I created my guide to things to do in Nantucket with kids based on our experience on the island and recommendations from a friend who spends summers there with her children. Nantucket is a wonderful, family-friendly travel destination. Its small size makes getting around easy—you can drive anywhere in about 20-30 minutes. It’s also safe. You see kids hanging out, riding bikes, and enjoying some independence. As someone who lives in Chicago, it was a refreshing sight.
If you want to learn more about Nantucket, visit Mackenzie Horan’s website. Her family has been visiting Nantucket for generations, and she has a fantastic guide to the island.
Things to Know About Nantucket:
Is Nantucket stroller-friendly?
Yes! We brought our smaller travel stroller, and my only complaint was that some of the smaller side streets have brick sidewalks that aren’t ideal for pushing a stroller. At four years old, walks longer than ten minutes tend to be too much for my daughter, so we used a stroller at times. The bumpy sidewalks put her right to sleep.
The Sconset Bluff Walk is not stroller-friendly. The path is too narrow, and we were glad we followed the advice to skip the stroller. However, the walk is easy and short enough that even young children can do it.
Are restaurants kid-friendly?
Absolutely. Most have kid’s menus. I share restaurant recommendations at the end of this post.
Where is Nantucket?
Nantucket is an island off the coast of Massachusetts. It’s about 30 miles south of Cape Cod.
How do you get to Nantucket?
There is no causeway or bridge. The options are ferry or flight. There are ferries from New Bedford, Hyannis, and Harwich Port. Plus, flights are available to ACK airport. In the summer, direct flights on United Airlines from Chicago O’Hare to ACK are available on weekends. More direct flights are available from Boston and New York. Summer is the peak season in Nantucket, and there are more travel options during the summer months.
If you are flying, you might want to check out our favorite toddler toys for flights.
How do you get around Nantucket?
We opted to rent a car and liked the ability to explore the entire island. However, renting a car isn’t essential. You could use the free NRTA shuttle service or bike or walk instead.
Where to stay in Nantucket?
Nantucket has a mix of rental homes, cottages, Airbnbs, and hotels. We stayed with a friend in the island’s central downtown area. We loved the ease of walking most places. Another popular area is Sconset, a quieter area filled with charm. It’s one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.
There are plenty of hotels in Nantucket. Many offer larger room sizes and suites for families. The Nantucket Hotel has a complimentary kid’s club.
Things to Do in Nantucket with Kids
Beaches
Nantucket is known for its big sandy beaches. We visited a few beaches during our time on the island. I was impressed that many beaches had bathrooms plus outdoor showers for rinsing off.
We preferred the north shore beaches facing Nantucket Sound for their gentle surf and warmer water. In contrast, the beaches on the south shore have bigger waves and cooler water. Brant Point, on the island’s northeast tip, is known for strong currents.
The best thing we did was buy a bucket and shovel from the Stop and Shop (the grocery store). This kept our daughter busy at the beach for hours.
Parking at the Beach
It is free to park at Nantucket beaches; no permit is required. If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle and want to drive on the beach, this is allowed with an oversand vehicle permit at some beaches. Make sure you follow the instructions regarding letting air out of your tires and driving speeds – you do not want to get stuck in the sand!
Jetties Beach
This was my favorite beach for several reasons: beach chair and umbrella rentals are available at Sandbar (a restaurant/shop), a playground close to the beach, and the beach has calm water and a large sandbar perfect for children. Jetties Beach is very popular, but it didn’t feel overly crowded. When we arrived at 11:15 am on a perfect day, parking was plentiful. This beach has lifeguards and bathrooms.
Dionis Beach
Charles wanted to find a quieter beach, and when we arrived at this beach at 9 am on a Saturday, we were the only people there. It feels more secluded but still has lifeguards, a bathroom, and a shower for rinsing off. Plenty of parking is available.
Steps Beach
Located between Dionis Beach and Jetties Beach, this beach gets its name from the many steps you walk down to get to the beach. Like Dionis and Jetties, this beach has calm waters and a sandbar. Parking is limited, and there are no lifeguards or bathrooms.
