Tag Archives: Nantucket

Nantucket Nectars tea lights

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For us, summer starts with a Half-&-Half. It also middles and ends that way, which leads to lots of bottles in the recycle bin. We dutifully keep our caps in a jar, promising to do something someday to showcase our love for Nantucket Nectars and the quirky little facts on the insides of their lids. And we found it, a great little accoutrement to our summer evenings: Nantucket Nectars tea lights.
Nantucket Nectars DIY CandlesThese candles are fun and easy to DIY — but perhaps the best thing about this craft is that it keeps with Nantucket’s reduce-reuse-recycle philosophy. All the materials used are things that generally wind up in the trash: bottle caps, broken crayons, and empty cans. In fact, the pre-waxed wicks (ours came from Amazon) were our only new purchase.
Nantucket Nectars DIY Candle SuppliesSupplies: Nantucket Nectars lids, crayons, pre-waxed wicks, empty tin cans, scissors, waxed paper (optional).

Method: Peel the paper off your crayons, break into pieces, and place (by color) in a clean tin can. Stand the tin can in a pot of boiling water (just a few inches will do). The crayons will melt quickly — within a few minutes.
Nantuket Nectars DIY Tea LightsPlace a sheet of waxed paper on the counter (to guard against spills) and put your Nantucket Nectars caps on top. Stand up the wicks in the lids, covering the island fun facts. (Sad, I know.) Carefully pour the melted wax to fill each lid. Let the wax harden and dry for 1-2 hours. Snip the wick to the desired length, and your tea lights are good to go.
Nantucket Nectars DIY Candle FinishedHey, what a great conversation piece for your next lobster boil.
Nantuket Nectars Cap Candles

5 Best Picnic Spots on Nantucket

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Picnic season is here! And it seems to us that Nantucket offers the holy trinity of picnic parts: unbeatable summer weather, gorgeous terrain, and fabulously fresh local food. Basically you owe it to yourself to throw down a blanket and chow this summer.

There are all kinds of sweet spots on the island for a picnic—from the garden at the Atheneum to the Sankaty Head Lighthouse. But if you’ve got to choose, here are our five absolute favorite spots for a picnic on Nantucket.

Shipwreck Museum
This little museum—some might even call it quaint—near Quidnet qualifies as a local gem. But be sure to bring a lunch or a snack to enjoy in the ample outside space. The museum has a nice outdoor area, complete with picnic tables and bucket swings made from re-purposed life preservers. Some of our most memorable ACK conversations have been with the local artists who come by to paint the adjoining preserve.
Shipwreck Museum Nantucket

Bartlett’s Farm
Pop in the market to pick-n-choose your picnic goods from their achingly fresh prepared food offerings. Then take your booty right outside to the bevy of picnic tables to enjoy while you soak up some sun. You’ll have a view of the lovely gardens and flowers, and there’s even a small playground for the younger set. Thirsty? You’re right by the Cisco Brewery—head over for a pint after you fill your belly.

Not pictured: The awesome picnic spot to the left. D'oh!

Not pictured: The awesome picnic spot to the left. D’oh!

Sesachacha Pond
Weave your way through Quidnet and you’re bound to discover Sesachacha, a calm, beachy swimming hole. Sesachacha—say it “SACK a juh” if you want to sound like a local—makes a lovely picnic spot, especially for families with young kids; the serene water offers an unbeatable tranquility. Note: This is a rustic spot. There are no public bathrooms or snack shops, so be sure your bladder is empty and your basket is full.

Children’s Beach
If you’ve got young kids, Children’s Beach is your jam. Not only is it an intimate beach with calm waters, it’s also got restrooms, a snack bar, picnic tables, and a playground. Basically once you get there, YOU NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE. Except eventually to move your car to a new 2-hour parking spot. Proximity to the Juice Bar is an added plus. Pack a hearty meal—your team is sure to be famished when they get around to eating.

There's all sorts of things to do at Children's Beach.

There’s all sorts of things to do at Children’s Beach.

Great Point
Part of the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, this spot takes a little more effort than the others—a beach permit and 4-wheel drive vehicle are required—but your reward is a serene, stunning view, complete with the Great Point Lighthouse and hundreds of seal friends. (You also get to sneak by the breathtaking Wauwinet to get there, but that’s beside the point.) Be sure to pack a blanket or beach chairs, plus something to weigh them down, as the wind’s enough to set your sails… So maybe pack your kite, too.

Great Point: Nantucket's most majestic picnic spot.

Great Point: Nantucket’s most majestic picnic spot.

The Juice Bar: Nantucket’s best ice cream

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Nantucketers rejoice! The Juice Bar has made its triumphant return for the season, and after months of abstinence, the patrons have returned with fervor.

The Juice Bar — despite a name that conjures vegan vittles — makes the best ice cream on the island, cranking out flavor after flavor to the delight of ACKtuals everywhere. Watch as smiling co-eds coax juice from organic fruit to go right into the vats. Sample localesque flavors like Crantucket and Blackberry. And don’t be put off by a line that extends to darn near the Brant Point lighthouse on summer nights (it’s so worth the wait, we promise!).
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As for flavors, my family isn’t shy about its Rum Raisin obsession, though I lean toward Coconut, myself. Grape Nuts and Chocolate Oreo are also excellent for a try. And don’t skip town without sampling The Carl: A chocolate ice cream base with marshmallows and chocolate chips. But no matter which flavor you choose, be sure to get it in a freshly made waffle cone or waffle cup, a fittingly delicious jacket for your summer staple treat. Special occasion? The Juice Bar makes ice cream cakes, too — just give them a 24-hour heads up. And finally, buyer beware: The Juice Bar takes cash and local checks only.