by Myra Beal, Concierge and Guest Blogger
Nantucket is as family friendly as you can get!  Usually considered the perfect place for a romantic getaway with beautiful beaches and elegant restaurants, but what happens when the kids tag along?  With life-guarded beaches, kids activities, and restaurants that can accommodate some tiny hungry bellies, Nantucket is a top choice for family vacations! With Nantucket’s vast history and surrounding waters, there are many fun but also educational excursions for your whole family. Whether you’re alone or with the kids Nantucket is the perfect place for a memorable summer holiday.
Kids Excursions:Â
Endeavor Sailing – Take your kids on a Pirate Hunter Adventure! Take time with Robin of Ravens Walk aboard Endeavor to discover legends of Nantucket’s most famous pirates and their lives and search for treasure!
Critter Cruise – The Critter Cruise is an hour long trip aboard Monomoy Point where kids can learn to cast lines, pull up lobster traps, and learn about their favorite sea creatures in the onboard touch tank!
Take the Minke for the Harbor Ice Cream Cruise
Shearwater Excursions – The Harbor Tour Ice Cream Cruise is a boat cruise around Children’s Beach, Brant Point Lighthouse, and the Jetties that also offers Nantucket’s famous Juice Bar ice cream on board. Have a tasty treat and see the shoreline of Nantucket! Rumor has it some especially well behaved passengers even get to steer the boat!
Maria Mitchell Association – The educational Marine Ecology Field Trip allows you to catch, identify, measure, and weigh local Nantucket species before returning them to their homes. You can learn about Nantucket’s marine life in this fun hands-on experience.
Whaling Museum – Not only for rainy days, the Whaling Museum is fun out of the sun activity where kids can learn about Nantucket’s whaling history. The Discovery Room is filled with interactive exhibits and games, not to mention the sperm whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling in Gosnell Hall will definitely keep the kids intrigued.
Sea Nantucket – Rent kayaking and paddle boards to see Nantucket by water! Take a shot at stand up paddle boarding and kayaking with the kids and roam around Nantucket’s harbors and relaxed beaches. It will be a fun day of swimming and exploring,
Getting Hungry – Family Friendly Restaurants
Take a look at our Family Friendly Restaurant recommendations – just a short walk from the Brass Lantern
- Brant Point Grill, 50 Easton Street, 508-325-1320 – a short walk from the Brass Lantern on the way to Brant Point Lighthouse
- The Jetties, Bathing Beach Rd. 508-228-2279 – at Jetties Beach. The shuttle bus to Jetties leaves from the corner of our street
The Dining Deck at The Jetties
- Something Natural, 50 Cliff Road, 508-228-0504 – a fifteen minute walk from the Brass Lantern
- Queequeg’s, 6 Oak Street, 508-325-0992 – down North Water, left and first right, patio dining
- Fog Island Cafe, 7 S. Water St., 508-228-1818 for breakfast or lunch
- Lobster Trap, 23 Washington St., 508-228-4200 – even the littlest diner can have ‘womster’!
A little farther away – a bike or shuttle ride:
- AK Diamonds, 16 Macy’s Lane, 508-228-3154, casual menu, patio dining
Millie’s is a family favorite – dine inside or outside
- Kitty Murtaghs , 4 W. Creek Road, 508-325-0781, a bit a Ireland on Nantucket, snooker and darts available
- The Downyflake, 18 Sparks Ave., (508) 228-4533, our Nantucket ‘diner’ – donuts made fresh each day
- Fairgrounds, 27 Fairgrounds Road, 508-228-4095, mid-Island, casual menu
- Millies,326 Madaket Rd., 508-228-8435 – next to Madaket Beach, eat outside on a picnic table on watch the sunset from the second floor
- Sea Grille, 45 Sparks Ave., 508-325-5700 – open year round for lunch and dinner, deck dining
