Location: Nantucket
Top Things to do in Nantucket
10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Nantucket That You Shouldn't Miss
Windswept beaches, sand dunes, blinking lighthouses and a charming pace of life await on this 50-square mile island. The world's former top whaling port is now designated a National Historic District. Leave the car and take the shuttle or bike around. Seaside cottages, old whaling captains' mansions and historic harbors contain quaint inns, boutique stores, chowder shacks and upscale dining delights. Swim, surf or load up the tackle for Nantucket's excellent striper, bluefish and bonito fishing.
Restaurants in Nantucket
1. Loines Observatory
2. Nantucket Walkabout
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 91 reviews
Nantucket Walkabout is Nantucket's only year-round guided natural history hiking service. We pick you up in our air-conditioned van downtown and drive out to the trailhead. Hikers will gain a clear understanding of how the last glacier formed the island 21,000 years ago, how wildlife and plants populated Nantucket and learn about conservation efforts, and the first humans to live on the island.
3. Nantucket Bike Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 399 reviews
Meet Nantucket Bike Tours! Our team has designed safe, memorable, guided bike experiences for all ages and abilities. Based right in town, guests can easily walk to our starting location and be fit with a comfortable bike and helmet. We will then head out on a 2-3 hour tour of the island. Our classic tours include a Town Adventure, Sunset Tour, Spin to Scionset, and the To the Brewery Tour. We also offer custom tours for special events or interests. Nantucket is best seen by bike!
4. Jetties Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
The best island beach within walking distance of town, Jetties is ideal for kids.
Reviewed By stephaniecN4784LA - New York City, United States
This is such a great low key spot for amazing seafood. Their happy hour is awesome with $1 oysters, you can't beat it. It's right on the beach so you get a great view too. The lobster roll is awesome as are the shrimp tacos and fried clams. The drinks are strong and yummy. Can't wait to go back!
5. Cisco Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Nantucket beach on the ocean side.
Reviewed By 673sheric - Hopkinton, United States
Absolutely gorgeous spot to view the sunset all year around. It can get crowded so get there early to ensure a beautiful viewing spot.
6. Surfside Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
Oceanside Nantucket beach.
Reviewed By Joel137
We took the public bus to Surfside and it is a beautiful beach. Not sure if the wav3s are always like this, but these were enormous and beautiful to watch crashing. There were quite a few surfers attempting (not always successfully) to ride. Inviting sand, plenty of room as this is a very large beach. Great snack stand offering sandwiches, burgers, wraps, lemonade and ice cream...along with restrooms. A great day at the beach!
7. Whaling Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,589 reviews
The Whaling Museum, operated by the Nantucket Historical Association (founded in 1894), is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Featuring permanent and rotating exhibitions in 9 premium galleries, with over a thousand works of art, artifacts and treasures on display, it tells the Island's facinating stories over 4 centuries. Numerous daily programs by our interpreters, childrens' activities in the Discovery Center and intimate spotlight tours compliment the visit. The museum is home to a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, a massive Fresnel lens, a restored 1847 candle factory and a relaxing, fully-accessible rooftop deck offers stunning views of Nantucket harbor. Maximize your visit by going to our 9 historic homes and sites which are open to the public.
Reviewed By jldun
This was our first time at the whaling musem and it did not disappoint. From the whale skeleton when you first walk in to all the artifacts and information on whaling, including watching one of the staff dipping candles, it was a great learning tool and was also fun. The view of the harbor from the top is amazing. We chose to purchase the full pass that gave us access to several historic homes and properties and we are glad we did. We ended up walking to the places, but you can catch a Wave bus if it's too much walking. All the tour guides at the facilities were great and eager to share their knowledge. The other nice thing is that once you purchase the pass, you can use it over the course of days/weeks, so we split it up over 3 days. Highly recommend stopping here to learn about life on Nantucket before it became a tourist attraction.
8. Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Discover this ruggedly beautiful coastal environment where deer, raptors, and shorebirds play. Explore sand dunes and small coastal forests, salt marsh and tidal ponds, on 16 miles of trails and sand roads. We also offer guided over-sand vehicle tours of the refuge.
Reviewed By CarTRVLR - Carlisle, United States
However you can get there, try to go. Whether by guided tour or by self-tour, this is an always-changing, incredibly beautiful place. I've never taken a tour so can't recommend a specific one. Rent a kayak/canoe on Washington St and row over to Coatue. If you are driving yourself and are not used to driving on sand, stick to the beach routes--there's a lot of soft sand in the interior routes (and ALWAYS have your tires down to 15 psi). Stop frequently and look around. The light and the vistas are priceless. It's just an amazing place. Go to Great Point Light. Go to Coatue and just stop again.
9. Sankaty Head Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 278 reviews
Built in 1850, this distinctive brick lighthouse stands on a bluff 90 feet above sea level.
Reviewed By snnrwd64
rode bikes from the town to this lighthouse. It was a fun and fairly easy ride (about 10 miles each way) on the bike bath. Had a picnic lunch at the lighthouse then visited the town and beach. The lighthouse was very nice with historical markers at the base.
