Planning a trip to Nantucket? Trying to find the best things to do in Nantucket? Nantucket is such a magical island, and even though I’ve traveled around the world it’s still one of my favorite places! I will say, as a Bostonian, I may be biased! If you plan your trip during a special time of the year, you can find the most beautiful roses and hydrangeas adorning this island. The hidden gem of Sconset with these blooms feels like you’ve stepped into a Disney fairytale! Keep reading for the best things to do in Nantucket whether you’re spending the day or the weekend on this magical island.

22 Best Things to Do in Nantucket: A Comprehensive Guide

Nantucket’s lighthouses

1 Brant Point Lighthouse

Brant Point Lighthouse sits on a small beach overlooking the Nantucket Boat Basin. This lighthouse is in a central location and only a fifteen-minute walk from downtown. Grab a picnic lunch from any of the popular downtown restaurants, I would recommend the Corner Table.

2 The red and white colors of Sankaty Lighthouse

The best way to get to Sankaty Lighthouse is by bus or bike. It’s a bit of a walk from the closest bus stop in Siasconset and it would be best to bike from the bus stop. There is a path from this lighthouse to the center of Siasconset (pronounced Sconset). You don’t have to walk the entire path, but it does take you through the quiet and beautiful streets of the neighborhood.

3 Great Point Lighthouse

This lighthouse is the least popular of all three Nantucket lighthouses. It can only be accessed by a seven-mile hike through the sand or a four-wheel-drive vehicle with the correct beach permit.

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Best Places to Stay in Nantucket

Nantucket is a relatively small island, so the best place to stay in Nantucket is in the heart of downtown. If you stay downtown, you can easily catch The Wave, the island’s bus system. You can also rent a bike to get around the island because ferrying your car and parking in Nantucket is difficult, especially without a resident sticker.

A Comprehensive List of the Best Hotels in Nantucket

Overall Best Place to Stay on Nantucket: White Elephant Hotel

Best 5 Star luxury Hotel and Spa on Nantucket: Blue Iris by Life House

Best Resort for Families: Nantucket Hotel and Resort

Best Boutique Hotel: Faraway Nantucket

Best Value: Jared Coffin House

Best Unique Stay on Nantucket: Relaxing Guesthouse with a pool!

Best Historic Hotel: Brass Lantern Inn

Private Sconset storybook cottage: Storybook cottage in Sconset

Best Central Location: Faraway Nantucket is one of my favorites!

4 Nantucket’s Storybook Village: Siasconset

Siasconset or just Sconset is where you’ll find the most picturesque New England homes, Sankaty Lighthouse, my favorite sandwich shop, and a beautiful path along the ocean. This is one of my favorite places in Nantucket and you can’t miss it!

Another storybook village you can visit in New England is Edgartown in Martha’s Vineyard; it reminds me of Nantucket!

5 Try the infamous sandwiches at Claudette’s

You can’t leave Nantucket without trying a sandwich from Claudette’s. The best thing to do on a beautiful summer day is to order sandwiches and head to the beach. Sconset Beach is right down the road! It’s very easy to find the beach from this spot, you will be able to hear the ocean waves before you see the beach. Find the pedestrian bridge close by and follow that road to the beach. This beach is located on the east side of the island so beware the waves are very intense and not the best if you plan to swim!

Sconset is one of the best beach towns in New England. It really is one of the best things to do in Nantucket!

6 Find the trail of the Sconset Bluff Walk

Regarded as one of the most scenic paths and the best things to do in Nantucket, the entrance is a bit hidden. Don’t worry, you can easily see is on Google Maps or find the corner of Broadway and Front Street and walk north until you find it! If you’re only heading to Nantucket for the day, I highly recommend at least walking part of this path.

7 Make a reservation at Chanticleer

Regarded as one of the most romantic restaurants on the island, this intimate restaurant initially started as a tea house. If you want to enjoy the cottagecore-esque garden, make a reservation for lunch! If you time it right, you’ll find plenty of roses blooming and cascading down their garden trellises. It’s perfect for any birthday or special occasion!

