Nantucket in 48 Hours: A Weekend on Island Time

Steps Beach: Descend an iconic staircase leading to the shore, sink your toes into the sand, and search for seashells to take home as authentic souvenirs.

Ladies Beach: Do like the locals and catch some waves or enjoy the sunset (or sunrise!) on this secluded beach.

Shopping: Find the coziest coastal-inspired pieces around town, from driftwood candle holders at Nomad, nautical jewelry at Jewel in the Sea, to your favorite new sunset beach sweater from Skinny Dip (IYKYK).

Nantucket’s Historic Downtown: Wander the cobblestone streets and snap pics of the charming storefronts, or pop into the Whaling Museum and gape at the 46-foot whale skeleton. Grab an ABC panini from Born & Bread, or find your next treasure at BonTon browsing local antiques.

Brant Point Light: Your introduction to Nantucket starts at Brant Point! This historic lighthouse marks the entry to Nantucket Harbor. Pose for pics at the Light, wave to ships as they pass, and you’ll find yourself reminiscing about the first time you saw Nantucket, right here.

Sconset: An Instagrammer’s delight at every turn, Sconset’s rose-covered cottages will elicit all of the heart-eye emojis. Take a dip in Sconset beach and dry off with a lobster roll at Summer House Beachside Bistro while you take in the view.

Juice Bar: It’s not a weekend in Nantucket without a scoop of homemade ice cream from Juice Bar. Try a scoop of Crantucket or an Orange Cream frappe—you’ll be dreaming about opening day of this local staple all year!

Sandbar at Jetties Beach: Soak in the sun at this lively beachfront spot! With a soundtrack that keeps the vibes high and the Mudslides flowing, Jetties is the perfect place to post up with friends on the beach.

Sister Ship: Sister Ship nails the nautical vibe without trying too hard—from the stunning, ship-inspired design to bold, creative cocktails, and Mediterranean plates. Sip a Steps Spritz on the outdoor patio before tucking into the intimate interior highlighting local legend Captain Susan R. Bloomfield and her all-female crew that sailed through the Mediterranean. With a menu that’s built to share, skip the overthinking and order it all.

Handlebar: Stop by this low-key morning spot for your coffee fix. Hot or iced, they’ll whip up your favorites with a muffin or croissant on the side. The best part, your furry friends are welcome.

Bar YOSHI: It doesn’t get better than fresh sushi and waterfront dining. Grab a seat outside with a local beer (Cisco’s Shark Tracker hits the spot!), order oysters, and compare sushi like the Nantucket Tuna vs. Nantucket Salmon roll. After, take a stroll around the marina for some of Nantucket’s best shopping.

Proprietor’s Bar & Table: My favorite dining spot on Nantucket—you can’t go wrong with dinner and drinks at Proprietor’s. This cozy restaurant has two levels of intimate dining, fresh cocktails, and inventive small plates to keep you coming back. With drinks like “Stupid Love” and snacks like Serbian Caviar, you’ll be back time and again to try everything on offer.