A Nantucket Guide

June 5, 2021

Originally posted in 2017. Updated in 2021.

Ok, I’ll admit that I might have a small obsession with Nantucket. She’s a lovely little island off the coast of Massachusetts that has a big presence. (Or maybe The Grey Lady is just larger than life to me.)

True to her seasonal nature, the summer months are packed with locals, summer families, and visitors strolling, shopping, and dining downtown. From creative Asian-inspired dishes at Nautilus to resting your head at Life House, Nantucket is a place for simple pleasures.

I go to Nantucket every summer and fall, and here are my favorite spots. If you visit, I hope you love the island as much as I do.

Nantucket Travel Tips | The Stopover by Meaghan Murray | meaghanmurray.com

eat & drink

The Nantucket food scene is great. And it’s more than seafood.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a post on Nantucket, Massachusetts on her blog The Stopover

Born & Bread

35 N Centre St
Nantucket, MA 02554
bornandbreadnantucket.com

Born & Bread is a great spot for breakfast and lunch. I absolutely love their breakfast sammies and if you’re going to cook at home or visiting a friend’s place on island, definitely go early to snag some of their sourdough.

Nantucket Travel Guide | The Stopover by Meaghan Murray | meaghanmurray.com

Club Car

1 Main St
Nantucket, MA 02554
theclubcar.com

Club Car is awesome. Located in an old train car, this spot is great for lunch, drinks, and/or dinner. I’ve done all three of those things, I can honestly report that I don’t have a bad thing to say about it.

If you’re up for a sing-a-long, I recommend stopping by later in the evening. *wink*

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a review of Nautilus Pier 4 in Boston, MA on her blog The Stopover

Nautilus

12 Cambridge St
Nantucket, MA 02554
thenautilus.com

Nautilus is a must-try when you’re on the island. It reminds me of Long Grain in Camden, ME with a twist. I love this restaurant so much. So much so that I wrote an entire post about it. And now that they have a Boston outpost, I can indulge my obsession any time that I want.

I highly recommend snagging a resie because this is a tiny restaurant and it is V good.

The Digest

Burger at The White Elephant Nantucket

BPG Prime Burger at The Brant Point Grill in the White Elephant

Black Bass at Or, The Whale Nantucket

The whole black bass at Or, The Whale

Sushi at Bar Yoshi Nantucket

Sushi at Bar Yoshi

Halibut at Cru Nantucket

Halibut at Cru

stay

The hotels and b&bs on the Grey Lady are just as charming as the island.

Guests enjoying breakfast on the patio at Life House, a hidden gem in Nantucket

Life House

10 Cliff Rd
Nantucket, MA 02554
lifehousehotels.com

Life House is a new property on Nantucket. It’s tucked away on Cliff Road and offers a coastal escape to a tropical locale. Housed in a 190-year old home, and offering daily breakfast and happy hour for guests, Life House is perfect for families (with older kids), girls’ getaways, and romantic retreats.

Guests enjoying the courtyard firepit at 76 Main during evening.

76 Main

76 Main St
Nantucket, MA 02554
76main.com

76 Main offers 20 charming rooms and suites, all-day coffee, and an incredible location. Right off on Main Street, the traditional New England Colonial-style house with black shutters is a quick walk to downtown. Though, once you check in, you may not want to leave.

Nautical-themed room decor at The Nantucket Hotel.

The Nantucket Hotel + Resort

77 Easton St
Nantucket, MA 02554
thenantuckethotel.com

Only a 10-minute walk into town, the Nantucket Hotel is a perfect example of a hotel on Nantucket. With their iconic school bus out front to their delicious menu at their restaurant, Breeze, you’ll feel right at home at the Nantucket.

The Digest

Entrance of Life House, a hidden gem in Nantucket

Life House

White Elephant Nantucket

White Elephant

Greydon House Nantucket

Greydon House

Vibrant courtyard at the Faraway Hotel on my Nantucket getaway

Faraway

shop

If you love to shop, Nantucket won’t disappoint you. From small trinkets to luxe sprees, there are plenty of ways to spend your money.

Bodega Nantucket

Bodega

2 Candle St
Nantucket, MA 02554
bodeganantucket.com

Bodega is one of my favorite home shops. Their vibe epitomizes relaxed coastal cool. I use them for constant inspo for my own home updates. If you’re looking to pick up a few cool knick-knacks or buy a larger piece – Bodega is your spot.

Nantucket Travel Guide | The Stopover by Meaghan Murray | meaghanmurray.com

Skinny Dip

23 Old South Wharf
Nantucket, MA 02554
shopthedip.com

Skinny Dip is a seasonal shop on Nantucket, but when they’re open, they carry lots of bright preppy wears. Stop by to peruse their latest brands and snag a few pieces for your collection.

Nantucket Travel Guide | The Stopover by Meaghan Murray | meaghanmurray.com

Nantucket Whaler

7 Old South Wharf
Nantucket, MA 02554
wearingwhales.com

Nantucket Whaler has a small clothing shop on Old South Wharf. They make quality cotton items that are great for a chilly night or while you’re out sailing. I have their white cotton button-down and a grey cowlneck sweater.

The Digest

Space Nantucket

Space

Murray's Toggery Nantucket

Murray's Toggery

For Now Nantucket

For Now

Olivela Nantucket

Olivela

do

In addition to eating, drinking and, shopping, the island offers some fun outdoor activities.

Nantucket House

Capture Nantucket

capturenantucket.com

Capture Nantucket offers a lot of photo tour options – from camera phoners to experts looking to dabble in night photography, there’s something for everyone. It’s also a great way to get to know the island. I recommend this for anyone visiting the island.

Travel blogger Meaghan Murray shares a post o Nantucket, Massachusetts on her blog The Stopover

Drive onto the beach

40th Beach
40th Pole

I love a good beach day, and if you have access to a car while you’re on the island, I recommend driving onto a beach for the day. Pack up a cooler with snacks and drinks, grab a speaker and your beach chairs, and have the best day. (Just make sure you have the appropriate permits!)

ACK trails Nantucket

ACK Trails

acktrails.com

Download the ACK Trails app, and get to hiking all over Nantucket island.

The Digest

Nantucket Travel Tips | The Stopover by Meaghan Murray | meaghanmurray.com

Some of these experiences were complimentary over the years, but all opinions and images are my own. And if you’re interested in reading more about my Nantucket adventures, head over to the Nantucket section.

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