Posted by Brian Sullivan on Wed, Jul 28, 2010
Aug 14th Gates Open @ 4
Show starts at 7pm
Tickets Online
The Boston Pops event on Nantucket is one of the greatest events of the year. Almost 5,000 people attend this wonderful event located Jetties Beach a grand stage is set up, great music, last year in 2009 they had a laser show, and the fireworks finally can't be beat even by the 4th of July event.
There are many great ways to enjoy this event here are a few tips from my experience. 
If you want to attend the beach - get your tickets NOW! Remember this event is a fund raiser that supports Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
There are 2 types of tickets;
- General Admission - which means on the beach $30 for adults and $10 for children.
- Pops Reserved Seating - there are 3 levels, and all have reserved seatings. Friend - $600, Patron $1,500 and Benefactor $2,500
Getting to the beach early and setting up a spot is very important, I recommend a few things, drop off people and your heavy things early, send a delegate from your party who is willing to wait it out and hold your space. Things to bring - beach chairs, blankets, coolers with dinner, beverages (No Glass), bug spray, bring plastic ware and paper plates so at the end of the evening your cooler is empty and light to bring home. There is really no parking near Jetties the night of the event, but the NRTA does run special shuttles, here is a link to their website. Plan ahead, know that traffic is going to be bad, unexpected traffic delays can ruin a perfect evening.
There are a bunch of great caterers on Nantucket that do special menu's for the Pops event.
I like Lobster Dinner from Sayles Seafood - order and pick up around 5pm lobster is good cold, but the temp does hold for a long time.
The Dancing Pickle and Fresh Nantucket - both do a great job with food, wine and beer.
I have been enjoying the Pops for the last few years from a boat, this is a great way to avoid the crowds and be comfortable with your own group. If you have your own boat know that this year high tide will be at 4 pm and low is about 945, just as the event ends - Don't get to close and find yourself high and dry at the end of the show. If you don't have a boat, open the phone book and try and find a charter available, there are a handful of fishing boats that could take you to see the event. Its not the best way to enjoy the music but it does make the fireworks very intense.
So these are just a few tips for the Pops on Nantucket. I hope you enjoy the event as much as I have over the years.
If you have been and have tips for anyone reading please feel free to share in the comment section.
Brian
Posted by Brian Sullivan on Fri, Jul 09, 2010
Nantucket has over 55 miles of spectacular beach and they all seem to be a little diffrent. Each has something special and unique, I'll do my best here and expalin some of the highlights as I see them (I'm not a local but I have lived her full time for 15 years, and I try and get to the beach everyday year round).
Nantucket has North shore and a South Shore (East & West too) the South Shore are Ocean beaches all of these have waves and strong current which can make it difficult for young children who are not strong swimmers, the sand on South Shore beaches of Nantucket is finer and softer then most of the North Shore. (See Google Map for locations and brief descriptions)
View Nantucket Beaches Part 1 in a larger map
The North shore beaches of Nantucket are on Nantucket Sound, and the depth change from beach to water is very gradual so these are excellent for children, the water temp here tends to be a little warmer throughout the summer too. Lets move across the North shore and touchbase on some highlights -
- Lets start with Kids - (cuz they are fun) My friend Colton who lives on Nantucket year round and is 4.5 says his favorite beach is Madaket Harbor - because it has baby shrimp, crabs with pinchers that he can catch, lots of cool shells,
- 40th Pole - is a favorite of mine for a full day at the beach, the sand is soft to touch and the setting is Spectacular, you can drive on this beach if you have the proper sticker from the Town, anyone can get a sticker you just need to visit our local police station and pay for one, I believe they are $100. I like to pack the car with everything including the BBQ and plan to stay at this beach for more then a half day, it is espeically nice for sunset, actually one of the only places on the East Coast of the United States you can watch the sunset into the ocean unobstructed by any land - pretty cool. It can be very busy here on a really nice summer day so plan to get there before 1pm to get set up.
- Dionis Beach - Very similar to 40th but no cars, there is parking close so this beach is easy to go to for just a few hours or a quick swim, often not too busy but will have some crowds on a hot summer day. There is a bicycle path that leads to Dinios Beach so a nice spot for an adventures family.
- Water Tower Beach - I can't tell you much becuase this one is my favorites and I don't want to see too many crowds there. If you buy property on Nantucket from me (I promise I will show you this beach in person!).
- Steps Beach just off Linclon Circle, just a few minutes out of Downtown, this beach is similar in sand, water and experience as the others mentioned great spot to watch sunset and one of the best locations on Nantucket to see the 4th of July fireworks, but go early and don't plan on parking close, best to park and walk.
- Jetties Beach - Jetties is very popular, it has one of the largest parking lots on island, it is the closest large beach to Historic downtown Nantucket, there is a restaurant serving lunch and dinner (great place for kids), very easy atmosphere. There are rest rooms, a "beach shop", and a childrens playground. The sand on this beach is course and there are lots of shells so its important to have your "summer feet".
- Hulbert Ave - Not a great place for hanging at the beach, but to watch boats com in the harbor or for the scalloping in the Fall in this location is excellent, fly fishing here at low tide for striped bass in low light (sunrise or sunset) is also excellent.
- Monomoy beach in the harbor, again not a great beach to hang for a day at the beach - but (BUT - thats a big but) its really nice at low tide to go exploring to see sea creatures, birds and more. At high tide in low light it is another great Nantucket fishing spot. (one last secret - shhhh - this is an excellent spot to watch the 4th of July and the Boston Pops fireworks from the distance without the crowds.
I wanted to get this blog post about the beaches on Nantucket up, I realize there is more to describe, so part two will come. Until then see the map and click the thumbnails for a breif bio on each Nantucket beach.
Hope to see you out there, and if you want to know which Nantucket beach is best for your family for a Nantucket vacation rental or which one to purchase your Nantucket home on or near, please contact me.
Brian