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Nantucket had been on my travel list for years. To me, it always felt like one of those places straight out of a postcard. The cobblestone streets, gray shingle houses, and endless hydrangeas in the summer seemed so dreamy! But when we finally planned our trip, it looked a little different than I once imagined. Instead of a quiet getaway, we were building a Nantucket itinerary with kids, and figuring out how to make the most of a few days on the island as a family.

If you’re planning a family trip to Nantucket, one of the biggest questions is how to balance seeing the highlights with keeping things manageable (especially with little kids). Between beaches, bike rides, and all the things to do in Nantucket with kids, it can be tempting to try to fit everything in. But in my experience, what made our trip feel special was slowing down and focusing on just a few key experiences each day.

This guide walks through my exact Nantucket itinerary with kids, including where we stayed, what we did each day, and the spots that worked especially well for traveling with a toddler. Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or planning a full week, this itinerary will help you map out a trip that feels both easy and memorable.

Is Nantucket good for kids?

Yes! If you’re wondering if Nantucket is family-friendly, the answer is absolutely. While the island is often known for romantic getaways and summer escapes, it’s also great for kids. Here are a few reasons why. 

• It’s a super walkable historic town
• The beaches are calm and family-friendly
• There are bike paths to explore (and some hotels offer bike rentals!)
• Early dinner is not a faux pas, so you can enjoy a great dinner and be home for bedtime
• Summer is the high-season, and has the most options for activities. We visited in the shoulder season (early- to mid-June) when we knew things would be open but it would be less crowded. 

I have a whole post where I talk about how great Nantucket is for families traveling with kids. Check it out here!

If you’re planning a 3-day Nantucket itinerary or even a 5-day Nantucket itinerary, this breakdown can be easily adjusted depending on how long you’re staying. This itinerary includes some of the best things to do in Nantucket with kids, while still keeping the days manageable.

Day 1

Check in at the Nantucket Inn. It’s a super cute, family-friendly hotel with indoor and outdoor (seasonal) pools, breakfast/lunch cafe, bar and shuttle to Town. Read my full review of it here.

Take the shuttle into Town and grab sandwiches for lunch at Provisions. Walk to Children’s Beach and eat lunch while burning off some energy on the playground. 

Walk to the Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium and learn about Nantucket and Atlantic sea life. My favorite thing about this aquarium is that it’s all catch and release! Read even more about our visit here.

Have dinner at Straight Wharf Fish. It’s located right on the harbor, so try to get a table on the patio and watch boats come and go. 

Want more planning tips for visiting Nantucket with kids? Check out my full travel guide for hotel, restaurant and activity recommendations!

Day 2

Breakfast pastries for the kiddos and coffee for mom and dad at the Nobadeer Cafe right inside the Nantucket Inn. Then burn off some energy at the hotel pool. 

Take the shuttle into Town and visit the Whaling Museum. The most notable two portions for kiddos are the 46-foot whale skeleton and the Discovery Center with fun toys, games and books if you’re in need of playtime. Read about our visit here!

Have lunch at Brotherhood of Thieves, a historic 1840s whaling bar and tavern. 

Spend the afternoon strolling around and shopping. Nantucket Bookworks is a great stop to pick up a souvenir book about Nantucket for little ones. 

Dinner at the Nantucket Lobster Trap. They even offer a small lobster on the kids menu if your kiddos have an adventurous palate. 

Day 3

Go on the Critter Cruise. This is our favorite activity when visiting Nantucket with kids! You’ll check what has been caught in the traps (think crabs, lobsters, snails), which are brought onboard in touch tanks for the ride. Then kids get their own fishing poles to catch a fish. On our cruise, someone even caught a shark! Then everything is either released or taken to the aquarium. Read about our experience here!

Grab lunch at The Rose and Crown (recommend a burger and chef fries with garlic oil, sea salt parm!) before heading home. 

Check with the Nantucket Inn if they offer a late checkout for your room. They did for ours since no one was checking in that day, so we got a few extra hours to spend in Town before heading to the airport. 

What I’d do differently next time

I loved our trip to Nantucket and would go back in a second; however, there were a couple things I would do different next time we visit.

• Time of year: We visited in mid-June and I was surprised how cool and rainy it still was. I was envisioning down time at our hotel pool, and it wasn’t even open yet for the season. There were pros to this though, like more affordable hotel rates and less crowds.
• Rent bikes to explore the island: Since it was rainy when we visited, we didn’t get a chance to explore the island by bike like we would have wanted. We mostly stuck to Town and areas around our hotel, and I would have liked to explore some other parts of the island too.

Visiting Nantucket FAQs

• How many days do you need in Nantucket? We were there for a long weekend and it was perfect! I felt like we had plenty of time to see everything, especially due to the slower pace of the island. A longer trip would be fine too if you’re planning lots of downtime and beach days.
• Is Nantucket stroller-friendly? Yes! Nantucket is so stroller friendly! There are miles of walking paths throughout the island, sidewalks in Town, and the overall calm vibe of the island makes it perfect for pushing a stroller around. 
• Are there playgrounds in Nantucket? Yes! There are so many playgrounds on Nantucket. Our favorite one is at Children’s Beach, which is very close to Town so it is convenient to stop after a day of shopping or a meal, and the views are amazing!
• Do you need a car in Nantucket with kids? If you’re traveling to Nantucket with kids for a long weekend, you do not need to rent a car, especially if you’re staying in Town. If you’re staying for a longer trip, you may want to consider it, especially if you want to visit areas of the island that aren’t as walkable or that shuttles don’t accommodate. 

If you’re planning travel with little kids, I share more tips like this on Instagram @winedineandsunshine. Follow me there for to get more about flying with toddlers and family-friendly destinations.