More about me
I’m Tessa, a Dallas-based motherhood and family photographer.
I create a full-service experience centered around preserving your family’s story in a tangible, lasting way. From the moment we begin, every step is thoughtfully guided so your images don’t just live on a screen, but become part of your home through custom heirloom artwork and albums.
My work is rooted in connection, intention, and creating something your children will grow up seeing and holding onto for years to come.
June 14, 2026



For the past year or so, Nantucket has been one of those places living rent-free in my head.
Between the hydrangea-lined streets, gray-shingled cottages, sailboats, and endless coastal charm, it seemed to pop up everywhere I looked. Every photo I saw somehow made me want to visit even more.
So when Jeff and I started talking about a quick summer getaway, Nantucket quickly rose to the top of the list.
After spending four days on the island this June, I can officially say it lived up to every expectation.
If you’re planning a trip to the island, this Nantucket itinerary covers exactly how we spent four days exploring, eating, walking, and soaking in everything the island has to offer.
Before we dive in, I saved our entire trip to a Nantucket Highlight on Instagram. If you’re a visual planner like I am, it’s a great companion to this guide and follows our trip day by day. You can view it here.
We visited Monday through Thursday, and the difference in crowds was noticeable.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday felt relaxed and easy. Restaurants were busy but manageable, shops weren’t overcrowded, and the island never felt hectic.
By Thursday, however, you could feel the shift. The incoming ferries brought a significant increase in visitors, and downtown felt much busier almost immediately.
If your schedule allows, I would absolutely recommend planning your trip earlier in the week.
This may have been the biggest surprise of the trip.
Even in June, Nantucket can feel chilly.
The mornings were cool, the evenings were cool, and once the sun dipped below the horizon, the ocean breeze really kicked in.
I found myself reaching for a sweater or light jacket almost every day.
The weather also changes quickly. We experienced sunshine, clouds, mist, and brief rain showers that seemed to appear out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly.
Layers are your friend.
Yes, you want the cute Nantucket outfits.
I did too.
But trust me on this one: comfortable shoes matter.
We walked everywhere. Between downtown, the wharf, Brant Point, restaurants, shopping, and simply wandering the side streets, we covered far more ground than I expected.
Nantucket is incredibly walkable, which is one of the things that makes it so special, but those cobblestone streets are not exactly friendly to uncomfortable shoes.
Pack the cute outfit, but pair it with shoes you can comfortably walk several miles in.
Your feet will thank you.
One thing that made me a little sad?
We were just a touch too early for peak hydrangea season.
The first week of June brought plenty of beautiful flowers throughout the island, but the iconic giant hydrangea blooms Nantucket is famous for weren’t quite at their peak yet.
If hydrangeas are high on your Nantucket bucket list, I’d probably push your trip a few weeks later into late June or early July.
That said, the island was still absolutely beautiful and there were plenty of other flowers blooming everywhere we looked.
We landed at Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) around 3:30 PM on Monday afternoon.
First things first: ACK may be the cutest airport I’ve ever been through.
It is easily the smallest airport I’ve ever visited, and stepping off the plane immediately feels different from arriving anywhere else. The pace slows down almost instantly.
From the airport, we grabbed an Uber and headed straight to our hotel.
We absolutely loved our stay at The Veranda House.
The location couldn’t have been better. It’s tucked just a few blocks from downtown, making almost everything walkable throughout your stay. We never rented a car and never felt like we needed one.
One of my favorite touches was all of the little hospitality details. Every morning they offered a complimentary breakfast, there were drinks available in the lobby throughout the day, and each afternoon they put out sweet treats for guests. Small details, but they made the experience feel extra welcoming.
What made me love it even more was learning a bit about the history of the property.
The Veranda House dates back to 1684, making it one of Nantucket’s oldest and most iconic homes. Originally built as a private residence, it stood on the island for centuries before eventually becoming the charming inn that so many visitors have come to know and love today.
For generations, the property was part of Nantucket’s story. Then, in July 2022, tragedy struck when a devastating fire destroyed the historic building. A landmark that had stood for more than 300 years was suddenly gone.
Rather than replacing it with something entirely new, the island chose to honor its history. The Veranda House was carefully rebuilt, preserving the character and charm that made it such a beloved part of downtown Nantucket.
Today, it somehow feels both historic and fresh at the same time, which honestly feels like the perfect description of Nantucket itself.