How to Get to Nantucket: Traveling by boat or plane

Even though Nantucket is only thirty miles off the coast of Cape Cod, the only ways to get to this island are by boat or plane. Here’s a comprehensive guide to Cape Cod if you need it!

Traveling to Nantucket from Boston

The best way to get to Nantucket is via the Hy-Line high-speed ferry departing from Hyannis, Cape Cod. Cape Cod is around an hour’s drive from Boston depending on what ferry you book because there are different ferry options. The ferry options include Hy-Line’s high-speed ferry, Steamship Authority, and Seastreak Ferries. Keep in mind Seastreak Ferries leaves from New Bedford, Massachusetts, and not Cape Cod.

Insider tip: If you’re driving to Cape Cod from Boston to board a ferry the drive will take around one hour. Keep in mind during the summer the population of Cape Cod increases drastically, and if you’re driving during peak hours you will run into traffic. Plan your trip ahead of time, accounting for drive time to the ferry terminal and time to park your car. Ferry companies offer parking, but some parking lots may be off-site and require a shuttle transfer. Research parking options when booking your ticket and allow yourself extra time to park.

Traveling from New York to Nantucket

The best way to get from New York City to Nantucket is by fast ferry, and Seastreak Ferries is the best option. Here’s a comprehensive list of other ferry options. If you want to fly in and out of the island, I would recommend Google Flights to compare prices.

Spend a day in Downtown Nantucket

8 Walk to the beautiful Steps Beach

This popular Nantucket beach is only a twenty-minute walk from downtown and less by bike. This beach features the iconic ‘steps’ leading down to the beach offering incredible views of Nantucket Sound and Great Point. It’s been said during August and September nights bioluminescent creatures can be seen and light up the ocean water.

9 Enjoy a drink at Cisco Brewers

A short drive out of downtown, Cisco Brewers offers delicious New England summer ale and other options since they have a distillery on site. The brewery’s atmosphere is special in the summer as they have an incredible outdoor space. You can even pick up a shuttle from downtown Nantucket to their brewery if you don’t have a car or a bike. Check out their shuttle schedule here.

10 Admire the boats at the Nantucket Boat Basin

Take a summer stroll through the Nantucket Boat Basin. If you walk past the popular seafood restaurant Cru, keep walking along the dock. You will be greeted with views of Brant Point Lighthouse and the surrounding marina. As I mentioned before, a visit to Brant Point Lighthouse is one of the best things to do in Nantucket.

11 Visit the Whaling Museum

Learn about the history of the whaling industry and how Nantucket came to be the whaling capital of the world. It’s the perfect activity for a rainy day!

12 Admire the historical Nantucket Atheneum

Rent a book or wander through this historical building from the 1820s. They have over 1.6 million books to choose from! The architecture is quite stunning in itself.

13 Go Shopping

Even though I haven’t visited all the shops on the island yet, two of my favorite clothing stores are Erin Hielle and Milly & Grace.

14 Walk down Cliff Road

Cliff Road is near downtown Nantucket where you can find beautiful real estate. In the summer you may even spot these red, white, and blue vintage cars!

A Guide to Nantucket’s Beaches: Best Beaches on Nantucket

15 See a Sunset at Madaket Beach

You can’t go wrong with any of Nantucket’s beaches, but Madaket Beach offers the best sunset views. Grab a takeaway dinner at Millie’s. Don’t forget beach chairs and your favorite drink. If you forget your beverages, Millie’s sells a variety of alcohol but does upcharge. If you’re driving to the beach there is limited parking because much of the area is for resident parking only. I would arrive at least an hour or earlier before sunset to find parking.

16 Spend the Day at Surfside Beach

This beach is great in the summer, and is right off the bus line! It also has some great food trucks and the cutest surrounding neighborhood if you’re up for a walk! This beach has a large parking lot but check in advance if you need a pass before visiting.

