Nantucket Guide

Nestled off the coast of Massachusetts, Nantucket is a magical little island that offers enchanting experiences for every visitor. Begin your adventure by wandering through the cobblestone streets in town, where you'll find charming boutiques, art galleries, and delightful eateries.

4 Federal St

Our second location opened its doors on Nantucket in April, 2023 and we are so excited for this season! We're open seasonally May - October.

shop the knit shop

shop permit bags

shop our island time collection

SHOP ALL NANTUCKET EXCLUSIVES

Nantucket, MA

Things To Do

From wandering the charming cobblestone streets, exploring historic lighthouses, and savoring fresh seafood, to basking in the sun on pristine beaches and biking through scenic trails - there's something for everyone on Nantucket.

Beaches

Good news: all the beaches are public, so you’re free to bask in the sun wherever you like! If you’re planning to drive right onto the sandy shores, just make sure you grab a beach-permit sticker. Keep in mind, not every beach is drive-on friendly, so double-check before you rev up your engine. And guess what? Your furry friends are welcome too! Bring your dogs along to any of the beaches.

JETTIES is a short bike ride from town and great for kids. It is on the Nantucket Sound side of the island, so the water is calmer and great for swimming. Sandbar at Jetties Beach is a great spot to go to grab lunch and drinks instead of bringing your own. If you want calm water, but less kids, try STEPS BEACH nearby. I love this quiet beach for an earlier morning walk.

Cisco, Ladies, Surfside, Nobadeer

South Shore Beaches

These beaches are on the south side of the island meaning the waves are bigger and the water is colder...BUT the beaches are bigger! There are parking lots at Cisco and Surfside (go early to get a prime spot!) There's no true parking lot at Ladies but it’s a good spot if you want a quieter beach experience.

Cisco is a great beach to go to if you're on a bike - there is a bike path that takes you there from town. It's always so fun to watch surfers & seals here!

Nobadeer is one of the most popular drive-on beaches! I.E. very popular with younger crowds but can be super fun if you are looking to spend a full day on the beach. Good spot for surf lessons and watching surfers catch a wave.

My favorite beach is LADIES BEACH. Grab sandwiches at Bartlett's Farm and take the sandy path out to the dunes.

Nantucket Staples

Cisco Brewers

The perfect post-beach activity!
Enjoy cocktails, beer, food trucks, and a raw bar! Go around 3pm as live music usually starts at 4. And if it's a holiday weekend, go early!

Sunset Sail

A sunset sail or harbor cruise makes for a great afternoon outing. Walk Straight Wharf to pick a charter. My favorite is the Endeavor sailboat!

Juice Bar

Expect to wait in line during the post-dinner hour, but their ice cream and homemade waffle cones are well worth it.

Where To Eat

CRU

A great mid-day spot with the best lobster roll on island. Grab a drinkin at their back bar and enjoy a great view of the harbor! Try their signature drink, the cru-cumber.

Proprietors

Relaxed restaurant and bar serving locally sourced, globally influenced fare in a contemporary space. You can't miss out on the broccoli.

Sandbar at Jetties Beach

Great easy lunch spot for kids and for casual drinks. They also do a good oyster happy hour, lovingly dubbed as Buck-A-Shuck. Their frosé is a must along with their frozen blueberry lemonade a-la Cisco's blueberry lemonade cocktail.

Nautilus

All around excellent food and cocktails. Reservations can be tough to get but go early to get a bar seat, they're first come first serve. Fan favorites are the steamed pork buns and blue crab fried rice. Tequila mockingbird is our team's go-to drink there.

Ventuno

Amazing Italian food - all of their pastas are excellent, but we recommend their bay scallop dish when in-season and the Pepe picante cocktail over ice.

Millie's

Out on Madaket Beach, a casual island favorite for the best tacos on and their famous Madaket Mystery drink!

Summer House Bistro

A hotel and restaurant at the top of 'Sconset, with one of my favorite hidden lunch spots below the bluffs. Snag a couch for lunch and order a lobster roll and glass of rosé at their beach bar with your feet in the sand!

Topper's

Prix-fixe or a la carte menu in a quintessential waterfront location at the Wauwinet on the other side of the island! Don't want to splurge for dinner, enjoy it for brunch! Pro tip: Take the launch boat from their sister hotel, White Elephant hotel across the harbor.

More Honorable Mentions

BLACK EYED SUSANS - BYOB for dinner or a worth-the-wait breakfast!

ISLAND KITCHEN - For when you're fed up with the traffic in town, this mid-island spot has delicious food at fair prices!

THE PEARL - Good spot to go if your with a big group - they have private dining room! All their food is amazing, but we recommend the scallop ceviche, lobster rangoons, and short rib.

Where To Drink

GALLEY BEACH - Spectacular views paired with great food, The Galley is definitely the number one place to watch the sunset on the island with a glass of rosé in hand. If you don't want to splurge on dinner, you can get all the magic of the island sunset by just going for drinks!

BACK BAR - Great playlist and a lively atmosphere behind Ventuno.

CHICKEN BOX - An institution on the island and the spot to go if you want to get sloppy and dance. Check to see who's playing, sometimes they get great bands like The Revivalists!

GREYDON HOUSE- The romantic bar scene is tight but beautifully done, definitely worth checking out in this super well-designed hotel in town.

Where to Grab & Go

SOMETHING NATURAL - Great sandwiches and their tuna is amazing! You'll find their bread for sale all over the island.

CLAUDETTES - The go-to sandwich spot in 'Sconset. Try the turkey or seafood salad.

PROVISIONS - In town option for sandwiches, I love their Sicilian Tuna!

LEMON PRESS - A great spot to grab a coffee, smoothie, wrap or breakfast sandwich. Tons of fresh and healthy options.

BARTLETT'S FARM - Bartlett's Farm is Nantucket's oldest and largest family-owned farm offering fresh locally grown vegetables, flowers, and groceries, plus lots of prepared foods for the beach! Grab a sandwich and take a right out of the parking lot to head down to Ladies Beach.

Best Walks & Other Adventures

CLIFF ROAD TO STEPS BEACH - Great walk to do if your staying in town. We'd suggest going on the earlier side and stop at Something Natural on your way back to pick up sandwiches for the beach. Beautiful houses and great views of the Nantucket Sound. Go to the top of steps to see the gate that everyone takes pics of.

SCONSET BLUFF WALK - The Siasconset Bluff Walk is an aboslute must! Expect beautiful homes, blooming flowers, and ocean views as you walk along the bluff to Sankaty Lighthouse.

BEACH BARRE BY FORME BARRE FITNESS - An amazing workout class on the beach to start the day!

BIKE RIDES - If you want to see the island without renting a car there are great bike paths around the entire island and out to most of the beaches.

TENNIS AT JETTIES BEACH - These public courts at Jetties allow you to reserve a court in advance.

WATER SPORTS - Whether you're looking for SUP or sailing lessons there are a ton of options, start with Nantucket Community Sailing.

GOLF - For the novice hit up the driving range at Miacomet or the Siasconset 9-holer.

Where To Stay

WHITE ELEPHANT - Harborside hotel, close walk to town. Their newer property, White Elephant Village has modern suites with kitchens and living rooms that are great for families!

GREYDON HOUSE - A hip and high-end hotel in town.

LOFTS & COTTAGES - Adorable cottages on the docks, complete with kitchens.

THE WAUWINET - If you're looking for something more remote, The Wauwinet is a sophisticated retreat on the far side of the island.

CLIFFSIDE BEACH CLUB - A spectacular resort vibe on the beach near Galley Beach.