ABC's Nantucket Guide
a little blACK book to my happiest place
Summer is just around the corner (T-1 weekend until Memorial Day kickoff!) so it seems fitting that I finally share with you guys my most favorite places on Nantucket. Nantucket truly is the most special place on earth. The island is where I feel most at home, even though it has been a second home to me my whole life. It is utter magic. & if you are lucky enough to be on Nantucket, you are lucky enough!
See & Do
For a tiny island, there are 1000 things to do on Nantucket - rain or shine!
Drive out to Great Point - a full day excursion! Pack sandwiches (more on this in a minute). You will likely see seals!
Bike to Cisco Brewery - I couldn’t decide if this should go in the “drink” or “do” category but landed on “do” because Cisco Brewery is truly an activity for all - young, old, & if you drink or not! There is usually live music and it is the best stop on the way home from the beach. Don’t forget to get chips and gauc from the Millie’s food truck.
we are at the brewery rain or shine Whaling Museum - Sure, I sound like my Mom. But truly one of the best rainy day activities if you have visitors or have never been to the island before - a great way to get an overview of the rich history of Nantucket.
Movies at Dreamland - an iconic theater!
Altar Rock at night to see the stars - you can’t beat it!
Ice cream at Juice Bar - Green Monster in a waffle cone is all I am saying… or a Crantucket
Pick up a bouquet at Flower’s on Chestnut - a flower shop out of a Nancy Meyer’s movie
Watch the sunset at Steps - the most beautiful view you will ever see
Ladies Beach - wide beach, soft sand & on the ocean!
Steps Beach - if you are up for a climb!
Cisco Beach - perfect for if you are stopping at the brewery on the way home
40th Pole - drive on beach!! be sure to let air out of your tires ahead of time
Jetties - a family friendly beach on the sound that also has a little beach bar & restaurant (Sand Bar) with public restrooms
If you are an active person, you will love Nantucket. There are tons of bike paths which are also great for running and walking. These are some of my favorites.
Sconset Bluff - a public path that is quite literally in the backyard of some of the most beautiful homes on island, that overlook the Atlantic.
Tupancy Links
Polpis Rd bike path
Altar Rock - out in the Moors! A very special place. This is also great for mountain biking if thats you… its not me… but its my father lol
Cliff Road
Morning beach walk on Monomoy - you are truly walking on the beach so bring a coffee, your dog, and kick off your shoes. You may see 1 or 2 other people and they definitely live there — so you didn’t here this tip from me. Hinckley loves swimming here.
truly one of the most beautiful places on the island
Shop
Bon Ton - my favorite little home vintage spot! if you are looking for a Nantucket basket, look here.
Milly & Grace
Toujours Midi - the cutest French home goods and gift store
Annie & the Tees - If you are in need of some ACK merch!! and 3 girls and a dog! They are next to each other and have the same owner, who has become a dear friend of my family. Annie is a rockstar entrepreneur who I look up to so much! I worked in these stores many summers throughout high school and college. Some of my fondest memories… and softest sweatshirts!
For Now - one of the best recent boutique additions to the island. such a great assortment of unique home and clothing brands
Erica Wilson - beautiful assortment of brands but also well known on island for its needlepoint canvases!
The Skinny Dip
Bookworks & Mitchell’s - if you need a book to read on the beach
Centre Pointe
Asha - jewelry and colorful caftans
Blue Beetle
Erin Hielle
Jeweler’s Gallery - the most beautiful handmade pieces in addition to many estate pieces. My turk’s head braided bracelet that I wear every day is from here!
A Sailor’s Valentine (by Tuckernuck, coming soon!) - you read that right!!!
Eat
Straight Wharf - My all time favorite restaurant on the earth. Oysters, get the oysters.
Straight Wharf American Seasons - Sit on the covered patio if you can. It is covered in ivy and has such a cozy ambiance. One of my family’s favorites!
