Nantucket is a tiny, charming island off the coast of Cape Cod and is an ideal destination for anyone who wants to experience a traditional East Coast American summer. On Nantucket, you will find sandy beaches, ice cream, cobblestone streets, high-end shopping and excellent restaurants.
Nantucket maintains a reputation as a getaway haven for families from the East Coast. It is home to the most expensive house ever sold in Massachusetts at 38 million dollars – a monetary example of just how desirable the island is. If you visit Nantucket during the summer, you will likely run into a celebrity or two. I personally spot celebrities, every time I visit.
In this article, I will share why Nantucket is one of my favorite places in the world. Nantucket feels like home to me and will to you, too; it has a feeling of warmth that I can’t quite explain.
Here’s my local’s guide to Nantucket, Massachusetts, with all my tips for planning an unforgettable getaway!
Best Places To Stay In Nantucket
Every memorable trip starts with great accommodation options. Before we dive into what you must see in Nantucket, let’s explore hotel options.
Nantucket is not a budget destination, but it is possible to find affordable accommodations here. These are 12 of the top-rated hotels in Nantucket. We’ve organized them by luxury, mid-range and budget.
Luxury Nantucket Hotels
- The White Elephant – The White Elephant is probably the most popular place to stay on Nantucket. Located in Downtown Nantucket, all White Elephant properties have an old-money feel. You can book a house, a Garden Cottage, the Harborside Hotel, the Inn, or a downtown loft through The White Elephant.
- Jared Coffin House – This upscale hotel is located within a short walk of the Whaling Museum, Nantucket Atheneum and the Nantucket Ferry Terminal. The hotel offers rooms with city views, family rooms and signature studios. All 43 rooms have premium features and all the amenities you would need for your stay.
- Carlisle House Inn – This hotel is located close to the First Congregational Church and Whaling Museum. The 13 individually furnished rooms boast home comforts and free breakfasts. The hotel has rooms ideal for everyone, from one person to a room that sleeps four people comfortably.
- Salt House Nantucket – Located within walking distance of Jetties Beach, this hotel is an ideal place to stay for a relaxing break. The hotel has 18 rooms which are all filled with premium comforts and either king or queen beds.
- The Cottages and Lofts at Boat Basin – This hotel is located close to the beach in Nantucket Town. The hotel has 29 rooms, including one, two, and three-bedroom cottages sleeping between one and seven people comfortably while also being complete with everything you need for a great stay.
- Life House – With a mix of classic, luxury, and deluxe rooms, this hotel has plenty of room options for sleeping between one and six people in a mix of queen, double, and king beds. The hotel has a terrace, firepit, in-room wifi and an outdoor entertainment area.
Mid-Range Nantucket Hotels
- Cliff Lodge – Located in downtown Nantucket, Cliff Lodge is a cozy and quaint B&B. Each room at the Cliff Lodge has a different decor, making it unique. The Cliff Lodge is perfect for a getaway with your girls.
- Nantucket Resort Collection – This hotel has rooms with city views, king beds, or queen beds. Located close to the beach in Nantucket Town, this hotel provides easy access to all of the local attractions.
- Faraway Nantucket – Located in Nantucket Town close to the Nantucket Atheneum and the Whaling Museum and within a short walk of the ferry terminal. The hotel also offers rooms that can sleep up to six people, making it ideal for a girl’s or family getaway.
Budget Nantucket Hotels
- Hotel Pippa – The newly renovated, eco-friendly hotel is also located downtown. Originally built in 1847, the outside of Hotel Pippa looks like a traditional Nantucket Cottage, and the inside is sleek and cozy.
- Nantucket Inn – Located just a six-minute drive from both Nobadeer and Surfside Beaches this hotel is located in a rural area but close to the airport. The hotel has 100 rooms with a mixture of king and queen beds, sleeping between two and four people.
- Whaler’s Inn – This hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, complimentary self-parking and individually furnished rooms. The hotel is located just a short drive from the area’s significant beaches and attractions.
Why Visit Nantucket
Nantucket is a perfect getaway for any occasion – a family vacation, a romantic getaway, a mother-daughter trip, a solo trip, and, of course, a girl’s trip! You will not find anything else like Nantucket; it is charming, beautiful, and unique.
There is no such thing as too much time on Nantucket. It depends on how much you want to spend your time and how much time you have. As accommodation on the island is costly, especially in the summer, many people opt for day trips to the island and stay on Cape Cod. I have done mostly day trips to Nantucket because I live on Cape Cod during the summers, and I can tell you that a day trip is worth it.
