The Best of Nantucket

What to do:

• Shop downtown: Main Street is picturesque with a mix of red brick buildings and the classic cedar shingles. The street and entire surrounding neighborhood is filled with cute shops, cafes, and restaurants. You can peruse New England classics like Vineyard Vines or the Black Dog, or some of my favorites are the local shops like For Now, Salt Boutique, or Peachtree Kids.

• Cisco Brewers: This brewery is the perfect place to enjoy a cloudy day. With live music, several food trucks, and of course, local beer, wine, and cocktails. I love to order a cocktail with the Triple Eight blueberry vodka, and a poke bowl from the Millie’s food truck.

• Sconset & Sankaty Head Lighthouse: All the way on the easternmost part of the island is the town of Sconset. Explore the small town, then take the Sconset Bluff Walk, with scenic cliffside views and beautiful houses along the way. Then drive 10 minutes north to visit the Sankaty Head Lighthouse.

• Boat Excursion: Rent a boat for the day, and have them take you around the coast and enjoy views of Nantucket. There are also options for sunset cruises, whale watching, or fishing excursions.

• Biking: Rent a bike and spend the day exploring the island. The entire island is approximately 14 miles in length and 3.5 miles wide, so by bike, you can cover a lot of ground in a scenic way.

• Enjoy the beaches: A given when visiting Nantucket is spending time on the beach. Keep reading for tips on my favorite beaches.

Beaches

The best part of Nantucket is how many amazing beaches there are across the island. Each has its own personality and atmosphere. Here are a few highlights:

• Jettie’s Beach: Located about a 20-minute walk from downtown, Jettie’s Beach is home to the Sandbar where you can eat, drink, and enjoy the afternoon. You’ll also catch a glimpse of the ferries passing by.

• Madaket Beach: Located on the western tip of Nantucket, this is the spot to see amazing sunset views. On any given evening, you’ll see picnic setups on the beach waiting for sunset. Pro tip: Head to Millie’s restaurant before or after catching the sunset.

• Nobadeer Beach: Located on the southern part of Nantucket, Nobadeer Beach is popular with surfers. It’s also a beach where you’ll spot Jeeps lined up on the sand, but be aware, you need a special permit to drive on the beach.

• Sconset Beach: Located on the easternmost side of Nantucket, this is a relatively quieter beach, perfect for sunrise views or as a starting point for a walk along the cliffside.

Getting Around

• Since Nantucket is an island, you can either take a ferry from mainland Massachusetts, or fly into Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK). The high-speed ferry from Hyannis (on Cape Cod) to Nantucket takes about one hour, and the ferry from New Bedford to Nantucket is closer to two hours. In the summer months, there are direct flights from several locations in the US, compared to the off-season (when you would usually have to connect through Boston). I’ve always visited in the summer from the NYC area, and take a quick flight to get there. Be aware, though, that it is a small airport, so that can sometimes lead to weather or flight delays.

• Once on the island, the best way to get around will depend on where you’re staying. If you’re staying in a house rental across the island, then you will want to have a rental car to get around. There are rental car locations both downtown, near the ferry terminal, or at the airport. If you’re staying at a hotel downtown, you may or may not need a car, depending on what you like to do. From the hotels downtown, you’ll be able to easily walk to the shops and restaurants, as well as a couple of nearby beaches. There are also ride share options on the island, and many hotels offer bicycles to get around. If you know you’ll want to explore more beaches and areas outside of the downtown area, then I would recommend renting a car for ease.

When to go

• Peak season on Nantucket is June through August. However, early September is another fantastic time to visit because the weather is still beautiful, and the crowds lessen.

• The fall and spring can also be nice times to visit, if you are not interested in spending time on the beach, but be aware that some businesses will be closed during the off season.

Where to eat

• Lemon Press: Located on Main Street, this cute cafe and restaurant is perfect for a grab-and-go coffee, or a sit-down brunch. Pro tip: Grab a coffee and bite here, then head a block over to enjoy the weekend Farmer’s Market.

• Brant Point Grill: At the White Elephant hotel, this outdoor restaurant has a covered patio with picturesque views of the harbor. On my most recent trip, I stopped here for lunch before heading to the airport, since it was the perfect way to have sea views without fully going to the beach. I highly recommend the lobster roll.

• Millie’s: A quintessential Nantucket summer restaurant located on Madaket Beach. It has a casual coastal ambiance with delicious food. Pair it with a sunset visit to Madaket Beach, or try one of their smaller locations mid-island.

• 45 Surfside Bakery & Cafe: Delicious sandwiches located mid-island. We stop here to grab lunch to bring along with us to the beach.

• Sandbar at Jettie’s: This beachfront restaurant is located about a 20-minute walk from downtown. It’s lively during the day with music, volleyball, beach views, and great food.

• Provisions: Small sandwich shop, located by the ferry terminal downtown. Delicious and creative sandwich combinations.

• Cru: Located on the water downtown, this is an elegant spot for dinner with scenic views of the harbor. Known for its amazing seafood.

• The Whale: American bistro in the heart of Main Street. I loved dining on the patio here with twinkling lights and fantastic cuisine.

Where to drink

• Club Car: This piano bar is located downtown and comes alive on weekend evenings. Sip on top-shelf martinis while singing along to your favorite songs. This is a must-go during your trip, and it’s always my favorite night. Be aware that there can be a line to get in.

• The Chicken Box: For a more casual night out, head to the Chicken Box with live music, good drinks, and a lively younger crowd.

• Cisco Brewers: As mentioned before, this is the perfect place to drink during the day. The brewery features beverages from Cisco Brewers, Triple Eight Distillery, and Nantucket Vineyard.