CC ACK BEACH HOUSE: A Day in the Life Off Season

The last few months have been an absolute whirlwind at the Nantucket Beach House. We received the keys to our new home in early November and spent the last five months completely redesigning the space, all remotely.

Thank goodness for our incredible partners: Lynn Morgan Design, who brought the vision to life from afar (a skill I definitely don’t have!), and Main Street Construction, our boots-on-the-ground team in Nantucket. We truly couldn’t have pulled it off without them!

Credit: Zofia Crosby

Now that the home is nearly complete, our last trip to the island finally started to feel more relaxing and less like a full-time job. The 14-hour days of unpacking, organizing, and deep cleaning are behind me. My car is no longer packed to the brim with cardboard boxes.  In fact, this most recent trip it was filled with the people I love most: my family.

Last week was our daughters’ spring break, and while the weather wasn't our typical spring-break travel warm, we’re committed to enjoying this home year-round whenever we can. Before buying the house, I had never visited Nantucket in the off-season.  Now, I’ve made nearly a dozen trips between fall to spring and I’ve fallen in love with the island off season!

While many shops and restaurants are still closed, there’s enough happening to keep things interesting. And honestly, I’ve come to savor the quiet, the empty beaches, peaceful streets, and the feeling that the island is all your own.

Here’s how we spent our off-season April break on Nantucket.

MORNING COFFEE AT ROASTD

I am utterly obsessed with ROASTD's phenomenal coffee and I start every day on island with one of their lattes...and I don't drink lattes normally.  They're that good. Their almond milk is homemade, which I fully appreciate. Their airport location is larger and also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Great delicious and healthy options and they're ideal for grab and go with the kids.  The former chef of Dune (iykyk).

FLORAL MART

I have a rule that when we're there for 3 nights or more I am allowed to buy fresh flowers.  Fresh florals just make me happy and I love the beautiful and quaint shop, Flowers on Chestnut, downtown.  Their window boxes are also always among my favorites in town each season! 

DINING OUT

 If you've ever visited Nantucket, you know it's a culinary experience.  The amazing cuisine is one of our favorite things about the island.  When we're home in Connecticut, we rarely eat out; but on Nantucket, going out is part of the experience!

Some of of favorite spots that we dined last week...

Sister Ship just reopened this month. I love the food, but I love the ambiance even more!  It's an eclectic coastal vibe - vintage nautical meets Bali!

Lola 41 is one of our favorite restaurants on the island and it's open year round!  Reservations are difficult to get during the summer months, so having access off season is a great perk!  Favorite noshes: chicken lettuce cups, chopped salad, poke nachos, snowy mountain roll.  I'm salivating now!

Brant Point Grill is our go-to brunch spot.  With a beautiful harbor view, the newly renovated space is even more gorgeous!  We've always come here for brunch the first and last day of our vacation (when we rented) and we closed out spring break the same way. 

Millie's at the rotary is a 5 minute drive from our home and we hit it up multiple times this week between lunch and dinner takeout.  I usually get the Great Point Salad and, if I'm indulging, the fish tacos!  My kids also love Millie's.  In the summertime their Madaket location is amazing - right off the beach. 

SHOPPING IN TOWN

No trip is complete without a jaunt downtown.   My favorite clothing store is Gypsy - they have the best brands from well knowns - like Nili Lotan and Khaite - to sophisticated, indie brands I discover each season. 

I'm always checking out Bon Ton for fun vintage finds and my girls and I love Erica Wilson.

But, the top of the list, must-visit with my kids is always Barnaby Toys.  We love the shop and the lovely owner, Wendy.  Our girls love to take their arts & crafts classes that they offer daily during the summer months.  

THE BEACH

No trip is ever complete without a visit to the beach.  Off season it's often a drive down/ quick visit, but last week was warm enough that we were able to ride our bikes down and actually hang out a bit.  Our house is a short bike ride from the beach, so it's an easy ride to do as a family.

Credit: Seaworthy Nantucket/ Zofia Crosby