If you can, a week on Nantucket is magical.
Things To Do In Nantucket
1) Go To The Beach
You cannot visit Nantucket without going to the beach. Jetties, Cisco, Surfside Beach, Great Point, Sconset, and Siasconset are some of my favorite beaches.
Jetties
Jetties is the beach closest to downtown Nantucket. Jetties is a great family beach because of the beach’s manageable waves and food options. The Sandbar is a great place to eat lunch and is located on the beach, so you will not have to pack up all your stuff to get food. Jetties also has bonfires at night, perfect for after-dinner s’mores and drinks.
Cisco
Cisco is an excellent beach for surfing and is more geared toward the younger crowd. You can rent surfboards at Cisco if you want to have a go at surfing or attempt to body surf. Just be aware of currents, especially if you are not used to being around the water. I wouldn’t bring kids to Cisco because of the waves and strong winds.
Surfside Beach
Surfside is another surfing beach on Nantucket. Just like Cisco, you can rent surfboards at the beach. I prefer Cisco because it is a more local spot and less crowded, but Surfside is also a great option. Surfside has food trucks at the beach, while Cisco does not, so if you plan to spend a long time there, opt for Surfside. The taco truck at Surfside is incredible!
Great Point
Great Point is a quiet beach in the northeast part of the island. It is not easy to get to Great Point and it is not the safest beach. Great Point is known for allowing high-rise vehicles on the beach and camping. While Great Point is gorgeous, it is a bit unsafe because of the lack of other people and marine life. This past summer, swimming at Great Point was banned because of the quantity of sharks near the shoreline. So, if you go to Great Point for a day or night, don’t swim.
Sconset
South of Great Point is Sconset Beach. Sconset Beach is an excellent place for a beach day. Be sure to check out Siasconset and the Siasconset Bluff Walk while in the area.
Siasconset
Near Sconset Beach is Siasconset. Similar to downtown Nantucket, Siasconset has shops and restaurants that will keep you busy for hours.
My favorite shops in Siasconset are Parchment, Sconset Market, and Sconset Bookstore Wines.
Being an advent hiker, I needed to find the best trek on Nantucket. The two-mile Siasconset Bluff Walk was my favorite because of the views of the water.
2) Visit Downtown Nantucket
Downtown Nantucket is full of unique shops and restaurants. While the shopping and food are top-notch, don’t forget your wallet because it is pricey.
My favorite shops in downtown Nantucket are Millie & Grace, Blue Beetle, and Cattivo Nantucket. You will also find great food options downtown; my favorite is Born & Bread.
Nantucket Harbor is right in downtown and is an excellent place for a walk after a meal. Admire the massive yachts. Some of them even have helicopters on them!
3) Walk Down Orange Street
Suppose you are looking for the perfect Nantucket aesthetic, head over to Orange Street. Orange Street is one of the oldest streets on Nantucket. On the brick road right off Main Street, you will find Nantucket-style homes, colorful Jeeps, and gorgeous flowers.
While on Orange Street, take a moment to admire the Nantucket homes; the homes on Orange Street are the oldest on the island.
4) Cisco Breweries
One of the most lively parts of the island is Cisco Breweries. Located 2 miles from Cisco Beach, Cisco Breweries is home to food trucks, live music, and a lot of beer. Cisco is up and running from lunch to late at night in the summer.
5) Bike Around Nantucket
The minute you set foot on the island, you will notice the number of bikes and bikers. Almost every street on Nantucket is bike-friendly. Many people will bike around the island because it is so tiny and beautiful.
You can rent a bike right after getting off the ferry at the Nantucket Bike Shop.
6) Take A Fishing Charter
Fishing is huge on the Cape and Islands. While I am not a huge fan, pretty much everyone I know from the Cape and Islands is obsessed with going out fishing. Nantucket is a great place to fish!
Best Tours To Take In Nantucket
Nantucket offers a variety of enjoyable tours for exploring the area, taking to the water, and visiting unique landmarks. For a trip to Nantucket, here are two great tour options:
- Discover Martha’s Vineyard island tour. See the charming gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs, quaint shops in Edgartown and stunning Gay Head Cliffs.
- Solve clues, complete wacky tasks, and discover hidden gems in Nantucket with a private scavenger hunt.
Nantucket Day Trip Itinerary
The earliest departing ferry leaves at 6am, and the latest returning ferry leaves at 7pm, leaving plenty of time to explore the island.
Where To Eat Breakfast In Nantucket
The ferry brings you right into downtown Nantucket. When you arrive, grab breakfast at Born & Bread Bakery or Lemon Press.
