Salt air, hydrangea-swirled cottages, and the soft creak of wooden wharves — Nantucket feels like a photograph come to life. Walk Main Street at golden hour and you’ll find fishermen’s nets, coral-pink Nantucket Reds, and the lighthouse beacons of Brant Point and Great Point punctuating the horizon.

Whether you’re hunting heirloom craft or little reminders of foghorns and oyster shacks, here’s what to buy in Nantucket — the best souvenirs from Nantucket to bring a piece of the island home with you.

1. Nantucket Lightship Basket

Why pick this up: The lightship basket is the island’s signature craft: a small, handwoven masterpiece born from whaling-era practicality that has become a timeless keepsake. It’s tactile, storied, and unmistakably Nantucket.
What to look for: Tight, even weaving, original oak or ash ribs, and a well-fitted wooden base. Authentic pieces may be signed by the maker; newer reproductions still make lovely gifts.
Price bracket (2025): $150–$3,000 (reproductions to antique collectors’ pieces)
Where to find it: Nantucket Lightship Basket artisans on Main Street, the Nantucket Whaling Museum gift shop, and select galleries on Old South Wharf.

2. Nantucket Reds (clothing)

Why pick this up: That faded, sun-kissed terracotta hue is a fashion statement as much as a souvenir — perfect for summer evenings or seaside strolls.
What to look for: Classic cotton twill pants, jackets, or caps from established shops; the gently faded ‘salt-washed’ finish is part of the charm.
Price bracket (2025): $80–$250
Where to find it: Murray’s Toggery Shop on Main Street and other island clothing boutiques.

3. Cisco Brewers & Local Brews

Why pick this up: Nantucket’s craft beer scene (headed up by Cisco) captures the island’s easygoing spirit — hoppy, coastal ales and seasonal releases make great gifts or picnic companions.
What to look for: Limited releases or cans labeled for Nantucket-only drops; souvenir packs and branded glassware often available.
Price bracket (2025): $3–$12 per bottle/can; $10–$25 for tasting room packs
Where to find it: Cisco Brewers tasting room and retail outlets around the harbor.

4. Sea Glass Jewelry

Why pick this up: Smooth stones shaped by wind and waves are turned into delicate, seaside jewelry — each piece literally carried by the ocean.
What to look for: Hand-set sea glass in sterling or gold-fill settings, pieces credited to local artisans, and certificates for rarer colors.
Price bracket (2025): $30–$200
Where to find it: Jewelry boutiques on Main Street, the Artists Association of Nantucket, and pop-up stands at the Farmers & Artisans Market.

5. Cranberry Preserves and Syrups

Why pick this up: Cape Cod cranberries are a New England staple; on Nantucket you’ll find small-batch preserves and syrups that pair beautifully with cheese or pancakes.
What to look for: Single-ingredient jams, cranberry-curated chutneys, and locally produced syrups with minimal preservatives.
Price bracket (2025): $8–$20
Where to find it: Bartlett’s Farm, farmers’ market stalls, and specialty food shops on Old South Wharf.

6. Nantucket Sea Salt

Why pick this up: Harvested from the Atlantic and often flavored with local herbs, island sea salt is a kitchen-friendly souvenir that recalls the island’s briny edge.
What to look for: Small-batch, hand-harvested flor de sal or smoked varieties, artisanal packaging for gifting.
Price bracket (2025): $6–$20
Where to find it: Gourmet shops, Bartlett’s Farm, and the Whaling Museum gift shop.

7. Whaling Prints, Books & Nautical Maps

Why pick this up: Nantucket’s whaling past is woven into its identity; vintage-style prints, reproduction maps, and local history books make evocative mementos.
What to look for: Reproductions of whaling lithographs, historic charts of Nantucket Sound, and photography books featuring the lighthouses and Siasconset roses.
Price bracket (2025): $15–$250
Where to find it: Nantucket Whaling Museum gift shop, independent bookstores on Main Street, and gallery shops.

8. Island-Made Candles & Soaps

Why pick this up: Scents like salt air, sea lavender, and hydrangea evoke memories of porch swings and harbor breezes; artisan candles and soaps are easy to pack and gift.
What to look for: Natural ingredients, soy or beeswax candles, and fragrances inspired by local flora or shoreline.
Price bracket (2025): $12–$40
Where to find it: Boutiques on Federal Street, handmade stalls at the Farmers & Artisans Market, and small-batch makers around the island.

9. Local Honey & Preserves

Why pick this up: Nantucket beekeepers produce floral, nuanced honey — a sweet, small-batch reminder of meadow walks and salt-scented fields.
What to look for: Raw, unfiltered honey and conserves that list floral sources (bayberry, seaside wildflower) and local producers.
Price bracket (2025): $8–$25
Where to find it: Bartlett’s Farm, farmers’ market, and farm stands in Siasconset.

10. Original Art & Photography (lighthouses, dunes, Sconset)

Why pick this up: A framed print or small original captures the exact light of the island — the pink-hued mornings at Siasconset, the lonely sweep of Great Point.
What to look for: Signed prints from local photographers and painters, limited editions, or small originals sized for easy transport.
Price bracket (2025): $20–$600
Where to find it: Galleries along Main Street, the Artists Association of Nantucket, and pop-up shows during summer weekends.

Bringing back souvenirs from Nantucket is a way to carry the island’s salt-washed stories home — pack fragile items carefully and ask shops on Main Street or the Whaling Museum for sturdy boxes. ✈️

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!