After dropping our bags, we headed straight toward downtown and the wharf area.
Our first stop?
The Juice Bar.
And honestly, it became a daily tradition.
We ended up getting ice cream here every single afternoon during our trip.
If you’re visiting Nantucket, my recommendation is to grab ice cream earlier in the day rather than after dinner. The lines become incredibly long in the evenings, and you’ll save yourself quite a bit of waiting.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely.


After our ice cream stop, we spent the afternoon doing exactly what I think Nantucket does best: wandering.
We walked through the downtown area, popped in and out of shops, admired the architecture, and simply soaked in the atmosphere.
One of the first things you’ll notice when walking through downtown is the cobblestone streets.
They’re beautiful, charming, and admittedly a little rough on your feet if you’re wearing the wrong shoes.
What I didn’t realize before visiting is that those cobblestones are actually part of Nantucket’s history. Main Street’s iconic cobblestones date back to the island’s whaling era in the 1800s and have become one of the most recognizable features of downtown.
There’s something incredibly special about walking the same streets that sailors, merchants, and whaling families once walked hundreds of years ago.
Every side street seemed to lead to another beautiful home, charming garden, window box overflowing with flowers, or hidden corner worth exploring.
Honestly, downtown Nantucket felt less like a tourist destination and more like stepping into a storybook.


For dinner, we walked to CRU.
Before our trip, multiple people told me I had to order the lobster roll.
They were right.
It absolutely lived up to the hype.
I also ordered their cucumber cocktail, which was incredibly refreshing after a day of travel and walking around town.
If you’re planning a Nantucket trip, here’s my biggest restaurant tip:
Make reservations as early as possible.
Many restaurants don’t release reservations until about two weeks before, but when they do, they fill quickly. If there’s somewhere specific you’re hoping to eat, set a reminder and book as soon as reservations open.


After dinner, we made the short walk to Brant Point to watch the sunset.
It ended up being one of my favorite moments of the entire trip.
Brant Point is home to one of the oldest lighthouse sites in America, and watching the boats move through the harbor as the sun set behind them felt like the perfect welcome to Nantucket.
The lighthouse, sailboats drifting through the harbor, golden light reflecting off the water—it was every bit as beautiful as I’d hoped it would be.
Another thing worth mentioning: Nantucket felt incredibly safe.
We walked everywhere after dark and never once felt uncomfortable.
That said, once the sun goes down, the ocean breeze is no joke. Even in June, the temperature drops quickly, and you’ll definitely want a sweater or light jacket with you.
After sunset, we made the easy walk back to The Veranda House, settled into our room, and called it a night.
A pretty perfect first day on Nantucket.



One of the best parts of vacation is getting to do things you never get to do at home.
So on our second day, we slept in.
No alarms. No rushing out the door. No editing queue waiting for me. Just a slow morning, which honestly felt like a luxury in itself.
My friend Tam and her fiancé were taking the ferry over for a day trip, so we met them downtown for brunch at Lemon Press.
We grabbed a table and spent the morning catching up before heading out to explore.
The French toast was incredible, and the coffee was exactly what I needed after a full day of travel and exploring the afternoon before.
If you’re looking for a casual breakfast or brunch spot downtown, I would definitely recommend it.


After brunch, we wandered through town and popped into what felt like every shop we passed.
One thing I quickly learned about Nantucket is that shopping here feels less like shopping and more like treasure hunting.
A few of my favorites:
Absolutely adorable.
This was one of those stores where I wanted to take photos of everything. Beautiful home décor, gifts, and all kinds of Nantucket-inspired finds.
If you’re interested in Nantucket history, don’t skip this one.
The collection of lightship baskets was incredible.
Lightship baskets are one of Nantucket’s most famous traditions, originally woven by sailors and whalers in the 1800s. Today they’re considered one of the island’s most iconic handcrafted heirlooms.
The woman working there also recommended the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum, which ended up becoming one of my favorite stops later in the trip.
More on that in Day Four.
This ended up being my favorite souvenir shop on the island.
If you’re looking for gifts, ornaments, Nantucket apparel, or something to bring home, definitely stop here.
Another favorite.
I found the cutest gold Nantucket basket necklace here, and we picked up our annual Christmas ornament.
One of my favorite traditions is buying an ornament everywhere we travel so that our Christmas tree ends up telling the story of places we’ve been together.






