INSIDER’S GUIDE Nantucket Island
We invite you to discover one of our unique travel destinations - the island of Nantucket. Guaranteed to make you smile and appreciate the good things in life.
Experience life on one of New England’s most beautiful and beloved islands. Rich in history, culture and natural beauty, Nantucket has magnificent coastlines with pristine beaches that anyone can visit, the best seafood, and outdoor activities for everyone - sailing, golfing. birdwatching, fishing, bike-riding - all you need to relax and soak in the pleasant joys of summer.
We share our favorite beaches, must-have treats and the sights and activities you can’t miss while on island! Tip: Walking shoes and face masks are necessities.
Named “Best Island in the World” by National Geographic, Nantucket is 27.30 miles from Hyannis, in southeast direction and 30 miles (48.28 kilometers) by ferry, following the HyannisNantucket route.
Travelling to Nantucket by ferry can be a deeply relaxing experience and visitors will be awe-struck by the stunning views as they arrive of historic Brant Point Lighthouse, charming beachside homes and the busy activity of vessels in all shapes and sizes in Nantucket Harbor.
Nantucket’s downtown is designated as a cultural district and you’ll find museums, libraries, art galleries theater, film screenings and restaurants housed in beautifully- maintained and architecturally-significant buildings; Shop in the island’s charming and unusual boutiques on cobblestone-lined Main Street or on other nearby streets. The Island has many historical homes and sites where visitors get a sense of Nantucket’s storied past as an 18th and 19th Century whaling capital and global maritime powerhouse.
The entire Island– 50.47.8 square miles–is a National Historic Landmark, and nearly half of Nantucket’s 30,000 acres are preserved as public open space under the stewardship of the Conservation Foundation and the Nantucket Islands Land Bank. Eighty-two miles of picture-perfect, freely accessible and highly acclaimed beaches alone are worth the visit! But, 32-mile network of gently winding bike paths also invite you to leisurely explore the entire Island.
Published by Mind’s Eye Communications. © 2024
Muskeget Island
Madaket
Jetties
Beach Dionis Beach
Great Point Lighthouse
Coskata
Cisco
Brant Point Lighthouse
Pocomo
Sankaty Lighthout
’Sconset
Surfside
Tom Nevers
Miacomet
TO GET AROUND ON THE ISLAND—walking
and bike paths abound! Additionally, public bus service is available via the NRTA WAVE.
The NRTA schedules its routes and schedules up to a year in advance. With the uncertainty of impacts from Covid-19, the 2021 schedules represents the level of service that NRTA typically provides, but may not reflect the exact services offered. Published services are subject to change without notice; however, updates are provided on the NRTA website, on all buses and at the Greenhound Building (located at 12 Washington Street). Please be assured, the NRTA is taking all the necessary precautions to keep passengers and employees safe. Frequent daily cleaning and sanitizing continue to be a priority. Face masks are required.
Service is not provided Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day.
Sankaty Light
Must See
It’s worth a trip out to the village of SIASCONSET.
Settled as a village in the 17th Century, ’Sconset is at the Eastern end of the Island that looks out across the Atlantic Ocean. Famous for the charm of its quaint, antique rose-covered cottages, the Nantucket Historical Association calls ‘Sconset, “a kind of refinement, or elixir, of all that makes Nantucket beloved—a community of beauty, set against a backdrop of history, with a magic all its own.”
SCONSET BLUFF WALK
The public footpath along the east shore bluffs behind private houses is an exceptional walk. There is no parking specifically for this trail, but there is street parking in town with several accessible parking spaces. The dirt trail is rustic and very narrow and uneven at times. While the views are fantastic, this location would be challenging to navigate for anyone with ambulatory concerns.
Nantucket Lighthouses
When cruising into Nantucket Harbor, you will pass BRANT POINT LIGHTHOUSE (the end of Easton Street). You can walk to this lighthouse from town and it offers amazing photo opportunities. They say when you leave Nantucket and ‘round Brant Point, throw a penny in the water to guarantee your return. If you’re looking to get away from the downtown area, SANKATY LIGHT (at the end of Baxter road in ‘Sconset, pictured above) is a favorite or, if you have access to an oversand vehicle permit, GREAT POINT LIGHT for the more adventuresome!
Brant Point
Great Point
Little GEMS!
