The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Nantucket, Massachusetts (MA)

Nantucket's public theater since 1956.

The Nantucket Atheneum is the public library for Nantucket, Massachusetts. The institution was formed in 1834 as a private, membership organization and became a public library in 1900. The Nantucket Atheneum offers free access to millions of books, films and music as well as over 1,000 programs for all ages year round. Our iconic building, built in 1846, is located in the heart of downtown and features art and artifacts important to the island's maritime history as the center of whaling. The library also provides a free wifi signal, computer access on the second floor and a beautiful, inviting garden.

White Heron is Nantucket's Professional Repertory Theatre. A not-for-profit theatre company, first formed in New York in 2005, by Lynne Bolton and Earle Gister. Now run by Lynne and Michael Kopko, the Company moved to Nantucket in 2011. We produce classical and contemporary works in a transformational, character-driven way. Our goal is to bring meaningful art to the Nantucket community. You can find us directly behind the Whaling Museum!

A mouth-watering confectioner offering 30 different kinds of delicious fudge.

Operating an Aquarium, Natural Science Museum, two Observatories and a Historic House, the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is a private non-profit organization located on the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Aquarium: Locally-collected specimens are on exhibit. Displays are always changing and include anything from seahorses to octopuses to sharks! Get a “feel” for the local ecosystem at our touch tank, home to crabs, clams, baby horseshoe crabs, and more! Great for kids and adults alike! Natural Science Museum: A cross between a classic natural history museum, a zoo, and a science center, the Maria Mitchell Natural Science Museum is a great place to learn about the plants, animals, and birds of Nantucket. See live turtles and snakes! Loines Observatory: See distant planets, stars, galaxies and more through a telescope! Stargazing nights with our expert astronomers are a unique way to spend an evening enjoying Nantucket's clear and dark skies! Check our website for specific information about Stargazing dates and times. Historic Mitchell House: Take a trip back in time to 1800s Nantucket! Built in 1790, this typical Quaker house was acquired by the Mitchell family in 1818. The home became a museum in 1903 when the Maria Mitchell Association’s founders acquired the house to preserve the legacy of Maria Mitchell herself.

Take a ride in one of the air-conditioned coaches of Barrett's Tours. Relax in comfort as you are guided through Nantucket's past. Barrett's guides will show you the island in full, and in comfort.

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.

The Hadwen House is a Greek Revival mansion built in 1846 by whaling merchant and silver retailer William Hadwen at the peak of Nantucket’s prosperity as the whaling capital of the world. The home is one of the most elaborate examples of Greek revival architecture on the island and the only publicly accessible mansion of its age in the area. Today, this Historic Home features exhibitions on various topics such as Decorative Arts, Suffrage and Slavery, Architecture, and more!

In the 19th Century, hundreds of ships passed by Nantucket Island each day, all navigating without the benefit of modern nautical technology. Unpredictable storms, dense fog and strong currents often caught even the most experienced sailors off guard. Treacherous shoals and inclement weather led to over 700 shipwrecks in the surrounding waters of Nantucket, causing the area to be dubbed "a graveyard of the Atlantic."The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum preserves the memory of those Islanders who risked their lives to save shipwrecked mariners. These men served in organizations devoted to maritime rescue, such as the Massachusetts Humane Society, United States Life-Saving Service and the United States Coast Guard. The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum is located at 158 Polpis Road, just 3.5 miles from Nantucket Town. The museum can easily be reached by car, NRTA Shuttle/Polpis Route or by the Polpis Bike Path.

The Dreamland is Nantucket's year-round film and cultural center, open 364 days a year. In addition to first-run and independent films, we have a concert series, a Page to Stage author series, cabaret evenings, lectures, live theatre for children and families, dance, recitals, classical concerts, and more!