After exploring downtown, Tam and her fiancé headed off on their own adventure while Jeff and I grabbed an Uber to Siasconset, more commonly known as Sconset.
And honestly?
If I could only recommend one thing outside of downtown Nantucket, it would probably be Sconset.
The cottages almost don’t feel real. Every home seemed more charming than the last, with climbing roses wrapping around white picket fences and gardens so beautiful they looked staged for a magazine shoot.
We came specifically for the Sconset Bluff Walk.
The walk itself is only about a mile each way, but I don’t think I’ve ever taken so many photos during such a short distance.
Every few steps we’d stop and say, “Wow.”
Then we’d walk another fifty feet and say it again.
The path winds behind some of Nantucket’s most beautiful cottages while offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
At one point along the walk, there’s public beach access for Bluff Walk visitors, allowing you to head down to the shoreline and enjoy the water up close. If you’re planning to venture down, make sure you’re wearing shoes that can handle a little sand.




After the Bluff Walk, we stopped at Sconset Market.
And this ended up being one of my favorite little discoveries of the trip.
The market itself is adorable.
We grabbed a turkey sandwich, a slice of carrot cake, and took a much-needed break after walking.
I also found one of my favorite souvenirs from the entire trip: a canvas tote featuring a watercolor illustration of the market.
It’s one of those simple purchases that instantly reminds me of a place whenever I see it.
Claudette’s is right around the corner and is also very popular, but it was packed when we arrived and I wasn’t in the mood to squeeze into another crowded spot, so Sconset Market ended up being the perfect choice.



After heading back to the hotel for a quick recharge (literally—we needed to charge our phones after taking approximately one million photos), we met back up with Tam for our daily Juice Bar ice cream run.
At this point, it had officially become a tradition.
After saying goodbye before her ferry departure, Jeff and I continued exploring.
We spent some time browsing through Nantucket Antiques Depot and several other antique shops nearby.
Even if you’re not actively shopping, I highly recommend wandering through a few antique stores while you’re on the island. So many pieces have stories connected to Nantucket’s maritime and whaling history.


Next, we made a stop at the famous Hospital Thrift Shop.
This place gets a lot of attention online and on social media.
Personally?
It was just okay for me.
I’m glad we stopped, but it wasn’t one of the highlights of the trip.
That said, thrifting is always hit or miss, and part of the fun is never knowing what you’ll find.
Next up was the Whaling Museum.
And this is a stop I would absolutely recommend.
I’ll be honest, I expected a small local museum. What I found was something a bit larger than I anticipated and much more comprehensive than just whaling history.
While the island’s whaling heritage is certainly the centerpiece, the museum also does a great job exploring Nantucket’s broader history and how the island evolved over time.
Some parts were difficult and sad to learn about, but understanding that history gave so much context to everything we’d been seeing around town.
There are artifacts, exhibits, historic items, and even a massive sperm whale skeleton suspended inside.
And whatever you do, don’t skip the rooftop observation deck.
The views alone are worth the visit.
The gift shop was also one of the better museum gift shops I visited on the island and definitely worth a browse before you leave.





For dinner, we had reservations at Straight Wharf Restaurant.
This ended up being my favorite dinner of the entire trip.
We were seated in one of the more intimate dining spaces in the back, separate from the main dining room, and the whole experience felt special from start to finish.
The food was wonderful, the service was fantastic, and the atmosphere felt distinctly Nantucket.
If you’re only making a few dinner reservations during your trip, I would absolutely put Straight Wharf Restaurant near the top of the list.



