Is doing the ';two islands'; trip advisable?

We%26#39;ll be staying a week in Chatham the last week of August. Hy-land Ferry has a day trip from Hyannis that takes you to Nantucket (arr. 11:10am, depart 2:50pm) and then on to Oak Bluffs on Martha%26#39;s Vineyard (arr. 4pm, depart 8:55pm) arriving back in Hyannis at 10pm.

We have never been to the Cape - four adults, two teens. Is this a good way to see both Nantucket and Martha%26#39;s Vineyard? Or should we be going to each separately. Once we%26#39;re in each locale, how do we then get around?

Is doing the ';two islands'; trip advisable?

This would be an extremely hectic and exhausting day for you. You`d be cramming an awful lot in in a very short space of time. These trips allow time for an organized bus tour (leaving from your arrival boat landing) around each island. Both islands are much bigger than many people realize. Martha`s Vineyard is comprised of 6 towns. Nantucket is smaller but still spread out with plenty to take in. You`d only be getting a cursory look at the islands. Spending a full day on each island would be much more advantageous, enjoyable and relaxing.

Is doing the ';two islands'; trip advisable?

May I ask if the 2 teens are boys or girls? Only because when we stayed in Chatham for a week and took 2 teen girls to Nantucket for the day....they were BORED! The downtown area right off the boat is charming and full of shops. However, they were tired of the classic prep stuff and just wanted to sit on a bench. Then, when we took a bus tour to another town, it was mostly inland with no scenary...and of course to a teenager..you%26#39;ve seen one beach, you%26#39;ve seen them all! They snubbed the whale museum but, yours might like it.

This summer we are planning to do Martha%26#39;s Vineyard minus the teens. Hate to waste the money for another pricey boat ride with angst ridden 17 yr olds.

I%26#39;m curious, what did your teen girls enjoying doing in Chatham?

I%26#39;d be interested also in what the teens liked. My niece is 15 and her friend the same. I know my niece does like to shop but probably would prefer beaching it instead.

If we only end up going to one of the two mentioned above, which one would you choose? How would we get around?

Since that particular time we stayed in Chatham was sort of a get together w/ other family members, we stayed in a gorgeous house near the Chatham Bars Inn. The kids just walked across the street and enjoyed the beach or watching the fishing boats come in .They also had a nightly ritual of walking to town and having ice cream, catching a baseball game and try to meet other teens. Of course sleeping in late, watching tv and keeping their cell phones glued to their ears were top vacation priorites.

You might consider dropping the girls off at Nauset Beach in Orleans while the adults browse galleries, antique shop or visit some of the historic sites in the National Seashore. There is a snack bar at the beach and since they will have cell phones, they can give you a call when they have had enough sun and sea. I suggest Nauset Beach because the crowd tends to be younger than at some of the other big beaches. Let%26#39;s face it....teens what to work on their tan and flirt with other teens. Nauset Beach might be perfect for them!

I agree with quindad and suggest visiting the two islands on separate days, with maybe one day in between doing something else, like a local beach trip, the DuckMobile tour of Hyannis (it%26#39;s land %26amp; sea), Zooquarium, etc. I%26#39;ve been to both islands and don%26#39;t really like doing thrm back to back, unless my trip to the Cape is very, very short like 4 days or less.

Once you get to MV or Nantucket, there are various ways to get around. There is a local rental car company very close to where you get off the boat in Oak Bluffs (MV), as well as bike and moped rental places. You also take the island tour (there are flyers on the Hy-Line Ferry that explain the costs (@$12 or $13, I belive) and the times the tour buses leave). I%26#39;ve never taken the tour, but hear you get to see a lot of the island this way, as the bus stops for 30 minutes or so at certain points along the route. On Martha%26#39;s Vineyard, be sure to visit The Black Dog Cafe (good bakery) (Oak Bluffs) and the Gay%26#39;s Head Cliffs (now called Aquinnah), a breath-taking site when viewed from the look-out point there. The cliffs are an orangey-red and the water looks blue-green from this point. Take pictures! People can go down to the beach also, but the surf is a little rough (from my own experience). This area was first inhabited by Native Americans and there is a reservation nearby where descendants still live.

On Nantucket, within a short walk from the docks, are taxis and trolleys that can take you to the beaches (I like Jetties-low surf, snack stand, %26amp; on trolley route) and other places of interest. Also, be sure to visit Nantucket Nectars (you%26#39;ve probably seen these juices in delis and supermarkets). This is the original place it all started. Besides that, there are lots of little, unique stores all around the downtown area. I really like Nantucket, it%26#39;s soooo tranquil! Enjoy!

Hope this helps!

Beware of the MV taxis. Their fares are PER PERSON. They don%26#39;t tell you this %26#39;til it%26#39;s time to pay. They are a rip off!

very helpful..many thanks. Do you by chance know of some good restaurants (budget and higher end) in Chatham and area?

We like the Impudent Oyster in Chatham.