Wauwinet · Relais & Châteaux
The Wauwinet
A secluded luxury inn between the harbor and the ocean, eight miles from town, with a shuttle, a beach and TOPPER’S restaurant.
Official details for The WauwinetMassachusetts · Couples · Two nights
Nantucket
Fly out to the island. Ride a bike to the lighthouse.
Thirty miles off Cape Cod, Nantucket was once the whaling capital of the world. Today its cobblestone town, gray-shingled cottages and wide beaches make it one of New England’s great escapes. Fly straight to the island, bike to Sconset, watch the sunset at Madaket and dine by the harbor.
Island townBikes & beachesLighthouses
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KACK
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~620 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~4 hr 24 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Bikes + shuttles
Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.
01 / Aviation & getting around
Land on the island.
KACK, Nantucket Memorial, is a towered airport about three miles from town, with a town-run FBO next to the terminal.
The FBO
Nantucket Memorial Airport FBO
508-325-530714 Airport Road, Nantucket, MA 02554
Summer is extremely busy; ask the FBO about parking availability and reservations well ahead, and confirm hours and fees. No live fuel price is shown.
It is about 25 nm over open water from Cape Cod, and fog can close the island for hours, especially in late spring and early summer. Carry appropriate safety gear, plan a mainland alternate such as Hyannis, and expect a fuel stop on the way.
02 / Where to stay
In town or by the sea.
A secluded resort, a harborside classic or a stylish small hotel in town. Rates and availability need travel dates.
Harbor · Classic
White Elephant
A polished harborfront hotel a short walk from Main Street, with gardens and a spa.
Official details for White ElephantTown · Boutique
Greydon House
A small, stylish hotel in a restored house in the historic district, with an excellent restaurant.
Official details for Greydon House03 / Where to eat
Two dinners. One very special.
Reserve summer dinners well ahead.
Friday dinner · Town
The Club Car
A Nantucket institution in an old railway car, with refined dinners and a lively piano bar.
Official details for The Club CarSaturday dinner · The Wauwinet
TOPPER’S
Fine dining at The Wauwinet, with a terrace over the harbor. Take the inn’s boat or shuttle from town in season.
Official details for TOPPER’SLunch · Harborside
Straight Wharf Restaurant
A summer favorite on the wharf, known for seafood and a buzzing bar.
Official details for Straight Wharf Restaurant04 / Things to do
Cobblestones, lighthouses and beaches.
Slow down. This is an island for bikes, beaches and long lunches.
The Whaling Museum
The Nantucket Historical Association’s museum in a former candle factory, with a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton and the island’s whaling story.
Museum informationBike to Sconset
A flat, paved 8-mile path to the village of Siasconset, with rose-covered cottages, the Bluff Walk and Sankaty Head Lighthouse.
Sunset at Madaket
The island’s classic sunset beach, at the end of the western bike path.
Brant Point Lighthouse
The little lighthouse at the harbor entrance. Tradition says toss a penny as the ferry passes to promise a return.
Great Point
Over-sand tours run out to the lighthouse and seal colonies at the island’s wild northern tip.
05 / What’s happening
Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.
This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.
April
Daffodil Festival
Millions of daffodils and a parade of antique cars to Sconset.
June
Nantucket Film Festival
Screenings and talks in town. A fun early-summer weekend.
Early December
Christmas Stroll
Decorated streets, carolers and shops lit for the holidays.
Concerts, festivals & local happenings
Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.
06 / Suggested itinerary
Friday in. Sunday home.
A sample Friday–Sunday weekend: bikes, beaches, a lighthouse and two island dinners. No bookings or availability confirmed.
Day trip version
Just for the day
- Arrive
Land at KACK early and ride into town.
- Midday
The Whaling Museum and lunch on the wharf.
- Afternoon
Brant Point Lighthouse, then back to the airport before evening fog.
FRI
Arrive & town
- Arrival
Land at KACK, subject to weather, your fuel stop and your actual flight plan.
- Afternoon
Check in and walk Main Street and the wharves.
- Evening
Dinner at The Club Car.
SAT
Bikes & beaches
- Morning
Bike to Sconset and walk the Bluff Walk.
- Afternoon
Lunch on Straight Wharf, then the Whaling Museum or the beach.
- Evening
Dinner at TOPPER’S.
SUN
An easy departure
- Morning
A ride to Brant Point and breakfast in town.
- Before leaving
Allow time at the FBO; summer is busy.
- Fly home
Island fog can delay departures. Keep the day flexible.
Longer stay · Add a day
With an extra day
- Morning
An over-sand tour to Great Point.
- Afternoon
Cisco Brewers for the non-pilot, and Surfside Beach.
- Evening
Sunset at Madaket.
07 / Good to know
Keep the weekend easy to change.
These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.
Book in this order
FBO parking and lodging first, then dinners.
Over water
About 25 nm of open water from Cape Cod. Brief safety gear and gliding distance.
Fog
Fog can close the island for hours. Have a mainland alternate and a backup day.
Seasons
Many places close from late fall to spring. Check opening dates.
Reviewed · Destination 31
Reviewed November 3, 2026.
Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking. Spotted something out of date, or have a favorite we missed? Email us at [email protected].
WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.