Nantucket Island

Nearly 30 miles out in the open Atlantic off the coast of Cape Cod MA, Nantucket has managed to retain the charm and elegance of the 1800s, when it had the distinction of being the whaling capital of the world.

The island of Nantucket is 3.5 miles long and 14 miles wide. Its main town, also called Nantucket, exudes charm with its cobblestone streets lined with unique shops, great restaurants, and stately homes. There are more than 800 historic homes and buildings in the town. Most of Nantucket’s historic sites are located in the center of town within easy walking distance of one another. Nantucket boasts three active theatre companies and a variety of musical organizations. The island attracts exceptional artists, and there are more than 50 art galleries. In 1996, the island hosted the first Nantucket Film Festival, a screenwriter’s festival that showcases original screenplays.

Nantucket offers scenic beauty: gently rolling heathlands, a remarkable diversity of vegetation, cranberry bogs, salt marshes, and white sandy beaches. With its location on the north/south flyway of migrating birds, the island is a popular venue for bird watchers. More than 55 miles of broad, clean beaches encircle the island. More than a third of the land has been protected and will never be built upon. Fishing, boating, and surfing are popular sports on the Island.

Take a tour of beautiful and idyllic Nantucket Island and enjoy all that Nantucket has to offer. Nantucket is accessible by air or by ferry from Hyannis (and from Harwich Port from mid-May to mid-October). Bringing a car is expensive and is usually discouraged. Many visitors travel around the island on bikes or in taxis, touring vans, or shuttle buses. Visitors who do plan to bring a car are encouraged to make reservations early.

For more information, call the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce at 508-228-1700 or explore the links below