We always love a fresh perspective on Nantucket… so when Gettysburg College Grad, Alexandra Barlowe, moved to the island for the first time during the off season, we had her write a feature on 5 for Fall as the New Kid on The Rock… Enjoy!
I arrived on Nantucket just as the leaves were beginning to change and the frenzy of summer was fading into the stillness of fall. This was my new adventure and, after taking my first steps off the Hy-Line ferry, I knew I was in trouble. The charm of Nantucket immediately caught my eye. I love the salty, crisp air of the ocean, the 18th-century cobblestone streets and the abundance of beach cruisers with little woven baskets bustling around town. Fall on Nantucket just might be my new happy place and I am so excited to call this beautiful island my home for the next few months.
My first few weeks on Nantucket have been filled with every October-loving gal’s dream. I’ve located the best hot chocolate (@handlebarcafe), curled up on the porch with a big, fuzzy blanket to watch the super-moon, and biked to numerous wide open beaches. These quieter fall months highlight the island’s natural beauty, from the blue hues of the surf to the dramatic sunsets over Madaket, and I don’t want to miss one thing! It’s true. The sea has cast its spell and I am FALLing in love with Nantucket.
We’ve all heard that fall is a time for new beginnings. F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” It’s a time of reflection, of focus, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to be right now than the calm of a seaside getaway. I may still be a Nantucket Newbie, but I know one thing for sure – this is one love affair that’s never fading. {And its a pretty good time for a change}. So, with the close of September and the first half of October under my belt, here is my newbies look at the best of fall on Nantucket. Vogue Magazine recently quoted an island resident saying “The fall is quieter than the summer, but it’s still full of life,” and I couldn’t agree more. Here is my 5 for Fall...
1. Fall Beach Cruising
“Free as the wind!” There is no better feeling than heading out on the long, windy roads of Nantucket with absolutely no plans for the day. Enter in a vintage Schwinn bike, crimson colored landscapes and crunchy leaves…and you may just have the perfect October afternoon! My first fall cruise took me around the sleepy streets of ‘Sconset and back around to the Brant Point Lighthouse just in time for sunset. These fall days are the perfect time for exploring the island by bike. The temperatures are better (we all love sweater-weather ☺), the bike paths less crowded and the views more colorful! Nantucket’s charm wriggles its way through each nook, cranny and bygone corner of the island and every day is a new adventure. So, slip on your boots and favorite fall sweater, grab a thermos of hot cider (spiked optional *wink*) and head out for a bike ride….just free as the wind! The air is crisp, the sunflowers have peaked and the auburn trees glisten in the sun’s reflection. It is quintessential fall in one of the most idyllic spots in New England, and – best of yet – you may just have it all to yourself!
2. The Beauty at Bartlett’s Farm
Any new season starts out with countless expectations. Thinking of fall brings up all the fabulous thoughts of cider donuts, cozy flannels, spooky halloween decorations and pumpkins….lots and lots of pumpkins. There is no better place to explore the natural beauty and bounty of this island than Bartlett’s Farm out near Cisco. The farm is ripe with all the classic fixins’ of a fall shoot: gourds, mums, squash, pumpkins (of course) and plenty of vibrant, seasonal flowers. This fall palette, with the combination of warm colors and textures, is truly a treat for the eyes and has got us feeling festively fall! So, get your insta-game ready because its harvest time at the farm and these goods are gourd-eous!
3. Savoring The Shoulder Season At Cisco
Blueberry cocktails, raw bar, craft beers, award wining wines, oysters and live music. Life is good at Cisco Brewery. And, with delicious additions like the Pumple Drumkin specialty brew and past October events such as #ACKtobeerfest and Brad Corrigan (of Dispatch), life is especially good at Cisco Brewery during ACKtober. Everyday’s a fall #funday at Cisco. The foliage at the brewery can’t be beat, especially when combined with the afternoon sunshine or the twinkling lights and cozy fire pit of an autumn eve, and the community feels are on point. Just like the farm, Cisco Brewery keeps in fresh. I tried the cranberry pinot gris and it was such a treat! Crisp, chilled and filled with all the local, seasonal flavors of Nantucket’s own cranberries… I couldn’t recommend it more! *Cheers!*
4. Those Other Nantucket Reds
Speaking of cranberry pinot gris, Nantucket Reds take their purest and most natural form during fall…and we’re not just talking about the leaves (although totally the leaves too!). These fall months on Nantucket are prime harvesting season for cranberries and the island is brimming with these sweet little scarlet buds. Between the brilliantly red cranberry bogs, the burgundy trees that line the cobblestoned streets of Main, and the October blooms still speckled about the island…we’re wishing fall could last forever! …AND with these countless crates of fresh cranberries…comes lots and lots of cranberry goodies!! As a shameless lover of all things chocolate, I am head over heels for the selection of Cranberry Creations from the Nantucket Chocolatier. If I HAD to pick a favorite…i’d say it was the Cranberry Caramels with a Splash of Sea Salt, an artisan-made creation from Nantucket’s very best chocolate shop, Sweet Inspirations. Yum!
5. Fall on the Beach
Of course, any Nantucket fall bucket list would be sorely incomplete without mentioning the world renowned, now entirely wide open beaches of the island. Nantucket’s gorgeous weather tends to carry into the autumn months and, though the temperatures may cool, they are not yet cool enough for the brave at heart who want to dive into a September swim. However, for those, ahem, less inclined to brave the chilly yet alluring waters, fall offers the perfect time for a variety of other beach activities.
For example, I’ve discovered that some of the most magnificent sunsets take place over the brisk, wintry waters of the island and, for the hopeless romantic in us all, offer the perfect backdrop for a cozy beach picnic. So sit back, take in the serenity of the ocean breeze…and don’t forget to pack a thick, warm blanket to wrap up in afterwards and watch the stars.
And when the sun sets on another Nantucket fall, as the last hydrangeas give way to amber leaves, we know its time for a new season and new things to look forward to….until next time!
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