Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas outdoor arranged
Boutique Hotels

9 Cool Things to Do in Nantucket

Stepping onto Nantucket is like stepping into another world: a quaint island frozen in time, blooming with fresh hydrangeas, teaming with beautiful people, grey clapboard cottages, world class restaurants and picture-perfect beaches. Here’s your guide to navigating the island.

See recent posts by Anna Petrow

STAY

Harborview Nantucket

Nantucket’s sumptuously slow pace of life is one of its main draws, and there’s no better place to get on island time than at Harborview Nantucket. The darling cottages are clustered right along the water (hello, private beach!), and feature a variety of creature comforts: Cisco Brewer’s beer in the fridge, a roaring fireplace perfect for huddling around at night, and cozy robes to sip coffee in on your porch in the morning. The service is the real star, though; the rotating staff of concierges goes out of its way to accommodate your every request.

RELATED: 9 Vacations We’ll Be Taking This Fall

Boutique Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Inn Living Lodge Lounge Trip Ideas Waterfront indoor floor wall ceiling room sofa living room property window furniture condominium estate home real estate interior design hardwood Villa cottage apartment Suite area wood
Boutique Boutique Hotels Dining Drink Eat Health + Wellness Hotels Inn Kitchen Lodge Trip Ideas Waterfront indoor window room property dining room home counter cabinetry countertop interior design floor sink lighting estate cottage Design real estate living room apartment cluttered Island
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas grass outdoor sky building house property home cottage real estate estate farmhouse residential area mansion lawn Villa plant facade Garden outdoor structure tree plantation landscaping roof yard historic house stone

SEE + DO

‘Sconset Bluff Walk

Escape the main town and head to sleepy Siasconset to meander through some of the oldest homes on the island. The crushed shell path winds around the quaintest cottages you could dream of—all with ocean views, over-the-top gardens, and friendly neighbors. Afterwards, walk down to the beach and settle in for an afternoon of sun and seal watching.

Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas flower plant flowering plant hydrangea different hydrangeaceae box cornales annual plant shrub colored
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas tree building outdoor house home cottage property residential area flower real estate farmhouse window estate siding suburb facade Garden historic house outdoor structure plant mansion roof landscaping stone
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas sky outdoor Beach Sea ground water body of water Nature shore coastal and oceanic landforms horizon Ocean vacation Coast sand summer tourism cloud wind wave bay calm sunny sandy day
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas grass outdoor sky house property residential area home cottage real estate yard suburb farmhouse lawn estate neighbourhood land lot walkway backyard Garden Fence tree landscaping picket fence outdoor structure facade plantation landscape Village siding residential

SHOP

It’s no surprise that Nantucket is home to some of the best shopping on the East Coast. Designers and local artisans flock to the island in the summer, selling stunning selections of beachwear, flowy dresses, dainty jewelry, and massive straw totes. There are shops galore all throughout town, but keep an eye out for Milly & Grace and Salt, two of our favorite boutiques.

RELATED: Transition Pieces for Fall Travel

Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas flower pink plant cherry blossom spring blossom branch tree
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas tree outdoor property house home building neighbourhood real estate window facade estate Garden Courtyard plant outdoor structure cottage backyard yard landscaping stone bushes
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas room indoor clothes hanger Boutique closet furniture interior design shelf different several
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas indoor furniture textile clothes messy cluttered

Nantucket Mermaids

For the true highlight of your trip, charter a boat through Nantucket Mermaids. Their founder, Leah Collins, knows just how to take care of every last detail– like your favorite Pinot Gris chilling and ready on board. There are a variety of yachts and sailboats to charter for a sunset dinner, a day in the sun, or a cocktail party, manned by captains and stewardesses from all over the world. We took out their new 55-foot-long Zeelander yacht, boasting multiple luxe sleeping quarters, a beautiful bar with a sunroof, and, naturally, a hidden warm shower spray on deck to warm you up after chilly dips in the Atlantic.

Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas person vacation swimwear
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas water sky outdoor Boat water transportation Sea yacht watercraft vacation flag boating Ocean Deck ship vehicle wind day

EAT + DRINK

The Downyflake

Wake up early and head to The Downyflake, a family-owned diner with major charm. Their chocolate iced donuts are the perfect snack for a long walk or drive along the beach. Or, you know, to devour the second you pay for ’em.

RELATED: 5 Ways to Cape Code Like a Kennedy

Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas person outdoor hand

Cru

This won’t take much convincing: sit on Cru’s dock lounge for lunch, order some “summer water” (what the locals call rosé), take in the views (of the fabulously dressed women, foreign yachts, or Cru’s impossibly fresh take on Nautical design– your call), and chow down on the best lobster roll you will ever taste. Be sure to come back at night– it’s a party.

Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas floor indoor window wall room property dining room living room interior design furniture hardwood home window covering cottage wood Design apartment window treatment
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas table indoor chair dining room floor room ceiling function hall restaurant estate meal interior design Dining lighting home ballroom aisle centrepiece wedding reception furniture area
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas food oyster plate Seafood clams oysters mussels and scallops animal source foods brunch dish meal platter clam recipe breakfast different variety

Cisco Brewers

For a low key-drinking experience, grab a ride out to Cisco Brewers (or hop on their shuttle in town). Whether you’re sipping Whale’s Tale Pale Ale or frozé, the best part is definitely grabbing grub from the various food trucks and raw bar parking in the beer yard. It’s a stay-for-hours kind of place.

Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas food dish meal cuisine different breakfast appetizer comfort food recipe lunch finger food asian food sliced several

The Juice Bar Homemade Ice Cream

Go to this sweet spot early in the day or in the late afternoon when everyone’s napping to avoid the lines that form for the crispiest, most delicious waffle cone you’ll ever taste. Choose from dozens of homemade flavors, and be sure to opt for the infamous rainbow sprinkle dip to get the perfect photo.

Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas building ice cream cone ice cream person dessert outdoor sweetness food dairy product frozen dessert gelato dondurma cream sundae flavor sprinkles whipped cream

The Boarding House

A Nantucket icon for a reason, The Boarding House is a classic dinner destination. Whether you’re dining al fresco or in the intimate underground dining room, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic date or a dinner with friends. Order a round of spicy jalapeño martinis, take in the golden glow, and go for the housemade lemon lobster spaghetti. It will change you.

Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas plate food dish white cuisine animal source foods Seafood recipe meat
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas plate food table dish white vegetable vegetarian food recipe meat meal dinner piece de resistance
Boutique Hotels Health + Wellness Hotels Trip Ideas indoor light lighting ceiling light fixture table interior design product design lamp furniture kitchen appliance

What to Wear for a Trip to Nantucket

For info on these editor-selected items, click to visit the seller’s site. Things you buy may earn us a commission.

Want More?

Comments

comments

All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you buy something through our links, Jetsetter may earn an affiliate commission.