To finish the day, we grabbed an Uber out to Madaket Beach for sunset.
And wow.
We’d watched the sunset at Brant Point the night before, and honestly, both were equally beautiful, just in completely different ways.
Brant Point felt quintessentially Nantucket. The lighthouse, sailboats drifting through the harbor, and charming waterfront views made it feel like something straight out of a postcard.
Madaket, on the other hand, felt wilder.
The beach is much more expansive, and the tall beach grass, dunes, and wildflowers made it feel completely different from anywhere else we visited on the island.
It felt less polished and more untouched in the best possible way.
The views stretch on forever, and the sunsets here are famous for a reason.
Every few minutes the colors shifted again. It was one of those moments where everyone around you quietly stops talking and just watches.
Just down the road is Millie’s, which was recommended to us by multiple locals.
We didn’t end up eating there this trip, but almost everyone we spoke with suggested grabbing dinner there before watching the sunset.
It’s already on my list for our next visit.
By the time we made it back to the hotel that evening, we’d packed an incredible amount into one day.
Good food, beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and more photos than my phone storage probably appreciated.
A pretty perfect Nantucket day.


Day three was hands down my favorite day of the entire trip.
I think because it felt the least scheduled.
There was no rushing from reservation to reservation, no strict itinerary, and no pressure to check things off a list. It was simply a day spent enjoying the island.
We started the morning with a walk from The Veranda House to Handlebar Café.
And in my opinion?
The best coffee on the island.
My go-to order became an iced latte with white chocolate syrup, and I ordered it more than once during our stay because it was just that good.
If you’re a coffee person, add Handlebar to your list.


After coffee, we walked to Jetties Beach.
It’s about a twenty-minute walk from downtown, though you can also hop on The Wave, Nantucket’s public transportation system. The buses are free and incredibly easy to use, making them a great option if you’re trying to get around without renting a car.
We chose to walk.
One thing I loved about Nantucket was how often we’d start walking somewhere with a destination in mind and then get distracted by beautiful homes, flowers, and side streets along the way.
Eventually we made it to Jetties and spent the morning walking along the beach.
If you continue down the shoreline, you’ll eventually find yourself near Steps Beach, which was every bit as beautiful as everyone says it is.
The stairs, the dunes, the ocean views, and the cottages overlooking the water made it feel like one of those places you immediately understand the hype around.
I spent a few hours shell hunting and wandering the shoreline.
I also managed to earn myself a pretty impressive sunburn on my neck.
So consider that your reminder to reapply sunscreen.


After a morning at the beach, we grabbed lunch at Jetties Beach Bar.
And honestly?
This was my favorite lunch of the entire trip.
The fried shrimp appetizer was excellent.
The fish tacos were excellent.
The atmosphere was excellent.
But more than anything, it was just a vibe.
They had a great playlist going, people were enjoying the sunshine, kids were running around, and everyone just seemed relaxed.
If you’re traveling with little ones, there’s also a playground directly across the parking lot, which looked like such a fun setup for families spending the day at Jetties.
I think that’s ultimately why this became my favorite day of the trip.
It wasn’t about seeing the most things.
It was about slowing down.
Walking along the water.
Feeling the breeze.
Getting a little sunburned.
And simply enjoying where we were.


After lunch, we hopped on The Wave and headed back into town to catch our 1:30 PM sailing excursion aboard The Endeavor.
If you’re debating whether or not to book a sail while you’re in Nantucket, my answer would absolutely be yes.
The Endeavor is captained by Captain Jim, and reservations are coordinated through his wife, Sue.
They are both incredibly kind, welcoming people, and you can tell they’ve spent years sharing their love of Nantucket with visitors.
In fact, Captain Jim has been sailing The Endeavor for more than 40 years.
Forty years.
Something about that felt so Nantucket to me. Spending decades doing the same thing, on the same boat, in the same harbor, sharing the island with visitors from all over the world.
Honestly, it sounds like a dream.
Our sail lasted about an hour and a half and ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.
Seeing the island from the water gives you a completely different perspective.
The harbor, the coastline, the sailboats, the historic homes—it all feels different when viewed from the sea.
This is also where those layers I mentioned earlier become important.
The breeze on the water can be chilly, even on a warm day.
You’ll also want to wear shoes that can get a little wet because sea spray is definitely part of the experience.






