Massachusetts
Nantucket is a crescent of sand, moor and gray-shingled villages thirty miles out in the Atlantic, once the greatest whaling port in the world and now one of New England's best-loved island escapes.
Its historic district of cobblestones, captains' mansions and wharves is a short walk from the ferry, while bike paths lead to calm Jetties Beach, surf-fringed Surfside, the sunsets of Madaket and the rose-covered cottages of Siasconset. Beyond the town lie conservation trails, a wild barrier beach that ends at Great Point Light, small lighthouses with long stories and museums that explain how a sandbar built an empire. This guide books the island properly: the ferry from Hyannis, guided and audio tours, private outings, the best sights, nine places to stay and six guides for planning.
Nantucket Whaling Museum
The Nantucket Historical Association's flagship museum, in a restored candle factory on the waterfront, tells the story of the island's whaling empire with a hanging sperm whale skeleton, scrimshaw, whaleboats and a rooftop view over the harbor.
Ferries to Nantucket from Hyannis
The ferry ride from Hyannis is the classic way to reach Nantucket: a traditional Steamship Authority boat that takes a little over two hours, or a high-speed passenger ferry that cuts the trip to about an hour.
Historical Tour of Nantucket
A guided tour of the island's history that takes in the cobblestoned town, the whaling-era mansions and the scenic roads out to the villages and lighthouses.
Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge and Great Point Light
A wild barrier beach at the island's northeastern tip, with dunes, marsh, seals and Great Point Light at the very end, reached on foot or by permitted four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
The Nantucket Historical Association's flagship museum, in a restored candle factory on the waterfront, tells the story of the island's whaling empire with a hanging sperm whale skeleton, scrimshaw, whaleboats and a rooftop view over the harbor.
The ferry ride from Hyannis is the classic way to reach Nantucket: a traditional Steamship Authority boat that takes a little over two hours, or a high-speed passenger ferry that cuts the trip to about an hour.
A guided tour of the island's history that takes in the cobblestoned town, the whaling-era mansions and the scenic roads out to the villages and lighthouses.
A self-paced audio tour that carries you across the island from the historic town to the south shore and out to the villages, by bicycle or car, with commentary you control.
Two self-guided audio routes in one: a walk through the cobbled streets of the historic town and a bike ride out to the beaches and villages, played at your own speed.
A self-guided audio walk that goes past the famous cobbled Main Street into the lanes, houses and back streets that hold much of Nantucket's character.
A playful, team-style scavenger hunt through Nantucket Town that mixes clues, photos and local history, good for families, friends and anyone who prefers a game to a lecture.
A private, guided surf-fishing outing on Nantucket's beaches, with a local guide who knows the tides, the spots and the species, suited to beginners and keen anglers alike.
A private session with a local photographer who guides you through Nantucket's lighthouses, beaches and cobbled lanes, so your trip ends up in photographs you will keep.
The Nantucket home of America's first professional woman astronomer, with her birthplace house, observatories, a natural science museum and an aquarium, running a seasonal program of tours and star nights.
A small museum devoted to the dangerous waters around Nantucket, with stories of wrecks, rescues and the lifesaving crews who risked their lives to save sailors off the island's shoals.
A wild barrier beach at the island's northeastern tip, with dunes, marsh, seals and Great Point Light at the very end, reached on foot or by permitted four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Nantucket (near the airport)
A roomy 100-room inn on Miller Lane near Nantucket Memorial Airport, with indoor and seasonal outdoor pools, tennis courts and a free area shuttle. A practical, family-friendly base outside the historic center.
Check rates →Nantucket Town Harbor
A classic harborfront luxury hotel on Easton Street, with lawns running down to the water, cottages and suites, and an easy walk to the wharves, the boat basin and the center of Nantucket Town.
Check rates →Historic Downtown
A grand brick mansion on Broad Street, built in the 1840s for a whaling shipowner, now an inn in the heart of the historic district and a short walk from the Whaling Museum, Main Street and the wharves.
Check rates →Historic Downtown
A small historic bed and breakfast on a quiet street a few steps from Main Street, with individually decorated rooms, a garden and a homemade welcome in the middle of Nantucket Town.
Check rates →Jetties Beach
A beachfront hotel on the north shore with direct access to Jetties Beach, shingled-cottage style rooms and a relaxed seaside feel, a short ride from town.
Check rates →Wauwinet
A secluded luxury resort on a narrow strip between the Atlantic and Nantucket Bay, about eight miles from town, with a restaurant, a spa and access to the Coskata-Coatue refuge and Great Point Light.
Check rates →Historic Downtown
A historic inn on Gardner Street, a few minutes' walk from Main Street, with period character, individually styled rooms and a peaceful residential setting in the center of town.
Check rates →Historic Downtown
A boutique hotel in a restored whaling-era house on Broad Street, with stylish rooms, a restaurant and a location beside the Whaling Museum in the center of Nantucket Town.
Check rates →Historic Downtown
A friendly inn on Sea Street, a short walk from Main Street and the harbor, with comfortable rooms, a hearty breakfast tradition and a convenient base for exploring Nantucket Town on foot.
Check rates →Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Nantucket Whaling MuseumStay
White Elephant HotelNantucket Town Harbor
Do
Ferries to Nantucket from HyannisStay
Nantucket InnNantucket (near the airport)
Do
Historical Tour of NantucketStay
Union Street InnHistoric Downtown
The essentials for a first trip to Nantucket: the layout of the island, how long to stay, what to see, what it costs and how to avoid the common mistakes.
How to reach Nantucket by ferry or plane and how to get around once you are there, with tips on vehicles, bikes, shuttle buses and taxis.
A guide to choosing where to stay on Nantucket, from historic inns in town to beachfront hotels and a secluded resort on the northeast shore.
A three-day plan for Nantucket covering the historic town, the south and east shores, the wild northeast and plenty of beach time.
When to go to Nantucket, season by season, with notes on weather, crowds, prices, events and what stays open in the quieter months.
A guide to the island's best beaches, walking trails, wildlife areas and lighthouses, with tips on safety, access and respecting the environment.
