Nantucket Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore
There’s just something about Nantucket. This little island off the coast of Massachusetts is filled with cobblestone streets, historic lighthouses, stunning beaches, and some of the best food in New England. If you’re planning a trip, this Nantucket travel guide has you covered — from where to stay and eat to the best things to see and do while you’re here.
On our first full day, we hopped in a cab to Madaket and met a sweet man in his late 60s who’s called Nantucket home since the 70s. When I asked what made him stay after what was supposed to be just a summer job, he said, "Nantucket has this spiritual pull to it that just feels very magical and surreal." It was the best way I’d heard it described after finally experiencing it myself.
As we started exploring the island from the beaches to the local restaurants, I quickly realized why so many people fall in love with all that Nantucket has to offer.
Getting to Nantucket from New York
Depending on where you’re coming from, you can either fly directly into Nantucket Memorial Airport or take a high-speed ferry from the Hyannis Port. Here in New York, we’re used to driving right onto ferries, and that was our original plan, until we found out you need to reserve a spot for your car almost a year in advance.
If you’re driving to Hyannis, a popular workaround is to leave your car in one of the long-term parking lots near the port and hop on the ferry with just your luggage (the crew will store it for you). It’s much less chaotic than it might sound, and the ferry staff does a great job keeping things moving. Even if you’re at the end of the line, the ferry boards quickly and you’ll always be able to find a seat.
Once you’re on Nantucket, you’ll realize that cars aren’t really necessary, and can actually be more of a headache with limited parking in town. The island is very walkable, especially in the main downtown area where most shops and restaurants are located. For longer trips to either side of the island like Madaket or Sconset, you can rent bikes, use the free WAVE shuttle (download the TransLoc app), or grab an Uber. Of course, if you’re traveling with little ones, your game plan might look different — this is just what worked best for us traveling as a couple.
Best Places to Eat in Nantucket
At first, I was completely overwhelmed by the abundance of restaurants on Nantucket and how to narrow down where to eat. I spent hours researching and sourcing recommendations before finally putting together a list of the most-loved spots.
Our favorite dinner spot from the trip was Lola 41. We had heard mixed reviews about the service (pretentious vibe), but that the food was incredible, so we decided to give it a try and we were pleasantly surprised. Everyone was very kind and welcoming, especially our server, and we had a fantastic overall experience. Reservations can be tough to snag, so I recommend booking early; we went for a 5:30 dinner, which worked out perfectly. I also recommend requesting a table inside, which I think just added to the overall experience for us!
Where to Stay in Nantucket
The Brant / 7 min. walk to downtown
Quaint boutique hotel spanning 4 renovated homes with 10–12 rooms each.
The Wauwinet / 30 min. drive to downtown
Oceanfront luxury with sweeping bay and ocean views.
White Elephant / 8 min. walk to downtown
Iconic waterfront resort with luxury rooms and private beach access.
Life House / 7 min. walk to downtown
Modern boutique hotel with bright, stylish rooms and contemporary vibe.
Veranda House / 4 min. walk to downtown
Charming inn steps from Main Street with cozy, welcoming rooms.
Harborview / 6 min. walk to downtown
Historic inn with harbor views and easy access to shops and restaurants.
Faraway / Located downtown
Boutique stay in the heart of town, walking distance to attractions.
Greydon House / Located downtown
Elegant adult-focused inn with spacious rooms and central location.
Union Street Inn / Located downtown
Stylish inn blending classic Nantucket charm with modern comforts.
Hotel Pippa / Located downtown
Bright boutique hotel with fresh aesthetic near downtown favorites.
Blue Iris / 2 min. walk to downtown
Intimate property with boutique rooms just steps from shops and restaurants.
Our Stay at The Brant: Nantucket Hotel Review
When researching places to stay in Nantucket, The Brant was one of the few hotels that both Joe and I starred, and once we saw the property, it was a no-brainer. We ultimately chose The Brant because it felt like the perfect mix of boutique charm and convenience. It’s close enough to downtown (about a 7-minute walk) but tucked just outside the hustle and bustle of Main Street.
