Nantucket vacation info

My family and I are planning on stopping at Nantucket Island for a day or two on our way to Maine. We are driving and I%26#39;m not sure what we should do with our car once we get there. Also, my 81 year old mother will be with us and cannot ride a bike and has some trouble walking too far distances although she loves to walk among the shops and then stop and sit for a while. Is Nantucket senior friendly? Also, even though my husband, mother and I are dieing to walk the shops, my two girls ages 12 and 14 might be bored. Is there anything interesting for the kids? Another question is when is the best time of year to go? We were planning sometime in July.

Nantucket vacation info

The best thing to do with your car is probably to leave it parked in Hyannis. Both of the ferry lines operate parking areas and charge in the range of $15-17 per day. This will save you the $380+ that it costs to bring a car back and forth on the ferry (if you could even get a reservation.) And you really don%26#39;t need a car on the island if you just want to spend a day or two and see the main sights. The ferries bring you right into Town, the downtown area is easily walkable, and there are bike paths and a public bus system that reach most of the other major points.

Based on your description, I think your mother should be fine. One sees plenty of seniors walking around Nantucket, and there are lots of benches along the sidewalks where she can take a breather. The cobblestones and brick sidewalks could be tricky on a rainy day, but in general it%26#39;s not too hard to get around. And again, the bus system is available if she wants to go further afield, e.g. to see %26#39;Sconset.

Even if your girls don%26#39;t like shopping, they may still enjoying walking around on their own, seeing the historic architecture and ';hanging out';. If not, it%26#39;s easy to rent bikes and take a ride, or to hop on the bus and head for one of the beaches.

As to your last question, July is high season and is a great time to go if you want to be able to swim in the ocean, have long days, etc. Things will be crowded but (in my opinion) not uncomfortably so. If you had some flexibility, the autumn is also nice.

Nantucket vacation info

Here%26#39;s one possible ';non-boring'; idea for your 12- and 14-year olds: A private windsurfing lessons at Jetties Beach. See www.nantucketcommunitysailing.org/page/3581/

I think you%26#39;ll have to call in June, when the sailing center re-opens, to arrange this, though.

Thank you very much for your information. That really helps me out alot! : )

Thanks very much! I%26#39;ll be sure to keep all that in mind. :)