Siasconset, known to everyone as 'Sconset, is a village on the eastern shore, about seven miles from Nantucket Town. It is famous for tiny cedar-shingled cottages, some of them dating back centuries, wreathed in climbing roses and set along narrow lanes. A short walk takes you to the bluff, where a path called the Bluff Walk follows the cliff edge with views over the Atlantic. The village has a small center with a market, a few restaurants and a sleepy, timeless feel. Nearby stands Sankaty Head Light, a red-banded lighthouse built in 1850 on the edge of the high bluff. Erosion threatened the tower as the cliff retreated, and in 2007 the entire structure was moved back from the edge in a notable engineering operation. It remains one of the island's most photographed lighthouses. The light sits on private property, so the best views are from public roads and the paths nearby.
The classic way to reach 'Sconset is by bicycle on the Milestone Road bike path, which runs from town straight across the island and takes about forty-five minutes to an hour at an easy pace. A shuttle bus serves the village in summer, and you can also drive, though parking is limited. Pack water and a picnic, as services in the village are limited and can be closed in the off-season.
Walk the Bluff Walk to see some of the island's most charming cottages from the back, then continue to the lighthouse viewpoint. Respect private gardens and property. The cliffs are eroding, so stay on marked paths and keep well back from the edge. Fog is common on the east side, which can make for atmospheric scenes but limited views.
Good to know
The village has beaches nearby with good surf but limited facilities and strong currents. Summer evenings at the village market and restaurants can be busy, and some businesses are seasonal. For a longer day, combine the visit with the Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum or a loop through the moors on the Polpis Road bike path.
Extras in the village
The center of 'Sconset has a small market, a post office and a few seasonal restaurants, plus a beach with good waves and strong currents. The tiny cottages along the lanes were originally fishermen's shacks that were gradually expanded, and the climbing roses that cover them in June and July are a local trademark.
Bicycle parking is plentiful, and a picnic on the Bluff Walk makes for a relaxed lunch. If you want to see the lighthouse from the best angle, walk along the public path and look back toward the tower. Leave plenty of time for the return ride, since winds can make the trip slower than the outbound journey.
Practical notes
Bring a lock for your bicycle, a picnic if you want to stay long and a windbreaker for the bluff. Public restrooms are limited, so plan stops accordingly. The Bluff Walk is a narrow path with private houses nearby, so keep voices low and stay on the way. Erosion is an ongoing concern, so obey any signs and fencing and stay back from the cliff edge.
What to expect
The experience
A bike ride or drive to a charming village, a cliff walk and a view of a relocated lighthouse.
Best time
Morning or early evening on a clear day, with a bike ride from town.
How long
2-4 hours
Tips
Bring water and a picnic, wear layers and stay behind barriers near the eroding cliffs.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Cyclists and photographers who want a classic village and lighthouse.
- Families
- Older children can manage the bike ride; others can take the shuttle.
- Couples
- A romantic cottage-lane stroll.
- Pair with
- The Shipwreck Museum and the Polpis Road bike path.
- Time needed
- Two to four hours including the ride.
Good questions
How far is 'Sconset from town?+
About seven miles, reachable by the Milestone Road bike path, shuttle bus or car.
Can I visit the lighthouse?+
The light sits on private land, but it can be viewed from public roads and nearby paths.
Why was the lighthouse moved?+
Erosion of the bluff threatened it, so it was relocated inland in 2007.
Is there food in the village?+
There is a small market and a few restaurants, many of them seasonal.
What is the Bluff Walk?+
A public path along the cliff edge with views of the ocean and the village cottages.