Staff & Amenities
The Brant is a newer property, opened about four years ago by Salt Hotels, so everything is recently renovated with a modern coastal feel. The property is spread across four homes with a cozy, neighborhood vibe that instantly made us feel at home. Each building only has 10–12 rooms, so it never felt crowded, and the attention to detail throughout the property was something I really appreciated.
The staff was one of our favorite parts of the stay, and in my opinion, something that can make or break a boutique hotel experience. On our first night, we sat at the bar in the main house and Jason, the hotel manager, joined us to chat through our itinerary, offering extra recommendations, introducing a few new spots we hadn’t yet heard about, and even pointing out places we could skip (that transparency was so appreciated). Everyone we interacted with during our stay was incredibly kind and welcoming, and we felt taken care of from check-in to check-out.
The Brant also provides complimentary e-bikes, beach umbrellas, chairs, towels, coolers, and a local breakfast spread every morning.
Pricing
Maybe we’re just used to steep New York pricing, but for a mid-summer stay in Nantucket, we actually thought the prices were pretty reasonable. If you’re looking to travel to Nantucket outside of the Summer rush, the staff shared that the best time of year to visit is mid to late September, where prices will also go down significantly.
Overall Experience
We’re those people who, when we find somewhere we absolutely love, there’s no reason to keep looking. The Brant will definitely be our home base for all future trips to Nantucket, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting. PS — it’s also dog friendly!
Things to do in Nantucket
There is no shortage of daytime activities in Nantucket. Between wandering the historic streets, having a beach day, or getting out on the water, here's a list of things to do during the day that capture the feel of the island:
Go shopping in Downtown Nantucket
Believe it or not, I'm not a big shopper (ie, walking in to random stores and browsing), but it was really fun to see all that Nantucket had to offer in the downtown area while popping in and out of local shops. We loved Nantucket Clothing Co. & Annie & the Tees for souvenirs.
Spend the day at Cisco Brewery
One of the highlights of our trip! We loved the vibe at Cisco so much; it was like an adult playground. Four separate areas house local beers, frozen drinks, liquor and wine and on any given day you'll find an abundance of food trucks with some of the island's most popular restaurants. Cisco is dog friendly, family friendly and has great live music, plus a free shuttle that runs on a constant loop from the Visitor Center in town. The shuttle only holds 12, so if it's a busy time, you can grab an Uber for $10.
Go on the Sconset Bluff Walk
Siasconset, or “Sconset,” is all the way out on the east end of the island, and the easiest way to get there is by WAVE shuttle or Uber. If you’re taking the WAVE, go for the Sconset via Milestone Road line — it’s the fastest and most direct.
The best place to start the bluff walk is down the gravel path at Front Street and Broadway. While this isn’t the official start, I highly recommend it. Not only is it closest to town, but it also winds through a beautiful back road of cottages. The trail itself is easy to follow and about a mile each way, making for a very leisurely walk. On your left, you’ll see stunning $25M+ homes, and on your right, the ocean — the views are unreal. The trail can be bumpy in spots, so I definitely recommend sneakers, and even on a full-sun day, bring a sweatshirt because the ocean breeze can get chilly.
The bluff walk trail is preserved and open to the public, but you’re essentially walking through people’s backyards, which gives it a really intimate feel. The trail used to go all the way to Sankaty Lighthouse, but erosion cut it short. If you want to continue to the lighthouse, you’ll need to hop back onto the road, which adds another mile or so. We skipped it since we’d already been to Brant Point Lighthouse and wanted to save time for other activities.
Sconset is tiny, so the bluff walk is really the main draw. That said, if you stick around a bit, Claudette’s is perfect for a made-to-order sandwich before heading back to town.