FOR BREAKFAST: Visit The Corner Table (22 Federal Street) or the Lemon Press (41 Main St). Both cafes serve locally brewed coffee from Coffee Roasters and have an assortment of breakfast items, including vegan and healthy items on the menus! FOR SHOPPING: investigate Craftmasters (7 India Street). One of the oldest merchants on the Island is Murray’s Toggery on Main Street, where retail genius R.H.Macy first opened a store before moving to New York City. Both Craftmasters and Murray’s Toggery offer very original Nantucket style gifts from clothing, hats, shoes, leather goods, and scrimshaw items. Click on each ad below to visit their websites.
Craftmasters
Museums
There is a lot of history for this little Island, once the whaling capital of the world. Here are our top picks for island history:
• The Nantucket Historical Association is in the center of downtown. You can visit the Whaling Museum located at 15 Broad St, visit its many historical sites, take a downtown walking tour, or a historic house walking tour. The NHA offers an All-Access Pass, which includes the Whaling Museum and several historical sites.
• The Maria Mitchell Association, (5 Vestal Street) is also within walking distance from downtown and this natural sciences organization is home to a science museum, two astronomy observatories, an aquarium, and the Mitchell House. The MMA offers children’s programs, educational programs as well as guided tours. Combo tickets are available for all four properties.
• The Nantucket Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum (3 Polpis Road) preserves the memories of Islanders who risked their lives to save shipwrecked mariners. The Museum is not downtown but is easily accessible by NRTA WAVE or bicycle along the Polis Road. The Museum features permanent and rotating exhibits as well as films.
Favorite Island Treats
If you have a sweet tooth, you will love these long-time island establishments, all located downtown in the historic district!
• Aunt Leah’s Fudge (6 Main Street) has been serving homemade fudge for decades and is a few doors down from our Nantucket Ticket office. Chocolate salted caramel is good, but chocolate peanut butter is so good! It gets better; there are free-tasting samples.
• The Juice Bar (12 Broad Street) has THE BEST homemade ice cream (and juice) that generations of Islanders and tourists enjoy each summer. The waffle cones are home-made and the list of creative flavors is long. The line to get served can stretch down the block, but the wait is worth it..
• The Nantucket Cookie Company (2 Steamboat Wharf) is a small seaside bakery nestled inside the Easy Street Cantina. All cookies are made from scratch with no preservatives. Offering specialty cookies, gift tins, gift baskets, scones, muffins, and more
Take a seashell and please leave only footprints.
Beaches
Nantucket beaches are pristine and beautiful – some of the best in the world. If you can drive to Great Point or Coatue in a four-wheel-drive vehicle (permit required), you will experience some of the most unusual and magical places on the Island. You will see seals frolicking in the surf, sandpipers, gulls, and smooth, sand-washed stones and shells – flora and fauna magically untouched.
CHILDREN’S BEACH (3 HARBOR VIEW WAY)
Overlooking the harbor, Children’s Beach also has a large grassy open space and playground, making it a great spot for families. A public boat landing is here also, where small vessels are launched daily—a fun activity to watch!
Distance: Short walk from downtown or short bike ride.
Surf: No surf, shallow water.
Facilities: Lifeguard, restaurant and restrooms.
BRANT POINT (End of Easton Street)
This beach overlooks the harbor’s only access to the sea and from this vanatgae point you’ll experience plenty of boats coming and going, and all swimmers need to be be alert to the at-times heavy boat traffic. In the evening, fishermen cast from the rocks of Brant Point Lighthouse.
Distance: Moderate walk from Town or short bike ride.
Surf: No surf, strong current, good for fishing, not swimming.
Facilities: No lifeguard; food and restrooms nearby at Children’s Beach
CISCO BEACH (End of Hummock Pond Road)
A beautiful out-of-the-way beach, Cisco is also popular for surfing when the “surf is up!” Several surf schools are based here. If you don’t have a board, body surfing is great fun here. We would not recommend this beach for small children.
Distance: Four-mile bike ride from Town on the bike path.
Surf: Heavy (not good for small children).
Facilities: Lifeguards, but no food or restrooms.
JETTIES BEACH (End of Bathing Beach Road)
The perfect spot to watch the ferry arrive and depart. This large, popular beach faces the calm waters of Nantucket Sound and is great for all ages. Here you can take long shoreline walks. There are also swings and a slide and public tennis courts. The 4th of July fireworks are set off from here!
Distance: Beach bus available, moderate walk from Town or easy bike ride.
Surf: No surf, easy swimming water.
