This Nantucket Itinerary for Kids has six days of fun summertime activities for your family! Mix and match the days to build your own Nantucket vacation.
Last summer, we fell in love with Nantucket. It’s the ideal destination for a family vacation. We loved this charming island, which is easy to get to thanks to direct flights from Chicago and Boston and ferries from New Bedford, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard.
This was published in May 2025. Always double-check individual websites for up-to-date schedules and information.
What to Know about Nantucket
It’s expensive. In 2023 it topped the list of most expensive beach destinations in the world. Both accommodations and restaurants are pricy.
It’s kid-friendly! We found the island to be stroller friendly and it felt so safe. Most restaurants have children’s menus. Seeing pre-teens biking around Sconset without their parents reminded me of my childhood in Maine.
It’s busy in the summer. It is best to make reservations for activities and restaurants in advance.
Want to read more about Nantucket? Check out my guide to Things to Do in Nantucket with Kids!
Nantucket Itinerary for Kids
I created six daily itineraries based on themes and ease of getting from place to place. Some days have more activities than may be feasible for a day. You can take your time to pick the activities that your family will enjoy. The goal was to highlight groups of top kid-friendly spots that are near each other so that you can make the most of your time on Nantucket.
Day of Arrival
The first day is about settling in and starting to explore.
Arrive and Rent a Jeep
Whether you arrive at ACK airport or take the high-speed ferry (the Hy-Line), you will probably want to rent a car. Car rentals are available throughout Nantucket Island, including at the airport and in the center of town. If you rent a Jeep, you can drive on the beach – one of the most popular things to do in Nantucket. Reserve your car in advance, make sure the car has an oversand permit, and follow the instructions for letting some air out of the tires before driving on the sand.
Shop for Supplies and Beach Toys
Before you head to your hotel, you may want to stop at the local grocery store, the Stop & Shop, for snacks. This is also the perfect place to pick up a few beach toys and sunscreen. Shop & Shop has two locations, one towards the airport and another near the pier where the ferry arrives.
Grab Lunch
Both Something Natural and Provisions are Nantucket staples known for their freshly made sandwiches.
Something Natural is just outside downtown and has a large lawn with picnic tables and a wooden boat play area for kids. It’s a great option for letting kids run around while you eat. You can even order ahead online.
Provisions is in the busy Harbor Square. If you want to quickly pick up sandwiches to eat at Children’s Beach (which does have a playground) this is place to go.
Check In
The best Nantucket resorts for families include the Harborview Nantucket, the White Elephant Nantucket, and the Nantucket Hotel.
The Harborview is both downtown and on the waterfront. It offers 10 luxury cottages ranging in size from 1-3 bedrooms.
White Elephant Nantucket has been freshly renovated and offers rooms and cottages. This hotel is a short walk from downtown, has a pool, and provides guests with complimentary beach cruisers.
The Nantucket Hotel is open year-round and has a complimentary kids’ club with counselor-led activities in the summer.
If you want more space, many rental home options exist on the island.
Explore Downtown
Nantucket’s downtown area has charming cobblestone streets, darling boutiques, and many dining options. It is an incredible destination for shopping, with a mix of high-end designer retailers and locally owned shops.
Find the Secret Candy Shops
The most essential item on a Nantucket itinerary for kids is visiting the shops that have hidden candy stores! My daughter’s favorite shop was TownPool since it has a hidden candy store and a scavenger hunt activity where kids win “duck bucks” that they can exchange for a piece of candy. This shop is the perfect place to pick up a Nantucket sweatshirt.
Force 5 Watersports, an apparel and surf shop, also has a secret candy shop.
Ice Cream at Juice Bar
Located in the heart of downtown on Broad Street, Juice Bar is arguably the island’s most famous ice cream shop. The waffle cones and 40 flavors of ice cream (including vegan options) are all homemade. Be prepared that there is often a long line for ice cream after dinner, so I suggest going as an afternoon treat.
Bookshops
Mitchell’s Book Corner and Bookworks both have well-curated kids’ sections.
Children’s Clothing
Peachtree Kids and Pinwheels Nantucket offer beautiful clothing options for children. Murray’s Toggery can’t be missed.
Dinner
Cisco Brewers
This Nantucket brewery is known for being family-friendly and dog-friendly. During the summer months, there is live music everyday at 4pm and food is available from food trucks on-site.
A free shuttle is available from the corner of Federal and East Chestnut Street (a block from the Whaling Museum) to the brewery’s entrance.
Breeze at the Nantucket Hotel
If it happens to be a Monday or Thursday, you might want to check out the Nantucket Hotel’s twice-weekly traditional New England Clambake with live music.
Beach Day One
Nantucket is known for its picturesque beaches. This day of the Nantucket Itinerary for Kids is all about spending time at the beach.
Brunch
Start your day with brunch. Eat at your hotel or head downtown to try local favorites, Lemon Press or Black-Eyed Susans. Lemon Press offers coffee, smoothies, and grab-and-go pastries on the ground level, which tends to be quite busy. We had no problem getting a table for a sit-down brunch upstairs.