Children’s Beach
This Nantucket harbor beach is in a crowded part of the island and doesn’t feel as relaxing as the other beaches. There is a playground, but it isn’t as well-suited for very young children. Another parent described it as being a “junior varsity” and not a “freshman-level” playground. Bottom line: some areas were so high that it made me nervous. This beach has lifeguards, showers, bathrooms, and a snack bar. It’s easy to walk to this beach from town.
Children’s Beach hosts concerts on the Bandstand at 6 pm on Sunday evenings and puppet shows at 10 am on Saturdays in the summer.
Codfish Park
Located across the street from the Codfish Playground in Sconset, this beach tends to have rougher waves than the beaches on the north side of the island.
Playgrounds in Nantucket
Nantucket has a handful of playgrounds for little ones.
Discovery Playground at Hinsdale Park
This is the biggest and best playground. It’s just a 5-minute drive from the airport, making it a perfect place to stop and let your child burn energy before a flight.
The playground has several play areas for children of all ages. Note that this playground doesn’t have bathrooms.
Codfish Park
Ideal for younger children (5 and under), this playground in Sconset is darling! The nautical-themed playground has a lighthouse, a boat, and a net for climbing. This playground doesn’t have bathrooms, but some are available nearby.
Children’s Beach Playground
As I mentioned above, parts of this playground are high. The surface is just sand. Gwen enjoyed it, but we needed to watch her closely since she is a climber. Public bathrooms are available.
Jetties Beach Playground
Jetties Playground is a small playground with swings and climbing equipment beside the beach.
Shopping
The shopping on Nantucket is fantastic. There are local, independently owned bookshops, boutiques, and jewelry stores, plus some high-end national retailers like Ralph Lauren, Veronica Beard, and Vineyard Vines.
TownPool
This shop, which specializes in tees and sweatshirts for the whole family emblazoned with “Nantucket,” is famous for the secret candy room in the back. Children can complete a quick scavenger hunt to win “Duck Bucks” to buy a piece of candy.
Bookworks
Kids love the secret nook filled with books, toys, and stuffed animals.
Mitchell’s Book Corner
Like Bookworks, Mitchell’s has a book book for little ones.
Things to Do in Nantucket with Kids
Sconset Bluff Walk
Put this on the top of your list of things to do in Nantucket with kids. 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 itself is narrow; don’t try to bring a stroller. It is flat and easily walkable, even for young kids.
Just as beautiful as the bluff walk is the walk through the Sconset neighborhood, with its flower-covered cottages. This is a perfect spot for family photos.
Things to know: Bring some cash in small bills so you can visit a lemonade stand along the way; kids set them up along the path. You can either get to the start of the Bluff Walk via the NRTA, or you can drive and park near the Sconset Market.
The Whaling Museum
My friend Debi highly recommended this museum, saying that her children loved going when they were young. We didn’t have the time to visit, but it’s on the list for next time. The museum shares the histories of the whaling industry and Nantucket. Exhibitions include whale and marine life skeletons, plus fine and decorative art. This is the perfect rainy day activity.
Gilmore Girls fans will remember Emily Gilmore volunteering at this museum.
Ice Cream Cruise
This hour-long Nantucket by Water cruise combines a harbor tour with ice cream!
Critter Cruise
We didn’t book this early enough—it’s so popular, so book ahead. Many families say that going on this cruise that lets kids see aquatic life is an annual tradition and one of their favorite things to do in Nantucket with kids.
Bike Paths
Nantucket has several bike shops that offer rentals and excellent dedicated bike paths throughout the island. We look forward to exploring the island on bike once Gwen is a little older—she turned four the week of our trip and wasn’t quite ready to bike long distances. Young’s Bicycle Shop created several self-guided bike tours ranging from 7 to 19 miles round trip.