After our sail, we did what had become our daily routine.
We went back to The Juice Bar.
At this point I had fully committed to the waffle cone.
If you’re getting ice cream here, I highly recommend it.
We spent the rest of the afternoon strolling through downtown, revisiting a few favorite shops and soaking in the last full day of our trip.
One stop worth mentioning is Murray’s Toggery Shop.
Founded in 1945, it’s one of Nantucket’s most iconic stores and home to the famous Nantucket Reds, a faded red pant color that has become synonymous with New England coastal style.
Even if you’re not shopping, it’s worth popping in just for the history.



That evening, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner at Galley Beach.
This restaurant had been recommended to me by several people before our trip, and the setting is undeniably beautiful.
Tables are set right along the sand, and on a clear evening I can absolutely see why people rave about the sunset views.
Unfortunately for us, rain clouds moved in that evening.
No sunset.
Which was definitely a bit of a bummer.
That said, the restaurant itself was lovely, and the food was excellent.
I would absolutely recommend it, though I might keep my fingers crossed for better weather than we had.



After dinner, we headed back toward downtown.
One thing I loved about Nantucket was how safe and walkable everything felt, even after dark.
The streets were still lively, people were out enjoying the evening, and the cooler nighttime temperatures made wandering around even more enjoyable.
We grabbed a little sweet treat, took one final stroll through town, and headed back to The Veranda House.
The next morning would be our last on the island.
And at that point, neither of us was quite ready to leave.
Day three was everything I had hoped Nantucket would be.
Relaxed.
Beautiful.
Unhurried.
And the kind of day that reminds you how nice it is to simply slow down for a while.
Our final day on Nantucket started with clouds and rain.
Thankfully, neither of us were about to let a little weather get in the way of our last few hours on the island.
And naturally, we started the morning with a walk to Handlebar Café.
For what, you ask?
Another iced latte with white chocolate syrup.
At this point, I think it’s safe to say it was my favorite coffee order of the trip.
After coffee, we wandered through a few shops while waiting for more places to open. One thing we learned during our trip is that Nantucket mornings are slow, especially compared to what we’re used to at home.
Since the weather wasn’t cooperating, we decided it was the perfect time to head out and do a little more exploring.



This ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the trip.
Remember the woman at Sylvia Antiques who recommended it?
She was absolutely right.
If you go—
No, when you go—
Take the guided tour.
Trust me.
When we arrived, Jeffery and I ended up being the only two people on the tour, and we were paired with the sweetest local woman who guided us through the museum.
I wish I could remember her name because she was absolutely wonderful.
She walked us through the exhibits, shared stories behind many of the artifacts, and brought the history to life in a way that simply wouldn’t have happened had we wandered through on our own.
The museum explores Nantucket’s long history of shipwrecks and the brave surfmen who risked their lives rescuing sailors along the island’s shores.
Given Nantucket’s location and unpredictable weather, hundreds of ships have been lost off its coast over the centuries.
The exhibits themselves are fascinating, but what made this experience so memorable was hearing the history from a person rather than reading it from a wall or listening to an audio guide.
You could tell she genuinely loved Nantucket and loved sharing its stories.
It ended up being one of the most enjoyable and educational experiences of our entire trip.
So if they offer you a guided tour, absolutely take it.





After the museum, it was time to head back to town and check out of The Veranda House.
Thankfully, they were kind enough to hold our luggage for us so we could enjoy the rest of the afternoon without dragging suitcases around downtown.
One more reason we loved staying there.
And somewhere between leaving the museum and getting back into town, the weather completely changed.
The rain stopped.
The clouds began to break apart.
And before long, the sun was shining.
What started as a gray and rainy morning turned into a beautiful Nantucket afternoon.
Honestly, we got incredibly lucky.
One thing we discovered during our trip was that admission to the Whaling Museum also included access to the Hadwen House.
If you enjoy history, it’s definitely worth stopping by.
The house was built in 1846 for William Hadwen, one of Nantucket’s wealthiest whale-oil merchants, and offers a fascinating glimpse into life on the island during the height of the whaling era.
Unlike some historic homes that feel perfectly restored and polished, the Hadwen House feels more like stepping back in time. What I found most interesting was seeing how interior design, furnishings, and everyday objects evolved throughout the years.
The exhibits walk you through different periods of Nantucket’s history and offer a closer look at how families lived during the island’s most prosperous years.
My favorite part was actually the top floor.
That’s where you’ll find the lightship basket exhibit, which I absolutely loved after spending the previous few days spotting them all over the island. Learning more about their history and craftsmanship gave me an even greater appreciation for just how iconic they are to Nantucket.



