Practical Guide to Visiting Nantucket with Kids

Nantucket is not only a romantic getaway and a summer vacation choice for the affluent. This picturesque New England Island is also an excellent choice for a family vacation.

It is a small island that can easily be walked or biked around and has many kid-friendly beaches, sites, nautical and whaling history venues, restaurants, and events.

Unlike some of the other popular summer vacation destinations, Nantucket isn’t limited only to beaches and watersports. In fact, there are so many things to do, explore and learn that you and your children will never have a dull moment there.

There are so many historical sites to visit, picturesque views to appreciate, galleries and museums, and top-of-the-line restaurants and stores to visit on Nantucket that parents will have a lot to do too when visiting Nantucket.

You can book one of the beautiful, available rental residences for your visit. This is a more convenient choice when going on a family vacation because it is often a much more affordable choice. You can select a house or accommodation in the neighborhood where you prefer spending the most time. If you rent a dwelling with a kitchen, you can prepare your breakfast or snacks at home and then head off to your next adventure on the island.

You can reach the island of Nantucket by ferry or plane. The kids will love traveling via the two-hour Steamship Authority ferry. For the less patient little ones, there is a faster passenger-only Hy-Line Cruises ferry which will take you to the island from Hyannis Port in Cape Cod for only an hour.

Several flight options offered by Cape Air, Tradewind Aviation, JetBlue, and other companies are available for those who prefer airplanes to sea travel. You can reach Nantucket by plane in just 30 minutes from Boston. The flight from NYC is about 1.5 hours, and it will take about 3 hours to fly from Washington D.C. to Nantucket.

Once you set foot on the island, there are so many things to do. You can take the kids on a stroll through the historic downtown and to the Whaling Museum and Old Wharf.

If you are an active family, you can go hiking in one of the many wildlife refuges on the island, the cranberry bogs, forests, and more, or take a walk near town to explore some of the stunning captains mansions, old shingle-style cottages and more. 

One of the best places to see those iconic beach cottages is by taking the Sconset Bluff Walk or biking there. You can explore those cottages covered with roses, get some ice cream and snacks from the market in the village of Siasconset, and then head to the Sankaty Head lighthouse.

You can also take the kids to the famous Cisco Brewery, where there is live music, dancing, food trucks for the kids, and the best local brews, wines, and spirits for the adults.

Here are some other activities which you and your children will enjoy during your family vacation in Nantucket.

Raven’s Walk 

This is a famous walking tour through the town of Nantucket suitable for young and old. It has been voted one of the best New England walks and top-rated activities in Nantucket.

You and the kids will learn some fascinating stories about the history of the island and its original settlers.

There are ten different tours, and two children’s adventure walks you can sign up for, including the Raven’s Night Walk, which combines the haunted history with some ghostly tales of the past of Nantucket, which your children will be thrilled by.

The Nantucket Basket with DecArts Instructor

You can sign your children up for this basket weaving workshop, where they can learn the basics of this traditional Nantucket craft. The kids will be given instructions, assistance, and all the materials they need to make their own basket with a handle. This is an excellent way to create their own souvenirs to take home from your family vacation.

Star Gazing at Loines Observatory

You can take the children to the Loines Observatory for an unforgettable astronomical adventure on a clear night. There, you will learn more about the invention of the telescope and the constellations, stars, and planets you are about to observe through one of the telescopes of the observatory.

This is an excellent way to introduce your children to astronomy, outer space, and the planetary systems.

Petite Travelers

If you are worried about having to travel with loads of your kid’s gear when going on vacation to Nantucket, then don’t. Petite Travelers is a company that will rent you all types of baby and beach gear, including strollers, cribs, car seats, play yards, and others. You can also rent beach toys and other stuff like beach chairs and umbrellas for your stay.

Nantucket Ice

Yes, there is an ice rink in Nantucket, where you and the kids can enjoy ice skating even in the scorching hot summer.

The rink is open all year round, and you can enroll your kids in some ice skating lessons or as participants in hockey games. Or you can enjoy some individual ice skating with them.

Whale Watching Tours

These tours are suitable for kids who are old enough for longer cruises. The whale watching tours are about 5-6 hours long. The boat captain will take you to the places where you are most likely to spot a Humpback, Finback, or Minke whale or see dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, or birds.

During the cruise, the naturalist who is part of the crew will tell you and your children more about the whales and other local wildlife.

Kid-friendly restaurants

Nantucket is known for its culinary scene. Apart from the top-of-the-line restaurants, there are many family-friendly restaurants and eateries on the island.

Some of the places to go when visiting Nantucket with children include Black Eyes Susan’s, Bartlett Farm Gourmet market, Millie’s, the Nantucket Lobster Trap strap, Lola Burger, Sandbar, Lemon Press, and more.

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