Nantucket Spring News from The White Elephant

No question that Nantucket reigns supreme as New England’s most beloved summer escape— but savvy travelers also anticipate the island in the springtime when flowers are just beginning to transform town into a riot of color while the gorgeous beaches lie vast and empty. Tis the season for previewing what’s new and exciting, which this year includes:

• Designer boutiques Debuts on Main Street
• 30th Anniversary of the Nantucket Film Festival
• Must-see Textile Exhibition at the Whaling Museum, exploring the island’s craft heritage

No matter what’s on the agenda, the 4 storied properties of the White Elephant Resorts Collection set the scene for an unforgettable stay — whether you dream of staying at a former whaling captain’s home downtown, a romantic getaway at the The Wauwinet, or the recently revamped The Cottages at The Boat Basin, perched on the edge of Nantucket Harbor.

Here’s what not to miss on Nantucket and at White Elephant Resorts:

April: Flowers

• Nantucket bursts into color during the Daffodil Festival (April 24–27), a weekend of botanical-themed art shows, garden tours, exhibitions, and the beloved Nantucket Daffodil Flower Show, hosted at the Garden Club.

May: Art

• At the Whaling Museum, “Behind the Seams: Clothing and Textiles on Nantucket” spotlights Nantucket’s rich craft heritage through more than 150 textile objects, including in bathing costumes and resort-inspired garments to historic whaling flags. Opening May 23 and running through Nov 2.

June: Books & Movies

• In June, the island transforms into a haven for book lovers and cinephiles. This year’s Nantucket Book Festival (June 12–15) promises to be especially exciting, with a lineup that includes Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward and Australian novelist Geraldine Brooks and the acclaimed poet Ocean Vuong, whose highly anticipated third book, The Emperor of Gladness, is set to be published in May 2025
• The 30th edition of the Nantucket Film Festival (June 25–30) brings a milestone year of screenings, panels, and filmmaker conversations. Don’t miss Elizabeth Taylor: the Lost Tapes, a deeply personal look at the iconic performer featuring 70 hours of newly uncovered interviews that shed fresh light on her life and legacy, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary of Diane von Furstenberg’s fashion empire.

Speaking of fashion, the island is emerging as a must-visit for style lovers, with a wave of trendy boutiques opening across the island. Cult-favorite California brand DÔEN— beloved for its romantic, vintage-inspired dresses—debuts a new outpost on Main Street. ASHA by Ashley McCormick, the jet-set jewelry label from Connecticut, is setting up shop in the Vanderbilt Gallery on Federal Street. And after years of pop-ups across the island, Taylor Ivey’s knitwear brand, Ellsworth & Ivey, will finally open its first permanent boutique on Main Street.

• Did You Know: What takes Nantucket’s retail experience to the next level is the fact that there’s not a single big chain store in sight, making a shopping spree here feel personalized and one-of-a-kind.

For Family

• Right in the heart of town, the Jared Coffin House—a grand, red-brick mansion once home to a 19th-century shipping merchant—is the perfect base for families looking to soak up Nantucket history. Just two blocks from the Whaling Museum, the 43-room property is rolling out a stylish renovation of its family rooms, which sleep up to four guests and come with king beds, pull-out sofas, and complimentary kids’ amenities.
• For a more secluded, waterfront retreat, the White Elephant Residences offer one- to three-bedroom accommodations that feel more like private beach homes. Each comes with a pantry-style kitchen, gas fireplace, and access to the resort’s full amenities.

For Bringing the Pets

• Perched on the edge of Nantucket Harbor, The Cottages at The Boat Basin recently emerged from a multi-million-dollar renovation, debuting two newly designed pet-friendly Woof Cottages—High Tide and Low Tide—in 2024. Each sleeps six guests and comes with a full kitchen, dining area, and private decks (one for Low Tide, two for High Tide). Guests also get complimentary use of Priority Bicycles, fishing rods and nets for kids, and custom pet tags for their four-legged companions.

This season, White Elephant’s Brant Point Grill will unveil an all-new look of its harborside terrace, with a replacement of the canopy and a refresh of the alfresco bar area with stunning harbor views. With a coastal blue color palette, a marble bar, and open-air views of the expansive lawn and harbor, it’s poised to be a new island classic.

Meanwhile, at Nantucket’s only Relais & Châteaux property, The Wauwinet, diners arrive at the award-winning TOPPER’s restaurant via the hotel’s 26′ speedboat before settling in for an ocean-to-table feast. The highlight? A locally harvested selection of Retsyo Oysters, cultivated just 300 yards from the restaurant, paired with a crisp selection from the 1,400-plus-label wine list.