Between the short flight and the guaranteed sun and turf, Nantucket has always been the go-to spot for family vacations. The all inclusive-getaway offers numerous outdoor offerings making it a fantastic family destination.
Kids will never want to leave this scenic and exciting island brimming with kid-friendly museums and outdoor fun activities like skiing, sunbathing, and hiking. Known for its timeless appeal, the “gray lady” is synonymous with endless trails for your kids to burn off extra energy before refueling in one of its highly-rated family-friendly restaurants.
How to Reach Nantucket with Kids
No roads lead to Nantucket, so you’ll have to arrive by sea or air. Located 26 miles off Cape Cod, Nantucket is pretty easy to reach via The Steamship Authority Ferry from Hyannis, Massachusetts, which takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. You’ll spend around $36 round trip using the Steamship Authority Ferry.
You can also book a flight with a commercial airline such as JetBlue for a 70-minute flight for $144 or skip the airport hassle and book a small plane shuttle with Tradewind Aviation for $795.
Where to Stay in Nantucket with Kids
When planning a vacation with your brood, renting a vacation home is the perfect solution. You have more flexibility, privacy, space, and facilities for extra convenience. What’s more, most rental vacation homes are not only affordable, but also close to the best beaches in Nantucket.
Things to Do in Nantucket with Kids
Here are the favorite spots to tour with your kids while in Nantucket.
Head to the Beach
You’re never too far from a beach, when in Nantucket. Most of the beaches are family-friendly, with sights for kids of all ages.
Hit up Children’s Beach; a few minutes walk from the city. The beach is exceptionally tranquil and packed with exuberant eateries, playgrounds, and live music concerts during summer. Another good family-oriented option is Jetties Beach, a bike ride from town, or Steps Beach, nestled between Jetties and Dionis beaches. Your kids can have fun building sandcastles and soak up some sun on endless stretches of sand.
These beaches boast mellow crowds and calm surf, perfect for kids. They have all the family amenities you need and want, including easy access to showers and restrooms, lifeguards on duty, concession stands, and restaurants for the kids.
Nantucket is a dreamscape for surfers. Enroll your kids at the Nantucket Surf School for group or private surfing lessons and rentals.
Board a Critter Cruise
Your little ones will enjoy taking a Critter Cruise in Nantucket. The fun-filled one-hour trip aboard the Monomoy is an exciting expedition. Kids get to watch Captain Josh haul some lobster gear and fish traps, and everyone gets fishing poles and bait to join in the action. You never know what sea critters you’ll find in the traps. Thrilling right? Book your tickets fast as they sell out pretty quickly.
Go on an Ice Cream Cruise
Your kids will drool at the thought of tongue-tingling ice cream aboard a cruise. Shearwater Excursions offers everyone on board its world-class yacht a lineup of innovative and delicious ice cream treats, including non-dairy and gluten-free flavors.
You’ll also learn impressive facts about Nantucket during the excursions and see stunning waterfront real estate and yachts. Ice Cream Cruises are available daily from 11:15 AM to 4:00 PM with free entry for kids under two years.
Visit the Whaling Museum
Plan your next exhilarating trip to Nantucket with a tour of the infamous Whaling Museum. The kids will delight in exploring a vast collection of artwork in 9 galleries. Learn about the island’s fascinating heritage over four centuries.
The museum houses a spectacular 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, an 1847 candle factory, and a colossal Fresnel lens. When you’re done with the tour, head over to the rooftop deck for spectacular views of the Nantucket harbor.
See lighthouses
Nantucket is home to a vast collection of picturesque lighthouses that tower over the scenic landscape. Visit the Brant Point Lighthouse, a 26-foot landmark that has gained recognition from the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Besides the admirable structure, the kids can have fun collecting shells and skipping rocks.
Rent a jeep and drive to the famous Great Point Light. While there, you get to sight seals and the pups lazing on the shore. For breathtaking views, the Sankaty lighthouse is the place of choice. Stroll with the kids along the bluff as you marvel at the stunning Nantucket homes.
Explore hiking trails
The island of Nantucket was made for families who love nature. When you’re not exploring the scenic beaches, lace up your hiking boots and explore the hiking trails. Tupancy Links is good for the kids and accommodates all skill levels. The 1.4 km trail is dotted with fields of beach plums, barberry shrubs, and roses. When you finish the trail, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the North Shore.
Another pleasant trail is the Madaket Land Trust trail brimming with stunning scenery along the 3.2 km trail. One trail that’s a must-visit is the Squam Swamp Interpretive Trail, awash with geological and ecological wonders like vernal pools, hardwood forests of red maple, grass meadows, sassafras, tupelo, American beech trees, and freshwater bogs.
Kid-friendly Places to Eat in Nantucket
The tables that vacationers with kids scramble to book! These joints are worth adding to your Nantucket bucket list.
Brant point Grill
Exceptional seafood? Check, relaxed ambiance? Check. Brant Point Grill is a seafood haven.You can’t go wrong with the crispy and delicious Seafood Ceviche or the Grilled Line Caught Atlantic Swordfish dripping with exotic seaside flavors. Wash it down with a glass of Bravium, Chardonnay while the kids have juice.
Millie’s
If you want soul-stirring meals, Millie’s is the place to visit for culinary delights. We recommend the crispy salmon plate or the fried belly clams. Don’t skip their famous Madaket Mystery, and remember to carry drinks for the kids.
Wrapping up
Nantucket is a universally admired travel destination with plenty to see and do. The scenic island is especially a hit with families thanks to its calm and refreshing atmosphere and a seemingly endless variety of kid-pleasing activities.
We hope you find this article helpful, especially when planning your next family trip. Cast your vote below on some of your favorite sites. We look forward to seeing your suggestions.