Where To Go Shopping In Nantucket
Next, walk around downtown Nantucket. Pop in a few stores; my favorites are Millie & Grace, Blue Beetle, and Cattivo Nantucket.
Visit Nantucket Marina
Right next to the downtown area is the Nantucket Marina. The Nantucket Marina holds gorgeous yachts that make for a really beautiful walk.
Where To Have Lunch In Nantucket
The best sandwiches on the island come from Provisions. Grab some sandwiches to go so you can enjoy them on the beach. I recommend the Thanksgiving sandwich!
Jetties Beach
One of the many beaches on Nantucket, Jetties is perfect for a day trip because it is within walking distance of downtown Nantucket. Jetties is also great for kids because there are practically no waves.
Where To Eat Dinner In Nantucket
If you have enough time before your ferry leaves, you can grab an early dinner at one of the many restaurants downtown; Lemon Press also serves a great quick dinner.
Best Places To Eat In Nantucket
Breakfast & Coffee
- Born & Bread – Born & Bread is my favorite bakery on the island. Known for their French-style baked goods and delicious coffee, Born & Bread is a must-visit.
- Island Coffee – The adorable hole in the wall, Island Coffee is for my fellow early birds as it opens bright and early at 6 o’clock year round.
- Lemon Press – Lemon Press is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I prefer their breakfast; try the charcoal latte and tomato egg sandwich.
Lunch
- Bartlett Farm – Bartlett Farm is an organic grocery store near Cisco Beach with a spectacular sandwich bar. Nothing compares to a lobster roll from Bartlett Farms on Cisco Beach.
- Provisions – Located near the ferry terminal, Provisions is the best sandwich shop on the island. Provisions are the perfect lunch spot.
Dinner
- Lola – Lola is a delicious Asian fusion restaurant located in Downtown Nantucket. I loved their crabrang goon!
- American Seasons – American Seasons is a French restaurant serving melt-in-your-melt food. You will need a reservation for the American Seasons.
- Slip 14 – Slip 14 is a dockside restaurant serving seafood. I love the lobster roll!
Late Night Hangouts
- The Chicken Box – The Chicken Box is a bar with live music and great vibes. You will find a younger crowd at the Chicken Box.
- Cisco Breweries – Everyone goes to Cisco Breweries. Cisco is an excellent place for dinner and post-dinner drinks. Also, with live music, Cisco is a great place to spend a Friday night on the island.
Best Time To Visit Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket is a seasonal destination. The summer is the time to visit Nantucket; the island is alive, the weather is fantastic, and the spirits are high during the summers.
During the winter, Nantucket becomes a ghost town with only a few residents remaining and cold weather. Most shops and restaurants will be closed from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
While summer is a great time to visit the island, it can get costly. If you want to save money, the fall is a great time to visit. You won’t be able to experience the beaches as much, but you will see the fall foliage and fewer crowds. If you visit in the fall, go in September or October because November can get cold and rainy.
Nantucket has adorable holiday decorations and a great Christmas market, so the holidays are also an excellent time to go.
How To Get To Nantucket, Massachusetts
There are a few ways to get to Nantucket. You can book the fast or slow ferry from Hyannis, MA, or Harwich, MA.
Alternatively, you can fly to Nantucket. It’s a small airport, but there are flight connections via Boston and New York.
You can also take a ferry from Boston. The cheapest way to get to Nantucket is taking the slow ferry from Hyannis. If you are arriving in Boston, you can take a bus from Boston Logan Airport to Hyannis and hop on a ferry.
How To Get Around Nantucket
Walking or biking is the easiest way to get around; Nantucket is tiny. If you are going to a faraway beach, you can purchase a bus day pass for $18 that goes all around the island.
Jeeps are popular on the island because the cobblestone streets are more accessible to drive on with them.
Books About Nantucket, Massachusetts
There’s nothing like laying on a beach in Nantucket reading a book. Here are some of my favorite beach reads all about Nantucket.
- The Blue Bistro – Elin Hilderbrand
- The Hotel Nantucket – Elin Hilderbrand
- Daughters of Nantucket – Julie Gerstenblatt
Nantucket, Massachusetts Guide Wrap Up
I hope you’ve found this Nantucket guide helpful and are now excited to visit this charming peninsula with your girls!
If you have questions about Nantucket or tips for our readers, please comment below! And suppose you’re interested in visiting other cities in the United States. In that case, you can check out all our Bachelorette party articles for inspiration or all our girls getaway guides for other trip ideas.
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We Are Travel Girls Contributor Daisy MacLellan
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