Spending time on Nantucket in the summer is magical. The beaches. The lighthouses. The hydrangea. The ice cream. Whether you’re planning your first trip to the island this summer, or returning to your happy place, indulging in an ice cream cone (or two) is a must!
Below are the best ice cream shops on the island and I see nothing wrong with hitting up one of these destinations after your family photo session with Caeli Richter Photography!
Or, for something less traditional, why not consider a family photo session with ice cream?! It’s one of my, and my daughters’, favorite activities to photograph – melted ice cream dripping down their hands and rainbow sprinkles stuck everywhere!
Downtown
- THE JUICE BAR – An island institution, serving homemade ice cream and fresh waffle cones. Sure the line wraps around the block and across the street, but it’s for good reason! The line moves quickly and is worth the wait!
- JACK & CHARLIE’S ICE CREAM – A fun, family-friendly spot with music playing out into the streets. Its handcrafted ice cream is my own family’s favorite and they even have doggie-cones for your pup!
- NANTUCKET PHARMACY – A nostalgic spot right on Main Street that not only offers pharmaceutical needs, but also serves up tasty ice cream treats at its old-fashioned soda fountain!
- SURFSIDE TACO STAND – Best known for it’s full menu of quick eats, but it is also home to the only soft serve ice cream on the island!
Mid-Island
- ISLAND KITCHEN – Home to a wide selection of ice cream flavors – the ones you’d expect…and the ones you don’t! Located away from the downtown crowds and offers plenty of parking!
- 3-WAY SCOOPS – Conveniently located within walking distance of both the Naushop and Sandpiper Place neighborhoods – 3-Way Scoops is known for their “Flavor of the Week” and homemade waffle cones. Perfectly located across the street from Discovery Playground at Hinsdale Park – my daughters’ favorite playground on Nantucket.
- YUMMY – Lives up to its name with tasty ice cream treats and a full menu of sandwiches and salads. Perfect after a day at the beach…or when you just need a break from meal prep!
Other Great Spots for Ice Cream
- SCONSET MARKET – Serving tasty ice cream perfect for enjoying as you stroll through the quaint Sconset streets. Perfect place to treat the family after your photo session at Sankaty Head Lighthouse.
- MILLIE’S MARKET – Conveniently located right off Madaket Beach, this is the go-to spot for anyone enjoying the western coastline of Nantucket. Madaket is where you want to go for the best chance of catching a beach sunset!
- Madaket | 326 Madaket Road
- SANDBAR – Not your typical “ice cream” spot, my daughters have had ice cream here, so it makes the list! The Sandbar is a casual beachside restaurant that has a small gift shop with a cooler full of ice cream novelties.
Whether you’re treating your family after a successful Nantucket photo session, or planning an ice cream-themed shoot, these are the memories that will bring smiles to you and your family’s faces for years to come!
For more information on family photo sessions in Nantucket, visit my website here.
