Things to Do on Nantucket
Planning a vacation to Nantucket is the easy part. Figuring out how to spend your precious vacation time there is another matter! Here are some Nantucket visitor information and links which should make things simpler and easier:
Nantucket Weather
Nantucket Live Cam
Getting to Nantucket by Ferry
Hy-Line Cruises
Traditional and high-speed one hour and 15 minute “people only” Nantucket ferries from Hyannis, Martha’s Vineyard.
Steamship Authority Ferry
Get to Nantucket on the original steamship ferry from Hyannis. 2 hours 15 minutes. With and without cars. Lowest fares and year-round.
Getting to Nantucket by Air
Fly from Boston (Cape Air), New York (Kennedy), New Jersey (Newark), Philadelphia, New Bedford. To make Nantucket air reservations, visit Kayak.com.
Nantucket Events Calendar
Nantucket Beaches
For Kids: Jetties – Build sandcastles, pick up scallop shells, watch the wind surfers and relax. Bathrooms, café, rent beach chairs.
For Surf: Surfside – A 20 minute bike ride will put you in the best of Nantucket surf on the southside of the island. Don’t pass up the fudge sickles and bring some $$ for a hot dog or a hamburger. Bathrooms, showers to wash your feet off in and shower house to change in.
For Teens: Nobadeer – The cool place to be for the hip and cool. No lifeguard. No facilities.
For Some exercise: Madaket. Bike 6 miles out of town to the North along a lovely bike path and jump in the waves to cool off when you get to the end. Lifeguards, bathrooms, sunsets!
For Romantic Getaways: Cisco Beach, Miacomet, Dionis
For 4×4 trips: Great Point, Coatue
Nantucket Restaurants: Our Favorites
21 Federal
A classic. Fancy. Extensive international wine list
American Seasons
Amazing culinary art and absolutely delicious – definitely for foodies and conveniently just down Centre Street from 8 Westminster Street!
Boarding House
Owned by my buddies Angela and Seth Raynor. A Nantucket tradition. Dine downstairs in style or be hip upstairs on the patio. Bar. Delicious. Another classic. Stellar cocktails…
Company of the Cauldron
Small and very unique Nantucket, romantic restaurant serving outstanding and creative cuisine; menu changes nightly. Think Michelin rated it. It’s really good!
Dune
Modern chic meets casual comfort in the heart of historic Nantucket. Lunch, dinner, and cocktails, featuring an ever-changing menu.
Fifty-Six Union
Global Cuisine, Glorious Libations. Open year-round on Nantucket.
Le Languedoc Inn & Bistro
Creative and classic French cuisine; award-winning wine list on Broad Street just down the road from the house.
Oran Mor
A secret find! Great food. A must try if you make it to the faraway island.
The Pearl
Another one of Seth and Angela’s. Very NYC. Very chic. Dress up. Local Nantucket fishes and native seafood paired with vibrant coastal flavors.
The Summer House
A definite favorite with the most romantic summer house atmosphere on the island. Known for it’s picturesque location on the bluff in Siasconset and for its imaginative, contemporary cuisine.
Renting Bikes or Mopeds
Young’s Bicycle Shop
“The Cycle – logical way to see Nantucket Island.” Since 1931.
Easy Riders
Low rental rates, great bikes & accessories for the whole family. Free delivery.
Island Bike Shop
Sales, service, and rentals by the day, week, or month
Nantucket Bike Shop
Sales, service, accessories; bike rentals by the day, week and month
Car Rentals on Nantucket
Affordable Rentals
Fun Convertibles, Jeep Wranglers, Smart Cars. Located downtown near both ferries. No airport taxes!
Nantucket Island Rent-A-Car (Airport)
Jeeps, SUVs, sedans, minivans, convertibles.
Windmill Auto Rental (Airport)
Renting cars and jeeps every day, year-round on Nantucket.
Young’s Bicycle Shop
Located in town on Steamboat Wharf.
Hertz also available at the airport.
Nantucket’s Whaling Museum
Restored in 2005, the Nantucket Whaling Museum of the Nantucket Historical Society is right between the steamship ferrydock and our house at the corner of Broad and open daily 10 to 5pm. The Whaling Museum features a restored 1847 candle factory, lots of historic artifacts from the whaling era on the island, a rooftop observation deck overlooking Nantucket harbor and a full size skeleton of a sperm whale.
Other Historic Sightseeing Highlights on Nantucket
Historic Sites & Museums on Nantucket
Visit the Oldest House, Old Mill, Quaker Meeting House, Maria Mitchell House. Here is a complete list of historic properties on Nantucket.
Nantucket Vineyards & Cisco Brewery
A 2 mile easy bikeride from Nantucket Town, sample local brews, spirits and wines from Nantucket’s best. Near Bartlett’s Farm and Miacomet Golf Course.
Lighthouses: Brandt Point and Siasconset
Bike out to Siasconset (12 miles), grab an ice cream and go visit the Sconset lighthouse. Easier still is stopping by Brandt Point lighthouse on your way to Jetties.
Nantucket Golf Courses
Miacomet Golf Club, Miacomet Course
18 holes over 6,890 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
12 W Miacomet Ave
Nantucket, MA 02554
(508) 325-0333
6 miles from the center of Nantucket.
Miacomet Golf Club, Miacomet Back Course
9 holes (Public)
12 W Miacomet Ave
Nantucket, MA 02554
(508) 325-0333
6 miles from the center of Nantucket.
Siasconset Golf Course, Siasconset Course
9 holes (Public)
260 Milestone Road
Siasconset, MA 02564
(508) 257-6596
0 miles from the center of Nantucket.
Sankaty Head Golf Club, Sankaty Head Course
18 holes over 6,623 yards with a par of 72 (Private)
100 Sankaty Road
Siasconset, MA 02564
(508) 257-6655
1 mile from the center of Nantucket.
Nantucket Golf Club, Nantucket Course
18 holes over 7,081 yards with a par of 72 (Private)
250 Milestone Rd
Nantucket, MA 02554-3106
(508) 257-8500
Center of Nantucket.
