Nantucket is heaven on Earth! Get ready to do a lot of walking, eating, shopping and beach trips!!
I created a quick Nantucket guide/ to do list. Just note there are so many hotels/ bed and breakfasts, but I listed the few my family, friends and I have stayed at.
Restaurants near downtown
Cru Restaurant- located near the ferry (straight wharf) it’s a popular spot! Grab lunch, dinner or drinks. Enjoy the view of the yachts and get the oysters!! CRU Nantucket Oyster Bar - CRU Nantucket Premier Oyster Bar
Oath Pizza near the Ferry (straight wharf). Fast and great! We took a large pizza on the ferry for the ride back to Hyannis. Real Food Treated Right | Oath Pizza | Nantucket, MA
The Club Car Cafe. Tourist favorite. The menu has changed because of COVID, but we had the best mexican food/sangrias outside there. Usually it turns into a piano Bar at night. HOME | The Club Car
Ventuno (Italian/seafood) located downtown (21 Federal Street) We had the best dinner here! They have a cute outside setup with light background music. You need to book reservations at least two weeks in advance during the summer season. Ventuno Restaurant - Nantucket
The SandBar at Jettie’s Beach. One of my favorite spots! Great quick seafood (get the fish tacos and oysters) no reservations needed, it’s perfect to grab lunch or dinner and enjoy the view/beach there. They have a changing/bathroom area too if you do go to the beach. Home - Sandbar Jetties Beach Bar + Restaurant Nantucket
Bars
The Chicken Box. Local and tourist favorite, if COVID wasn’t going on they would have live music inside every night. Currently they have a cute outdoor setup, perfect spot to grab some drinks after dinner. The Chicken Box – Bar & live music venue on the island of Nantucket. The place where people from all walks of life gather for fun and entertainment.
Brotherhood of Thieves. Cool old school tavern. Greet beers and burgers. Home - Brotherhood of Thieves - Bar & Grill in Nantucket, MA
Cisco Brewery located in the mid island. Get there early to avoid a wait. Great beers! Sometimes they have live music. They also have food trucks onsite. If you stay around Surfside area, you can bike or walk. Home | Cisco Brewers ACK
Towns
Brant Point home to Brant Point lighthouse, The Coast Guard, Jetties Beach, Galley Beach, Steps Beach and Children’s Beach. Lots of shops, wine /beer stores and restaurants all within walking distance. Very close to the ferry at Straight Wharf.
Brant Point Lighthouse - definitely a must! Easy to walk to from the downtown and you’ll get great shots of the ferry and boats. I have brought breakfast and sat on the beach early in the morning here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brant_Point_Light
Jetties Beach (north Shore)- my favorite beach on Nantucket. It’s safe to swim and you can enjoy the view of the ferry and sailboats coming and going from the Island. You can rent chairs onsite and they have bathrooms and The SandBar restaurant Nantucket, MA - Official Website
Children’s Beach - very family friendly beach with a playground and snack shop/changing area. No waves. Children's Beach Activities | Nantucket, MA - Official Website.
Sconset
What an absolute gem Sconset is. It is far from the town, but if there is one thing you do on Nantucket, it should be a day in Sconset! The town bus will take you there, but check their schedule. The cliff walk is magical. (Wear good sneakers!) it’s a path through people’s backyards and the views are breathtaking. The path leads to Sankaty Head Lighthouse. Have your camera fully charged!
Sconset Bluff Walk | Travel + Leisure | Travel + Leisure
Sconset has a beautiful beach, but be alert of the seals and careful of the big waves. I didn’t see a snack shop or bathrooms on the beach, but there is public bathrooms in town. Nantucket, MA - Official Website
I highly recommend grabbing lunch at The Summer House in Sconset. Beautiful views and good lunch menu. The Summer House
Madaket
Madaket, on the far west coast, has a beautiful beach with big waves. Great views, but as a swimmer I do suggest you’re extremely careful in the water. Breathtaking sunsets will be found here :) Beaches & Parks | Nantucket, MA - Official Website
Madaket is also far from town, but you can take the public bus or uber. If you go to Madaket, definitely grab dinner at Millie’s! They have great mexican and seafood- get the Margaritas:) ! Millie's
Surfside
Great location to stay, not that far from town. Depending where you stay you can walk or bike to town in under 25mins. The schools and hospitals are located here. I’ve stayed in the Surfside area a few times and was able to walk to town, take the bus or do uber easily. I also walked to Surfside beach from the house I rented which was a 2 mile walk from my house.
Surfside beach (south shore) also has big waves and I don’t recommend swimming there. Be really careful if you do! You can rent beach chairs onsite and they have a snack shop and bathrooms. Nantucket, MA - Official Website
Surfside Cafe located on Surfside road, great breakfast/coffee spot! I ate there a lot during my trip and got the bacon, egg and cheese on an English muffin. There breakfast will keep you full for a few hours! They also sell limited beer there :) 45 Surfside Bakery and Café on Nantucket Island – Nantucket's Award-Winning Bakery and Café
Yummy’s
Cute little smoothie/ sandwich spot on Surfside road! Highly recommend splitting a sandwich, because it’s on the bigger side. Best sandwiches on Nantucket
Surfside Bike rental- Easy riders bicycle rentals. My nephew, niece, brother in-law and sister rented bikes here. They kept them for 24 hours and rode to town, cisco and Surfside beach!
Bed and Breakfast spots
Veranda House- my sister and her husband stayed there before and it’s a perfect location for couples. It’s in downtown.
http://www.theverandahouse.com/
Hotel Pippa (I’ve had friends stay here)
Great location in downtown
The Beachside Hotel is a family favorite. I’ve stayed here many times. It’s kid and dog friendly and a short 5min walk to town or 5min walk to Jetties Beach! Nantucket Hotel and Resort: Nantucket Hotels, Resorts, Inn
Sunsets
Best spots- Jetties Beach, Galley Beach or Madaket. If you feel like splurging make reservations at Galley Beach and dress up :) They have a great outdoor setup. Galley Beach
Shopping- plenty of great shops all around Main Street. (gifts, sweatshirts, hats etc)
Looking for a nice framed fish photo- checkout Pete’s Fresh Fish Prints. Located near the Ferry. http://www.petesfreshfishprints.net
Jewelry
If you’re Looking for nice silver/gold jewelry checkout Jewel in the Sea. (Meghan Trainor’s Dad once owned this) located near the Ferry Jewel in the Sea
Bus info
Mid Island Loop - THE WAVE - Nantucket Regional Transit Authority
Ice Cream
The Juice Bar on broad street in downtown
FYI- ladies don’t pack too many shoes. Sneakers, wedges or sandals are best. Most streets downtown are cobblestone and walking is heels is tough.