First Ferry in, Last Ferry Out: Nantucket in 12 Hours

As the summer comes to a close, I starting thinking about how I am forever grateful for my happy place. Nantucket Island has been my family’s summer escape and absolute oasis for almost 30 years. My parents first came to the island for their first anniversary after reading about the quaint Wauiwinet Inn in a newspaper. They packed their bags ready for an adventure, not knowing what to expect. Almost 30 years later, it is safe to say they fell in love with the island 30 miles out to sea, most people do.

I have never done the island in a day because for all of my life we have spent longer periods of time there but for some reason this summer I couldn’t stop thinking about day trippers. “How do they fit everything in?” I kept thinking to myself, “how do they see everything?”

Well, the truth is it is impossible to see everything in a day trip from the Cape. But it has become my mission to create the ultimate 12 Hour Guide to Nantucket from the spending the time between the first ferry in and the last ferry out to do all of the “must-dos.”

We are not wasting time here ladies and gents! Save this schedule for next summer if you decide to take a day trip over to the best place in the world (or longer and are up for the challenge of a crazy, but fun day!). And make sure you’re hungry because there will be lots of food involved.

The Schedule for Nantucket in 12 Hours:

7:10 AM : Arrive on ACK

The first Hy-Line ferry arrives to the island at 7:10am. Gather your belongings and hop off the ferry. Get ready for a super jam packed day.

7:15 AM : Grab a coffee from the Handlebar Cafe (@ackcoffee) and do some downtown exploring.

You’re gonna need your energy! I suggest getting the Mint Nitro… its to die for!

7:30 AM : Grab breakfast at the Lemon Press.

The Lemon Press is the perfect spot on Main Street to get a quick, healthy breakfast after popping in my favorite boutiques. I recommend the acai bowl.

9:00 AM : Hit all the prime shopping spots.

My favorite boutiques I suggest at least popping in are Monelle, Blue Beatle, Vis a Vis, and Erica Wilson. They are all in the same general area on Main Street – not far from Lemon Press conveniently. If you’re interested in more shopping and have more time, I will do a separate post on shopping on ACK eventually. Because there are SO many amazing stores.

9:20 AM : Get your Nantucket merch from Annie and the Tees / 3 Girls and a Dog.

You cannot leave the island with out getting your Nantucket sweatshirt or tee from Annie and the Tees / 3 Girls and a Dog. So definitely make sure you go there! They have the best sweatshirts and tees on the island.

My sisters and I have all worked here throughout many summers in High School and college. This place and people here are so special to us!

You can also shop them online here!

9:40 AM : Pick up your rental car from Youngs.

Call ahead to book a rental Jeep for the day. You’ll need it to get around the island today. You can have one person in your group go pick up the car while the rest of you continue to pick out cozy sweatshirts at Annie and the Tees.

10:00 AM : Pack in the Jeep and head out to Siasconset.

Put in the GPS Sankaty Lighthouse. On the way enjoy the views of Polpis harbor. Once you get to the Lighthouse, its up to you if you want to even get out there but you just need to stop to take in its beauty.

10:30 AM : Sconscet Bluff Walk.

Hop back in the Jeep and put in Sconset Market in the GPS to find parking. Its about a mile down the road. If you are hungry or need water, stop in the market. Then get ready to go for a walk. If you walk toward the houses on the water by the market you will find an entrance to a pathway. This walk has the most beautiful views of the ocean and gorgeous ocean front homes.

The Bluff Walk is about a 2 mile walk. Once you get to the end do not turn around. Instead, take the path to the street (Baxter Road) and follow the road straight back to your car. This way you can get different views of all the houses!

If you want more on Sconset, check out this full blog post on it here.

11:45 AM : Hop back in the Jeep and head out for Cisco Beach.

This is almost a 30 minute drive, practically across the entire island. If you want to explore in the Jeep on the drive over- definitely do so! I suggest taking Milestone Road out of Sconset, instead of Polpis Road. This way you will get a different view than the one you got on the way into Sconset.

On Milestone Road enjoy views of Nantucket’s moors on your right.

12:15 PM : Enjoy the beach for an hour.

Cisco is one of Nantucket’s most popular and loved beaches. Just sit and relax for a bit!

1:15 PM : Head down the road to 167 RAW for lunch.

Grab lunch from the freshest seafood joint in the world. The fish tacos are to die for.

2:00 PM : Head to Cisco Brewery right across the street.

You cannot go to Nantucket and not go to Cisco Brewery. And if it feels a little early to be drinking, trust me, you’ll be glad you’re going this early and missing out on the post-beach crowds and lines.

Enjoy a whales tale or a delicious cocktail.

3:00 PM : Drive around and head to Madaket.

Hop back in the Jeep and put Madaket in the GPS. This is about an 20 minute drive.

Madaket is a small fishing village where the harbor meets the ocean. I suggest going over the infamous little bridge on Ames Ave and exploring all the little cottages over there.

If you’re hungry or thirsty … stop at Madaket Mille’s or Madaket Millies Market.

3:40 PM : Go to Brant Point Lighthouse.

Put in the GPS Brant Point Lighthouse and checkout a spectacular view of the harbor and the lighthouse you see from the ferry ride. Now you’ve seen two of the three lighthouses on Nantucket!

4:30 PM : Head back into town and explore.

There really is so much to see in town. I’m sure you still feel like you have more shopping to do 😉. If you’re not so interested in shopping check out Nantucket’s historic Whaling Museum across from the Juice Bar… don’t worry we’ll get to that later.

5:15 PM: Walk the Wharf.

Walk, explore, and shop on the wharf. Head all the way to the back to do what I like calling “window yacht shopping.” Definitely, one of my favorite activities.

6:00 PM : Dinner at Cru.

Heads up, you definitely need to make this reservation weeks, if not months, in advance. But, boy, is it worth it. Get the oyster tower. The ambiance at Cru is immaculate: beautiful views, delicious food, and fun music.

7:30 PM : Run to the Juice Bar.

Do not walk, run to the Juice Bar for ice cream after dinner. The Green Monster in a waffle cone is my absolute favorite food in the world.

7:45 PM : Go to Steps Beach for the Sunset.

Watch the sunset from the most beautiful spot in the world to close out a wonderful day on the best place in the world. Life is good.

8:00 PM : Return the car and RUN to the ferry.

No, like actually run this time. You’re probably running late for the ferry!

8:25 PM : Throw a penny off the side of the ferry when passing Brant Point Lighthouse.

This is a tradition that brings good luck and ensures another trip back to ACK! 🤍

And thats how you do Nantucket in 12 (ish) Hours…

Thanks for reading and I hope you can save this post for a super fun 12 hours of Nantucket next summer! Look at all the territory you covered!

Giveaway!!!

Okay, if you got all the way to the bottom of this post… you deserve an award. Annie and the Tees and Annie B. have collaborated together to giveaway 1 Nantucket long sleeve T-shirt (*the navy blue one I am wearing in the picture below!*) – all you have to do is follow @annieculbertson and @annieandthetees on Instagram and tag a friend in the comment section of this picture on either account. Last day to enter Thursday (9/17/20) and the winner will be announced on Friday (9/18/20)! Good luck!