Lighthouses
Nantucket has three lighthouses: Brant Point, Great Point, and Sankaty Head. Historically, the lighthouses were essential navigational tools. Today, they are iconic Nantucket landmarks. If you are doing the Sconset Bluff walk, the Sankaty Lighthouse is a short walk from the end of the path. The Great Point Lighthouse is the hardest to access – your options are walking seven miles through the sand or driving a 4-wheel vehicle oversand (permit required). The Brant Point Lighthouse greets visitors who arrive in Nantucket on the ferry. This 26-foot-tall lighthouse, built in 1756, is the shortest in New England and the second oldest in America.
Barlett’s Farm
This family-owned farm offers pick-your-own fruits, vegetables, and flowers! There is even a market with produce, foodstuffs, wine, and gifts plus a kitchen offering breakfast, salads, sandwiches, dinner, and grab-and-go meals.
Pick Your Own Strawberry season is in the early summer. Tickets for the Pick Your Own Flowers and Pick Your Own Vegetables Tours are available online in advance.
Cisco Brewery
Nantucket’s brewery has live music and food trucks daily. Public brewery tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Cisco is known for being family (and dog) friendly. In addition to beer, there is a liquor distillery 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.
Kid-Friendly Nantucket Restaurants
Nantucket has plenty of dining options, and we had no problem getting tables without reservations – even in July. (I will say we eat dinner on the early side). These are the restaurants that we tried during our trip.
Provisions
Located downtown near the wharf where the ferry arrives, Provisions is known for its turkey sandwiches, made fresh to order. Fresh pastries and salads are also available.
Something Natural
The sandwiches at Something Natural are exceptional. Another big bonus? An old boat is situated in the yard, keeping kids busy while waiting for their meal.
The BLT on fresh French bread was one of the best I have ever had. It can get busy at lunchtime, so you might want to order online.
Sconset Market
A small market in downtown Sconset that has coffee, pastries, grab-and-go sandwiches and salads, snacks, a small selection of grocery items, and an ice cream stand. The market is open seasonally.
Juice Bar
This is the place to get ice cream on the island. My daughter loved “the Carl,” chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips and marshmallows. What makes Juice Bar stand out from the rest is their freshly made waffle cones, which are served warm. The Juice Bar is open seasonally.
Juice Bar is very busy after dinner; this was the line!
Lemon Press
Be aware that people tend to congregate here, and the number of people standing outside doesn’t necessarily indicate a line for coffee. You can order coffee, smoothies, and pastries to go on the ground level or eat at the sit-down restaurant upstairs. We did both during our time in Nantucket. Lemon Press is an excellent option for a low-key quick meal.
Brotherhood of Thieves
A family-friendly 1840s whaling bar with cozy inside spaces and a large beer garden that offers both sushi and pub grub. I’m told that it is the best sushi on the island. There is live music in the upstairs bar most days.
Sandbar at Jettie’s Beach
Sandbar is a casual, family-friendly restaurant beside Jetties Beach. We got a table in the sand, and my daughter built sandcastles with her bucket while the adults had a leisurely lunch.
The menu features seafood, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and tacos. The kid’s menu has classics like burgers, hot dogs, pb&j, mac and cheese, and chicken tenders. Eating here and then going to the beach is one of the best things to do in Nantucket with kids.
Summer House
Located near Codfish Beach in Sconset, the Beachside Bistro overlooks the ocean and has an extensive children’s menu. The regular menu has New England classics like clam chowder, grilled swordfish, and lobster rolls. My friends love the pasta bolognese.
Claudette’s
A small cafe beside the Sconset Market with some patio seating. When we finished the Sconset Bluff Walk my daughter was very hungry, so we grabbed her a pb&j here. Breakfast sandwiches are available from 8-11 am, and at lunchtime, guests customize their own sandwiches.
Nantucket Hotel
Breeze, the Nantucket Hotel’s restaurant, offers seating on its lovely front porch. There is live music on Mondays, and a traditional New England Clambake is served.
Cru
Cru is a lively, more upscale restaurant at the end of the wharf. The food is great, but it can be loud, and they don’t accommodate strollers. This is one restaurant where you will need a reservation. You might want to go here on a night when you have a babysitter.
One thing you must order: the pistachio soft serve!
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