The Top 15 Things to Do in Nantucket

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1 Top Things to Do in Nantucket

Last updated on February 2nd, 2023

We took a trip to Nantucket this July followed by a few days in Martha’s Vineyard. Neither of us had ever been to Massachusetts before, and after hearing nothing but great things about both of these islands we decided to go.

All I can say is I wish I had gone sooner! The island is like nowhere else I have ever been. Like I’ve said in my other posts, you don’t want to pack too many things into one day. For that reason,

I’ve put together a list of 15 of the best things to do in Nantucket. If you don’t want a day-to-day itinerary and rather just go with the flow, this is the perfect list for you. Try to stick with a couple of activities per day and leave lots of room to explore!

Top Things to Do in Nantucket

Rent a Bike

The best way to explore the island is by bike. There are several bike rental companies that have great deals, and many hotels offer complimentary rentals to guests. We personally used Young’s Bike Shop for our rentals.

There are different types of bikes to choose from including electric bikes. The nice thing about Nantucket is they have bike lanes on most roads, making it easy to roam around if you do not have a car. There are also several bike paths that take you along the beach and past the many summer homes in the villages. In total, Nantucket has 33 miles of paths to enjoy.

My favorite bike path is the Milestones Road Path which takes you from downtown to the village of ‘Sconset and loops back to the town. The main reason I like this path is that it takes you to the beginning of the ‘Sconset Bluff Walk which I will be talking about later. The path is almost 9 miles total, so another option is to take the Wave to the village and bike from there.

Another popular bike trail is the Surfside Road Path. It starts at Anna Drive and Surfside Road and takes you to Surfside Beach. The path takes about 30 minutes to complete, and after you are done you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the beach.

The Madaket Bike Path can be accessed from multiple locations, but many start off on Cliff Road which then takes you to Madaket Beach. Grab a refreshing drink and breakfast to start off your ride and continue down the path until you hit the water. If you decide to spend the afternoon in Madaket, stop by Millie’s for dinner before heading back.

'Sconset Bluff Walk

‘Sconset is a small village on the east end of the island. This is where you will find the charming rose-covered cottages and private estate homes. The Bluff Walk is a path that takes you past some of the most incredible homes on one side and the water on the other.

I was shocked at how close the path takes you to the homes! You are literally walking through some of the most well-kept backyards. The trail ends at the Sankaty Head Lighthouse.

Along the way, you can stop by the ‘Sconset Market for some snacks and relax on ‘Sconset Beach. The path can be hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for. It begins on Front Street near the village square.

Look for the stone marker that says “public way”. Follow the small path that takes you within half a mile of the Sankaty Head Lighthouse.

TRAVEL TIP: The Visitor’s Center on the island has maps of both the Bluff Walk and bike trails. I highly recommend getting a copy.

Enjoy the Sunset

Nantucket has some of the prettiest sunsets. The best views are from Galley Beach. Many people like grabbing an outdoor table at the restaurant for dinner and a sunset view.

Others just like to hang out on the beach and relax. Other great places to see the sunset are Dionis Beach, Madaket Beach, and Cisco Beach.

There are also several sunset cruises that will take you around the island with perfect views of the water at sunset.

For a romantic sailboat experience, the Endeavor is the way to go. If you want a lively cocktail cruise, Shearwater Excursions is a great option.

Spend Time at the Beach

There are several beaches in Nantucket that are both public and private. Some have all the public amenities you could possibly need, while others are extremely remote. Here are some of the best beaches on the island.

Jetties Beach is within walking distance of downtown. This beach is great for families as the water is very calm and perfect for swimming. There are also lifeguards on duty and the water is much warmer here. The beach also has public restrooms, umbrella and chair rentals, and a beachside bar. Since it is so close to everything, it may be one of the busier options, but you will have everything you need.

Galley Beach is a small private beach located between Jetties Beach and Steps Beach. This is where you will find the Galley restaurant. You can purchase a spot on the beach, or grab lunch or dinner with a view of the water.

Steps Beach is my favorite Nantucket Beach. It is one of the prettiest beaches, in my opinion, and great for watching the sunset. To get to the beach, you have to go to Cliff Road and then walk down the many steps to the sand. There is little parking, so the best way to get there is simply to walk or bike.

Surfside Beach is on the North Shore of the island. This is where the bigger waves can be found, and a popular place for surfing. It is a little busier than Jetties Beach and also has rentals and a concession stand. Like Jetties, it is a great option for families.

‘Sconset Beach is on the Eastern Shore in the village of ‘Sconset. This is my other favorite beach. It is less crowded than the beaches around downtown and gives you views of the Atlantic. Since it is on the ocean, the water will be a little choppier at times. The Beach is also conveniently located near a market, where you can grab lunch to bring to the beach with you. You can also walk to the Sankaty Head Lighthouse from there.

Cisco Beach is another popular surfing beach. It can be accessed by a shuttle from the downtown area, or you can take your bike. Like Jetties, you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas here and they have bathrooms and changing facilities. Many people like coming here because it is close to the brewery.

