The islands are a haven in the summer months – but which of its two biggest names is best?
From Maine to Rhode Island, New England’s islands are among some of the most popular and iconic summer playgrounds on America’s northeastern seaboard.
While fall is known for its world-famous amber hues, the summer months are framed by breezy, sometimes stormy, forecasts, which offer welcome relief from the stifling inland humidity. Beautiful beaches, varied wildlife and dramatic scenery come to life as holidaymakers look for the perfect summer escape. Front and centre are the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, two of the region’s most popular names.
Situated off the Massachusetts coast, some 10 and 30 miles from Cape Cod respectively, both were shaped by enormous wealth from the 18th and 19th century whaling industry.
Centuries later, there remains a sense of small seaside town nostalgia in the handsome Victorian homes built by wealthy ship captains and merchants, which line brick pavements and cobblestone streets in wonderfully preserved towns. Their stories, including the pre-Colonial history of the islands’ native Wampanoag people, are told at the Nantucket Whaling Museum and the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.