Nantucket is known for its sandy beaches and summer culture of clam bakes and lobster dinners, but this all-American summer destination has a lot more to offer than striped umbrellas and that particular shade of “Nantucket” red.

• Nantucket’s Best Fest: As you might imagine, the winter on Nantucket can be a little chilly, so why wouldn’t the entire town celebrate the coming of spring? With the colorful Daffodil Festival occurring every April, townsfolk and visitors welcome the new season with an Antique Car Parade featuring over 100 stylish rides, the Children’s Beach Picnic, a 5K race, a scavenger hunt, and of course, daffodils. Over 3 MILLION daffodils, to be exact. The bright blooms herald in the warmth and promise of spring as they bloom in a range of cheerful colors through April and May.

• Best Way to Wine & Dine: One of the country’s premier food and wine events occurs on Nantucket every year with the Nantucket Food and Wine Festival. Events range from tastings and seminars with wines from over 150 vineyards around the world to a wine dinner with courses prepared by 5 renowned chefs to a special gala on the harbor. Don’t miss out on the exclusive wine tastings and dinners hosted by vintners at elegant and historic Nantucket homes. Low key elements to the festival also exist in the form of the culinary tent where famed chefs battle it out and serve delicious bites and you can learn which varietals belong with which amazing dishes.

• Best Summer Scene: Nantucket Race Week spans 9 days that are chock full of events on and off the water. With races designed for celebrities, young adults, women, and specific boat types, plus social events that include cocktail hours, BBQs, and the ever-popular Shipwreck Ball with a different costume theme each summer, this is the one island tradition you don’t want to miss. Full sails, blue waves, and the summer sun overhead… this is Nantucket in its purest form with locals and visitors alike coming together to share passion and joy for boating and the water that has been a way of life in this corner of the world for years. Avid sailors or novice spectators will appreciate this classic event and feel inspired to make it a yearly experience.

• Best Behind-the-Scenes: For 60 years the Nantucket Garden Club has hosted the House and Garden Tour. The event leads guests through historical and beautifully maintained homes and their accompanying gardens. Past homes on the tour have included some that date back to the late 1700s and those that grace historical site registries. A rare peek into these spectacular homes and their marvelous gardens is a chance to experience the history of Nantucket in an intimate way.

• Best Reasons to Venture to Nantucket when it’s NOT Beach Season: Sure, Nantucket is known for its incredible fresh seafood, but don’t forget about the little gems that are found in bogs, not bays. Cranberries! The annual Cranberry Harvest takes place in the fall and those attending can learn about growing and harvesting, enjoy live music, and kid-friendly activities like face painting, hay rides, sack races and more. Fall fun is easily found on the island! Bonus: This year’s holiday cranberry sauce will be super fresh if you take home a pound of cranberries harvested before your very eyes!