Eat Some Seafood

One of the things I was most excited for was eating some fresh oysters and lobster tails. Honestly, there is really no bad place to eat in Nantucket, but several places are known for their seafood. Cru is one of them!

They had the best lobster roll and oysters there and great views of the harbor. The Lobster Trap is another great place for seafood. They have a restaurant in the downtown area and a food truck at Cisco’s Brewery. Millie’s, Brant Point Grill, and Slip 14 are also great seafood restaurants.

Grab Some Ice Cream

There are two amazing ice cream shops that you must stop at. The first and most well known is the Juice Bar. They are known for their freshly made waffle cones, which you can smell down the street.

Just a heads up, expect a line no matter what time of day you go. The ice cream is worth it though! The other ice cream shop is Jack and Charlie’s. Their ice cream is also good, and they do not usually have as long of a wait as Juice Bar.

Visit the Lighthouses

There are three lighthouses on Nantucket. My favorite is the Sankaty Head Lighthouse which you will find in the village of ‘Sconset.

Another is the Brant Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse is close to the downtown area and a popular place for people to go to watch the sunset. It is easily recognized by the American flag painted on it.

Lastly, is the Great Point Lighthouse. This one is much harder to get to as you need a vehicle permit and four-wheel drive to reach it. There are some Jeep Tours you can join that will take you to the lighthouse as well. The nice thing about being in such a secluded area is that once you are there, you can enjoy a quiet picnic on the beach.

Hang Out at Cisco Brewery

Cisco Brewery is a fun place to hang out after an afternoon relaxing on Cisco Beach. This is one place that I recommend you visit during your stay. Just a heads-up, they do have a $10 cover.

The Brewery has several food trucks that all serve delicious and pretty cheap food and lots of drinks! If you aren’t a beer drinker, they have wine and spirit options.

They also have live music throughout the day and lots of outdoor seating. If you decide to spend some time there, I recommend trying the lobster roll and oysters from the food trucks. If you have time, Cisco offers tours of both their winery and distillery.

Go Shopping Downtown

There are lots of great shopping boutiques in the main part of downtown around Main Street. Bodega is a great furniture and decor store.

There are also lots of adorable clothing boutiques including Grace Geier, Milly & Grace, The Lovely, and Skinny Dip. Of course, Lilly Pulitzer is a must when you are in Nantucket.

We really enjoyed exploring the many art galleries and antique stores. There are so many beautiful pieces of art from local artists in these shops.

Explore the Island

Nantucket has some of the prettiest homes, and half the fun is walking down the cobblestone roads and taking in the beautiful historic homes. If you are lucky enough to visit in July, you will get to see the flowers in full bloom.

Most of the homes have exquisite gardens full of roses, hydrangeas, and other colorful flowers. My personal favorite homes were on and around Cliff Road and near Steps Beach.

Sconset and Madaket are two of the most popular places to visit besides the “town”. Take some time to get lost, and make sure to bring your camera!

Climb the First Congregational Church

The First Congregational Church is a magnificent church near the downtown area. Dating back to the late 1700s, this church has played a large part in the island’s community.

From Thursday to Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm, visitors can climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the entire island. The climb costs only $5, with donations going straight to the preservation of the church.

Rent a Boat

To see Nantucket from another perspective, rent a boat. There are lots of different types of boats to choose from.

My personal favorite was the sailboats. Endeavors Sailing is an extremely reputable company with rates as low as $80 per person. Best of all, they also offer sunset options if you are looking for a more romantic experience.

Shearwater Excursions is another great company. They offer several tours including an oyster farm tour, cocktail cruise and seal cruise. They even have a 6 hour whale watching cruise from June to September.

Tour the Whaling Museum

The Museum is located downtown and goes through the history of the town and it’s involvement in the whaling industry. The exhibits are extremely impressive and are constantly being updated for visitors.

Best of all, you can climb to the rooftop with views of the Town and harbor. The museum is currently open Monday-Saturday and offers both general admission tickets and walking tours.

Visit the Jethro Coffin House

This is the oldest house in Nantucket. The house was owned by Jethro Coffin back in 1686. Visitors can tour the home and surrounding gardens. This history of the house was an important unity between two of the island’s oldest families.

In 1923, the Nantucket Historical Association acquired the house and began restoring it to the landmark it is today. Reconstruction was also done on the houses’ garden.

All plants and herbs there now were all used back in the 1600s for cooking and medical use. Check out the NHA website for more history on the house.

The Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuges

This beautiful wildlife refuge is located on the northern part of Nantucket and is home to hundreds of osprey and birds. You can also hike to the Great Point Lighthouse from here.

The best part is it is free unless you need to purchase an over-sand vehicle permit for the day. These can run between $65-$140 depending on the season. The refuge offers tours that will take you through the area where you will learn about the landscape and wildlife.

Conclusion

Nantucket is a picture-perfect with so much to offer. Whether you just want to lay out on the beach, eat fresh seafood, or explore the island there is something here for everyone.

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