April 05, 2023 3 min read

1. Rent a Bike

One of the best ways to explore the island is on bike. There are several bike rental companies on island and most have great deals. Insider tip, rent an electric bike!

Once you get out of town, Nantucket has bike lanes on most roads, making it easy to explore. In total, Nantucket has 33 miles of paths to enjoy.

My favorite bike path is the Milestone Road Path. It takes you out to the village of ‘Sconset and loops back to the town.

Plan at least 1/2 a day to bike to and explore Sconset.

2. Beach Day!

Nantucket has some of the most amazing public beaches.

Some have all the public amenities you would need, while others are extremely remote.

Here are some island favorites:

Jetties Beach is a great and easily accessible beach. It is walking distance from downtown. Fun for families, very calm and perfect for swimming. The water is much warmer with lifeguards on duty, public restrooms, umbrella and chair rentals, and a beachside bar.

Galley Beach: Private. Located between Jetties and Steps Beach. This is where the Galley restaurant is. You can purchase a spot on the beach, or grab lunch or dinner with a view of the water.

Steps Beach is a favorite. It is a great spot for grabbing sandwiches and sitting for a couple hours. To get to the beach, you go to Cliff Road and then walk down the many steps to the sand. As there is little parking, the best way to get there is simply to walk or bike.

Surfside Beach is another verypopularbeach. It can be accessed by a shuttle from the downtown or an easy bike ride. Like Jetties, you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas here and they have bathrooms and changing facilities. Surfside has a concession stand for food, as well as food trucks. Many people like coming here because it is close to the brewery.

Sconset Beach is on the Eastern Shore in the village of ‘Sconset. This beach is less crowded than the beaches around downtown and gives you views of the Atlantic. Since it is on the ocean, the water is choppier and I personally do not like it for swimming. The Beach is located near a market and great sandwich shop, where you can grab lunch to bring to the beach with you.

Cisco Beach is on the North Shore of the island. There are larger waves and it is a popular place for surfing. You can take surf lessons here, a couple surf schools are stationed here for lessons. There is plenty of parking.

3. Lobster Rolls!

Nantucket has amazing food options.

It is really hard to go wrong, but several places are known for their lobster rolls...And here are a few of our favorites.

Cru:They have a delicious lobster roll with great views of the harbor.

The Lobster Trap:They are downtown and have afood truck at Cisco’s Brewery.

Slip 14:Is also downtown, and has a fun social atmosphere. Go during lunch and sit at the bar and order a Lobster Roll. You won't be disappointed!

4. Enjoy The Sunset

Nantucket has some of the prettiest sunsets. Some of the best views are from Madaket, or if you can't get out there, Jetties & Galley Beach.

Many people like grabbing an outdoor table at either restaurant for dinner and a sunset view.

 If you go to Jetties you can have a picnic on the beach andenjoy the view.

 

Do you have your sea legs on?

If so, there are several sunset cruises that will take you around the island with gorgeous sunset views.

We recommend TheEndeavor if you are a couple. If you're looking for something a little more lively, with a cocktail,Shearwater Excursions is a great option. Both boats leave from Straight Wharf, right by our store!

 

5. Time For Ice Cream!

Juice Bar is the most well known Ice Cream spot onthe island. You will be able to smell their waffle cones from down the street, while youare waiting in line.

Don't be afraid of the line... It moves pretty fast, and it's so worth it!

Jack and Charlie’s Delicious ice cream, and not as long of a wait.