The Nantucket Bucket List

There are certain experiences on Nantucket that become part of the memory of the island. The experiences people return for year after year. The traditions that turn a summer trip into something much more meaningful.

From pristine beaches and historic lighthouses to harbor dinners and carefree afternoons, Nantucket is full of experiences that define island life.

Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning for another summer season, here are a few things that belong on every Nantucket bucket list.

For many visitors, the Nantucket experience begins before they step foot onto the island.

Arriving by ferry into Nantucket Harbor is a tradition in itself. As the coastline comes into view and Brant Point Lighthouse appears in the distance, there is a feeling of leaving the mainland behind and settling into the island.

During the summer months, passengers gather on the ferry decks to catch their first glimpse of the harbor, sailboats, and historic waterfront. It is one of the most iconic arrivals in New England. For more on how to get to the island, see our Getting Here page.

Few places capture the spirit of Nantucket quite like its historic lighthouses.

From the iconic red-and-white striped Sankaty Head Light in Sconset to Brant Point Light welcoming boats into the harbor, Nantucket’s lighthouses are woven into the island’s maritime history.

Visiting a lighthouse is more than a photo opportunity, it's a reminder of Nantucket’s long connection to the sea that still defines the island today.

To truly understand Nantucket, it helps to understand its history.

The Whaling Museum offers a fascinating look into the island’s past as the whaling capital of the world. Exhibits, artifacts, and panoramic rooftop views help bring Nantucket’s maritime story to life.

Even for visitors who don’t usually seek out museums, the Whaling Museum feels uniquely tied to the identity of the island and is well worth experiencing at least once. For more, see the Nantucket Historical Association's website.

A Madaket sunset is one of Nantucket’s most iconic experiences.

Located on the western end of the island, Madaket Beach is known for its wide-open views and dramatic evening skies. As the sun drops into the water, beachgoers gather with blankets, picnics, and beach chairs to watch the island slow down for the evening.

It is simple, beautiful, and unmistakably Nantucket.

Grab some food from Millie's in Madaket and head to watch the sun set on another perfect Nantucket day.

Considered Nantucket's legendary surf beach and the island's best-known surfing destination, Cisco often provides rolling waves and consistent surf conditions. During the summer months, it's rare to not see surfers out riding waves and you may even see some in the cooler months, too. If you’re new to surfing, there are surf schools, such as Nantucket Island Surf School, that offer lessons and board rentals right at the beach.

Another favorite local spot for surfing, Surfside, is known to be more family-oriented than Cisco and is the largest beach on Nantucket. It attracts surfers, skimboarders, and body surfers, especially farther down the beach. If all of that wave riding makes you hungry, the Surf at Surfside Beach is a snack shack located right on the beach that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and snacks during the summer season.

After catching some waves at Cisco Beach, walk or bike on over to grab a bite to eat and a beer at Cisco Brewers.

Part brewery, part winery, part distillery, Cisco Brewers has become one of the island’s most popular gathering places. Live music, local beer, food trucks, and an easygoing atmosphere make it a favorite for both visitors and locals alike.

The setting feels relaxed and distinctly Nantucket, especially on warm summer afternoons when bikes line the entrance and music drifts through the air.

A visit to Bartlett’s Farm is a Nantucket tradition for many families.

As the island’s oldest and most beloved farm, Bartlett’s is known for its fresh produce, prepared foods, flowers, and summer atmosphere. During the warmer months, visitors stop by for morning coffee, picnic provisions, fresh pies, and ingredients for beach dinners.

More than just a market, Bartlett’s feels like part of the rhythm of summer on Nantucket.

Sconset feels like a small village tucked away on the eastern edge of the island.

Known for its rose-covered cottages, shell paths, and quiet charm, Sconset offers a slower and more peaceful side of Nantucket. A walk through the village, especially in summer when the roses are in bloom, feels almost timeless.

The village’s historic homes and oceanfront setting make it one of the most picturesque areas on the island.

For more on Sconset, see the Sconset Neighborhood page.

To experience the quieter side of Nantucket, spend an afternoon kayaking on Hummock Pond.

Located near Cisco, the pond offers calm waters, scenic marshland, and beautiful views that feel far removed from the busier summer areas of the island. Kayaking here is less about activity and more about slowing down and experiencing Nantucket’s natural beauty at a gentler pace.

On calm summer evenings, the light across the water and surrounding landscape can feel especially peaceful. For more information on kayaking on the island, see our Kayaker's Guide.

Nantucket is known for its vast and elegant culinary scene, and dining by the water is one of the defining Nantucket experiences.

Whether it is a sunset dinner at Galley Beach, cocktails overlooking the harbor, or a long meal along Straight Wharf, waterfront dining captures the relaxed elegance of island life.

The combination of ocean air, harbor views, and exceptional food creates the kind of evenings visitors remember long after summer ends. For more on Nantucket dining, see our insider guide.

While summer draws the largest crowds, many locals believe some of Nantucket’s most special moments happen in the off-season.

Scalloping season, which typically begins in October and continues into the colder months, is one of Nantucket’s most beloved traditions. Boats head into the harbor early in the morning while the island settles into a quieter rhythm after summer. For more on scalloping, see our guide.

Even for visitors simply enjoying fresh local scallops at a restaurant, the season offers a glimpse into Nantucket’s strong maritime culture and year-round community.

Another off season must-see is the Daffodil Festival, known by locals as the Daffy. This annual celebration of spring is held each year on the last weekend in April.

The weekend centers around the Nantucket Garden Club's Daffodil Show at Bartlett’s Farm with American Daffodil Society Judges traveling from all over the east coast to judge the entries. In addition to the Daffodil Show, festivities are held all over the island, including the Daffy Hat Pageant, Children’s Beach bike parade, an antique car parade on Main Street, a tailgate picnic in Sconset, the Daffy Dog Parade, an art show and Family Events at Children’s Beach.

For more on the festival, see our events page.

Part of what makes Nantucket so special is not just what you do, but how you experience the island.

Morning bike rides. Long dinners. Quiet beach walks. Watching boats drift through the harbor. Nantucket has a way of slowing people down and drawing them back year after year.

That feeling is what transforms simple moments into lifelong traditions.

Whether you are visiting for a week, returning for the season, or considering a more permanent stay on the island, where you stay shapes your Nantucket experience.

From waterfront homes to quiet retreats in Sconset or Madaket, finding the right property allows you to experience the island in a more meaningful way.

At William Raveis Nantucket, our team helps visitors and homeowners discover the places, traditions, and memories that make Nantucket unlike anywhere else.