Nantucket is truly the most magical island. There’s something about stepping off the ferry and walking down the charming brick streets that gives you a sense of excitement and energy. It’s really something that’s hard to describe but you can feel instantly when you’re there. It’s storybook. It’s happy.
Eric and I visited Nantucket a few years ago for a weekend getaway. We loved it so much that we decided to bring our kids back the following year.
And wow, what a place to be for summer. See below for all our recs for Nantucket with kids!
There is SO much to do on Nantucket. For both adults and kids. We rented a house because that made most sense for our family and we’ve been bouncing around with different parts of the island that we want to explore, but so far, we’ve stayed “mid-Island” which is not too far from the airport. It’s a few miles from downtown but far enough that it doesn’t feel crowded. We found our spot via VRBO.
The house had a few baby items like a highchair and a pack n play but we rented other gear like our double stroller and water table from Babyquip (which I’ve used in multiple cities!). This made our stay so much easier.
We also put our older two in camp which is a game-changer. There are a variety of camps around the island but the ones ours have loved the most is the Maria Mitchell Association. Our kids took bus rides all over to different beaches, parks, preserves, etc and learned about animals and nature. They searched for crabs, went looking for snapping turtles, did all sorts of crafts, and spent 99% outdoors. This was perfect for my little budding scientists. We tried a camp last year called Camp Murray which is also great, but it’s more sports focused which is not my kids’ preference at this age. The other camp we’ve heard great things about is Strong Winds but we have yet to try it.
While the older two went on camp adventures, we hired babysitting for the little two in the morning through Nannytucket. We’ve had a wonderful experience the last two years we’ve used them! So with 4 kids taken care of in the mornings, Eric and I could go bop around town and explore. Then we’d regroup at 1pm for camp pick up and naptime and head to the beach for a family outing in the afternoon.
We have mostly visited Sconset beach because it’s our favorite part of the island and it isn’t super crowded, but I wouldn’t say it’s the best beach for kids. It’s not bad, it’s just a bit more wavy and there’s quite a bit of seaweed. However, my kids didn’t mind and there is a fantastic playground across the street.
The best beaches for kids are Jetties Beach and Childrens beach. Jetties beach is wide and flat and has a parking lot so it’s super accessible. It also has a fun restaurant where you can sit and have a bite to eat with your feet in the sand. I visited this beach on my own but we took our kids to Childrens Beach on a Sunday morning because there wasn’t the usual traffic downtown and man, that beach was PERFECT. The water is calm and shallow and there are plenty of areas for kids to hunt for crabs. There’s a small restaurant and grassy area as well as a playground. There are tons of sailboats to watch and it’s walking distance from downtown. We unexpectedly had a morning here after a change of travel plans and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip for me!
I have a few recommendations for food but we are not people who take our children out to eat right now, so these are all recommendations for dinner away from the kids, ha! With the exception of Millie’s which is kid friendly and a must if you’re on the island!
One of our favorite places to dine is at Toppers at the Wauwinet. It’s a fancier location with serene sunset views but definitely a little more upscale. They have a fantastic prix fixe menu and wine pairing!
Other places we have enjoyed are Sister Ship (located downtown and in the heart of everything with a beautiful patio), Cru (on the pier), Lola 41 (sushi), and of course, Millie’s. There are a few places to grab lobster rolls and my favorite is the Lobster Trap!
There are so many wonderful places to eat but we did a bit of cooking at home and food on the go. I recommend making reservations ahead of time because many of these places fill up!
Shopping:
There is endless shopping downtown on Nantucket Island. I personally love perusing 3 Girls and a Dog for a new t-shirt or hat every year and Alice Walk for a cozy layer. I also love meandering into Erica Wilson, Murray’s Toggery, Mitchell’s Book Corner and Freedmans that sells unique clocks and home decor. They don’t have an online presence because they really want to keep copycats away! We have bought a few hand-made items from that store that feel like unique treasures!
You’ll also find Hill House, Veronica Beard, Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, Peachtree Kids, and many others including Shop at Dawn, pictured below. The cutest children’s clothing!
Exploring:
I think driving down to Sconset, getting a sandwich at Claudettes and then walking the Bluff Walk all the way to the lighthouse makes for the most magical morning. The scenery is unlike any other and you’ll get a taste of the beautiful sea side landscape & homes, and the most breathtaking gardens.
Cisco Brewers is a fun stop that’s located right next to Bartlett’s Farm. There are a variety of beers but also food trucks and often live music. I had my best lobster roll from the Lobster Trap food truck there.
We took my parents to see the Whaling Museum which really gives you a great sense of the history of Nantucket. It’s a perfect rainy day excursion or even a quick 1 hour stop on a hot afternoon to rest and soak in the historical roots of the island. Across the street is Juice Bar for some delicious ice cream!
Next year I’m eager to take our kids on a Critter Cruise!
And last, but certainly not least, if you’re looking to capture some family moments, Zofia & Co is the best of the best. One of my hardest moments as a parent was last year during photos and somehow Zofia managed to capture some incredible shots. I honestly don’t know how. We were such a mess! This year we showed up with better energy and attitudes and again, she worked her magic with my children and we were floored by the images came back. I highly highly recommend her work!
How about those hydrangeas? Honestly, I feel like I barely uncovered all the wonderful opportunities Nantucket offers and I may have to add on to this post as we discover them. I hope this is a good starting point for you if you are planning a trip!