Barlett’s Farm
You can pick your own fruits, vegetables, and flowers at this family-owned farm. There is also a market with produce, foodstuffs, wine, and gifts, and a kitchen offering breakfast, salads, sandwiches, dinner, and grab-and-go meals.
Tickets for the Pick Your Own Flowers and Pick Your Own Vegetables Tours are available online in advance. Pick Your Own Strawberry season is in the early summer.
Lunch at Sandbar at Jetties Beach
This restaurant beside Jetties Beach is the perfect place for a casual meal, and it has lots of outdoor seating. We loved it since our daughter happily played in the sand while we ate. The menu has a mix of fresh seafood, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The kids’ menu has all the classics: hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, PB&J, and mac and cheese.
Jetties Beach
In addition to its large restaurant and bar, Sandbar also has a merch shop that offers beach equipment rentals. Grab some beach chairs and head to the ocean. We liked this beach because it has a playground, plenty of parking, bathrooms, and lifeguards.
Jetties Beach is known for its calm waters, large sandbar accessible at low tide, and warmer waters than some of the other beaches. The water depth increases very gradually here, making it an ideal beach for young children.
Dinner at Pizzeria Gemelle
This pizza joint serves 12-inch Neapolitan-style pies. You can eat there or pick up takeout to bring to the drive-in.
Discovery Playground at Hinsdale Park
This playground is open from sunrise until sunset and is on the way to the drive-in movie. A stop here could be a good opportunity for kids to burn off any extra energy. This photo shows a small portion of the massive playspace.
See a Drive-In Movie
Dreamland, a non-profit film and cultural center, hosts a summertime drive-in movie series at The Playing Fields at 7 Nobadeer Farm Road. Heads up that tickets are not sold at the gate and need to be purchased online in advance – they can sell out. Movies start at 8:30, but you need to get there at least 15 minutes early.
Rainy Day Nantucket Itinerary for Kids
Even when it rains, there is lots of family fun in Nantucket. Here are some of the best options.
Barnaby’s Toy and Art Shack
Barnaby’s is a toy store and children’s art studio offering several kids’ art classes daily. Class offerings include painting, working with clay, making slime, and making Fairy Houses.
The Nantucket Whaling Museum
Learn about the history of the whaling industry and Nantucket at this downtown museum. Exhibitions include massive whale skeletons, plus fine and decorative art.
Maria Mitchell Aquarium
Get an up-close look at marine life at this seasonal aquarium that is open during the summer months. It’s best to reserve your tickets in advance. The aquarium opens for the season on June 9th.
Various summer day camps for kids ages five and up are also available!
Hinchman House Natural Science Museum
Learn about the island’s biodiversity, see live animals, and explore interactive displays. Don’t miss the displays with over 900 species of birds. This museum reopens for the summer season on June 9th.
Nantucket Atheneum
Nantucket’s public library offers various programs for children, including music on Tuesdays, crafts in the courtyard on Wednesdays, and a dance party in the garden on Thursdays. Teen crafts are offered on Tuesday afternoons.
See a Movie at Dreamland
The Cinema for the very young series invites little ones to G-rated sensory-friendly short movie screenings on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 10:30 runs through June 17th.
Nantucket Shipwreck & Life-Saving Museum
This museum, which tells the story of the over 700 shipwrecks that have occurred on Nantucket’s waters and honors volunteer and professional lifesavers, is open seasonally in the summertime. During July and August, the museum offers drop-in family-friendly activities on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
A Day in Sconset
Visiting Siasconset, affectionately referred to as Sconset, is an absolute must for any Nantucket Itinerary for Kids. Sconset is located on the eastern side of the island and can be reached by taking the Nantucket Regional Transportation Authority’s (NRTA) free WAVE bus if you don’t want to drive.
Sconset is known for its rose-covered cottages, hydrangea-lined walking path, and ocean views. It is simply stunning.
Sconset Bluff Walk
The Sconset Bluff Walk is a public footpath along the island’s east shore, past some of the most stunning homes on Nantucket. The trail is too narrow and bumpy to bring a stroller, but it is an easy walk.
Bring some cash – often, you will find a lemonade stand along the path.
Sankaty Head Lighthouse
The Bluff Walk used to end at the Sankaty Head Lighthouse, but erosion has altered the path. Today, it is a short half-mile walk to continue on to see this lighthouse. At the end of the Bluff Walk, turn right and walk down Baxter Road.
Lunch at Sconset Market, Claudette’s, or Summer House
After checking out the lighthouse, take the Bluff Walk back to Sconset’s Main Street. There are three lunch options. Sconset Market is the most casual. It is a general store, cafe, bakery, and ice cream shop.
Claudette’s Sandwiches serves breakfast sandwiches, deli meat sandwiches, and a well-known meatloaf sandwich. We grabbed a quick PB&J for our daughter here.
Summer House’s Beachside Bistro is a sit-down restaurant with a large patio. The menu features lots of fresh local seafood, including clam chowder, fish tacos, swordfish, cod fish and chips, shrimp, and a lobster roll. There is also a children’s menu.
