Are you planning a vacation in Nantucket and looking for the top things to do with your kids? This island is the perfect place to have family fun. Nantucket is a historical sailing port, and throughout its history, the island has been known as a haven for whaling and fishing. It’s fun to celebrate this maritime heritage with your kids, especially if they are older. Here are the top things to do in Nantucket with kids.
Nantucket Sunset Sail
If you have tweens or teens with you, consider signing up for an exclusive Nantucket Sunset Sail from the Nantucket Boat Basin. The sunset cruise is an excellent way for kids to learn about sailing and the history of Nantucket. The experienced sailors on board are happy to answer questions about the various boats in the harbor and share some of their own stories about life at sea. They might even let your kids steer the ship.
Visiting Children’s Beach
This Nantucket beach is located between Broad and Easton Streets, near downtown Nantucket where there are many houses to book for your family. It is an ideal spot for families to enjoy a day at the beach with their children. Children’s beach has calm waters and is protected by Jetties, where kids can explore or play in the sand. Parents will enjoy watching their children experiencing nature in one of its most beautiful forms.
Visiting Nantucket Boat Basin
This local favorite is a marina, fuel dock, and water sports rental company; this local favorite offers family fun on the water. The boat basin provides many different services, including jet ski rentals, kayak tours and lessons, SUP rentals, and cruises around Nantucket Harbor. Kids will love exploring the area and seeing boats coming in and out of the harbor. Don’t forget to stop by after a day on the water to pick up a snack from their general store.
Visiting the Whaling Museum
Whales, whales everywhere! The Nantucket Whaling Museum is a treasure trove of information about Nantucket’s maritime history and is a fantastic place to spend an hour or two with kids of all ages. As you tour the museum, you’ll learn how the island became one of America’s most affluent whaling towns in the 1800s. The museum offers guided tours and hands-on family activities for children.
Going Fishing
What could be more fun than going fishing? This is a great way to spend an afternoon in beautiful Nantucket for kids who love the ocean. You can charter a boat for your family or join a group fishing excursion led by experienced local guides who know where to find all of the best fish.
Climbing the Brant Point Lighthouse
For a great view of the harbor, climb up to the Brant Point Lighthouse and enjoy all the activity going on in the harbor.
The lighthouse is located at the end of Easton St., one block over from Main St. You can walk to it from anywhere in town. It’s a steep but straightforward climb up several flights of stairs.
At the top, there is an excellent view of the boats, ferries, and airplanes coming into Nantucket Harbor. If you have kids under six or anyone who can’t make it up the stairs, there’s still plenty to explore in this area.
The Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium
This aquarium is an excellent place for families with younger children because there are plenty of hands-on exhibits that teach them about sea creatures. Several local animals live in the area and plenty of information about how this affects ocean life.
This is also a good spot if you want to visit an aquarium but haven’t been able to afford it.
Explore Jetties Beach
You can’t visit Nantucket without heading to the beach! Our favorite beach for families is Jetties Beach in Nantucket Town. The water is calm, and there are plenty of activities for kids to enjoy, like building sandcastles, collecting shells, and splashing around in the surf.
The Nantucket Lifeguards Association provides lifeguards on duty from 10 am to 6 pm Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, so you can relax while your kids play in the sand or surf.
This beach is also a wonderful spot for a family picnic. Grab sandwiches and drinks at one of the nearby shops and stake out a spot under an umbrella or at one of the tables available right on the beach.
Riding Bikes Around Town
Nantucket is an island, so if you want to get around the whole thing, it can be tricky unless you know where to look. One of the best ways to see Nantucket is by going on a bike tour.
Bike tours are offered all over the city, and they’re an excellent way for families to spend time together.
By going on a bike tour, you not only get to enjoy spending time outside together, but you also get to explore areas of Nantucket that many visitors miss out on.
Going on a Cruise
One of the most popular things for kids to do in Nantucket goes on a cruise! You can book cruises at the dock or from various companies around town.
Some cruises have snacks available for purchase onboard; others have food included with their ticket price. If you’re taking little ones along with you, it might be nice to pack some sandwiches ahead of time so they don’t get hungry while waiting for their turn on deck.
Visiting the Local Library
If you love books and your kids – and we’re assuming you do both – then a visit to the local library is a must during your stay on Nantucket. Not only is the building itself a work of art, with stunning architecture that features dark wood and high ceilings.
The library boasts an extensive collection of age-appropriate titles for children and teens and a team of expert librarians who can help you find the perfect book for kids at every age.
If your child finds themselves drawn to picture books more than chapter books, or if they’ve just discovered their love for audiobooks and want to listen to something new, the staff can take all that into account when helping you pick out just what your child needs to fall in love with reading.
Nantucket is a great place for families, especially those with young children. The island offers excellent opportunities for parents to share their love of luxury and the sea with kids.
If you like to be surrounded by beautiful beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and health-conscious people – Nantucket will be the place for you. There are many things to do on the island that are fun for kids.
All of them will make sure that your vacation with kids is filled with memories that you, and they, will cherish for all of your life.