Nantucket is one of those special places to visit that’s actually within easy reach of the mainland United States. You see, it’s around 30 miles, as the crow flies, from the shoreline of Massachusetts and, of course, Cape Cod. This makes it totally easy to visit by plane or boat, depending on your favourite mode of arrival. Plus, once you arrive, you’ll quickly see what all the fuss is about! There are heaps of places to see and the best things to do in Nantucket dotted all across the island.
Now, on the surface of it, you might think that you’ll be struggling for things to do on such a small island. Well, let me put your mind at ease: there are heaps to do all across the island, and within the main town of Nantucket itself. So, to help you get the most out of your time visiting Nantucket, whether that’s on a day trip or a longer vacation, I wanted to share all the tips and places you should check out once you set foot on this gem of a place.
You’re going to have an amazing time visiting Nantucket! Have fun!
1.) Nantucket Town
So, let’s start with the biggie! Nantucket Town, or colloquially known as “Town” when on the island, is likely the first place you’ll visit if you’re arriving by ferry or boat. It’s where the majority of the action is in Nantucket, with heaps of bars, cafes, restaurants, and historical sites to explore.
Now, one of the most charming things about Nantucket is its gorgeous cobbled streets and quaint, chocolate-box-style historic houses. It’s beautiful, and the town is the kind of place where you really don’t need to hop in a car or cab to get around. It’s small enough to explore on foot, and the best way to find all the nuggets of fun that are dotted around town. After arriving by boat, you’ll be able hop straight onto Broad Street that’s a mere minute from the shoreline. This is your gateway into the wider Broad Street, Main Street and Federal Street. However, there are so many more.
Nantucket Shops and stores: If it’s shops you’re looking for, then make sure to head over to Murray’s Toggery Shop, which has been going since 1945 and is still family-owned. Here, you can buy one of the famous Nantucket Reds Collection sweaters, which are so cute. For books, head on over to Nantucket Bookworks. Another indie gem of a store, and they have the most beautiful range of East Coast books for the family. Plus, they have the cutest kids section, with reading nooks.
For vintage finds, head over to the ever-popular Hospital Thrift Shop. This has become something of a phenomenon for picking up some vintage gems from the island. Expect queues in the peak season, and the wait can be a little tiring. Though you are supporting a great, charitable cause.
Nantucket Restaurants: Now, one of the main draws for staying in Nantucket town is the food options. Trust me, there’s something for everyone and every budget. Yes, you can find higher-end spots where the check will be a little heavier, but you can also find casual eateries that serve up some tasty island treats that I just know you’ll love.
For a yummy lobster roll, head on over to CRU Oyster Bar, that’s right on the Nantucket Harbour front. This place is something of an institution on the island, and you will need to book well in advance if you want to eat dinner at peak times of the year. That being said, we strolled up for lunch without a reservation, and they found space. It’s all about timing, I suppose.
Not too far away from CRU is another gem of a spot called Straight Wharf Restaurant. Great for seafood (like lots of places in Nantucket), and there’s a two-course minimum for dinner, which means it’s an easy choice when deciding if you should get pudding! It’s a totally charming spot, and the food is lovely. Make sure to have their dayboat scallops!
For a more relaxed island vibe, head for dinner at Brotherhood of Thieves. This is a legendary bar/pub that has a pretty diverse menu for the family. We loved their chicken souvlaki and their pan-seared scallops. Again, reservations are a must in peak summer times. This goes for most (if not all) restaurants on the island.
One of our favourite restaurants in all of Nantucket is The Proprietors Bar & Table. This quaint and charming restaurant is such a vibe and serves up some of the best homemade dishes we’ve had on the East Coast. Their menu focuses on local influences and history, which is all served up by candlelight. We loved their bone marrow. It was so tasty.
For a chilled, unfussy lunch, head on over to The Nantucket Lobster Trap. It’s been going since the 1970’s and is still going strong on the island! Expect hearty portions of boiled and baked lobsters, all served freshly caught from the East Coast. This place really does lobster well! Alternatively, if you’re not feeling the lobster, try their fried whole belly clams. All drizzled with tartar sauce and lemon juice. So tasty.
