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Molly's Muse No. 18: Summer Island Getaways

Writer: Molly Golden
Molly Golden
Jun 12, 2021
4 min read

You may have heard of this year's trend: Hot Girl Summer... but I'm trying to cool down (especially with this heat wave!) and am more inclined for a Yacht Girl Summer. For this week's Muse, I've rounded up three of my favorite summer vacation getaways, that just happen to have something in common: they are all islands! They're all in the US, and just a short flight (or boat ride) away. If you can travel by boat, that's the best. It was hard to narrow down my faves, but these guys made the cut: Nantucket, Mackinac Island, and The Hamptons (Long Island).

Nantucket Harbor

Sprinkled around the Midwest and New England, these islands all hold a special place in my heart. And each summer, I desperately try and make a visit to all three of them! They are all unique charming in their own ways, and you're always guaranteed a great time. Maybe you've been to some of them yourself and have created your own fond memories. But there's always a reason to come back for more... let's check them out!



Nantucket


Where To Stay

  • The White Elephant

  • Nantucket Hotel

  • Faraway Nantucket

What To Do

  • Beaches: Galley, Jetties, Sconset, Madaket, Steps.

  • Shopping: art galleries, boutiques (Skinny Dip, RL, Blue Beetle, Milly & Grace, Murrays, Cattivo...so many!)

  • Bike Ride: I love riding the trail from town, (stop at Brant Point & Steps Beach), then make it all the way out to Madaket for lunch at Millie's!

  • Visit the Lighthouses: Brant Point and Sankaty are my faves.

  • Boat Ride: cruise around the island or hop the ferry over to Martha's Vineyard for the day!

Eat and Drink This (There are too many good ones!)

  • Cru- favorite lunch spot on the marina, love their lobster roll

  • Nautilus- dinner in town, asian fusion

  • Boarding House- in the heart of town, lovely dinner

  • Galley Beach- upscale dinner for best sunset

  • Sandbar- casual dinner, also fun for lunch...love their frose!

  • Lola 41- fun asian fusion dinner spot

  • The Bean- fave coffee in town

  • Juice Bar or Jack & Charlie's- toss up for best ice cream!

  • Gazebo Bar- great for lunch (best mudslides) and late night drinks

  • Club Car- *iconic* late night cocktails & piano bar

  • Millie's- bike from town for a great lunch in Madaket (amazing tacos)

  • Summer House- love driving out to Sconset and having lunch by the pool and then heading down to the beach




Mackinac Island


Where To Stay

  • Iroquois Hotel- highly recommend, the Lighthouse Suite is to die for!

  • Grand Hotel- an island staple, I stayed for 2 nights after checking out of the Iroquois.

  • Mission Point Resort

  • Chippewa Hotel

What To Do

  • Bike the Trail- Mackinac has an amazing trail that circles the entire island! I highly recommend having a bike for transportation around the island.

  • Visit the Fort- Fort Mackinac is a great historic landmark to tour.

  • Great Golf- the Grand Hotel Jewel Golf Course offers beautiful vistas of Lake Huron.

  • Buy Some Fudge- Mackinac is well-known for their fudge...stop into one of the many shops to buy a few flavors to bring home.

  • Go on a Carriage Ride- there are NO motor vehicles allowed on the island! But you can catch a ride on one of the many horse-drawn carriages.

  • Marquette Park- Hang out in the park, have a picnic, watch the action going on in town!

  • Visit Arch Rock- a short hike in the woods, and you'll find one of the island's hidden gems.

Eat and Drink This

  • Pink Pony- in the Chippewa Hotel, facing the marina--a great spot to sit outside and the most adorable gift shop!

  • The Carriage House- in the Iroquois Hotel, grab a table on the outdoor patio to watch the boats out on the bay

  • 1852 Grill Room- so iconic for Mackinac, and has a great patio facing the marina!

  • The Gate House & The Jockey Club- both part of the Grand Hotel, these are super fun and eclectic spots for lunch and/or drinks

  • The Grand Hotel- if you are staying here, then you can experience the "Grand Hotel Dinner" ...don't forget to grab a rocking chair on the porch for a post-dinner cocktail!




the Hamptons


Where To Stay

  • Baron's Cove (Sag Harbor)

  • Topping Rose House (Bridgehampton)

  • Gurney's (Montauk, there are 2--I've stayed on Star Island, it's smaller and quaint. But both are very nice!)

  • Marram (Montauk)

  • Surf Lodge (Montauk)

What To Do

  • Shopping-

    • Sag Harbor- Love Shack Fancy, Goldie, The Wharf Shop, Sag Harbor Books (this bookstore is amazing!)

    • East Hampton- Ralph Lauren (love this location! Make sure to stop by RRL behind it), Les Toiles Du Soleil, Stoney Clover Lane, Kirna Zabete

    • Montauk-

  • Take a Bike Ride- biking is a great way to get around Long Island...especially with all of the traffic.

  • Beach Day- there are many great beaches to visit. Some of my faves are: Main Beach (East Hampton), Ditch Plains (Montauk), Kirk Park (Montauk), Gurney's (have their own beachfronts!), Havens (Sag Harbor)

  • Go on a Sunset Cruise- Sail Montauk offers a lovely (private) sunset sail, remember to BYOB & snacks.

  • Take a Ferry Ride- there are a couple ferries that run to different places, which makes for great day trips! Some spots to check out: Shelter Island, Greenport, and Block Island.

East and Drink This

  • Sag Harbor: Le Bilboquet (try the cajun chicken), Bagel Buoy Market (breakfast sandwiches are bomb), Tutto Ilgiorno (wonderful pasta), Grindstone Coffee (amazing coffee and donuts)

  • East Hampton: East Hampton Grill, Nick & Toni's (iconic, celeb-sighting)

  • Bridgehampton: L&W Market (great spot to stop in for sandwiches and to-go food)

  • Montauk: Gurney's (Scarpetta and Showfish), Duryea's, La Fin Kitchen & Lounge, LUNCH (Lobster Roll...iconic!)



That wraps up my yacht girl summer/island getaway travel guide. If this heat wave trend continues, you'll be sure to find me seaside all summer! I've already started planning trips to 2 of these charming islands this summer, and am hoping to try some new spots I can share with you. Make sure to follow along with me on my Instagram where I share most of my day-to-day activities :) Have a great weekend, friends!


-Molly

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