Facilities: Lifeguards, restaurant and restrooms
DIONIS BEACH (off Eel Point Road)
This is a wonderful, expansive beach for families; great for picnics, cookouts (don’t forget to get a charcoal fire permit from the Fire Dept.), surf-casting and swimming. The surf is mild, the shells plentiful and the dunes beautiful. This beach has the largest dunes on the Island. Please do not climb or drive on the vegetation, as it causes erosion! Fourwheel drive vehicles are allowed only with a town beach sticker.
Distance: Three miles by bike from Town (bike path available).
Surf: Mild.
Facilities: Lifeguards, restrooms, but no food.
SIASCONSET (End of Gully Road)
This lovely beach borders the village of Siasconset (also known informally as ’Sconset). It is a large beach, seven miles from the Town of Nantucket. Prevailing winds can cause seaweed to come onshore at times.
Distance: Buses from town or seven-mile bike ride on bike path.
Surf: Moderate to heavy (watch children carefully).
Facilities: Lifeguard, food nearby in ’Sconset town; restrooms in the town, not on the beach.
Beaches continued
SURFSIDE BEACH (End of Surfside Road)
This beach is always popular. It is easy accessed via the bike path. Make sure you supervise your children, as the surf can be heavy on some days.
Distance: Beach bus or three-mile bike ride on bike path.
Surf: Moderate to heavy (watch children carefully).
Facilities: Lifeguard, snack bar and restrooms.
MADAKET (End of Madaket Road)
Madaket is the farthest west that you can go to enjoy our beaches. The bike path to get here is very scenic, and if it’s sunsets you’re looking for, this is where to be. The beach is large, lovely and far from town.
Distance: NRTA bus from town or five miles by bike (bike path available).
Surf: Heavy (not good for children).
Facilities: Lifeguards; food and restrooms nearby.
Bike Paths
Click for details on Bike Paths
TAKE NOTE:
When riding a bike on island, please obey the rules of the road.
Ride on the bike paths whenever possible. Bike paths are two way, used by bike riders, runners and walkers often with dogs. Please pay attention to those around you to keep youself and others safe. Stop at the stop signs on the bike paths.
Cliff Road Path – From Cliff Beach to Madaket Road.
Eel Point Road Path – Along Eel Point Road out toward Dionis Beach.
Fairgrounds Road Bike Path – From Old South Road to Surfside Road.
Nobadeer Farm Road Path – Along Nobadeer to Old South road.
Madaket Road Path – This path starts at the Caton Circle and goes out Madaket Road 5.7 miles to Madaket Beach.
Milestone Road Path – A nice long path from the rotary out to Sconset Beach. This path is 6.8 miles in length.
Polpis Road Path – Start at the Rotary and head along Polpis Road to Sconset beach for a 9.5 mile ride.
Surfside Road Path – This 2.2 mile long path goes from the high school to Surfside Beach.
Coming to Nantucket? This is for you!
Grey Lady is a mini-series that welcomes travelers to Nantucket Island! This multimedia guide introduces visitors to our popular beaches, how to get around on island without car, spotlights many of our historic sites, helps visitors with resources, provides friendly reminders on safety, and encourages visitors to leave only footprints. Check out the series!
Did you know: Why Nantucket is sometimes called “The Grey Lady”?
It earned the nickname “the Gray Lady” because of the thick fog that regularly rolls in from the sea and blankets the Island. Greek Revival houses and museums, such as the Whaling Museum, carry echoes of the mid-19th Century, when Nantucket was the world’s foremost whaling port. Nantucket was (and still is) a busy place, dubbed the “Gray Lady of the Sea” by sailors.
Recommended APPs for Nantucket Travelers
Click on the APP icons to learn more. Check our Grey Lady programming on NCTV18.org for updates and new information!
ACKgo provides at-a-glance ferry schedules traveling to and from Nantucket, call direct and website links airlines, trains, and bus services to/from Hyannis, MA. Includes taxi phone numbers serving Nantucket and Hyannis, and urgent phone numbers for Nantucket.
Transform your downtown stroll or Island-wide bike ride into an insider’s tour of Nantucket! Tours are self-guided-you decide when to take a break, and easily pick up the track when you’re ready to get back to it. Nine curated tours — one on foot and eight by bike — take you to popular must-sees and spots best known to locals.
View trail maps to find kid and dog-friendly trails across Nantucket. You will see trails organized in an interface with Nantucket Conservation Foundation properties identified.
Find real-time bus information for all of THE WAVE bus routes. You can also sign up for text updates.
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