Codfish Park Playground
This nautical-themed playground is ideal for younger children (5 and under). It’s about a 5-minute walk from the trio of Sconset restaurants listed above. A visit to this darling playground is an essential part of any Nantucket itinerary for kids.
Sconset Beach
Sconset Beach is just across the street from Codfish Park. Since it is on the island’s east end, and not on the Nantucket Sound like some of the island’s other beaches, the waves here can be a bit bigger.
Dinner at Brotherhood of Thieves
Make your way back downtown to dine at this family-friendly 1840s whaling bar with a large beer garden and a cozy British-style pub. Often, there is live music. The menu here is all over the place, but they do it all well. Brotherhood of Thieves is known as the best place on the island for sushi, but the menu also has American pub fare.
Saturday Nantucket Itinerary for Kids
Sure, you can do most of these activities any day of the week, but I built this itinerary with the puppet show at Children’s Beach in mind.
Breakfast Born & Bread
Pick up breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and coffee at this bakery on Centre Street and head to Children’s Beach for a picnic.
11 am Puppet Show at Children’s Beach
Local Nantucket artist and puppeteer Lizza Obremski puts on a weekly show at Children’s Beach on Saturdays from July 12th through September 13th. Additionally, there are Tuesday shows at Cisco Brewery at 11:30 a.m. from June 3rd through August 26th.
Children’s Beach Playground
There is a playground beside the beach, and you should probably factor in some time for a visit.
The Critter Cruise or Ice Cream Cruise
These super popular cruises leave Straight Wharf, less than a 10-minute walk from Children’s Beach.
The Critter Cruise is an hour long cruise through the harbor with Captain Josh who hauls fish and lobster traps. Every aboard gets a fishing pole to try fishing. Any critters that are caught go into a touch tank so that kids can get an up-close look.
The Public Harbor Tour and Ice Cream Cruise is an hour long, and guests can enjoy ice cream while listening to a narrated tour of the harbor.
Brant Point Lighthouse
Nantucket has three lighthouses. If you take the ferry to Nantucket, you will pass this lighthouse. If you don’t see it upon arrival to the island, it’s just beside downtown, north of Children’s Beach. Brant Point Lighthouse stands just 26 feet tall and is New England’s shortest lighthouse!
Bike Ride
Nantucket has excellent bike paths. You can opt for a private guided bike tour with Nantucket Bike Tours or rent bikes from Young’s Cycle Shop and embark on a self-guided bike tour. Young’s has e-bikes available, which might be helpful if you want to take the 18.2-mile round-trip journey from town to Sconset. There are several options for kids’ rentals, from kids’ bikes to covered trailers and trail-a-bikes.
Seafood Dinner
Try low-key local favorite Sayle’s Seafood or the Nantucket Lobster Trap, a classic New England seafood shack.
Sayle’s Seafood is a fish market that offers seafood dinners, which can be enjoyed on its waterfront deck or ordered as takeout. They offer a full clambake dinner with lobster, clam chowder, steamers, mussels, corn on the cob, and red potatoes. This meal is a must-try for any seafood lover. For those who don’t love seafood, chicken tenders and fries are available. Sayle’s Seafood offers online ordering on its website.
Nantucket Lobster Trap has a food truck at Cisco Brewery and a sit-down restaurant downtown. The menu offers more kid-friendly options, such as chicken fingers, burgers, grilled cheese, and hot dogs, in addition to New England seafood classics: lobster rolls, scallops, lobster by the pound, steamers, mussels, and a raw bar.
Jeep Ride
Young’s Bicycle Shop rents Jeeps, too. They even have car seats and booster seats available. Great Point and the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge are considered the best places for a Jeep ride on the beach. This excursion will take you out to Great Point Lighthouse. Note that a $50 day pass is required to take the route. Before you go, read these instructions for letting air out of the tires and driving on the beach.
Beach Day Two
Explore a beach on the west side of the island.
Pick up Sandwiches at Something Natural
The drive to the island’s west side will take you past Something Natural, so you may want to pick up sandwiches for the beach on your way.
Dionis Beach
This beach has calm waters since it faces Nantucket Sound. It wasn’t as busy as some of the other beaches, and there was lots of parking.
Madaket Beach
Or, opt to visit Madaket Beach. This beach doesn’t have a parking lot, but the NRTA bus stops here. Located on the island’s westernmost point, this beach can have rougher surf than Dionis Beach. Madaket Beach is one of the best places on Nantucket to watch the sunset.
Steps Beach
If you prefer to stay closer to downtown, Steps Beach is between Dionis Beach and Jetties Beach. Like Dionis and Jetties, this beach has calm waters and a sandbar. However, there are no lifeguards or bathrooms, and parking is limited.
The beach gets its name from the long series of steps visitors need to take to access it.
Dinner at Millie’s
If you went to the island’s west side, visit Millie’s in Madaket. Or, if you went to Steps, you can visit Millie’s Mid-Island location at the rotary. The menus at both locations include tacos, sandwiches, salads, and quesadillas. They also offer a Maine lobster roll box that feeds eight. The children’s menu has taco, burrito, quesadilla, and crispy salmon options.
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