For a lovely patio and cocktail bar restaurant, stop off at Sister Ship. It’s one of the newer spots in Nantucket and has such a lovely vibe, especially on a sunny summer day. Grab one of their legendary seafood paella with octopus. It’s beyond good.
Nantucket bars: So, Nantucket might be a pretty small town, but it packs a hefty punch with all the little cafes and bars that line the historic streets.
For a younger vibe, head to the ‘Gazebo’ at the Nantucket Tavern. It’s right next to the harbour and is a lively spot for music, drinks and crowds in the summer.
Another lively bar to enjoy in the evening is The Club Car. It’s an actual old carriage that’s housed on the side of the street. Now, again, this place gets full in the summer months, and it’s pretty small. Expect little personal space but a really fun and rowdy atmosphere beyond 10 pm.
The Green Room (Google Maps pin), part of Graydon House, is another one of Nantucket’s newer spots for bespoke cocktails and a more relaxed and New England vibe. It’s a totally beautiful bar, and the team is so nice. Plus, they have a pretty extensive wine menu of American wines that are so good.
Nantucket Cafes: For daytime coffee, smoothies and brunch, stop off at the ever-popular Lemon Press. It’s a women-owned business in Nantucket focused on quality. Expect some queuing at peak times, but you can avoid it by eating at off-peak times. We didn’t have to queue at all when we visited around 4 pm.
If it’s sandwiches you’re after, head over to Stubby’s. This is an unfussy joint that focuses on yummy subs and sandwiches. Their roast turkey sandwiches are everything. Filled to the brim! If that’s not your vibe, try their Jamaican-inspired curried mutton. So good.
For strong coffee and breakfast on the go, head to Provisions. These guys know their brews! Plus, they make the best peanut butter and jelly grilled sandwiches. If that’s not your thing, go for their legendary Turkey Terrific sandwich. It’s huge amounts of smoked turkey, mountains of stuffing, and lashings of cranberry sauce.
Oh, and for ice cream, stop off at the ever-popular Juice Bar. Just expect queues at peak times.
Nantucket town sights to see: So, in my opinion, one of the best things about Nantucket (town) is the bars, cafes and shops. That’s a personal opinion, and there are plenty to do beyond spending time in local businesses.
If it’s history you’re after, head to the Nantucket Whaling Museum. The European settlers on the island became obsessed with whaling. This brought a huge amount of riches to the island and laid the foundations of what is Nantucket today. Thankfully, the whaling period has long gone, but you can still learn more about its history, heritage and place in Nantucket within the Nantucket Whaling Museum. Visits take around 45 minutes. Oh, and don’t forget it’s closed on Sunday.
You can also rent a boat (from places like this) for a few hours whilst in Nantucket town. This allows you to traverse the shores of Nantucket town and see some of the best sunsets on the island. Trust me, you’ll be impressed.
Nantucket hotels: Now, there’s a heap of properties and hotels to stay at in Nantucket, and not just in town itself. Yes, most of the action happens in town, so it’s a great place to base yourself, but if you have a car, then the island is your oyster.
For a totally beautiful and quaint hotel in the centre of Nantucket, check into Greydon House. It’s right in the heart of historic Nantucket and just off the cobbled streets of the old town. It’s within walking distance of all the independent restaurants and bars, which is perfect for strolling out for dinner in the evening. These rooms are stunning, too.
For another gem of a hotel in Nantucket, check out the Nantucket Resort Collection. Again, it’s right in town, and the rooms are beautiful and typically Nantucket. Plus, it’s within walking distance of the beach and one of the best sunsets on Nantucket (which can be seen from Brant Point).
Also, Hotel Pippa is another independent hotel in Nantucket that’s well worth a stay. Not only is it charming, but the building dates back to the 1800s. Plus, like Greydon House, all the amazing foodie spots and cocktail bars are within easy reach of the hotel itself.
2.) Jetties Beach
Around 90 metres (984 yards) from the fringes of Nantucket town is the gorgeous Jetties Beach (Google Maps pin). Not only is it one of the best things to do in Nantucket if you love beaches, but it’s also one of the island’s best sunset spots. You see, the beach is west-facing, meaning the sun dips over the sea in the twilight hours. Also, with it being on the calmer side of the island, you’ll notice the sea is relatively calm, relaxed and a perfect spot for the family to go for a paddle, swim and a beach day. Plus, Jetties Beach is huge and really long. This means it never feels crowded, even in the busier summer months.
