Nantucket Official Guide | Page 37

Fall on Nantucket, September - November 2016

©Michael Galvin

Nantucket’s natural beauty is at its height during autumn, showcased by crimson moors,
dramatic surf and absolutely breathtaking sunsets. The light is exceptional, with artists
often remarking about its rarefied quality. You’ll see them out and about with their easels,
brushes and cameras attempting to capture it – suspended in time – on canvases and in
photographs.

Fall is the ideal season to reflect and
rejuvenate as you meander along solitary
beaches and discover little-known lanes,
scanning the unbounded skies for oft-seen
rare birds, browse the shelves of the
Atheneum – or our wonderful local
bookshops – for the perfect off-season
“read.” Many restaurants and shops remain
open during these glorified days, and the
weather is typically brisk and sunny – perfect
for plein-air excursions, biking along our
32+ miles of designated paths, hiking
through the moors, or merely “watching the
pass” on a sunny Main Street bench.
Myriad activities dot the calendar from
September through November, including
gallery openings, birdwatching expeditions,
nature, historic and ghost walks, whale
watching and sunset cruises and more. The
Nantucket Maritime Festival on September
17th celebrates the joy of island living, with
participants experiencing time-honored
nautical exploits on and beside the sea. Free
family-friendly activities abound on the water,
beach and grass, featuring build-your-ownboat races, shucking contests, maritime
musical entertainment and more. During the
last week of September, Fall Restaurant Week

has grown in popularity. It’s a “foodie’s”
delight, featuring renowned local
establishments offering three-course prix fixe
menus of imaginative, eclectic cuisine.
Now in its 14th year, the much-anticipated
Cranberry Festival (October 8) is the
quintessential family-friendly outing,
attracting one and all to the Windswept Bog
off of the Milestone Road to view the harvest
of the brilliant red berries, learn about the
history of cranberry farming on Nantucket,
watch sheep shearing and herding
demonstrations, and take a break for a bit of
lunch under the tents, with the backdrop of
spectacular scenery and live music. Our
current Cranberry Festival evokes the annual
Sheep Shearing Festivals held on island in the
19th century – a popular pastime in which
the local community gathered in summer to
celebrate the shearing of the ͡