This post has all of my recommendations for Nantucket! Nantucket is an island off the coast of Massachusetts, south of the cape.
Map
First, let’s get our bearings. 🤣 Here’s where Nantucket is on a map. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Boston to Hyannis, which is the port that has the ferry to Nantucket.
Getting There
If you’re flying in, you can fly right into Nantucket airport. I’d recommend renting a car since there’s so much to see. If you’re driving there, you’re going to need to take the ferry, and you can either park at Hyannis (the port), or you can have your car ferried over to the island. You need to get tickets and make reservations ahead of time if you want to take the ferry.
Best Hotels
1. Rent a House
One option is to rent a house, and the house we rented was near Surfside beach on the south side of the island.
2. The Wauwinet
We didn’t stay at The Wauwinet, we just had dinner here one night, but this hotel is incredible. It’s right on the water it’s located in this beautiful secluded area on the North East side of the island. There are so many other amazing hotels on Nantucket, but this is just one that I personally went to one time and know is good.
Best Things To Do
1. Beach
The house we rented was right near Surfside beach, which is the beach on the south side of the island. It had lifeguards, parking, bathrooms, and a food stand. If you have young kids though, I’d recommend going up to Jetties beach which is on the north side of the island since there’s a huge sandbar and the water is way more calm. That beach also has a snack bar, lifeguards, and bathrooms.
2. Sconset Bluff Walk
The Sconset Bluff Walk is a popular walking trail, and on one side there are beautiful homes, and on the other side there’s the ocean. It’s a picturesque spot and we probably did this walk like 3 or 4 times. 😄
3. Downtown
There are so many good clothing stores and shops to check out in the downtown, so this is another thing that should be on the top of your list. If you like history, you can check out the whaling museum, which also has a rooftop with great views of the town.
4. Cisco Brewers
Cisco Brewers is an outdoor brewery with food trucks, and sometimes it even has a live band!
5. Sankaty Lighthouse
This is a lighthouse on the way East side of the island. There’s a little walking trail toward it, and there are nice views of the ocean and golf course.
6. Downyflake
For the best donuts in town, check out Downyflake!
Best Restaurants
1. Millie’s
We went here for lunch one day, and it’s a restaurant / bar over on the West side of the island. If you like shrimp, you have to get the shrimp tacos.
2. Topper’s at the Wauwinet Hotel
This place is FANCY. This is NOT the place to dress casual. 😄 A fun tip to know is you can take a boat ride from the downtown to the hotel for your dinner reservation!
3. Galley Beach
This place is also fancy, so dress nice! It’s a restaurant right on the beach with great views, and the food was amazing too.
- Call to make reservations 508-228-9641
Weather
Average Temperatures
| Month | High / Low (°F) | Highest Snowfall | Water Temp (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36 / 23 | ❄️ | 37 |
| February | 37 / 24 | ❄️ | 36 |
| March | 43 / 31 | 41 | |
| April | 51 / 37 | 50 | |
| May | 60 / 46 | 59 | |
| June | 69 / 56 | 68 | |
| July | 76 / 61 | 73 | |
| August | 75 / 63 | 75 | |
| September | 68 / 56 | 69 | |
| October | 61 / 49 | 60 | |
| November | 51 / 37 | 50 | |
| December | 40 / 28 | 42 |
Full Guide
For more tips, check out my full guide to Nantucket here ⬇️
And those are all of my tips for Nantucket! Do you have any recommendations? Let me know in the comments!
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