NANTUCKET WITH KIDS: AN IN-DEPTH GUIDE

I’m going to be doing an updated Nantucket travel guide soon (lots of new updates and favorites to share as I’ve gotten to know the island even more), but I wanted to first do a travel guide specific to Nantucket with kids. I have a toddler and a baby and recently came back from our annual vacation on island. We had the best time even though our trips look a little different nowadays with children in tow. It’s such a great destination for families though, in my opinion. There are so many things to do and lots of places to explore and just relax. Because the island is small, you can really settle in and enjoy your time as a family.

SHOULD WE BOOK A TRIP TO NANTUCKET WITH KIDS?

YES!

You can really have all kinds of “Nantucket trips,” which is one reason why it’s such a special place. You can go and fish every day, you can go for a purely beach vacation, you can have a romantic honeymoon there, you can go on a girls’ trip, you can go and have a “sceney” trip with wining and dining. Going to Nantucket with kids is a no-brainer, but I think it’s best done  if you stay for at least a week.

Getting to Nantucket can be a journey with the smoothest of travel days (see below). If you’re going to exert the effort, in my opinion, it’s worth going for at least a week. You also get the best choice of accommodations that way (also see below). And unlike a trip to, say, Europe, it can be a really relaxing and lovely choice for a family vacation.

GETTING TO NANTUCKET WITH KIDS

There are a number of ways to get to Nantucket and it really depends on where you’re coming from and if you’re bringing your car over.

During the summer, there are a ton of flights both direct to Nantucket (ACK is the airport code, which is why you see Nantucket referred to as ACK). You can also connect through Logan airport in Boston– but note that some of the flights from Logan to Nantucket might be tiny puddle jumpers. With flying, you should also expect delays as ACK is tiny and can experience fog (why Nantucket is also referred to as “the grey lady”). As long as you’re expecting a few hiccups along the way, it’s not the worst way to get there.

If you want to take a ferry, you have a couple of options. From the Cape you can take either the Steamship or Hy-Line. There are slow ferries (just over two hours) and fast ferries (about one hour). They’re both easy enough with kids, and many of the ships offer snack bars with great options for kids and clean bathrooms. If you want to skip the Cape traffic altogether (it can be brutal), you might consider taking the Sea Streak ferry from New Bedford, which has super easy and accessible parking. It’s about two hours.

If you are bringing your car, your only option is to take a slow ferry from Steamship Authority. You will need to book your ferry in advance so you’ll have to plan accordingly. Steamship will typically announce the day when the car reservations open up (usually at the beginning of the year) and, transparently, it can be intense trying to get a car ferry reservation, especially if you’re looking for a highly sought after day of the week– like a rental turnover day. Plan to be on your computer right when reservations open up and know it could take hours to get through the virtual line and also plan to be a little flexible. This year (2024 as I’m writing this), Steamship Authority has faced staffing issues and what is essentially a “strike,” which has made getting reservations even more challenging. However, if you’re patient and willing to be a little flexible with the days and times when your car comes over, it can be done.

DO YOU NEED A CAR ON NANTUCKET WITH KIDS?

Speaking of cars, let’s address what I think is the biggest question: do you need a car on Nantucket. People are going to tell you that no you don’t need a car on Nantucket, and while that’s technically true, I believe to get the best experience ESPECIALLY with small children who require car seats, you do need a car. Especially if you’re going for a week. Ubers and taxis are available and there’s a fantastic bus that can get you everywhere on island (and it’s free this summer!)…. but small children require a lot of things and you are often fighting a battle of carseats, so yes, you do need a car.

If you’re staying downtown, you might be able to get away without a car (either your own or a rental), but if you might feel a little trapped with kids. You can only get around so far on foot with strollers and Nantucket is best enjoyed when you’re away from downtown. Transparently, I would skip Nantucket if you’re unable to get a car there and wait until your kids don’t require carseats or go to Nantucket and leave the kids at home and have an adults only trip.

I’m sure it can be done, but this is just my opinion 😉

WHERE TO STAY ON NANTUCKET WITH KIDS

Nantucket is a small island with a few distinct neighborhoods. There’s town (where the majority of shops, restaurants, and hotels are), Siasconset (affectionately known as ‘Sconset, which is it’s own “town” and a bit more residential on the east side of the island), Madaket (a bit more rustic and remote on the west side of the island), plus a more “neighborhoods” of sorts around different beaches.

There’s no “bad” place to stay on Nantucket– it really just depends on what you’re looking for as a family. We like to stay what is considered “mid island.” While it may not be the most desirable for real estate purposes, it’s extremely convenient, usually more affordable (as far as Nantucket’s standards at least), and usually has more space.

When traveling with kids, my husband and I always prefer to have as much space as possible, which almost always means a rental house. We like having multiple rooms, a living room, a yard, and (!!!) a kitchen. There are some options through your typical apps like VRBO, which is what I would recommend if you’re looking for a house for under a week. If you’re staying for a week (or longer), I would recommend using a realtor to find rentals by the week/month or We Need A Vacation.