Once here, you can walk the shores down to Cliff Beach or head across the ‘spit’ towards Brant Point. Though we’d definitely recommend staying on the Cliff Beach side if it’s a good sunset you’re after.
Oh, and don’t forget to pop into Sandbar at Jetties Beach Bar for a tipple or a relaxed bite to eat. It’s a lovely little spot that gets pretty busy in summer. Best of all, they have heaps of tables on the sand itself. Perfect for drinks after a day on the shore. No reservation is required, but expect it to be pretty full at peak times.
Another gem on Jetties Beach is Galley Beach for its food and views. In the height of summer, you will need to make a reservation, but it’s worth it if you want a more refined beach lunch or dinner whilst still enjoying the West Coast sunset. We loved their steamed mussels with spicy tomato. So good.
3.) Cisco Brewers
Cisco Brewers totally surprised me. Before heading to Nantucket, I thought Cisco Brewers was merely a tap room and a place to try local brews on the island. How wrong I was. Yes, there is award-winning beer and lagers from the island, but there is so much more to Cisco Brewers than that.
Once here, you’ll arrive at what feels like a market area, with bars, small stalls, food trucks and live music. The vibe is so fun, and you can easily visit here with friends, the family or on your own. It’s so nice and chilled, and we had an absolute blast. Truth be told, we could have stayed all night. It was one of our favourite places on the island and easily one of the best things to do in Nantucket.
Around a 15-minute drive from Nantucket town, you can easily hop in a cab or head over on one of the prearranged Cisco Brewers transfers they run from the centre of town itself. All nice and easy.
4.) Brant Point
Like I briefly mentioned before, Brant Point is just on the fringes of Nantucket Town and easily reached on foot in around 20 minutes. Now, you’ll want to make your way over to Brant Point Lighthouse (Google Maps pin) that dates all the way back to 1901. It’s got that New England charm and island vibe that’s perfect to visit on a sunny day. Again, another gem for sunset and the perfect place for a stroll before heading back into town for dinner in the evening.
5.) Madaket Beach
Another gem of a beach in Nantucket is Madaket Beach (Google Maps pin), just shy of Smith Point. It’s a long stretch of sandy beach, with a relatively calm and chilled atmosphere. Though the sea can get choppy if the wind picks up, so always be aware of this. This is the kind of Nantucket beach you visit if you want to avoid the majority of the crowds. It’s expansive, huge and pretty quiet.
Plus, for a bite to eat, you can stop off at Millie’s for their legendary tacos. It’s a great spot for lunch and has a nice and relaxed charm about it. We loved it.
6.) Sconset Beach and Bluff Walk
Right on the east coast of Nantucket is Sconset Beach (Google Maps pin). In fact, it’s the easternmost point of Nantucket and the furthest point the island stretches into the Atlantic Ocean. The sandy beach is gorgeous, and it’s a great spot for swimming if you listen to local advice. You see, the waves can be much more forceful on this side of the island and there are lifguards are peak times of the year that keep their eyes peeled for sharks. If that happens, the red shark flag appears, which means no swimming is allowed. You can still enjoy the sand, just no swimming.
Oh, and don’t forget about Bluff Walk (Google Maps pin), where you can stroll the coastline, passing all the gorgeous Nantucket homes and beautiful views over the ocean. It’s lovely and totally relaxing. Plus, you can stop off at Siasconset town and grab some snacks at Sconset Market and Claudette’s Sandwich Shop. Their smoked turkey sandwich is delicious.
On the way home, you can stop off at The Chicken Box – something of an institution on the island. Now, it’s far from grand and really embraces its unfussy character. That’s what makes it charming. Like, it’s not the place you go to find a sommelier with vintage wines, but you will find a crisp, ice-cold beer and some amazing live music! Expect crowds on the weekend, especially as it’s one of the best things to do in Nantucket for a lively night.
7.) Sankaty Head Lighthouse
Dating back to the 1800s, Sankaty Head Lighthouse (Google Maps pin) is right on the east coast of Nantucket and well worth seeing if you’re in the area and choosing to explore the quieter east coast. Plus, the coastline north towards Quidnet Beach is beautiful.
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