Have a beach day (Steps, Jetties, Madaket, Monomoy)
We live a mile from the beach at home, so we didn't feel the need to put aside a full beach day but if it's something you want to slot in, Jetties is a great beach for swimming, Steps and Madaket are recommended for sunset (we biked 5 mins. to Steps from The Brant to watch the sunset one night which was gorgeous) and Monomoy is a great option for kayaks or paddleboards, overlooking the harbor.
Rent bikes & explore the island
There are so many beautiful neighborhoods to explore in Nantucket, and on a nice day, hopping on a bike is a great way to see the island. If you’re planning to ride more than five minutes or aren’t sure about the terrain, I highly recommend an e-bike. Our hotel had both e-bikes and regular pedal bikes available, but there are rental shops all over the island — Young’s comes highly recommended.
Nantucket is very bike-friendly, with plenty of spots around town to lock up your bike. Just keep in mind that streets in the center are narrow, and with cars around, you’ll need to stay alert in busier areas. You’ll also be biking on cobblestone in parts, which is doable but can slow you down a bit. For a more leisurely ride, stick to the outskirts and enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace.
Visit the Whaling Museum
If you’re into history, the Whaling Museum is a nice option for a cloudy day. We popped in one afternoon and spent $25 per ticket for about 25 minutes. It’s a small museum, so you’ll move through it pretty quickly, but it does offer some interesting insights into Nantucket’s history that we both enjoyed learning about. We’re still on the fence about whether it was totally worth the price, but if you’re curious to learn more about the island, it’s worth a quick stop.
Stop by the Lighthouses (Brant Point, Sankaty)
Visiting the lighthouses is an easy way to fill in parts of your day. Brant Point Lighthouse was just a two-minute bike ride from our hotel, so of course we had to check it out. The lighthouses are really more for viewing than exploring, so it’s a quick stop, but definitely worth it for the classic Nantucket photo op.
Charter a sailboat on The Endeavor
This is one activity that we sadly didn't get to experience, but it came highly recommended. The Endeavor offers both private and semi-private sailing charters. You can BYOB or bring a little picnic or charcuterie for a sunset sail — definitely on our list for our next trip!
3-Day Nantucket Travel Guide: How to Spend Your Weekend
When we’re exploring somewhere new, Joe and I like to have a mix of downtime and planned activities. I always make a loose itinerary (usually planned around any reservations we’ve made) so our must-do’s stay top of mind without feeling over-scheduled. Usually, we end up having time in between where we can slot in grabbing a drink or exploring a different part of town. Here's how our trip broke down:
What to Pack for Summer in Nantucket
Outfit planning is my bread and butter, so when it came time to pack, I actually had a lot of fun putting outfits together. I learned that Nantucket is very casual overall, and how you show up really depends on your personal style. For nicer restaurants, girls often wear dresses and guys go for button-ups or short-sleeve polos with pants, but for most spots, anything from a sweatshirt and linen pants to a white maxi with a cute top is totally fine.
Heels are completely unnecessary given how much walking you’ll do. I recommend comfortable sneakers or flip-flops for the day (my Adidas Tokyo's were a clear winner and came in handy everywhere) and a nicer pair of flat or platform sandals for the evening.
Here’s a snapshot of what I packed for our trip:
Why Nantucket Feels so Special
Long Island, NY has been home to me for 30+ years, and growing up out in Montauk, I’ve had plenty of experience living in a quaint coastal town where you can bike to the beach, enjoy amazing local restaurants, and soak in that slow, small-town pace of life. With all of those wonderful memories of Montauk though, also comes the reality of the considerable changes it’s undergone — shifting from a laid-back fishing town to an upscale hotspot that draws NYC crowds. Over the years, that shift reshaped Montauk and, with it, chipped away at the charm that once made it feel so special.
Stepping into Nantucket felt like entering a time capsule, with so much nostalgia rushing back. It carries the same quaint charm Montauk had 20+ years ago, but with an elevated, yet still intimate energy.
If you’ve been before, you already know. And if it’s been sitting on your list, take this as your sign to go. We’re already planning our next trip back.
