to either Martha%26#39;s Vineyard or Nantucket in early May. We own a guest house in Provincetown and can never get away during the summer so we%26#39;d like to take a quick trip to one of the islands. We%26#39;ve lived in Ptown a little over four years and have never been to either island.

Question, what would be better, Martha%26#39;s Vineyard or Nantucket this time of year? We%26#39;d love to bring our dog, is that a good idea or bad idea? Recommendation for a good place to stay with our dog?

Thanks, you folks always have great info!

Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard (I know it's Ptown forum)

I%26#39;m not an expert on either but both are beautiful and sort of different. I usually just go for the day to both, but Nantucket is a lot longer boat ride.

The shopping is great in both places but in Nantucket its more localized to the one town area. In Martha%26#39;s Vineyard its spread out between towns.

Great restaurants in both places, biking, beaches. Dog%26#39;s welcome in both places, you%26#39;ll have to check with your hotel that you choose to see if they accept pets but most places there do say yes to well behaved dogs.

What are you looking to do and do you have kids or teens along?

Susan

Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard (I know it's Ptown forum)

We just want to walk around and explore, just me, my partner and maybe the dog, no kids.

Thanks for the info on Nantucket vs Martha%26#39;s Vineyard. For the limited time we%26#39;ll be there it sounds like Nanctucket might be the better option because we wouldn%26#39;t get to the different villages on Martha%26#39;s Vineyard.

Nantucket is my choice without a car. From P-town, drive to Hyannis to pick up the Hy-Line, fast ferry. It drops you off in the center of Nantucket where you can easily walk to just about any place. Your dog would love Brandt%26#39;s Point. You might be limited to places to go with your dog...not sure if the Whaling Museum will allow pets but worth a call ahead of time.

Have a great time... you have earned it!

On Nantucket: There%26#39;s a great little gourmet shop, Nantucket Gourmet, at 4 India St., near the ferry docks, run by a lovely couple, Mr/Mrs Stone:

http://www.nantucketgourmet.com/

They make great sandwiches (among other treats) and you%26#39;ll be able to put together a nice lunch for a beach run.

FYI for future readers of this thread who will be visiting ';in season';, no need to drive all the way to Hyannis to pick up a high speed ferry to Nantucket. The Freedom Cruise Line, based in Harwich Port, operates Memorial Day weekend and then June-September -- and parking is free for day trippers. A passengers-only ferry, you can also bring bikes and ';most pets'; on board. A great little company in my experience.

www.nantucketislandferry.com/schedule.shtml

Although the Freedom Cruise out of Harwichport is a convenient alternative to the Hy-Line out of Hyannis, people should note that the Freedom Cruise does limit your time on Nantucket. If you want flexibility in your departures from the Mainland/Nantucket, then the Hy-line is a better choice. If you are staying in Chatham, Harwich or Brewster and want to stay on Nantucket for 6 hours (no more...no less) then Freedom Cruise is perfect for you. It will take about the same amount of time to get from Provincetown to Harwichport as it will to get to Hyannis.

I agree with Cockle Cove here. For a quick trip, it%26#39;s always so much nicer and so much Quicker to just pop down to Harwichport for that fast ferry at Saquatucket Harbor!

No route 6 traffic, no parking lot fees, no Hyannis traffic, easy in/out and a quick ride back to Provincetown! It%26#39;s so much Less of a hassle to get the ferry in Harwichport. If the schedule works for you, that%26#39;s the way to go.

';If you *** want to stay on Nantucket for 6 hours (no more...no less) then Freedom Cruise is perfect for you.';

That%26#39;s true only for Freedom Cruise%26#39;s ';shoulder'; seasons. In July %26amp; August, you can make a longer day of it by taking the 8 AM boat, arriving in Nantucket at 9:20, and then leave Nantucket at 7:30 PM, arriving back in Harwich Port at 8:50.

Freedom Cruise won%26#39;t suit everyone, but you%26#39;ll save at least $25 by choosing it over Hy-Line. Hy-Line charges $8 more for an ';in season'; round-trip, adult ticket %26amp; $17 for parking; additional $5 for a bike (which Freedom takes on board at no charge).

CockleCove: Thanks for the clarification!

$17 for parking? We have never paid for parking when taking the Hy-Line....maybe we have been lucky to find free parking near the ferry in Hyannis. But certainly, folks have choices. Nantucket is a very doable day trip for folks staying on the lower and outer cape.

And I happen to think that there is something nice about supporting a small Cape Cod enterprise like the Freedom Cruise. At least I am assuming that it is run by a local group. Anybody know anything about the ownership?

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