With winter weather patterns pointing towards a warm and early spring, crowds and news stations gathered in the small town of Punxsatawney to watch the beloved Groundhog Phil decide this year’s fate. To many people’s despair, Punxatawney Phil spotted his shadow and hurried back into his hole; the folklore condemning us to 6 more weeks of winter. Nonetheless, plans are still being drawn up for this year’s spring on the beautiful island of Nantucket. Tourism in Nantucket peaks in July and August so if you want to stay away from the crowds, it’s best to visit before the masses flood in. Nantucket is simply gorgeous in the spring and contrary to Phil’s prediction, it is looking like warm weather is just around the corner. Every year since 1974 locals and visitors gather to celebrate the colorful bloom of the island’s favorite flowers, the yellow daffodils. In April, all of the brightly-colored buds open to paint the island’s road sides, yards, and shop windows as a warm welcome to spring. Nantucket takes pride in the fun and festivities that accompany this thawing of winter with a collection of events and parades called the Annual Daffodil Festival. Some of these events include: the Antique Car Parade, the Daffodil Tailgate Picnic, the Children’s Parade, the Daffy Hat Pageant, and the Dog Parade. The Antique Car Parade is a personal and festival-goer favorite, featuring over 100 antique cars decorated with the celebrated flowers. The winding drive around the island ends in a huge picnic with a variety of fantastic foods. Seeing the magical little island lit up with these flowers of tradition is a sight you won't want to miss this spring in Nantucket. Need a place to stay for the weekend? Try the Century House or the Sherburne Inn, bot within walking distance to town.

Ellen Studer
Bestweekends.com

We are often asked what our favorite destination is from all the places we have traveled for BestWeekends.com. Without a doubt it is Nantucket, that gorgeous island off the coast of Massachusetts. No chain stores, no traffic lights, pristine homes, cobblestone streets and gas lamps, 82 miles of beach and a preserved landscape, half of which can never be developed.  It is a place to relax, to enjoy great food, to ride your bike, to gaze at the boats in the harbor. We usually rent a house for a week in September, but this year we had occasion to visit in early June and we found some changes on the island and we made some new discoveries.

Long time restaurants, 21 Federal, Cinco and Sfoglia are gone. Ventuno, a very good Italian restaurant is in the 21 Federal space and thankfully Johnny B our favorite bartender is still there. Pazzo, with a Mediterranean theme from the owners of Lo La 41 has replaced Sfoglia. The Brick Bistro has transformed the dining space at the Jared Coffin House into a very sophisticated lounge, bar and dining room. And finally, casual 12 Degrees East has opened on Cambridge Street with a killer raw bar, casual, inexpensive and very good food.

Miacomet has always been our favorite beach, out by Bartlett's Farm and Triple 8 Distillery and Cisco Brewery, but this time without a car we were forced to try another, in this case Steps Beach, located at the end of Cliff Road. The path and "steps" down to the beach were lined with beach roses...just beautiful and the beach is next to one of our favorite restaurants and a great spot for lunch..Galley Beach.

We discovered two wonderful B&B's on this trip, The Century House on Cliff Road, about 10 minutes from town and the Sherburne Inn on Gay Street, just a block from town. These are two terrific finds and a great alternative to more expensive lodging on the island.