Nantucket
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With all its museums, beaches, outdoor activities, festivals, celebrations and nightlife, it is sometimes hard to understand why people consider this a relaxing destination. But of course, all the activity just contributes to the Nantucket experience that draws visitors back year after year.

Museums

The island is steeped in history: every cobblestone street and old home has a story. Centuries of Nantucket history have been preserved in numerous museums. A few are scattered around the island but most are in the center of town. Favorite spots include the Whaling Museum; Maria Mitchell Association's Aquarium; the Nantucket Atheneum, and the Oldest House, also known as the Jethro Coffin House, not to be confused with the Jared Coffin House.

Festivals

Spring is greeted by the Daffodil Festival, with some 3 million blossoms the last weekend of April. Spring is a great time to partake of the Island's numerous outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, bird watching, fishing, and nature study. You can even take a seal cruise.

Summer is peak season when throngs of vacationers flock to the pristine beaches to take advantage of the serenity and charm the isolated island offers. The island is ringed by some 50 miles of publicly accessible beaches, and, besides just lying about; you can also rent equipment to kayak, fish, sail or windsurf. The August Antiques Show takes place each spring.

In the fall, streets that were bustling in summer have quieted down a bit, yet there is still plenty to do, without the waits and crowds. October is the prime month for harvesting cranberries, an event not to be missed. Fishing aficionados will love Nantucket in the fall, when striped bass, bluefish, yellow and white perch and cod start to bite, and the Nantucket bay scallop harvest begins (visitors can participate in the harvest by obtaining a license from the town's Marine Department). October is also the month to sample the work of local artists, and also Nantucket's famous chowder. The Nantucket Arts Festival is the week before Columbus Day, while the Nantucket Chowder Fest is the following weekend.

Although a large number of inns and restaurants are closed during the winter, numerous shops, museums, and galleries and, of course, all the beaches are open. Exploring the streets and island in isolation is an incomparable experience. Visitors return year after year in the beginning of December for Christmas Stroll, an old-time celebration that includes tours of historical homes, crafts fairs, caroling and theatrical performances.

Nightlife

Summer nights, local and international bands can be heard crooning at numerous watering holes around the Island. Downtown finds a slew of nightspots providing live music, DJs and dancing. Among them is the Brotherhood of Thieves, a cozy bar with an extensive drink menu and live folk music year round. The Rose & Crown is a local favorite for live music, dancing, karaoke and its friendly beer-hall ambiance. The Tap Room offers live jazz many nights and an inviting bar every night.

Band concerts are held at Children's Beach from July 4 through Labor Day. Bring blankets, chairs, and snacks, and get some space in front of the bandstand. The third weekend of August usually finds the Boston Pops in town.

Cinema

If fortunate enough to have scheduled your trip in the beginning of the summer, be sure to check out the Nantucket Film Festival, held for six days mid-June, and purchase your week-long passes ahead of time. After the festival is over, there are three movie theaters: Gaslight Theater and Dreamland Theater in town, and 'Sconset Casino. Only Gaslight is open year-round.

For art enthusiasts, there are a number of impressive art galleries in town, and the Island's Artist Association features year-round art exhibits. Several theatre groups and musical organizations also offer a variety of concerts and performances throughout the year. Listings can be found in the Inquirer and Mirror.