Will Travel For: Books
Nantucket, Massachusetts, may be first and foremost known as a destination for beach lovers, but it’s an excellent vacation spot for book lovers, too. In July, EDGE Escapes, a private membership community geared toward the book- and travel-loving set, hosted a small group retreat in partnership with local Nantucket author Elin Hilderbrand. Guests enjoyed a Hilderbrand-inspired look at the island—the prolific author has called Nantucket home for over 30 years and is thus a wealth of knowledge—as well as an intimate cocktail hour and dinner with Hilderbrand herself.
Anyone who has ever set foot on Nantucket will be quick to tell you that it’s a magical place, despite being just 14 miles long and three and a half miles wide. EDGE encouraged guests to truly see Nantucket’s cobblestone streets, quaint storefronts, and charming homes through Hilderbrand’s eyes, so to speak.
Prior to dinner with the author, her sister, Heather Thorpe, led attendees on a bus tour of some of the author’s most beloved spots on island. Thorpe highlighted locales including Winter Street, the site of Hilderbrand’s fictional Winter Street Inn, learned more about the author’s favorite shops and restaurants, as outlined in her 2025 Nantucket guide, and concluded by leading a champagne toast at the ever-popular Chicken Box, a dive bar that makes a cameo in many of Hilderbrand’s books.
Over a meal at Topper’s at The Wauwinet, EDGE guests then had the opportunity to ask Hilderbrand further questions about her day to day rituals on Nantucket: Where does she do her best writing? What’s her favorite shop for clothes and accessories? Does she still frequent “the Box”? (The answer to that one is yes, sometimes, when there’s a top notch live band playing).
Hilderbrand is chock full of recommendations for things to do, see, and eat on Nantucket, but she isn’t the only one with extensive knowledge of the island. Many Friends of Fenimore are also Nantucket regulars and have plenty of suggestions for fantastic local hotels, restaurants, stores, and activities—all of the below deserve a spot on any future Nantucket agenda!
WHERE TO STAY:
If you’re looking for a place to stay in ‘Sconset, The Summer House is a wonderful option—and it also features a pool, which is harder to come by on island. The Summer House is home to one- and two-bedroom cottages, making for a more private guest experience. With two restaurants on property, it’s easy to grab a bite without having to go far. And if you need to stock up on other refreshments during your stay, the famed Sconset Market is just a short walk away.
Located in a prime downtown spot, Greydon House sits inside of a 1850s former sea captain’s home. Featuring interiors by Roman and Williams, the beautiful 20-room property is a design lover’s paradise that is just two minutes away from Nantucket's ferry terminal.
Not to be confused with Elin Hilderband’s fictional Hotel Nantucket, this property has been operating on island since 1891. Open year round, the hotel is also the home of many weddings and celebrations on Nantucket and contains a mix of guest rooms, suites, and cottages.
Set across six beautifully designed buildings in the heart of downtown Nantucket, Faraway is a chic, walkable home base just steps from the ferries, shops, and restaurants. Be sure to stop by its sister restaurant, Sister Ship, for excellent food and a very good cocktail.
WHERE TO DINE:
Fashion content creator Annie Culbertson calls Straight Wharf “hands down my favorite restaurant on Nantucket, an absolute must.” The longtime ACK visitor has her order down pat: “Always start with the oysters, which are served with the most exquisite grapefruit vinaigrette,” Culbertson suggests. “Most of the menu changes frequently to showcase the freshest seasonal, local ingredients, so every visit feels exciting.”
When she isn’t dining at Straight Wharf, Culbertson is also eager to grab a bite at Via Mare, which she says is “one of Nantucket's most underrated spots for a drink or a few small plates.” The restaurant’s vibe is enticing enough on its own. “The interior strikes the perfect balance of cozy and elevated, with an old-world Nantucket feel that makes you want to hang your hat up and stay for a while,” she says. “It’s perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail or cozying up during a grey lady day.”
EDGE guests enjoyed dinner with Hilderbrand at Topper’s at The Wauwinet, and if you’re willing to make the drive, it's more than worth the visit, agrees Callie Stanton, the senior vice president of brand and communications at Auberge Resorts (don’t miss her Talk Shop feature!). “It’s fantastic for the island’s best burger, a cold martini, and one of the best wine lists,” she says. “Go early for a drink on the lawn and watch the sunset before dinner.” CWT Consulting Group’s Caroline Turnipseed agrees that catching the sunset on property is an absolute must. “It's incredibly peaceful, and having drinks on their lawn is my favorite timeless coastal backdrop,” she says.
“My favorite bite on the island of Nantucket is 167 Raw,” says Adnan Anwar, an interior designer. “If it were up to me, I would go with a friend and split the tuna poke, which is wonderfully savory and fresh but served with tortilla chips, and a half lobster roll. They have a lovely gravel garden with picnic tables, and it is the most perfect place to bike to.”
Save room to enjoy dessert at Nantucket’s highly popular Juice Bar, which is best known for its homemade waffle cones and wide range of innovative ice creams (though juices, smoothies, and sorbets are available, too). Having trouble landing on a flavor? You can’t go wrong with the beloved Green Monster, a hybrid mint and cookie dough concoction.