For lunch, we stopped at Provisions.
I had seen Provisions recommended all over social media before our trip, so it had been on my list from the beginning.
Thankfully, it absolutely lived up to the hype.
One thing I loved is that it’s really two spots in one. There’s a coffee and breakfast counter with pastries, baked goods, and morning favorites, and then there’s a separate sandwich counter where you can order lunch.
Jeffery ordered the BLT, and I ordered the ham and Swiss.
Both were delicious.
Simple, fresh, and exactly what we wanted before our flight home.
If you’re looking for a quick breakfast, coffee stop, or lunch downtown, I would definitely recommend adding Provisions to your itinerary.



After lunch, we took one final stroll around downtown.
We walked down toward the harbor, admired the boats one last time, and soaked in as much Nantucket charm as possible before heading home.
We also stopped into Erica Wilson.
If you’ve ever seen Nantucket needlepoint, you’ve likely seen Erica Wilson’s influence.
The shop was absolutely adorable and felt like such a classic Nantucket stop.
Back near The Juice Bar, we made our final pilgrimage for ice cream.
Four days.
Four ice cream runs.
No regrets.
At this point, it felt like a required part of the itinerary.


One of our final stops was The Oldest House.
Built in 1686, it is considered the oldest surviving home on Nantucket.
The walk there ended up being just as enjoyable as the destination itself.
We wandered through quiet residential streets lined with historic homes, overflowing flower boxes, climbing roses, and gardens that seemed to become more beautiful around every corner.
As a photographer, these were often my favorite moments of the trip.
Not the major attractions.
Not the restaurants.
Just walking slowly through neighborhoods and noticing the details.
We probably saw more beautiful homes and flowers during this walk than almost anywhere else on the island.







By the time we made our way back to The Veranda House to grab our luggage, we still had about thirty minutes before heading to the airport.
So we grabbed a seat on the front porch near the fire pit and simply sat for a while.
No agenda.
No plans.
No rushing to the next thing.
Just soaking in our last few moments on the island.
The sunshine.
The breeze.
The sounds of town in the distance.
And honestly, it was the perfect ending.

Eventually it was time to call an Uber and head back to ACK.
One final thing worth mentioning:
The Nantucket airport is incredibly easy.
Because it’s so small, you don’t need to arrive hours before your flight.
Security took all of two minutes, there are only a couple of gates, and the entire experience felt refreshingly stress-free.
Our flight home wasn’t until around 4:45 PM, which meant we were able to enjoy nearly a full final day on the island before leaving.
I would highly recommend doing the same if your schedule allows.
Those extra hours ended up being some of our favorites.
And just like that, our four days in Nantucket came to an end.
A place that had been living rent-free in my head for the past year somehow managed to exceed every expectation.
It’s charming without feeling pretentious.
Historic without feeling stuffy.
And somehow manages to make you slow down the moment you arrive.
But more than anything, Nantucket reminded me of something I think we all forget sometimes.
Not every trip has to be packed from sunrise to sunset.
Some of my favorite moments weren’t reservations or attractions at all.
They were long walks down quiet streets.
Ice cream in the middle of the afternoon.
Sitting on the porch of The Veranda House watching the sunshine dance across town.
Shell hunting along the shoreline.
And stopping every few minutes along the Bluff Walk just to say, “Wow.”
For four days, life felt a little slower.
And maybe that’s the real magic of Nantucket.
Until next time.
xo,
Tess
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