Fall in Love With ‘Sconset: A Timeless Nantucket Village

Tucked away at the eastern tip of Nantucket Island, Siasconset, affectionately known as ‘Sconset, is a village of timeless charm, architectural heritage, and captivating coastal beauty. When planning my recent trip to Cape Cod, the main thing on my bucket list was to visit this charming location that appears to be a little lost in time.

 

My first memory of anything having to do with Nantucket was a long past issue of Country Living magazine that featured a home on the island. It was your typical cedar shake cottage architecture that runs rampant on this part of Nantucket. Ever since that day back in my early 20s, I’ve wanted to visit the fairy-tale like community.

 

A Village with Deep Roots

Siasconset was originally settled as a fishing outpost in the 17th century, with some historic structures, like the Jethro Coffin house built in 1686.

 

Over time, the island’s appeal shifted from whaling to leisure. By the 1830s, residents of Nantucket Town began to seek refuge from urban noise and congestion by summering in ‘Sconset.

 

In the late 19th century, the village drew communities of artists and actors. Notable figures from Broadway and beyond—such as Digby Bell, Joseph Jefferson, and Margalo Gillmore—made ‘Sconset their summer retreat, earning it the nickname “The Actors Colony.” In actuality, its name, Siasconset, comes from the Wampanoag language, meaning “place of great bones”—derived from missi (“great”) and askon (“horn or bone”).

 

‘Sconset Bluff Walk

The ‘Sconset Bluff Walk is one of Nantucket’s most enchanting hidden treasures—a public footpath that feels like stepping into a coastal fairytale. Starting near Front Street in the heart of the village, the trail meanders for about a mile along the edge of the bluffs, weaving between the manicured gardens of private cottages and the dramatic sweep of the Atlantic Ocean. I wasn’t leaving the island until I walked that path.

 

What makes the Bluff Walk unique is its intimacy—you’re strolling through a landscape where weathered grey-shingled homes seem to lean toward the sea, their fences draped in climbing roses, while just a few steps away the ocean crashes far below.

 

 

Because the path is public yet passes directly behind private properties, it offers a rare glimpse into the charm of ‘Sconset without feeling commercialized or crowded. Here’s a cottage with an open window facing the path.

 

Let’s zoom in so you can enjoy a peek inside the charming cottage! Perfection, right?

 

Preservation and Architectural Heritage

Today, ‘Sconset is celebrated for its well-preserved architectural fabric. The village possesses structures from the Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian eras—rooted in the island’s mid-19th century economic lull, which inadvertently protected these buildings from redevelopment.

 

These grey-shingled cottages, many draped in vibrant summer roses, evoke a sense of fairytale beauty—especially in early July when the blooms are at their peak. I noticed the sign “Nickanoose” on this island home and later found the meaning. Sachem Nickanoose was a prominent leader in the Native American community on Nantucket. She (yes, she) played a prominent role in resisting English colonization of the island. Nickanoose Way is also a street in ‘Sconset where you’ll find several vacation rentals.

 

The architecture of ‘Sconset is a living history lesson, reflecting more than three centuries of island life. The most iconic homes are the 17th- and 18th-century fishing cottages, some of the oldest continuously occupied houses in the United States.

 

These are typically low, modest structures with weathered cedar shingles, steep roofs, and small-paned windows—built to withstand fierce Atlantic winds. Many of them are adorned with climbing roses in summer, turning the village into a sea of pink and green.

 

In the 19th century, as ‘Sconset became a summer retreat, Greek Revival and Federal-style houses appeared. These brought a touch of formality to the village—white trim, symmetrical facades, and decorative transom windows—while still maintaining Nantucket’s understated aesthetic. Note that I captured a bird in flight by the top of the window!

 

The late 1800s ushered in Victorian and Shingle Style “cottages” (though some are quite grand), built for wealthy vacationers and members of the “Actors Colony.” The larger of these homes often have wraparound porches, decorative woodwork, and sweeping ocean views, blending comfort with drama – but some are still small scale.

 

When we visited Nantucket, leaving the ferry port from Hyannis, we opted to ride the free bus from the town of Nantucket to Siasconset. The bus was late but the drive was scenic along Polpus Road. Although the other bus route is a bit faster, Polpus is much prettier.

 

If you’ve never been to ‘Sconset on the eastern shore of Nantucket, I highly recommend visiting the charming village, even though it takes a bit of wayfaring to get there!

 

See Other Posts from My Trip to Cape Cod:

Magical Journey to Nantucket

Preserved Homes in Sandwich, MA

Fall in Love with the Town of Historic Sandwich