Island Life
My Favorite Things to Do on Nantucket
People ask me all the time: what do you actually do on Nantucket? Not the tourist checklist — the things you genuinely look forward to, the ones that make you feel like you are really on the island.
Here are mine. Some are quiet and slow. Some are loud and festive. All of them are worth your time.
Picking Flowers at Bartlett's Farm
There is something almost meditative about walking the rows at Bartlett's Farm with a bucket in hand, choosing your own flowers. Zinnias, dahlias, sunflowers, snapdragons — the selection changes through the season, and the colors in midsummer are genuinely breathtaking.
We almost always stop here in the first day or two of a trip. A fresh bouquet on the kitchen island sets the tone for the whole week. The farm also has a full market, prepared foods, and a bakery — it is easy to turn a flower run into an hour-long outing.
Bartlett's Ocean View Farm · 33 Bartlett Farm Road · 508-228-9403
The Nantucket Historical Association — Bracelet Making & Island History
The Nantucket Historical Association runs some of the best programming on the island, and it tends to fly under the radar for first-time visitors. The classroom sessions — including bracelet making and other hands-on crafts rooted in island history — are wonderful for kids and genuinely interesting for adults.
Pair it with a visit to the Whaling Museum on Broad Street, which is one of the finest small museums in New England. The 46-foot sperm whale skeleton alone is worth the trip. The exhibits on the island's whaling era are thoughtfully done and give you a real sense of how this place was shaped by the sea.
If you have children with you, budget a full morning for the NHA. They will leave knowing something real about this island.
NHA Whaling Museum · 13 Broad Street · 508-228-1894 · nha.org
Jetties Beach: The Sandbar and the Adirondack Chairs
Jetties Beach is my favorite beach on the island for a relaxed afternoon. It is calm, protected, and has a great energy without feeling crowded. But the thing I love most is the sandbar that appears at low tide — you can walk out surprisingly far into the harbor, the water stays shallow and warm, and it feels like you have discovered something.
After the water, the Adirondack chairs along the beach are the perfect place to dry off and do absolutely nothing for an hour. There is a snack bar and a full restaurant nearby if you want lunch. The whole setup is easy and comfortable in a way that suits a slow afternoon perfectly.
Jetties is also one of the best spots on the island to watch the ferries come and go — a surprisingly satisfying pastime.
Jetties Beach · End of North Beach Street, Nantucket Town
Cisco Brewers: Live Music, Oysters, and Food Trucks
Cisco Brewers is not just a place to get a drink — it is an experience. On a warm afternoon, the outdoor grounds are full of people, the music is live and good, and the energy is unlike anywhere else on the island.
The rotating food trucks keep the food interesting, and the oysters — when they have them — are exceptional. I usually start with a cold beer, find a spot in the sun, and let the afternoon take care of itself. It is the kind of place where you plan to stay an hour and end up staying three.
Cisco also produces wine and spirits on site, so there is something for everyone. The crowd is a good mix of locals and visitors, which gives it a genuine island feel rather than a tourist-trap one.
Cisco Brewers · 5 Bartlett Farm Road · 508-325-5929 · ciscobrewers.com
Nantucket Bay Scallops
If you are on the island in season, you have to eat the bay scallops. Nantucket bay scallops are genuinely different from what you find anywhere else — smaller, sweeter, and more tender than sea scallops, with a delicate flavor that does not need much done to it.
The season runs roughly October through March, so if your trip falls in late September or early October, you may catch the very beginning of it. When they are available, you will find them at Sayle's Seafood, at the better restaurants in town, and sometimes at Bartlett's Farm market.
My preference is simple: pan-seared in butter with a little white wine, over pasta or on their own. Do not overthink it. The scallop is the star.
Sayle's Seafood · 99 Washington Street Extension · 508-228-4599
Every one of these is something I genuinely look forward to when we come to the island. None of them require a reservation weeks in advance or a complicated plan — they are just good things, done well, in a place that makes everything feel a little more worth savoring.
If you have questions about any of them, or want a recommendation for a specific day or group, reach out. Happy to help you make the most of your week.