17 Snap a photo at Steps Beach

One of my favorite beaches and the best beach in Nantucket is Steps Beach. This beach also gets the award for most photogenic. This beach does not have a parking lot, but there are bike racks available.

18 Have a picnic at Sconset Beach

This beach is located in the idyllic part of the island and is my favorite to have a picnic lunch. One of my favorite sandwich shops in New England and the world is Claudette’s, so pick up your sandwiches and a few beverages and head to the beach to enjoy!

Claudette’s is one of my favorite restaurants on Nantucket, and it’s also close to the water! Here are some additional best waterfront restaurants in New England.

Best Restaurants in Nantucket

Nantucket has quite the culinary scene, and reservations will most likely be required! Here are a few of my favorite restaurants and spots on the island.

19 Galley Beach Restaurant

has the best ambiance for dinner. It’s located on the beach, and if you’re lucky you’ll be treated to an incredible sunset. The Chanticleer is another great option for dinner but it’s located on the other side of the island in Siasconset.

20 The Juice Bar

Don’t leave the island without trying the famous homemade ice cream spot Juice Bar, and have breakfast at Lemon Press. You can find the best sandwiches at Claudette’s, the turkey salad is my favorite!

21 The Sandbar at Jettie’s Beach

The Sandbar at Jettie’s Beach is a fan favorite for alcoholic beverages and is first come first serve for seating.

22 The Faraway Nantucket

I also love getting a drink at the Faraway Nantucket, they have the most beautiful and tranquil garden and outdoor bar space. The Club Car is another super great spot, very instagrammable!

Is a Day Trip to Nantucket worth it?

A day trip to Nantucket is worth it, and you can see many of the best things to do in Nantucket in just a day! In one day on the island, you’ll have time to enjoy one of the world-renowned beaches, enjoy an upscale but delicious dining option, stroll around Sconset, and maybe have time to visit the brewery and see a sunset. You don’t have to stay overnight on this island but can take a ferry for the day, and once you’re there it’s very easy to get around the island via bike or bus.

Looking for what to pack for a weekend in Nantucket? Shop here!

Getting Around Nantucket

Should I rent a car when visiting Nantucket?

You don’t need to rent a car when visiting Nantucket, it is very easy to get around the island by bike, bus, or walking. If you’re staying in downtown Nantucket, you can walk to most places, take the bus, or rent a bike. Renting a car on Nantucket or bringing your car with you would be beneficial if you’re opting to stay in an Airbnb Nantucket or other accommodations outside town, are not near a bus stop, or in a location that would be too far to bike to.

If you want to bring a car to Nantucket you must reserve a spot on the ferry months in advance. Be prepared, it will be expensive as the island heavily discourages car traffic.

Getting around via bus: The Wave

If you’re staying downtown, you can use the bus to travel to Nantucket’s beaches and the most beautiful area in Nantucket and my favorite area of Nantucket- Siasconset or Sconset. The bus system is easy to use and has an information office in town. You can find the exact location if you put ‘Downtown Washington Street, Greenhound Stop’ in your GPS. Each bus ride is a few dollars one way, and only accepts cash! They also don’t offer change so make sure to bring lots of singles!

The best way to get around Nantucket: Rent a Bike

There are plenty of bike rental shops in town, but if you’re staying on the island check with your hotel first as many offer bikes for guests to use. Many blogs suggest biking from downtown Nantucket to Siasconset, but it’s about eight miles one way. I would consider renting an electric bike to save time especially if you’re only spending one day in Nantucket. If you want to bike to Siasconset from downtown and take the bus back, the buses have bike racks!

Even though there are bike paths throughout the island, there aren’t as many bike paths getting in and out of the downtown and central areas of Nantucket. Be careful biking in these areas as the roads are very narrow and allow very little room if any for bikes.

Insider tip: Many Nantucket hotels offer bikes for guests, and even chairs and towels for the beach! When I previously stayed at the Jared Coffin House, they even offered a car service. We used the service to have dinner at Galley Beach Restaurant. We could have easily walked there but it was nice to have that option.