Visiting Nantucket and the Brass Lantern Inn FAQ

Many of our guests ask similar questions when considering a vacation to Nantucket and the Brass Lantern Inn. To this end, we present to you answers to many of these questions.

Travel to Nantucket and the Brass Lantern

Where are you located?
Are you near the Beach?
Do you allow children?
Do you allow pets?
Does Nantucket have activities for children and families?
What is your breakfast like?
Is the plane or ferry better?
How expensive is it to eat in Nantucket?
What else is there to do if it rains in the summer?
We are bringing our car over - is parking difficult?
How about packing - do I need to bring a lot of clothes? How about a hairdryer?
Will I be able to attend a church service on Sunday?
How can I find out what is going on in Nantucket when I will be there?
What if I get sick or have an accident?
Do I need to bring a lot of cash?

Where are you located?
We are in Town, just two blocks up from the Harbor and just a short walk to many of the things to do in Nantucket - all the shops, restaurants, galleries and museums of Town. Many guests have called ours the “perfect location” The Nantucket Airport is located mid-Island, about five miles from the Brass Lantern. When you land, taxis are readily available to drive you directly to the Brass Lantern. If you prefer, the NRTA bus departs from the Airport regularly in the summer, and will drop you at the Washington Street stop, about a ten minute walk from the Brass Lantern. The terminal for both the Steamship Authority and the Hy-Line are in Town - check our map for easy to follow directions.

Are you near the Beach?
The closest beach to the Inn is Children’s Beach, just a couple of blocks away. This is a great beach for our guests with children as there is a playground, beach, and grassy field for the children, and a café for the parents -- great for early risers! For ‘a day at the beach,’ our Island-wide shuttle, the Wave, has a stop at the corner of our street (North Water and Broad Streets), with frequent departures for Jetties Beach (about a mile away) and Madaket (about five miles away). No need to pack beach towels – the Brass Lantern will provide them!

Do you allow children?
Yes, a number of our rooms will accommodate parents and one or two children, and we also provide pack-and-plays for babies. Our Family Suite offers two bedrooms, a sitting room and large bath, and is a favorite for families with older children.

Do you allow pets?
Nantucket is known as a ‘pet-friendly’ island, and we are very pleased to be one of the few pet-friendly inns. Over the years, we have had countless well-behaved pet guests from mini Chihuahuas to Bernese mountain dogs – and most sizes in between. We provide bio-degradable mutt mitts, a pet Welcome Packet, dog beds, food and water bowls and a welcome treat, restaurant and walk suggestions, and general pet information. In case of emergencies, the Nantucket Animal Hospital, and a mobile vet are available. Our English Springer Spaniels, Oliver and Dodger, often welcome our doggy guests to Nantucket.

Does Nantucket have activities for children and families?
For organized activities, the Maria Mitchell Association, Strong Wings, and Nantucket Community Sailing all have family-oriented activities. For more free-wheeling activities, you can spend a day at the beach, rent bicycles and go off on a picnic, or go on a self-directed nature walk at one of our many conservation land locations.

What is your breakfast like?
We offer a substantial and varied Continental breakfast daily. Starting with fresh-squeezed orange juice and Island-roasted coffee, you will enjoy our homemade granola with homemade yogurt or milk, fruit from our fresh fruit platters, fresh-baked muffins (warm from the oven if you are early), bagels, toasts, jams, and marmalades. You may enjoy your breakfast in the Dining Room or take it out to our patio in the Garden.

Is the plane or ferry better?
Both are great – it just depends on your schedule and preference. We partner with Cape Air and the Hy-Line and offer discounted tickets when packaged with a stay at the Brass Lantern. Ask about our transportation ‘add-ons’.

How expensive is it to eat in Nantucket?
It depends...We have a wide variety of restaurants from tasty take-out, sandwiches and salads to enjoy at the beach or in the garden at the Brass Lantern, all the way to ultimate gourmet fine dining where reservations are made weeks in advance.

What else is there to do if it rains in the summer?
Walk in the rain, carrying a snappy Brass Lantern umbrella! You can visit the dozens of shops that are just a short walk from the Inn. Not a shopper? How about a visit to the Whaling Museum, just one block away from the Inn, or stop in at our library, the Atheneum, to peruse the many periodicals, use their computers, or just absorb the feeling of history. For a break, you can enjoy a cozy lunch at a fine restaurant, and then come back to the Inn for an after-lunch nap before you start all over again! While you may have a short period of rain during your stay in Nantucket, it rarely rains for days on end - and rain on the shiny cobblestones has a special charm of its own!

We are bringing our car over - is parking difficult?
Unusual for an inn in the Historic District, the Brass Lantern has a small, crushed-shell parking lot exclusively for our guests’ use. But, unless there is a compelling reason to bring your car, you might consider leaving it on the mainland. Our Island-wide shuttle system, the Wave, which runs from May through October and will take you to the beaches and the more remote parts of the Island. There are numerous taxi services available and, from the Brass Lantern, you can walk to literally dozens of restaurants and shops. If you want to have the flexibility of driving around the Island or on the beach, you might rent a car for a day or two.

How about packing - do I need to bring a lot of clothes? How about a hairdryer?
Nantucket is pretty casual. The dress at most restaurants is ‘upscale casual,’ gentlemen often wear jackets or blazers - mostly without ties - and ladies will wear dressy pants, skirts, and dresses - the choice is yours. No need to bring a hairdryer, the Brass Lantern provides one in your room, along with spa robes, irons and ironing boards, and Gilchrist and Soames shampoos and soaps.

Will I be able to attend a church service on Sunday?
Many churches in Town offer Sunday services - Catholic, Congregational, Methodist, and Episcopal. All are just a short walk from the Brass Lantern.

How can I find out what is going on in Nantucket when I will be there?
There are several calendars of Nantucket events. Yesterday’s Island and the Mahon About Town calendars offer a wealth of choices.

What if I get sick or have an accident?
The Nantucket Cottage Hospital, an affiliate of Mass General, is small but provides the full range of emergency services. In a critical situation, patients can be flown by medivac helicopter to Boston.

Do I need to bring a lot of cash?
There are three banks on Nantucket with multiple branches and easily available ATMs in Town. The majority of restaurants and shops accept most credit cards.