Coastal Grandmother Guide to Nantucket
If you’re in the same corners of TikTok that I am, you’ve been seeing that Coastal Grandmother is the vibe of the summer. Nancy Meyer’s kitchen’s, luxurious cream cashmeres, Hamptons and Nantucket - regardless of your generational status, you too can live out the coastal grandmother lifestyle. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, check out the authority on the topic.
As we approach summer 2022, the best opportunity for the coastal grandmother aesthetic is upon us, with the summer being the ideal time for the entire east coast to start heading to the iconic destinations where “summering” becomes a verb. Now I can say all this with an air of irony, because I have been “summering” in Nantucket for my entire life. This West Village Woman is also a Nantucket Girl. (No joke, my first AIM screenname was islandgal121. I wish I was kidding.)
How to live your Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic on Nantucket this Summer
Since I am also a lover of the relaxed luxury of the Coastal Grandmother lifestyle, I thought it’d be fun to collect my recommendations for living that lifestyle on my favorite island this summer!
Host a dinner party with fresh produce from the farm
Bartlett’s Farm is the local produce supplier, bringing in local produce from the fields just nearby or other regional producers. It’s a quaint old space, tucked away off Hummock Pond road, not far from Cisco Brewers and the beach. They are famous for the unbelieveable hothouse tomatoes that come out in the later part of the summer.
If you are staying in a house, there’s no better coastal grandmother vibes than a gorgeous tablescape dinner (yes they sell flowers too!) with your friends and bottles of wine to toast to a lovely weekend or vacation on the island.
Afternoon Bike Rides
Much of the island other than town is most easily accessible by car but if you’re living the Coastal Grandmother life, you’re in no rush and enjoy outdoors. You’ll see bike's all over the island with baskets (a historic Nantucket tradition) so feel free to load up some snacks (and maybe a bottle of Rose) and go explore. There are gorgeous nature reserves out Cliff Road or depending on your level of fitness you can venture to some south shore beaches of main roads like Surfside.
For visitors, bikes can be rented from Young’s in town, right off the ferry!
Also the grandmother part of this needs to remind you to wear your sunscreen!
Slow island mornings
The good news about Nantucket is there’s really something for everybody. Want to go out late and sleep in late, go for it. Lots of activities and then quiet night at home, all good! Coastal grandmothers balance the two - socializing and activities in medium amounts but they still allow for slow mornings with coffee on the porch.
Nantucket is amazing East Coast summer weather in that it’s normally not too hot early in the day but warms up in time for beach in the afternoon. But regardless of where you’re staying, make sure to enjoy the morning slowness and birds chirping on the island. The stillness is gorgeous and worth noting!
Take a sunset boat cruise
What better place to wear a buttery cashmere seater and linen pants than on a classic sailboat around the harbor? Coastal grandmothers aren’t doing this every day but arranging an outing like this is perfect for when guests are in town wanting to enjoy being on an island. Most allow you to bring your own refreshments and you can choose morning, afternoon, or the much requested sunset cruise!
The views are gorgeous and it’s a great occasion to sip wine and feel the breeze. Coastal grandmother life is good when you’re with the people you love!
(This photo is from one such cruise I did with 12 friends who came to the island in 2021 - it was one of the highlights of the trip!)
Read on the beach!
Nantucket beaches are far more low key than the scenes of many other beach destinations, partially because there are so many options to choose from and most families have their personal favorite. And note only a few have any sort of facilities so to speak (bathrooms or snack bars of any kind)! Most groups will pack up their supplies, chairs, towels, food and beverage and settle into a spot for the afternoon.
If you go one or two entrances off of any main beach, you’re far more likely to end up with the quiet to be able to settle in with a sunhat and your book, in true coastal grandmother aesthetic. As always, sunscreen ladies!
So what do you think? Is a coastal grandmother Nantucket summer in your future?
There is endless opportunity for the cozy, beachy, casual, luxury that we love about the coastal grandmother aesthetic and I can’t wait to hear all about what you’ve brought to life. Tell me what you think (and any questions you’d like answered) in my DM’s over on the ‘gram!