Salt Air & Soft Linen: Ave Takes on Nantucket

If there’s one place that manages to feel both timeless and totally in-the-know, it’s Nantucket. Equal parts salty air and striped cashmere, the island is a masterclass in understated luxury. It’s not flashy—but that’s the point. Nantucket doesn’t need to try. And neither do you.

This is where you go to exhale. To trade pavement for cobblestone, espresso shots for a glass of Sancerre at lunch, and inboxes for beach bikes. It’s a reset wrapped in Ralph Lauren.

Getting There

Take the fast ferry from Hyannis, preferably mid-morning. The slow one’s fine if you’re with kids or carrying half of Serena & Lily, but otherwise—save yourself. Once you arrive, prepare to forget what day it is. You’ll land in town, where everything smells like sunscreen, hydrangeas, and vacation.

Where to Stay

You have options: historic inns, private rentals, or one of the island’s polished hotels. Stay in town if you want to walk to dinner in heels; opt for Sconset or Cliffside if you're going full coastal retreat.

(If you're renting, make sure it’s styled. Life’s too short for bad upholstery and synthetic bedding.)

What to Do

You don’t come to Nantucket to "do"—you come to be. That said:

Get on a bike. It’s the most elegant form of transportation here. Ride out to Cisco Brewers and back before sunset.
Beach hop. Steps Beach for beauty, Surfside for waves, and Madaket for a golden-hour moment that feels like the Hamptons without the attitude.
Pop into town shops. Murray’s for a classic Nantucket red moment. CJ Laing and Skinny Dip for updated resort staples. Bodega and Atlantic for interiors you'll mentally screenshot.
Dinner reservations are not optional. Lola 41, The Nautilus (yes, they have a sister location here), Galley Beach for a toes-in-the-sand sunset dinner.

Eat, Drink, Repeat

Brunch at Island Kitchen. Raw bar at Cru. Ice cream at The Juice Bar (yes, the line is long—yes, it’s worth it). And if you don’t leave the island with at least one lobster roll in your system, did you even go?

Cocktail tip: ask for something not sweet. Bartenders here are typically pros. Island G&T, glass of rosé, or a proper martini are always safe bets.

What to Pack

Think coastal uniform with a side of effortlessness:

Oversized button-downs, lived-in denim, neutral knits
A one-piece that doubles as a top
A sweater for chilly nights and windy ferry rides
Raffia everything: hat, bag, slides
A great scent that smells like salt and citrus

Avoid: loud logos, sky-high heels, and anything that feels like you’re trying too hard.

Nantucket is where summer style meets salty air. It’s quiet luxury on an island, where time slows down just enough to remind you what living well actually feels like.