Seen from the air in late December, the snow-covered windswept island of Nantucket, lying thirty miles out to sea, appears perfectly still and quiet. Yet there are reasons to visit, and plenty to do for those who find this time of year on the island particularly romantic.
It’s fitting that Nantucket—an island beloved for its natural beauty and walkable landscape—offers residents and visitors lots of outdoor activities leading up to any extravagant plans for New Year’s Eve. The Linda Loring Nature Foundation walking trail overlooks the North Head of Long Pond, where numerous species of waterfowl spend the winter. One mile long, the trail takes you through pristine coastal heathlands to a rise in the landscape for a lovely view toward Nantucket Sound and Smith’s Point. And the Maria Mitchell Association recommends an “early bird” bird-watching ramble for this time of year.
Of course, if the weather is inclement or you’re more in the mood to be pampered, Nantucket offers world-class spa services at its perfect selection of elegant hotels and inns. You’ll be in fine form for dinner, dancing, and whatever else the evening holds.
CRU, alas, is closed for the season. We are each celebrating New Year’s Eve quietly, at home, enjoying a decadent cozy dinner with loved ones and our favorite champagne. Here, in this closing chapter, we share with you our recipes for an unforgettable dinner.
We hope we have given you a hundred reasons to make plans to visit the island in the New Year. In the meantime, curling up with the CRU Oyster Bar Nantucket Cookbook will be the next best thing. Cheers and happy New Year!