There are plenty of hotels to choose from, but if you’re traveling with kids I think your best options are The Nantucket Hotel or The White Elephant! The Nantucket Hotel has a pool, restaurants on premises, and even a complimentary kids club for kids older than three. The White Elephant offers multiple levels of rooms, including cottages and suites that are great for families.

KID FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS ON NANTUCKET

You could probably bring kids to just about any restaurant on Nantucket, but there are some that are especially great for little kids! Here are some of our favorites:

– Cisco Brewery (food trucks with offerings like pizza, chicken tenders/fries, quesadillas)

– Millie’s (no reservations needed, outdoor seating, casual vibes)

– Provisions (my favorite sandwich stop– perfect for grabbing sandwiches for the beach)

– Yummy (sit at the picnic tables for breakfast or lunch or pick up food for a beach picnic)

– Bartlett’s Farm (great sandwiches and groceries with picnic tables and a small playground)

– ‘Sconset Market (baked goods for a snack, sandwiches for lunch, groceries for picnics)

– Something Natural (very popular sandwich spot, big outdoor yard for kids to play)

– 45 Surfside (great mid-island spot for coffee and breakfast sandwiches)

– Island Kitchen (delicious options the whole family will approve of)

– Juice Bar (a MUST visit ice cream spot– don’t be deterred by the long lines, it’s worth it and it moves pretty quickly)

– Downyflake (popular doughnuts)

– Nantucket Bake Shop (my personal favorite doughnuts on island and baked goods)

– The Surf (a beachside concession stand with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert– the food is excellent)

SHOPPING ON NANTUCKET FOR KIDS

Shopping is always fun! There are tons of stores on island to choose from, but here are some of my tried and true spots on Nantucket for kids:

– Peach Tree Kids (super cute clothes, toys, and accessories for kids… I end up here at least once a trip to pick something up that we need outfit-wise)

– Annie and the Tees (best shop for souvenir t-shirts)

– Island Variety (bookmark this for when you need some kind of kid or baby related item– they have everything from baby bathtubs to sippy cups to beach toys)

– Mitchell’s Book Corner (a picturesque bookstore with books for all ages)

ACTIVITIES ON NANTUCKET FOR KIDS

Despite being a brewery, Cisco Brewery is actually a great spot to bring kids, especially if you get there right when it opens. You’ll see lots of kids (and pups) enjoying the live music and food trucks!

If you’re there during strawberry season (late June-ish), berry picking at Bartlett’s Farm is a new favorite for us. Pre-pay for a container at the registers and then go out to the field to pick out your kids’ favorite fruit. Enjoy your bounty (and sandwiches from inside) at the picnic tables and the kids can burn off even more energy at the playground there.

Head out to ‘Sconset for the Bluff Walk. It’s a family favorite activity and great for everyone. Skip the stroller though as the path can be tricky to navigate– opt for walking or a baby carrier. If you’re feeling extra adventurous you can walk all the way down to Sankaty Head Light! (My toddler walked the 1.5 miles there but my husband ran back to get our car so we didn’t have to do the walk back 😉)

You can’t visit without going to the beach– we typically go every day we can, weather permitting. Nantucket’s beaches are some of the best in the world, in my opinion. They’re so special! Pick a new one every day to enjoy or return to old favorites time and time again.

For toddlers and young children, I can’t recommend the Critter Cruise enough. It’s the perfect way to spend the morning on the water. They take you out for a small tour of the harbor, give an age-appropriate little marine biology lesson, and even let kids try their hand at fishing. It was a huge hit for my toddler. (Note: we brought our own life jackets!)

THE BEST PLAYGROUNDS

There are a handful of playgrounds on Nantucket for kids. We tried them all– literally… we went to every single one. Here are my almost three year old’s favorites:

– ‘Sconset has a really beautiful pirate ship themed playground. It’s walking distance from the entrance to the beach. It’s enclosed (with a gate!) and is super well-maintained. There are swings, slides, a rope climbing gym, and sand and grass to play in.

– Discovery Playground at Hinsdale Park is huge and has so much going on for kids of all ages. There is a grassy area to play and state of the art playground equipment… including mini zip lines. Truly so fun, I wish I was a little kid to enjoy it myself!

– While it’s not an official playground, Bartlett’s has a sweet little playset that my son absolutely loved. We started playing there after picking strawberries, so he nicknamed it the “strawberry playground.”

BEST BEACHES ON NANTUCKET FOR KIDS

Every beach could be great for families and every family is going to have their own personal favorites. I’ll share what our favorite beaches are and why:

– For an “all around” family friendly beach, we love Surfside. There’s a LOT to love about Surfside. It’s easily accessible with plenty of parking. There’s a concession stand (The Surf) with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert options and the food is genuinely delicious. There’s bathrooms and showers and picnic tables and chair rentals right there. There are lifeguards and even though the waves can be a little rough for tiny ones (it’s on the south shore so you get the Atlantic Ocean surf), it’s still okay most days for dipping toes in the water and building sandcastles on the edge of the water. We really love it all times of the day, but it’s a great evening spot! The crowds clear out and usually little tidal pools form.

