A Travel Guide to Sconset on Nantucket

Over the years, I’ve shared quite a bit about Nantucket including lots of dreamy photos of the picturesque neighborhood of Sconset. Today, I’m going to share a travel guide to Sconset on Nantucket because, although it is a tiny little neighbor town, there is a surprising amount to do there! Sconset just screams New England with its shingled houses and famed Sankaty Head Lighthouse. I’d venture to bet that many of the gorgeous photos you see of Nantucket are in fact snapped in Sconset so let’s dive in! I know you’ll love these recommendations and I highly recommend you save this post for a time when you’re planning a trip to the New England island. Sconset is a true treasure!

On Jillian: Dress (old – similar, similar) / Purse (old – similar: one, two, three, four) / Sandals

On Allison: Dress (old – similar, similar) / Purse (similar for less: one, two) / Espadrilles / Earrings (old – similar, similar)

A Travel Guide to Sconset on Nantucket

Time to dive into everything you need to know for a visit to Sconset…

Where to Shop in Sconset:

My two favorite shopping destinations in Sconset are CJ Laing and the Sconset Liquor Store. I spilled on my love for the chic boutique, CJ Laing, in this post so read more about it there! Other than CJ Laing, I recommend shopping in the liquor store that is about two doors down. Yup, you read that right, the liquor store. It’s quite possibly the cutest liquor store in America! You can shop for adorable Nantucket memorabilia, cozy knit sweaters, chic barware, straw bags, beach blankets, and lots more.

Where to Eat in Sconset:

In this post, I introduced the charming restaurant The Chanticleer. The restaurant has such a Nantucket romance to it. I highly recommend The Chanticleer for a lunch or dinner out when celebrating an occasion or when you just feel like getting a little dressed up. The garden in front will make your heart sing! Note: be sure to make dinner reservations for The Chanticleer if you go.

Other than The Chanticleer, If you’re hungry, you have a few great options. For starters, be sure to also pop into Sconset Market for an ice cream cone or for one of their famous blueberry muffins. The blueberry muffins are made fresh daily and sell out every morning! While The Chanticleer is for a bit of a fancier affair, I also love the über casual restaurant Claudette’s for breakfast and lunch. You order at the counter and then dine outside on picnic tables while watching all the comings and goings of Sconset.

For a beachside meal or beverage, head to Summer House Beach Bistro. You can’t beat eating their lobster Caesar salad and sipping a glass of rosé while having your toes in the sand! The Summer House Restaurant is a must for dinner. It is quintessential Nantucket with its casual elegance and cheery mood thanks to the nightly music played on the grand piano.

For more Nantucket restaurant recommendations outside of Sconset, be sure to visit my Nantucket Travel Guide. It includes everything from the casual food trucks at Cisco Brewers to the beachside heaven that is Galley Beach to the über cool nautically designed Greydon House.

What to Do in Sconset:

If you’re looking for an activity to do in Sconset, then I highly suggest heading to the beautiful beach or doing the Sconset Bluff Walk, which is a must in my opinion. The Sconset Bluff Walk starts in town at Front Street and takes you almost all the way up to Sankaty Head Lighthouse. You quite literally walk through people’s lawns! It’s the best way to see the gorgeous shingled homes, the stunning pink climbing roses, the spectacular blue hydrangeas, and sweeping ocean views. A visit to Sankaty Head Lighthouse is absolutely worth it too! Be sure to bring a camera!

After spilling on all the Sconset musts, I wanted to quickly share these easy sundress looks that Allison and I wore on Nantucket once upon a time.

I slipped into this color block gingham dress (old – similar, similar) twice while on this past trip because it was so easy to throw on in a pinch and because the loose flowy nature of it let me eat all the lobster rolls my heart desired. I’ll always be a sucker for gingham and there is no color combo I love wearing more in the summer than red, white, and blue!

I also paired it with this adorable straw purse (old – similar: one, two, three, four) and my trusty Jack Rogers sandals. I love this straw purse because it is structured, unlike many of my beloved straw bags that flip and flop around. Sadly, multiple of these items that I wore are old but I rounded up similar items below…

Allison wore the most beautiful feminine Sea New York dress with stripe Soludos espadrilles and a classic cross body purse (similar for less: one, two). It’s such a timeless dress… y’all know I can never resist dresses with details like ruffle sleeves. The dress is a few years old but I included a dozen or so similar dresses below so you can snag the look too. I know the dress style would fit right into y’alls closets too! Allison and I are both longtime fans for Soludos for their comfort, easy, and style. I always think bows tied around ankles is such a ladylike style that gives legs an elongated look. It can’t be beat!

On Jillian: Dress (old – similar, similar) / Purse (old – similar: one, two, three, four) / Sandals

On Allison: Dress (old – similar, similar) / Purse (similar for less: one, two) / Espadrilles / Earrings (old – similar, similar)

Get Our A Travel Guide to Sconset on Nantucket Looks:

Photography by Edwin Eversole