Millie’s - If you are in the mood for a casual fish taco vibe by the beach… best guac!
Chanticleer - Out in Sconset and one of the most memorable dinners you will probably have. If you can sit outside in the front, you will be in a garden under a blooming trellis. If can sit outside in the back, you will feel like you are in a local Sconset resident’s backyard. Dreamy!
The Chanticleer Cru - you’ve probably seen it on IG. its for good reason - the view is top notch and the food is incredible. If you can’t get a reservation, get a drink instead! And it better be a Crucumber. (I dream of Crucumbers… I also order them with gin and not vodka)
Bar Yoshi - sushi! fabulous cocktails!
Nautilius - a classic
Toppers - This is the hotel restaurant of the Wauwinet. If you are staying in town it is quite a hike to get to but it is stunning.
Lola - another classic
Queequegs & Town - These two are next to each other and have the same owner best clam chowder in town, IMO! If you are looking for Sushi, Town is great. In between them is a bar around a tree, fittingly called Tree Bar. Great spot for a cocktail!
Galley Beach - Not on the list above because it is so ungodly expensive - the food is good, but not unbelievable. I would recommend going for a drink instead for the view and vibe. Because the view is unreal…
FRESH - My personal favorite. It’s half liquor store, half sandwich store… so it makes the perfect stop before heading to the beach. I make my own sandwich. It’s old fashioned inside and they literally give you a form to check what you want on your sandwich. I always do a turkey, avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and herb aioli on a baguette (pictured above.) My mouth is watering typing this…
Provisions - you best be getting a Turkey Terrific (as it sounds, this is a thanksgiving sandwich and is divine)
Something Natural - an iconic spot on island! The owner Sheila also owns a quaint knitting store on island, called Flock. She taught me how to knit and some of my fondest childhood memories are sitting in her old store, learning how to knit and eating fresh Portuguese bread she brought from Something Natural.
Handlebar - cutest little coffee shop!
Lemon Press - coffee, smoothies, healthish breakfast options! Usually swamped, so go early
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The Hub - Kind of an elevated convenience store. Decent coffee, but weirdly really good smoothies!
Island Kitchen - In mid-island by the stop and shop! Fabulous pancakes. A sit down breakfast place, and there aren’t many of these left on Nantucket (RIP Fog Island, ifykyk)
Roastd General Store - forgot to include above but a really great spot that usually doesn’t have a huge line!
Nantucket Bake Shop - oops also forgot to include above, but the best donuts on island!
Drink
Cru backbar - Hi it’s me bringing up the Crucumber again… get the Crucumber. The backbar is exactly what it sounds like, it is a bar in the back. And it is right on the wharf so it is fabulous for boat (cough, cough yacht) watching.
Sister Ship - A very special place to me! If you sit outside you are in a beautiful garden, but inside is equally as beautiful. There is a restaurant too but I have actually never eaten there. The Faraway Mermaid is a Culbertson sister favorite.
Gaslight - more of a fun, late night vibe
Tree Bar - sound familiar?! I got ahead of myself with this one.
Slip 14 - fun, late night vibe
Sandbar - post beach day (well sometimes we go mid beach day to grab a drink or 3 lol) on Jetties beach!
Chicken Box - a classic… sand floor… live music… a little rowdy
Gazebo - Mudslides! The most fun IMO!
Clubcar - I forgot about Clubcar! Always packed, but always fun!
Stay
I’ve never stayed at a hotel on Nantucket, but I do know that these are the favorites among many.
The Wauwinet
White Elephant
Faraway
Hotel Pippa
Greydon House
Jared Coffin House
As I wrote this and collected some of my favorites, I also realized how many incredible businesses on island throughout my lifetime have closed for various reasons. It is a hard place to own a business! The season is short, and it is obviously very costly.
If you are lucky enough to be on Nantucket this summer, please choose to support the small businesses of the island. I admire all of their owners so deeply. They are woven into the spirit of the island and part of what make it so special!
