In my family, the Vineyard had always been our island—from early-morning runs along Main Street in Vineyard Haven to breakfasts at the Art Cliff Diner’s counter seats to logging serious sand time at Katama, all that said summer to me. Vineyard Haven’s boutiques; sunset drinks on one of Edgartown’s porches; cruising the harbor on a catamaran. Easy, breezy, sunshiny days. Nantucket seemed distant. How different could it be, after all? It was another island in the same body of water, with similar architecture and the same crustaceans being pulled up from the sea, right? But still I felt remiss, as if I’d skipped dessert without even checking the menu.

So last year I finally remedied my oversight, and I discovered that as close as the islands are geographically, they remain pleasantly distinct. Even the light seems different. Michael LaScola and Orla Murphy at American Seasons fed me a meal like nothing I’d eaten on the Vineyard or even in Boston. Every course had their stamp on it, especially the savory foie gras beignets. At the Triple Eight Distillery, I sampled excellent brews—including a rare barrelaged one—and got my first glimpse of their exclusive Notch whiskey. The beaches felt both remote and neighborly. The short flight from Logan, the vibrant social scene, the many bicyclists navigating the cobblestone streets of downtown, and bookstores that stay open until 10 P.M.—I loved it all.

Until I experienced Nantucket for myself, I didn’t get it. As this issue releases, I’ll be back on the island for its annual wine festival, and I hope to check out some of the tips from Westonites Todd and Andrea Finard, who share their favorite spots in our summer getaway feature. I won’t be giving up the Vineyard, either, and look forward to exploring the other secret places suggested by all our contributors. Hope you do, too.

Janice O’Leary