Checklist for a Nantucket Summer Well Spent
08/26/2025
Whether it's your first summer on Nantucket or your 20th, leaving Nantucket and heading home is a bittersweet moment. What makes it even more complicated than leaving is feeling like you didn’t get the chance to do all the special activities and visit all the beautiful places. Before you pack your bags and say goodbye (for now), here are a few things worth doing one last time, or maybe for the first time, to end your summer on a high note.
1. Watch the Sunset in Madaket
Yes, we have all seen plenty of Madaket sunsets, but when you are home three weeks from now, you will be wishing you made one last trip to see Nantucket's best sunset spots. Grab a few friends, a cooler, and a blanket. Head out to Madaket and stay until the very last streaks of pink fade into the Atlantic. You won’t regret making this your unofficial sendoff.
2. Bike the Polpis Trail to Sconset
Maybe you’ve biked to the brewery or the beach, but have you ever completed the whole Polpis ride? It’s an overlooked gem that feels different at the end of the season — quiet, breezy, and a little nostalgic. Make a morning or afternoon of it. Stop at the Sconset Market, walk the Bluff, and soak it all in before it becomes just a memory instead of part of your routine.
3. Enjoy one Last Night at Cisco Brewery
You’ve been here a dozen times (at least), but this one’s about intention. Catch one last happy hour, a live music set, or a relaxed afternoon with friends before everyone goes their separate ways, because not too long from now, you’ll wish you could take a break from the real world with a Gripah or some summer sunshine.
4. Go For an Early Morning Walk at Steps Beach
You’ve probably ended many nights on the beach, but have you started your day there? Beat the sun and the crowds by heading to Steps Beach at first light. With coffee in hand and sneakers off, it’s one of the best places on the island to clear your mind and enjoy some quiet beauty before the rush of departure.
5. Have a Quiet Moment in the Atheneum Garden
If you’ve been rushing around all season—working, hosting friends, or just trying to do everything—this one’s for you. Tucked behind the Nantucket Atheneum downtown, Nantucket’s library, is a small, peaceful, shaded public garden that passersby often overlook. Bring a book, a journal, or simply sit and take it all in. It’s one of those rare spots where the island seems to pause, too. And after a busy summer, that pause might be precisely what you need.
6. Visit the Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum
If you’ve enjoyed the beach life this summer, it’s worth spending an hour or two to learn about the island’s deeper history. The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum is small, local, and impactful — honoring the men and women who risked their lives off these shores. It could change how you view the waves you’ve been swimming in all season.
7. Rent a Boat or Go on a Charter
Take a Boston Whaler straight from the slip through Boat Nantucket. Or, avoid the hassle of crewing your boat, or sign up for a fishing charter through Just Do It Too. Explore the beautiful waters around Nantucket and enjoy the warm-water marine life before it departs.
8. Walk the Sconset bluff
If you’ve already walked the Bluff this summer, do it once more, taking it slower this time. If you haven’t, this is your chance. The narrow path winds behind storybook cottages and opens to breathtaking views of the Atlantic, with Sankaty Lighthouse visible in the distance. It’s quiet, timeless, and easy to take for granted until you realize how rare a place like this truly is. Finish your walk with a stop at the Sconset Market, since it wouldn’t be complete without one more ice cream or muffin.
9. Go to The Juice Bar Without a Line
If you haven’t yet had the chance to visit Juice Bar during your time on Nantucket, you're missing out. Juice Bar offers delicious, homemade scoops that have been enjoyed on the island for over 50 years. If you're a regular at Juice Bar, you know how long the lines can get. We suggest going for an afternoon treat or after an early dinner to avoid the long wait. Additionally, for visitors staying late into August or early September, expect the lines to decrease gradually throughout the day.
10. Play a Round Of Scenic Golf
Nantucket boasts some of the most beautiful golf courses on the East Coast. Enjoy one last round at any of Nantucket's four golf courses, including:
Miacomet Golf Club:
Arguably the most popular and well-known golf course on the island, Miacomet Golf Club is all-inclusive. Amenities include an 18-hole course, a driving range, putting and chipping greens, as well as a full restaurant and bar. If you’re visiting, you can still play golf here without a membership, but please note that the course tends to fill up quickly.
Sconset Golf:
Sconset Golf, also called Skinners by many locals, is a more affordable 9-hole course off Milestone Road. Favored by many locals, Sconset Golf is easier to book on short notice while still providing a top-quality golf experience.
Sankaty Head Golf Club:
Sankaty Head Golf Club is one of the island's premier courses, offering exclusive access to its members. If you’re lucky enough to have or know someone with a membership, enjoy breathtaking views of Sankaty Lighthouse at this traditional club.
Nantucket Golf Club:
Nantucket Golf Club is another upscale and exclusive club that provides services only to its members. They are at full capacity, so you must be a member or know one to play.
11. Catch a Show with the Nantucket Theatre Project
Whether you’ve been planning to go all summer or you’re a returning fan, carve out an evening with the Nantucket Theatre Project. Their performances are often intimate, innovative, and deeply rooted in storytelling, providing a refreshing change from beach days and bike rides. From new works to reimagined classics, it's an opportunity to see world-class talent up close in an island setting. If you’re lucky enough to catch one before the season ends, you’ll leave reminded that Nantucket’s creative spirit runs just as deep as its shorelines.
12. Treat Yourself To A Nice Dinner
Now that summer is nearly over, it’s the perfect time to visit that one restaurant you’ve always wanted to try. During this season, you don't need to book your reservations weeks in advance, which makes fine dining planning much easier. Enjoy a night out at Cru, Ventuno, or your favorite restaurant without the hassle of waiting for a table.
Finally, Leave With No Regrets
Walk back into your home office knowing you experienced Nantucket the right way, and yes, you're allowed to brag to your coworkers about your time here. If you missed any of these items, don’t worry; you’ll be back, whether it's next summer or later. Until then, let Nantucket send you off right.