Though Juice Bar lines can span several blocks long at peak times of day (late afternoon and post-dinner), don’t let that deter you. “Don’t waste your time anywhere else,” Stanton says. “I promise, the line is worth the wait!”
Wicked Island Bakery, Born & Bread, and Roastd
Nantucket has no shortage of popular bakeries that are quick to draw morning crowds.
“Wicked Island Bakery’s famous morning bun is an absolute must-try when visiting Nantucket,” Stanton says.
Content creator Abigail Widger agrees. “The morning buns are the perfect way to start the day, with a flaky exterior and just the right amount of sweetness,” she says.
That said, securing one of these delicacies isn’t always easy. “Go early because the lines get long,” Stanton advises. (The bakery opens at 6 a.m. on weekdays and at 7:am on weekends, but word on the street is that it’s best to line up 20 minutes early—so be sure to set an alarm!). Hilderbrand fans might remember the morning buns making an appearance in this summer’s Peacock adaption of her novel The Five Star Weekend!
Not such an early riser? “For coffee and pastries, Born & Bread in town is a favorite, but my favorite coffee can be found at Roastd on Orange Street, where they make their own nut milk,” Stanton offers.
WHERE TO SHOP:
No Nantucket trip is complete without a great new beach read, and Mitchell’s Book Corner is well-stocked with titles of all kinds for kids and adults alike. Mitchell’s was an important fixture on the EDGE bus tour—after all, it's where Hilderbrand hosts her weekly book signings every Wednesday.
Needlepoint enthusiasts, this one’s for you! Erica Wilson sells both womenswear and needlepoint accessories, so be sure to stock up on threads, canvases, pouches and more, whether you’re looking for an activity to take to the beach or enjoy at home on a rainy summer day.
Jaci Conry is partial to the Veronica Beard store on Nantucket. “The brand’s boutique on South Water Street is a sparkling outlier,” she says. “Housed in a stand-alone building styled like a surf shack, the lawn here is always abuzz with activity—think pop-ups from local artisans, capsule collections, mahjong games.”
New this summer, Tuckernuck’s on-island popup, titled ‘A Sailor’s Valentine,’ is quaint and full of the brand’s signature pieces—everyday clothing, accessories, jewelry, and more. It’s only fitting that the e-commerce giant finally has a brick and mortar location on the island after which it’s named!
Looking to bring a piece of the Nantucket design aesthetic home following your trip? Tiny in size yet oh-so-sweet, vintage shop Bon Ton features all kinds of Nantucket-themed home accessories that are easy to pack in your carry on: think small Nantucket baskets, servingware, books, artwork, and more. There’s always new inventory being added, so you truly never know what you might find on a given trip!
WHERE TO PLAY:
It wouldn’t be an ACK trip without a beach day!
“With more than 50% of Nantucket’s land protected, enjoying the island’s natural beauty is a must,” Widger says. “One of my favorite ways to do so is by driving out to Great Point Lighthouse and spending the afternoon on the beach.”
Of course, she adds, you will want to make sure that you have both a beach permit and a 4x4 vehicle with properly lowered tire pressure to navigate the sand. And don’t forget to pack some snacks! “I’d recommend grabbing sandwiches from a local spot like Claudette’s or Provisions, exploring the area around the lighthouse, and then finding a spot on the beach to settle in for the afternoon.”
Nantucket Historical Association
History buffs, we haven’t forgotten about you! “Nantucket's centuries-old legacy of craftsmanship is woven into the fabric of the island, and there's no better place to experience it than through the Nantucket Historical Association,” Conry says. “Through workshops and classes, participants can try their hand at iconic Nantucket lightship basket weaving, scrimshaw, and the intricate art of creating sailors' valentines.”
Conry is a huge proponent of the latter: “I took a two-hour sailor’s valentine class a few years ago and relished the opportunity to unplug and immerse myself in the art of creating a decorative mosaic made from tiny seashells,” she reflects. “Not only did I leave with a lovely octagonal box showcasing my creation, but I also gained a deeper appreciation for the artistry and maritime heritage that continue to define the island today.”
Cisco Brewers
Looking for activities beyond the beach? Stanton is a proponent of grabbing a group of friends and spending the afternoon at Cisco Brewers. “They have live music, a variety of incredible food trucks, and fantastic drinks,” she says. Stay for an hour or five—the party never ends! Cisco is also featured in many of Hilderbrand’s novels, and the author has hosted book events there, too.
The Sconset Bluff Walk, which runs about two miles round trip, is a great way to get your steps in while admiring Nantucket’s incredible scenery. Grab an iced coffee from Sconset Market, then make your way down the trail until you reach the Sankaty Head Lighthouse, which happens to be an excellent photo spot.
“If you can, go first thing in the morning before the path gets busy,” Turnipseed recommends. “The quiet, salty air and peaceful surroundings make for the most serene start to the day. If you find yourself there in the afternoon instead, there’s only one way to end it—with a homemade scoop from the Sconset Market ice cream shop!”
