Fall on Nantucket may be one of the island’s best kept secrets… but we’re ready to spill the tea on what makes it so special! Take in the changing leaves and vibrant colors of the season, while enjoying the activities and events that make this time of year so appealing. These Columbus Day Weekend Pro Tips will take you through downtown Nantucket, to the fall harvest, out on the water, and everywhere in between.
Cobblestones and Cranberries
Channel your inner shopaholic this CDW with a local business initiative that could help you win great prizes just by doing what you love. Participating stores are offering discounts, so the more you shop, the better chance you have at winning giveaways and grand prizes. Keep an eye out for storefronts taking part in the Chamber of Commerce’s decorating contest, and enjoy picturesque Nantucket town in the height of Autumn as you explore. Free to all and taking place from October 9th-12th. For more information, click here.
Join in on the Fall Harvest
There is no better way to take in the stunning diversity of color during a Nantucket fall than with a guided tour of the Milestone Cranberry Bogs. Join Neil Foley & Nick Larrabee for casual and informative walks exploring the challenge of cultivating cranberries on an island, the harvest process, and the impact and influence cranberries have on Nantucket’s history. Guided tours are free (with COVID-19 measures taken), but registration is required. For more information, click here.
Keep Calm and Go Scalloping
The time for long summer beach days may be over, but Nantucket waters still have a lot to offer. If you’re a yearlong water bug or seafood lover, we suggest you try your hand at scalloping this long weekend. Nantucket Bay Scallops are nationally known for their sweet taste, delicate texture and make a five-star meal for any determined scalloper. Techniques for catching them include diving, raking, snorkeling and scuba diving, and shallow waters from Madaket to Monomoy will be sure to reward you richly for your efforts. For more information on permits and equipment, visit the Harbormaster’s office and local marine stores, or click here.
The Show Must Go On
The Artists Association of Nantucket is still holding the Wet Paint Auction this year over Columbus Day weekend, with some COVID-19 modifications. Titled “Coming and Going”, the show features pieces from over seventy local Nantucket artists, and will take places with an online auction and a live preview scheduled for October 11th at Bartlett’s farm. Come get a taste of the artistic talent this island has to offer, and maybe even put in a bid of your own! For more information on how to get involved, click here.
Keep it Short and Simple
Film buffs, this one’s for you! Nantucket’s favorite mini film festival kicks off this Saturday with the “Best of the Fest” Nantucket Shorts Festival. Featuring the top scoring videos of the past few years’ festivals, this virtual film fête will kick off at 7:00 pm on October 10, on Comcast Channel 18, or on the NCTV18 YouTube Channel. A taste of what you’ll find: tongue-in-cheek jokes about the island’s reputation, Take-It-Or-Leave-It woes, charming animations, and more. For more information, click here.
Last Chance Dining
Quick! Hurry in to these restaurants before they close for the season. Bar Yoshi, a popular sushi spot and raw bar, will be closing its doors Sunday, October 11th for the winter. Enjoy the last of the summer’s fresh catch and treat yourself to one of their creative cocktails. In addition to Bar Yoshi, The Chanticleer, Or, the Whale, Ships Inn, and Ventuno are just a few of Nantucket’s best restaurants who are also closing over Columbus Day weekend. Be sure to make your reservations and enjoy their delicacies before it’s too late! For more information about which restaurants are open this week, click here.
Photography credits: Kit Noble, Chamber of Commerce, From NoVA to Nantucket, The Copley Group Nantucket, Nantucket Shorts Festival, Bar Yoshi.
