Nantucket Vs Marth's Vineyard- which is better in November ? (Boston: houses, campground)

[JGiordano]

Looking to take the kids (6 and 8yo) on a mini vacation (4-5 days) to Plymouth in early November. Was thinking of maybe seeing either Nantucket or Marth's Vineyard as well (day trip, possibly overnight). Which would be better for kids that age and that time of year?

[holden125]

I'd say both are very quiet in November, with few visitors and some stores/restaurants closed for the season. There's not a ton going on for kids either way.

Generally, the islands are similar but different. The Vineyard obviously is closer to the mainland and it has several towns of differing styles. Edgartown has the classic wealthy captains' houses and it's quite beautiful. Oak Bluffs is a couple of notches above a low-brow, honky-tonk sort of beach town. It has some bars/souvenir shops/fried clam places. The architecture is more Victorian, including a very cool Methodist campground colony of "gingerbread cottages" in all kinds of colors.

Gingerbread cottages, Martha's Vineyard, Mass. - Boston.com

Vineyard Haven is similar but with no bars (dry town in Tisbury). Ironically, the Black Dog Tavern, a famous Vineyard landmark, is there, but the "Tavern" serves no drinks.

Up-island, to the west, are smaller settlements like Menemsha. The cliffs at Aquinnah (Gay Head) are something to see.

Nantucket is, generally, more upscale and serene (though Oak Bluffs in November is hardly bustling as it might be in July). There's the one big town, Nantucket, which is beautiful. Otherwise there are no major settlements, only tiny ones like Siasconset.

Both the inland Vineyand and Nantucket have quiet and very pretty backroads and nice beaches that will be cold and empty in November.

An alternative to both might be Newport, which has the Cliff Walk and ocean views, the tennis (and yachting?) hall of fame, incredible mansions you can tour and a 300-year-old maze of streets downtown.

[BabaAus]

I've been to Nantucket and the Vineyard in the high season as well as the off. I used to go out to Nantucket every October/November to work for a week. While it's much more deserted (and quiet) that time of year, it could be pretty boring especially with kids in tow.

I'd save an autumn visit to Nantucket for a time when you and your spouse leave the kids with grandma, stay at one of the nice little B&B's in-island and are contented with long walks on the deserted beaches, a good late-afternoon meal at one of the inn's and curling up with a good book, afterwards, near the fieplace in your room or the common great room.