Nantucket Island is 3½ miles from North to South and 14 miles long with 82 miles of beaches. It is located 30 miles south of Hyannis on the southern coast of Cape Cod. Access to the island is by plane or boat as there are no bridges. Cars are very expensive to take across on the ferry ($180) so you may think twice about driving. The ferries from Hyannis must be made weeks or months in advance. The island is famous for its whaling fleet and was the third largest city in Massachusetts during the whaling days. The population is 40,000 in the summer and 6,000 year-round. The Milestone Road cranberry bog is one of the world's largest. Nantucket has more than 800 houses still standing that were built before the Civil War and has more buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places than anywhere in Massachusetts. The temperature in the summer is usually 10% cooler than the mainland making it a very popular destination for the affluent from the Boston Area.

The island is rich with Scotch broom, bayberry, beach plum, grape, holly, heather, huckleberry, bearberry, and hundreds of wildflowers. No squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, fox, weasel, skunk, porcupine, or muskrat are found on the island. You will likely see deer, pheasant, and cottontail rabbits along with all kinds of birds. Harbor seals are seen year-round on the island. The bike paths are relatively flat with small, gentle rolling hills. Excellent for beginner and experienced roller bladers and bikers of all levels.

Executive Summary

We will depart Caldwell Airport and fly to Nantucket. Some trips are day-trips and others are for the weekend (check the schedule. The flight to Nantucket is about one hour and twenty minutes. Once we arrive, we can walk across the street to the Nantucket Inn. Sometimes, we rent a house for the weekend, however houses are not usually available during the busy season. Rental cars are available from the airport but they must be reserved well in advance. The distance to town is only a few miles so it is possible to roller blade for those who are energetic. Bicycle rentals in town are very reasonably priced and are often the preferred mode of transportation. You will have the freedom to experience the island at your leisure as described below. Joining the group for dinner is always fun though you may wish to dine privately for those who are celebrating special occasions (great idea). Nantucket offers a full range of activities that are easily accessible from town. We will return to Caldwell on Sunday evening shortly after dinner.

Highlights

Temperatures are in the 80's during the day though they can reach the low 90's in August. The evenings are often quite pleasant as the ocean breeze keeps the island about 10°F cooler.

Excellent Bike Paths throughout the island makes biking or roller blading a great way to get around.

Great Beaches within a short distance from town are within walking distance or a few miles by the bike paths.

Way-Cool Town with lots of shops, restaurants, and bars. Evening festivities are quite nice.

How to Get Around

Nantucket lends itself to bicycling or roller blading with many bicycle paths from town out to Surfside, Madaket, and Siasconset. There are four bicycle rental shops in town and the bikes are reasonable. They do not rent roller blades. The island is relatively flat. Maps can be obtained in the bike shop or in the center of the local tourist newspaper.

In-Town Activities

Nantucket summers are full of sports, entertainment, and educational activities. The list of things to do is not an exhaustive list but represent a sample of activities that others have most enjoyed.

Antiques Galleries specialize in scrimshaw, lightship baskets, China Trade porcelains, old hooked rugs, country furniture, weather vanes, silver, English antiques, and maritime artifacts. There are about two dozen antiques shops in town.

Art Galleries carry everything from inexpensive prints to expensive oils. Nantucket is a haven for artists who have found the light and scenery superb. There are many galleries down along the waterfront, as well as in the town.

Auctions are a source of good deals and interesting antiques. There are many auctions throughout the summer season and are great fun to attend. They are great fun.

Evening Entertainment includes bars with a piano player or other musicians. Favorites include The Brotherhood of Thieves, Chanticleer, the Tavern, the White Elephant, the Club Car, the Nantucket Inn, the Whale Restaurant, and the Rose and Crown Restaurant. There is dancing nightly at the Harbor House, The Box on Dave Street, and The Muse on Surfside Road. Other fun things include evening sunset sails, clambakes, and lectures. Most inns and hotels have a calendar of events.

Museums are fun to explore though the Whaling Museum on Broad Street is most interesting and portrays life on Nantucket in the early years. There are four other museums.

Shopping in town for gifts and clothing is excellent. The handmade sweaters, materials, and clothing at the Nantucket Looms on lower Main Street is very popular. Furniture made from antique woods, china, glass, interesting weather vanes, and beautiful needlepoint from Erica Wilson are among the most attractive souvenirs. Local craftspeople make candles and quilts which are found in many stores.

Theaters include The Dreamland Theatre on South Water Street, Siasconset Casino, and The Gaslight Theatre on North Union Street. The Theatre Workshop presents plays using amateurs who live on the island as actors and are very popular. They are performed at Bennett Hall on Centre Street. Actor's Theatre at the Folger Hotel and Island Stage both have summer programs.

Walking Tours are popular. The Town Center should be done on foot. There are many shops and historic houses. The houses in town are typically named after the original owner. You can get a visitor's pass to the fourteen buildings preserved by the Nantucket Historical Association is $8 per adult (separate admission is $4). My favorite places include Whaling Museum described earlier and Main Street Square a very broad, cobblestone square approximately three blocks long with attractive shops in the old brick buildings lining either side of the street.

Out of Town Activities

Beaches on Nantucket can be reached by bicycle along very well maintained bike paths. The beaches on the harbor or Nantucket Sound side of the island have very gentle waves while the beaches on the ocean side generally have waves 3 to 4 feet and sometimes build up when there is a storm at sea. Jetties Beach on North Beach Street along the north shore of the island has lifeguards, rest rooms, bathhouses, a restaurant, tennis courts, and towels and chairs for rent. Madaket Beach has ocean surf swimming, a lifeguard on duty, and food nearby. It is 5 miles from town and the bike path is quite picturesque. Cisco Beach, in the Hummock Pond Road area, is a popular area for surfing. There is a lifeguard but no other facilities (4 miles from town). Surfside Beach on the south shore is one of the most popular swimming spots on the island. There are lifeguards, a bathhouse, small snack bar, rest rooms, and direct bus service from town. There is also a good bike path and the distance is 3 miles from town. Codfish Park is the town beach at Siasconset. There are lifeguards, a playground, bicycle path from town (7.5 miles), and bus service. The bike path is excellent.

Boat Rentals and Instruction are available either by the day, half day, or hour. There are small outboards, sail boards, and sailboats available for rent. Sport-fishing boats are available for charter. The larger yachts offer dinner cruises or may be chartered by private parties.

Concerts throughout the summer attract many nationally known popular singers and bands. The schedule of concerts are published in the local paper.

Nature and Wildflower Walks are sponsored by the Maria Mitchell Association's Natural Science Department (228-0898). They also sponsor seminars and workshops.

Shell Collecting is best at Brant Point, Pocomo, and Dionis beaches though Nantucket is not a great place for exotic shells.

Siasconset is a charming village in miniature where doll-sized, weathered-gray cottages with sloping roofs are covered with rambler roses and hollyhocks filling their doorways. The houses are separated by narrow, winding grass paths that lead to the sea and enhance the Lilliputian character and charm of the community. There is a most excellent beach that faces east though when the weather is bad it gets the northeasters head on. There is a nearby cranberry bog. Cranberries are floated out of their bogs during the annual October harvest. Siasconset is on the opposite side of the island from the town of Nantucket.

To sign up, contact 908-512-9039. Or, better yet, try it via our secure server where we guarantee a safe transaction and ease of use.  You should sign up early. If you do wish to rent a car then you should make reservations early. The best companies include Budget (508-228-5666), Hertz (508-228-9421), and Thrifty (800-367-2277).