Nantucket

Nantucket—a tiny island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts—is a popular vacation destination for Massachusetts. Home to cobblestoned streets, the Brant Point Lighthouse, and the Whaling Museum, it is a slice of paradise and a peaceful getaway.

Overview Attractions / Activities Food Final Comments

At approximately 30 miles (48.3 kilometers) south of Cape Cod, this tiny island is a remote nature escape for local Massachusettsans. Nantucket is also rich in history and abundant in nature, making it a unique destination with many stories to tell.

If you find yourself with a burning desire to visit Nantucket, refer to this Nantucket Adventure Guide to maximize your time here.

Recommended Duration of Visit

2 days (ideal), 1 day (doable)

Click for some interesting facts about Nantucket

The name “Nantucket” is adapted from the Algonquian name for the island, possibly meaning “faraway land or island.”

Before You Go

Flights / Getting There: While possible, flying directly into Nantucket is the least efficient and most cumbersome strategy. Travel via ferry (i.e. through the Steamship Authority) is the best method of transportation to the island. Tickets can be booked for individual travelers or for vehicles as well.

Do note that tickets for vehicles are much more expensive.

Overview

Climate: Nantucket’s climate intuitively follows the normal pattern of North America. There is one distinction: winters (December, January, February) are very cold.

Communication: English is the official language.

Navigation: If you can manage it, traveling by car is, by far, the best way to explore most of what Nantucket has to offer. Due to the abundance of sand and the nature of the roads, a Jeep would be ideal. Some places can only be visited by lowering the tire pressure of your vehicle (a Jeep would be the best for this as well).

Lodging: Lodging, in general, is relatively expensive on the island. Naturally, if longer stays are required, then booking transportation and lodging in advance is ideal.

Activities Planning: Most attractions are free to visit, but some are far enough apart to necessitate driving. Fortunately, the best and most popular attractions can be walked to.

Special Considerations

For more information on booking ferries, refer to the Steamship Authority website. The Steamship Authority is located on 69th street and there will be clear signs indicating “vehicle ferries” and “Steamship Authority.”
Arrive 30 minutes prior to departure to ensure that you make it.
As the boat approaches Nantucket, there will be some incredible opportunities for photos and videos, so make sure not to miss that.
Jeeps are extremely popular on the island because they are the best method of transportation to cover all your needs.

General: Winters are especially brutal in this region, but the weather is relatively cold mid-Fall as well. Make sure to bring plenty of cold gear for visits planned during the Fall or Winter.

Peak Seasons: Summer is the ideal and peak season because Nantucket has great weather in the summer.

Currency: United States Dollars (USD). Currency Converter.

Things to Do: Attractions and Activities

Most of the time, attractions are paired up based on similarity and/or proximity. All the names provided are easily searchable on Google Maps.

Brant Point Lighthouse: By far the most recognizable landmark on Nantucket, the Brant Point Lighthouse will be the first to welcome you to the island and the last to bid you farewell. Constructed in 1746, this 26-feet (7.9-meter) tower is the most popular and most photogenic attraction on the island.

While the original wooden tower no longer stands, this modern recreation and National Historic Site is an enduring landmark.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

Old Mill: Built in 1746, the Old Mill is the oldest functioning mill in U.S. history. After numerous repairs over the centuries, the modern mill has become an irreplaceable piece of Nantucket’s history, earning its place among the other National Historic Sites.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 10 – 20 minutes.

Although the lighthouse looks the best around golden hour and sunset, it would be wise to plan a visit as soon as possible once leaving the boat. This area tends to attract insufferable crowds.

The area around the mill is relatively peaceful, making it a great place for a picnic and some much-needed solitude. Also note that parking is quite limited in this area.

The Whaling Museum: The Whaling Museum features over 1000 works of art, a massive sperm whale skeleton, numerous whaling artifacts, and, naturally, an ample amount of history about the influence of whaling on Nantucket.

Despite appearing quite small on the outside, the ‌museum interior is spacious and well-maintained.

Cost: For more information, refer to the official Whaling Museum website. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

Sankaty Head Light: As one of the hidden gems on eastern Nantucket, this red-striped lighthouse sits on an isolated yet picturesque landscape, flanked by the coastline and fields of verdant grass (depending on the season).

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 – 30 minutes.

Parking is very difficult to find near the museum. Ideally, park your vehicle in town and take a brief walk to this museum. The Brant Point Lighthouse is approximately 15 minutes away on foot.

There is a small parking lot right next to the lighthouse. Generally, there aren't many people, but it's simpler to just visit during early mornings or early evenings.

Sconset Bluff Walk: The Sconset Bluff Walk is a footpath that runs along the gorgeous eastern Nantucket shoreline. The path essentially runs through many people’s backyards and that’s part of its unique charm. Throughout the walk, there are numerous paths that lead to the water.

As a bonus, the residents usually leave unique flower arrangements or decorations for visitors, making the experience as unique as the seasons. And since Sconset Bluff runs through many people’s backyards, it’s often quite festive during Halloween and Christmas time.

The path itself goes on for miles, but visitors usually walk until they are satisfied and then turn back.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 90 minutes.

Great Point Beach: Great Point Beach is arguably the best hidden gem in all of Nantucket. Tucked away in the northeastern section of Nantucket, this little slice of paradise in the form of a stunning beach offers a moment of peace away from all the clamor of central Nantucket.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 90 minutes.

Parking near Sconset Bluff is quite tricky. Ideally, just find any suitable spot and start the walk there.

Parking is extremely limited in this area. Most of the time, you'd park slightly off the main road and walk over.