Ashley’s guidebook
Food scene
Straight Wharf Restaurant
6 Harbor SquareVentuno Restaurant
21 Federal StSlip 14
14 Old South WharfGalley Beach
54 Jefferson AveCru
1 Straight WharfSomething Natural
50 Cliff RdProvisions
3 Harbor SquareBartlett's Farm
33 Bartlett Farm RdLola 41 Nantucket
15 South Beach StreetMillie's Restaurant
326 Madaket RdThe Proprietors bar & table
9 India StExceptional & unique dishes!
Claudette’s is the most simple sandwich shop on island and that’s why it’s one of the best! ‘Sconset village may seem like a trek to get a sandwich, but when you taste that sauce you’ll know why you made the trip!
8 locals recommend
Claudette's Sandwich Shop
10 Main StClaudette’s is the most simple sandwich shop on island and that’s why it’s one of the best! ‘Sconset village may seem like a trek to get a sandwich, but when you taste that sauce you’ll know why you made the trip!
Go for lunch downstairs at the Beachside Bistro or make dinner reservations at the main restaurant up top and stay for cocktails in the piano bar.
9 locals recommend
The Summer House Restaurant
17 Ocean AveGo for lunch downstairs at the Beachside Bistro or make dinner reservations at the main restaurant up top and stay for cocktails in the piano bar.
This Nantucket classic has been given a light and bright new look. Come with friends and order a variety of small plates for the table, then stay for a rowdy evening gathered around the piano in front.
13 locals recommend
The Club Car Restaurant
1 Main StThis Nantucket classic has been given a light and bright new look. Come with friends and order a variety of small plates for the table, then stay for a rowdy evening gathered around the piano in front.
Great spot for dinner on the patio. Located in the heart of downtown on the corner of Federal and India Street, it’s a perfect spot for people-watching and a plate of their lobster spaghetti
12 locals recommend
The Boarding House
12 Federal StGreat spot for dinner on the patio. Located in the heart of downtown on the corner of Federal and India Street, it’s a perfect spot for people-watching and a plate of their lobster spaghetti
Famous ice cream shop! The ice cream is amazing, but the fresh made waffle cones are to die for. There is often a long line, but I promise, it’s worth it!
28 locals recommend
The Juice Bar
12 Broad StFamous ice cream shop! The ice cream is amazing, but the fresh made waffle cones are to die for. There is often a long line, but I promise, it’s worth it!
Beaches
We love picking up picnic fare from Bartlett’s Farm and heading down the long dirt road to Ladies Beach. The view from the top of the hill is one of my favorite views on the island with swaying dune grass as far as the eye can see. Stop by Cisco Brewery on the way home!
Ladies Beach
We love picking up picnic fare from Bartlett’s Farm and heading down the long dirt road to Ladies Beach. The view from the top of the hill is one of my favorite views on the island with swaying dune grass as far as the eye can see. Stop by Cisco Brewery on the way home!
Drive past the stunning homes of Cliff Road and head down a steep set of stairs to Steps Beach for gentle surf and sweeping views of Nantucket Sound. This place is pure magic at sunset!
14 locals recommend
Steps Beach
Drive past the stunning homes of Cliff Road and head down a steep set of stairs to Steps Beach for gentle surf and sweeping views of Nantucket Sound. This place is pure magic at sunset!
This is one of the most popular beaches on Nantucket. Very family friendly though the surf can get heavy at times. Lifeguards are on duty in-season at this beach.
Located at the end of Surfside Road, a three-mile ride on paved bike path or take the NRTA Shuttle in season. Easy to park your car in the lot near the beach, and this beach is easily accessible by bike path. Plenty of surf, wide beach is good for picnics, beach games, and surfcasting.
Lifeguard, restrooms with diaper changing station, showers, food service.
11 locals recommend
Surfside Beach
This is one of the most popular beaches on Nantucket. Very family friendly though the surf can get heavy at times. Lifeguards are on duty in-season at this beach.
Located at the end of Surfside Road, a three-mile ride on paved bike path or take the NRTA Shuttle in season. Easy to park your car in the lot near the beach, and this beach is easily accessible by bike path. Plenty of surf, wide beach is good for picnics, beach games, and surfcasting.
Lifeguard, restrooms with diaper changing station, showers, food service.
Easy bike ride from town, good amount of parking, or take the WAVE shuttle bus in season; bus stops right at the beach. Great beach for families with young kids. Lifeguards, changing rooms, playground, restrooms, showers, restaurant and take-out food service (in season). Concession and restrooms handicap accessible; plastic mat running down center of the beach makes it easier to walk down the sand.
The water is calm and warm, perfect for swimming. Good for finding shells and sea glass.
27 locals recommend
Jetties Beach
Easy bike ride from town, good amount of parking, or take the WAVE shuttle bus in season; bus stops right at the beach. Great beach for families with young kids. Lifeguards, changing rooms, playground, restrooms, showers, restaurant and take-out food service (in season). Concession and restrooms handicap accessible; plastic mat running down center of the beach makes it easier to walk down the sand.
The water is calm and warm, perfect for swimming. Good for finding shells and sea glass.
Nightlife
Famous dive bar that draws huge crowds every weekend with the best live music on island. Expect to find a line by 10:30PM most nights. Must for party goers and the bachelor/bachelorette crowds.
40 locals recommend
The Chicken Box
16 Dave StFamous dive bar that draws huge crowds every weekend with the best live music on island. Expect to find a line by 10:30PM most nights. Must for party goers and the bachelor/bachelorette crowds.
Lively open gazebo downtown. This bar is perfect for enjoying a beverage on any summer day or night. Make sure to order a famous mudslide!
9 locals recommend
The Gazebo at Harbor Square
1 Harbor SquareLively open gazebo downtown. This bar is perfect for enjoying a beverage on any summer day or night. Make sure to order a famous mudslide!
Behind Ventuno restaurant is there backbar. This is a relaxed patio ideal for warm summer nights.
22 locals recommend
Ventuno Restaurant
21 Federal StBehind Ventuno restaurant is there backbar. This is a relaxed patio ideal for warm summer nights.
The bar side of the restaurant gets very crowded with a young twenties crowd after 10pm most nights. Fun if that is your scene, otherwise skip it!
Straight Wharf
Straight WharfThe bar side of the restaurant gets very crowded with a young twenties crowd after 10pm most nights. Fun if that is your scene, otherwise skip it!
Bike Shop
Young's Bicycle Shop
6 Broad StNantucket Bake Shop
17 Old South RdEasy Riders Bicycles - Day Rentals
65 Surfside RdCoffee Shop
Handlebar Café
15 Washington StThe Hub
4 India St45 Surfside Bakery and Café
45 Surfside RdRoastd General Store
159 Orange StEspresso To Go
1 Toombs CtBrewery
A brewery, distillery, and winery all in one! This is a must visit during any stay on Nantucket. There is live music most afternoons. I recommend stopping here on your way home from the beach!
Cisco Brewers
5 Bartlett Farm RoadA brewery, distillery, and winery all in one! This is a must visit during any stay on Nantucket. There is live music most afternoons. I recommend stopping here on your way home from the beach!
City advice
Book before you go
Do you need a car?
The short answer is no. From our apartment, you can walk to town that has most restaurants and shops no problem. There are plenty of bike shops and bike paths if you would like an easier and faster way to get around. Ubers, Lyft, and cabs are all pretty accessible and affordable.
With that being said, I think having a car would be convenient especially if you are coming for more than a few days or with young kids. You can bring your car over on the ferry (Steamship Authority) if you book a reservation far in advance. You can also rent a car, but I would not call it "affordable".