– For swimming, we always go to Steps Beach. Note that there is a long walk down some pretty steep steps to get there (hence the name). but it’s worth the trek. I carried my infant in a baby carrier with a backpack chair on my back and tote slung over my shoulder. My toddler carefully walked down the steps most days though sometimes got a piggy back ride from dada. There are no facilities, so it’s best to bring your own lunches (I’d suggest picking up sandwiches) but the surf is so calm and the water is usually warmer too making it great for small children. Most days there’s a sandbar that’s fun to explore as well.

– For sunsets and dinner picnics, venture out to Madaket Beach. You can bring your own dinner (pizza is always fun) or pick up Millie’s takeout from just down the road. The sunsets can’t be beat and on the way back to your car, you can go to Millie’s Market to pick up an ice cream cone.

BABYSITTING/NANNIES FOR KIDS ON NANTUCKET

If you’re looking for reliable childcare on Nantucket for a date night or two, I have heard excellent things about Nannytucket. (My roommate from college was a nanny through them!) There’s also more of a grassroots group on Facebook where you can find sitters, too– I have found a few great girls through the group!

SAMPLE ITINERARY ON NANTUCKET WITH KIDS

Here’s what an ideal week on Nantucket with kids would look like to me:

Day 1 (arrival): Once you arrive on Nantucket, head over to Cisco Brewery to grab lunch before checking into your accommodations. Stretch your legs and get out travel day wiggles by dancing to live music and getting some much needed sustenance– I’d suggest the chicken quesadillas for the kids, beers and lobster rolls for parents. Enjoy a low-key post-nap afternoon at the Discovery Playground and swing by Nantucket Meat and Fish on the way home to pick up provisions for dinner in your rental house.

Day 2: With early rising children, score the fresh doughnuts from Nantucket Bake Shop (or Downyflake). Head over to Bartlett’s for strawberry picking (in June) and then enjoy sandwiches at the picnic tables while the kids play. After afternoon naps, head into town to get some souvenir shopping done (and pick up the few things you inevitably forgot to pack). Pop into Brotherhood for dinner (an institution) and then swing by Juice Bar for ice cream before heading home for bedtime.

Day 3: Get a head start on the day by driving out to ‘Sconset. Pick up blueberry muffins from ‘Sconset Market and coffees and walk down to the playground for an early morning play session! After getting out some energy, head back up and peek at all the beautiful houses on the Bluff Walk. Pick up lunch to go from Claudette’s and drive down to Sankaty Head Light. After nap, pack up for a beach afternoon/evening at Surfside Beach. Plan to have a beach picnic dinner with fare from The Surf and catch the beginning of the sunset before bedtime.

Day 4: Get everyone sunscreened and ready for a day at Steps Beach. Swing by Yummy for breakfast goodies and enjoy the quiet beach morning before the afternoon crowd rolls in. The kids will be able to swim and play in the quiet water all morning long. For lunch, head over to Something Natural (it’s just down the road) and get sandwiches, lemonade, and the chocolate chip cookies to eat at the picnic tables while the kids play in the big yard and boat. I would plan to keep this evening low-key to recharge and get a good night sleep. Maybe another trip to the playground followed by a barbecue dinner in the backyard of your rental and sit outside looking at the stars while the children sleep. (Nantucket is one of my favorite places to stargaze– you will absolutely see shooting stars if the skies are clear!)

Day 5: Head into town nice and early to make your Critter Cruise reservation. After your boating adventure, explore town a little more (pick up lattes from Handlebar Cafe or a Grey Lady from Lemon Press) and consider walking over to Brant Point to watch the boats and ferries cruise through the harbor. Swing by Provisions for lunch (get the BLT with light mayo on Portuguese bread). Enjoy an afternoon letting everyone play at the house and then plan to head over to Millie’s for an early bird dinner. Sit outside at the picnic tables– order more quesadillas for the children and the Wauwinet salad and a round of margaritas for the adults– before walking to the beach to catch the beginning of sunset. Before heading home, get ice cream from Millie’s Market.

Day 6: Plan to spend the majority of the day at Surfside beach! Set up beach chairs and umbrellas and really settle in. Pick up coffee and breakfast sandwiches from 45 Surfside and then order lunches from The Surf. Maybe you’re having so much fun that the little ones can even catch a seaside afternoon nap. Schedule a babysitter so the adults can catch your reservation at Proprietors.

Day 7 (departure): After packing up your things, grab a big breakfast from Island Kitchen before heading into town. Pop into a store or two to get the souvenirs you just can’t stop thinking about and then pick up sandwiches from Provisions again to enjoy on the ferry!