Just 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket is a small island known for its cobblestone streets, historic homes, hydrangea-lined driveways, and expansive beaches.
The summer I lived on Nantucket was one of my most memorable. I had visited before from Boston, but experiencing the island as a local during the peak months gave me a knack for finding the less-crowded spots and knowing when to popular places are quieter.
With thousands of visitors descending on the island each summer, experiencing the best of Nantucket takes a little local know-how.
Pocomo Beach
While some travelers bring their cars across on the ferry, many others choose to explore the island by foot, bike, or the local WAVE bus. This means that many of the beaches further out remain relatively under-explored by tourists, who tend to stay closer to the ferry port. Pocomo is a prime example.
Just 20 minutes from downtown, it's tucked away on the northeastern side of the island, and getting there involves winding along quieter roads lined with sand dunes, scrub, and little development. As you leave the heavily visited areas, the sense of seclusion starts before you even reach the beach.
I felt a sense of relief whenever I arrived at Pocomo Beach, as the remote roads opened into a wide, sandy stretch with calm waters dotted with windsurfers and kite surfers, which are a popular pastime here thanks to its windy conditions.
45 Surfside Bakery and Café
The lines for cafes in downtown Nantucket sometimes loop around the block, so I prefer to eat outside of the core at one of my favorites, 45 Surfside.
Since it’s located mid-island, it’s often missed by tourists who stay inside the main drag. However, it’s only a 15-minute bike ride from the ferry terminal or a 20-minute bus ride, so it’s not hard to reach even without a car.
Many of my mornings on the island started here with an iced tea and breakfast sandwich. Small but mighty, the menu is surprisingly diverse, ranging from frosés and mimosas to acai bowls and breakfast sandwiches, all best enjoyed on the small patio.
Millie’s Madaket
On the far western edge of Nantucket you’ll find a lesser-known favorite for locals, especially in the summer. Millie’s is a casual, American restaurant with numerous outdoor seating areas and epic views of the Atlantic.
After long days of work, a few friends and I would often close out the evening by grabbing some food here, picking up a bottle of wine to stash in my beach bag, and heading down to the sand to catch one of the best sunsets on the island.
It’s almost an “if you know, you know” kind of place, with the beach filling up with people, blankets, and picnic setups as the sun starts to dip below the horizon.
Steps Beach
Largely hidden from the droves of tourists, elusive Steps Beach can be hard to find, but is more than worth the effort.
Located in the Cliff area just west of town, the beach is below a steep bluff with panoramic views. There's a narrow path with plenty of steps, hence the name. This is another favorite for picnics, wine, and sunsets. The calm sound-side waters are ideal for a swim, especially around low tide when a sandbar emerges just offshore.
The Shortcut
The crowd map is smaller than it looks. Most visitors never get more than a mile from the ferry dock, so anything that takes a bike or a bus ride thins out fast.
Pocomo is 20 minutes out on the northeast side, and the wind keeps it to kite surfers and not much else. Steps Beach takes some hunting to find, which is why it's not as crowded.
Time Steps for low tide. A sandbar surfaces just offshore and the sound-side water is calm enough to actually swim in.
