Nantucket Vacation Ideas: 6 Fun Activities You Can Do With Kids
Nantucket Vacation Ideas6 Fun Activities You Can Do with Kids
Nantucket is easily accessible by ferry or plane. Ferries are the usual way to get to the island, and there are various options. Nantucket is extremely child-friendly, so you can keep the kids amused and make a whole lot of lifetime memories there.
This New England island is a great place to take the entire family on an upscale vacation. If you want to enjoy an authentic experience, booking one of the charming vacation homes is a must. This will also save you money and is a whole lot more convenient for families than hotels.
On your Nantucket vacation, here are some ideas for fun things to do with kids:
Critter Cruise
Contents
The Nantucket Critter Cruise is a great favorite with the kids. This 60 -minute cruise (it stays inside the harbor) includes Captain Josh hauling up some traps so the kids can see the fish and lobsters inside. The captain then breaks out some fishing poles so the kids can do a little fishing. All the critters brought up from the lobster pots and fish traps are placed in a glass aquarium, so they can be viewed up close. There is even an opportunity to hold some of them for the braver children. Safety is taken very seriously and the vessel is regularly inspected and carried flotation devices for all the guests.
Bike Ride
Because biking is such a popular mode of transportation on the island, there are numerous rental shops available to provide you with bikes during your stay. With 35 miles of well-marked bike and pedestrian paths and trails, getting around the island is simple. One of the many bicycle paths on the island leads directly to the Surfside beach parking area. Surfside is located on the opposite shore and is a pleasant ride. Nantucket Bike Shop, which has a selection of bikes for hire, is one of the most well-established bike shops.
Local Lighthouses
Each of Nantucket’s three lighthouses has its own distinct appearance, personality, and history. Lighthouses always seem to have an air of adventure about them. However, the days of lighthouse keepers are long gone, and they have been replaced by automated systems.
The wooden Brand Point Light will greet you as you enter Nantucket harbor. It’s short and has a nice boardwalk, which explains why so many people come here to take photos. Visiting the Brant Point Lighthouse is free, but you cannot get inside. Instead, take a relaxing walk through the grounds and enjoy the beautiful beaches adjacent to the lighthouse.
The grounds of the Sankaty Head lighthouse are open daily from sunrise to sunset, and on certain weekends during the summer, you can enter the lighthouse and enjoy a spectacular view of the Atlantic.
Great Point Lighthouse is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the year. Because it is located within the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, make time to explore the refuge’s beach path and Coskata Woods Trail.
Nobadeer Beach
Nobadeer Beach was known as a place where people would throw college parties. However, while the reputation still lingers, it is now a lot more family-friendly spot to spend time with friends and family.
Nobadeer Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Nantucket, and it is also one of the most popular. There is a lot to do at the beach, like playing Kadima, taking surf lessons, and boogie boarding, which is particularly enjoyable for children. Access to the beach requires the purchase of a sticker, but it is well worth the investment.
You may even be able to watch whales from the shore, which the children find fascinating. The most popular activity at the beach, on the other hand, is boogie boarding (very much like body boarding). Consider enrolling them in a surf class at the adjacent South Beach, which is operated by ACK surf school. Private classes for little children can be arranged, and there are also group sessions available. In the event that you have teenagers, you can enroll them in a five-day surfing camp.
The fact that Nobadeer beach is so close to the airport is an added benefit. It means you can sit on the beach and watch the jets land at Nantucket Airport while still enjoying the sun.
Ice Cream Cruise
The combination of taking a guided tour of Nantucket harbor while also having ice cream along the way is unbeatable. It is a family-friendly activity in which participants get to see some incredible ships as well as views of the Nantucket shoreline and harbor. As the voyage progresses, the guide will deliver a light-hearted and educational narrative to keep everyone entertained and informed.
Everyone receives ice cream during the tour, which lasts an hour. In addition, for those who require it, gluten-free and non-dairy choices are available. Nobody is left out in the cold. The trip will be limited to a maximum of 23 individuals to ensure that the children are not overwhelmed by a crowded deck.
These are just a few of the child-friendly activities available in Nantucket. There are so many more that we do not have the space to mention. Nantucket is truly an excellent place to bring your child for a family vacation.
