Summer is in full swing I could not be more excited about having a few months off of teaching to travel! I have a lot of fun trips coming up within the next few months and started off the summer in one of my favorite spots – Nantucket. During college I would visit almost every summer and hadn’t been back since the pandemic. As soon as I arrived the island feels quaint and charming, like always. In today’s post I am going to share a few of my favorite spots and how I would spend 3 days on the island during the summer! If you’re traveling with family, friends, or your significant other the island truly has something for everyone.

GETTING THERE

I’m from Buffalo, NY as some of you may know but it is fairly easy to get to Nantucket! I typically will fly from Buffalo to JFK and its a quick 40 minute flight from there. If you are in NYC or Boston I know the flight is very quick and easy! The ferry from Hyannis is about 2 hours and 15 minutes so its a quick trip and beautiful on the water.

WHERE TO STAY

When I’m here I typically stay in an Air B&B or with my friend but below are a few of the hotels I have heard wonderful things about! A few of these can be a little pricy but are absolutely beautiful if you’re visiting for something special! I also linked a few Air B&B’s!

HOTELS:

Greyson House

White Elephant Resort

The Nantucket Hotel 

The Wauwinet 

21 Broad 

AIR B&B:

Apartment Close To The Beach 

Rose Covered Guest House

Cozy Condo 

‘Sconset Cottage

There are so many options on rental sites so definitely browse to find something you love!

DAY 1

Nantucket is full of beautiful beaches, darling shops, delicious restaurants, and a fun night life! There truly is something for everyone here. Normally after a busy travel day a packed schedule can be tiring so I would recommend doing a little shopping on your first day and exploring downtown after checking-in. You can grab lunch at Provisions which has the best sandwiches. There are so many of my favorite stores on the island like Hill House, Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, and many more. In addition to bigger brand names there are a variety of locally owned shops with beautifully curated collections. Murray’s Toggery Shop has been around since 1945 and is the home of the original Nantucket Reds – a must visit! I also love to visit Peter Beaton hat studio to find the perfect sun hat.

When you’re done shopping, grab a drink at the Gazebo. It’s always a fun way to relax after a busy afternoon. After starting the night off at the Gazebo – dinner at Slip 14 or Cru are always delicious options. The lobster roll at Cru is my personal favorite paired with a glass of rose. After dinner be sure to stop by The Juice Bar where you are immediately hit with the scent of freshly made waffle cones. I always get one scoop of cake batter and one scoop of strawberry with rainbow sprinkles- an absolute delight!

DAY 2

Let’s start off with breakfast! There are lots of delicious spots, but most of the time I tend to opt for a more casual breakfast and quick option. The Downyflake has melt in your mouth donuts, Lemon Press downtown is a great healthier option, and Handlebar is the perfect spot for coffee and pastries.

Getting out on the water is always one of the highlights of my trip, and I’ve always loved sailing on the Endeavor which is Nantucket’s oldest sailing charter. The boat is beautiful and they offer a variety of different charters. It is one of my favorite things to see the island from the water! Another great option would be to take surf lessons which I’ve done before and had the best time. I love lounging on the beach after as well. A few of my favorite beaches are Cisco, Surfside, Jetties, Steps Beach, and Nobadeer.

If you don’t make it out on the water, definitely be sure to check out some of the beautiful beaches on the island. An afternoon picnic on the beach with food from Barlett Farm is a great way to spend the afternoon. Nantucket is nicknamed the ‘Grey Lady’ and often can be foggy or gloomy, but if you catch the perfect beach day definitely be sure to take full advantage. After the picnic head to Cisco Brewers to catch some live music and grab a drink! Cisco is a must visit spot on your trip!

For dinner Millies is a great casual Mexican restaurant and if you’re looking for something a little fancier Galley Beach is absolutely stunning – especially if you can score a table in the sand. Both of these spots have beautiful views and delicious food. If you’re up for a night out, The Chicken Box and Club Car are always so much fun.

DAY 3

One of the most picturesque spots to visit on Nantucket is Saisconset- head to the Sconset Market in the morning and grad a coffee and blueberry muffin to snack on while you walk the bluff walk. The views of the water and blooming flowers on this walk are incredible. You can also swing by the well known Sankaty Head Lighthouse for another classic Nantucket view! Depending on what time you are leaving this might wrap up your trip, but if you have time for anything else I ended up adding a bunch of additional spots below!

There are so many other great spots to visit on the Island too – the places I shared above are my top picks for a quick trip! If you’re eyeing other spots here are a few more favorites:

• Oath for pizza
• The Nautilus for Asian inspired seafood
• Sister Ship for farm-to-table Mediterranean
• Lola 41
• Something Natural
• 167 Raw
• The Chanticleer
• Dreamland for a movie
• Rent a Jeep, moped, or bike!
• Whaling Museum for a rainy day

WHAT TO PACK:

Thanks for reading! Enjoy your trip to Nantucket!