It’s an age-old question, and New Englanders have big opinions about it.

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othing says New England summer like a beach trip to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, or Nantucket. Here on Massachusetts’ coast, hydrangeas bloom in front of shingled cottages, whales breach offshore, and buttery lobster rolls and ice cream cones are the reward for a day of scenic bike rides—there’s just nothing else like it.

If you’re not from around here, it can be hard to tell which of these destinations to pick. They all deliver a classic All-American vacation with their postcard-perfect natural beauty, but each has its own vibe and plenty of logistics to consider. So how do you know which is right for you? Read on for a local’s (probably biased) perspective, plus pros and cons of each.

Cape Cod

Best For: Groups, Shorter Trips, Budget-minded Travelers

Massachusetts’ hook-shaped peninsula is the largest of the three destinations, with 560 miles of shoreline and 15 towns. This comes with a few big advantages: with so many towns to visit, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone, whether you want to party in P-Town on the Outer Cape with friends or have a quieter, luxurious stay at a historic 5-star hotel like Chatham Bars Inn on the Lower Cape (go for the epic clambake). Activities on the Cape are also wide-ranging, from exploring an unspoiled beach at Cape Cod National Seashore to boutique shopping on small-town main streets and hitting up breweries like Provincetown Brewing Co and beachfront lobster shacks like Chatham Pier Fish Market and Sesuit Harbor Café. The Cape is also considered the least formal and, in most cases, the most affordable of the three. You could say it’s the crowd-pleaser of the group, and many visitors use it as a jumping-off point for ferry trips to both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

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1. Commercial Street, Provincetown, on a summer evening Rolf_52/Shutterstock; 2. Cape Cod’s Provincetown beach Lunamarina/Shutterstock

Getting Here: Cape Cod is connected to the mainland, so you can drive here (though, beware the summer weekend traffic) or take a ferry from Boston. Boston Harbor Cruises can get you to Provincetown in 90 minutes, and the ride is half the fun. It’s also possible to fly directly into Cape Cod Gateway Airport (HYA) in Hyannis from places like New York, D.C., or Boston, but Logan Airport, 75 miles away in Boston, is usually the best bet.

Pros:

– It’s possible to drive here, unlike Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket

– Most affordable of the three

– Wide-ranging, crowd-pleasing activities

Cons:

– It doesn’t have quite the exclusive status of Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard

– It can be hard to decide between 15 towns, though the most popular are Provincetown, Chatham, Eastham, and Falmouth

– There are more great white sharks than the other two islands, though there are reports of sightings at all three

Martha’s Vineyard

Best For: Families, Charm, Relaxed Vibes

Seven miles off the coast of Cape Cod is this idyllic, laid-back island with six towns that draws celebs like the Obamas and Oprah. It’s known for quaint, Victorian gingerbread-style houses (yes, they look like they’re piped with frosting!) in the walkable town of Oak Bluffs, an easy point of arrival by ferry. This historic area is also home to Martha’s Vineyard Museum, plus the oldest carousel in the U.S., a few activities that lend themselves to family fun. (Generally, the area has more family-friendly restaurants and hotels than Nantucket.) Martha’s Vineyard is also a great choice if you have a few days to explore; the other end of the island has a gorgeous hilly landscape over at the Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook and Gay Head Lighthouse. Or, if you visit posh Edgartown, you can do yourself a favor and stop at the Ice Cream and Candy Bazaar after a luxurious stay at the Harbor View Hotel, which has views of Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse. Overall, the island is more posh (and less developed) than much of Cape Cod, and not quite as posh as Nantucket, with a more laid-back vibe.

1. Summer sunset on Martha’s Vineyard Bernard Fairclough/iStock; 2. Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook in Martha’s Vineyard Rolf_52/Shutterstock

Getting Here: There’s no bridge connecting Martha’s Vineyard to mainland Massachusetts, so you must take a ferry or plane here. Steamship Authority has ferries year-round from Woods Hole, Cape Cod, that take 45 minutes to Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven, but there are many other seasonal options from Cape Cod, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey (but no direct option from Boston). Flights go to Martha’s Vineyard Airport (MVY) from Boston, New York, Cape Cod, and more.

Pros:

– Uniquely charming vibe, architecture, and natural beauty

– A slightly easier island to access (takes less time and there’s more ferry service than to Nantucket)

– Good if you have more time to explore multiple towns

Cons:

– Can only arrive by ferry or plane, and no direct ferry service from Boston

– Can feel more residential than Nantucket

– You’ll likely need a car to explore all the big sights

Related: The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Martha’s Vineyard From Boston or New York City

Nantucket

Best For: Luxury Travelers

Ask any Bostonian to describe Nantucket in one word, and you may hear “preppy,” “posh,” or “upscale,” and there’s indeed an air of wealth and luxury here. Gray shingled cottages, cobblestone streets, and the Nantucket Whaling Museum, which chronicles the island’s whaling history, lend it an old-world maritime vibe. The island is about half the size of Martha’s Vineyard, so Nantucket is smaller and has only one main town. For some, that’s a huge bonus: it’s easy to explore (even if you have just one day). It’s also farther away than Martha’s Vineyard, with normal ferry service taking 2 hours and 15 minutes from Hyannis, though there’s also a one-hour high-speed ferry.

When you arrive, there’s a lot to indulge in, from high-end stores to quaint ice cream shops. If it’s elegant, see-and-be-seen seaside dining you’re after, you can enjoy oysters and wine at Cru or snag a coveted reservation at The Nautilus. You’ll also love a stay here if you prefer luxurious boutique hotels; the 20-room Victorian charmer Greydon House and the waterfront White Elephant are right in the middle of downtown’s historic charm. But don’t let all the exclusive vibes fool you: there are great public beaches for all to enjoy. Jetties near Nantucket Town have calm water that’s great for families with kids, while Cisco Beach is a surfer’s haven (if you’re headed out here, stay at the multi-bedroom suites at Cisco Surf Suites and don’t forget to visit Cisco Brewery).

1. Nantucket port view GagliardiPhotography/Shutterstock; 2. Nantucket Harbor lighthouse Cavan-Images/Shutterstock;

Getting Here: Like Martha’s Vineyard, you must take a ferry or flight to Nantucket. Normal ferry service from Hyannis, Cape Cod takes 2 hours and 15 minutes, but there’s also a one-hour high-speed ferry. There’s no direct ferry service from Boston, but it’s possible to catch a ferry from New York City, New Jersey, Martha’s Vineyard, and New Bedford. There are flights from Boston, Cape Cod, New York, D.C., and more to Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK).

Pros:

– Most sophisticated, exclusive atmosphere

– Small size means it’s easily explored

– Lots of high-end dining and shops but also nice public beaches

Cons:

– Can only arrive by ferry or plane

– Farthest and longest ferry ride

– Most expensive

So, there you have it. If you’re a first-time visitor, you might plan to use Cape Cod as your base and take day trips on ferries to the islands. Or, you might decide that you love the natural beauty of Martha’s Vineyard or the exclusive atmosphere of Nantucket so much that you make a beeline straight there. If you’re asking this Boston resident, you really can’t go wrong: Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket are all a wicked good time.