The Escape: From Westchester Carpools to Nantucket Cobblestones in 36 Minutes

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Joanna Cahill
Curated By

Joanna Cahill

  • Nantucket

  • Beaches

  • Weekend Getaways

  • Islands

  • Girls' Getaways

Advisor - The Escape: From Westchester Carpools to Nantucket Cobblestones in 36 Minutes
Curator’s statement

For five busy Westchester moms managing a collective 13 kids and five dogs, Nantucket offered the ultimate high-yield, low-travel-time getaway at just a 36-minute flight from HPN to ACK. While the island is a premier destination all summer long, visiting in mid-June is an ideal sweet spot to catch top venues fully open and buzzing just before the peak July and August crowds arrive. Our 48-hour itinerary seamlessly balanced an impromptu 20+ mile bike ride across the island with casual waterfront dining, upscale morning workouts, classic harbor cocktails, and even an iconic late-night dive bar. Ultimately, we covered an incredible amount of ground without ever feeling rushed, leaving us with a ton of laughs and already planning our next visit to the Grey Lady.

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Things to do in Nantucket

Biking along the many interconnected bike paths. There is a secret location where the horizon looks like the Serengeti in Africa. Do you see it?!

Active & outdoors

  • Impromptu island bike ride: Rent wheels in town and log a 20+ mile ride across the island's excellent bike paths for a fast, scenic way to scout different beaches.

  • Jetties Beach: Spend time enjoying the endless shoreline, grab a bite with live music from 3–6 p.m. at the Sandbar patio, and check out the amazing beach boutique right on site.

  • Stroll by Sankaty Head Light: Take a walk out toward this historic lighthouse in 'Sconset, which features beautiful coastal paths that cut right along the edge of a scenic golf course.

Morning fuel & workouts

  • Bike to breakfast at Island Kitchen: Take an easy morning ride out to this mid-island favorite for an exceptional, casual breakfast or brunch on their great outdoor patio.

  • Pilates at HotHaus and breakfast at Lemon Press: Pair a high-intensity morning workout at HotHaus with a fresh, health-forward breakfast or green juice just down the street at Lemon Press.

Shopping

  • Main Street and wharf boutiques: Dedicate an afternoon to browsing the high-end shops and unique local storefronts, as shopping remains a premier and highly rewarding island activity.

Places to eat & drink in Nantucket

Fresh oysters, live music, sunshine, and great vibes—Cisco is a can't-miss!

Casual waterfront & day bites

  • Harbor relaxation at Old South Wharf: Relax right along the harbor just outside The Cottages, which offers a picturesque and quintessential waterfront location to unwind.

  • Afternoon sushi at Old South Wharf: Head down to the wharves near The Cottages for a perfect afternoon mid-day bite of fresh sushi paired with an Aperol spritz right on the water.

  • Late lunch at Sandbar at Jetties Beach: Grab a solid lobster roll and a drink right on the sand at Jetties Beach, which features great live music and a casual, high-energy patio vibe.

  • Grab-and-go lunch at Provisions: Skip the sit-down wait times and grab high-quality, famously packed sandwiches from this Straight Wharf staple, perfect for bike trip fuel.

Dinner & nightlife

  • Dinner at Black-Eyed Susan’s: Booking a dinner table at this cozy, widely known morning spot offers an exceptional evening menu with the added bonus of a BYOB policy.

  • Sunset and dinner at Millie's: Head out to Madaket for a casual, Mexican-style seafood dinner and catch one of the most reliable and spectacular sunset views on the entire island.

  • Drinks at The Gazebo Bar: Stop by this iconic harbor-side spot for their famous mudslides before the current operator's historic lease wraps up at the end of the 2026 season.

  • Evening drinks at Tree Bar: Start your night at this sophisticated, gorgeous outdoor patio bar tucked right on Main Street for excellent cocktails and people-watching.

  • Cisco Brewers: Catch live music while sampling fresh local oysters and visiting gourmet food trucks at this iconic brewery, which easily mimics a mini music festival atmosphere.

  • Late-night laughs at The Chicken Box: Head to this legendary, unpretentious mid-island music venue and dive bar for great live bands, high-energy crowds, and a great late-night dance floor.

Need to know

Be sure to bring water on your bike ride. There are no delis, markets, or gas stations along much of the ride. Be sure to stay on the bike paths, as there are many that are interconnected. Use your Google Maps bike toggle to find them. Pro tip: If and when you do run out of water, stop by the Nantucket Shipwreck and Life Saving Museum. They proudly sell water to bikers and offer use of their restrooms. A perfect pit stop to soak in the island splendor!

Joanna Cahill

Travel Advisor

Joanna Cahill

Advisor - Joanna Cahill

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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Nantucket page.