Nantucket Island is a singular New England escape. It’s a world of cobblestone streets and periwinkle hydrangeas. Christmas trees are floating in boats at the holidays. Herman Melville has created an amazing world. Moby Dick It is a place of natural beauty where rare species like double-crested Cormorants and piping Plovers gather. For travelers, it is a destination of world-class that’s perfect for relaxing.
We also prefer to take the ferry, which is more relaxing and accessible from the island. Martha’s Vineyard or Cape Cod’s Hyannis—which offers a fast ferry, Hy-Line Cruises, and a car-toting ship, Steamship Authority. If you don’t mind the longer ride, the six-hour boat from New YorkDrinks are served, and you will land comfortably at the center of island. So much more than just a summer town, Nantucket is also a beauty in winter, fall, and spring—here’s our guide to making the most of it in 2025.
The information in this article has been updated.
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Best things to do in Nantucket
The day begins on the sand if you are visiting during the summer. Every Nantucket beach suits a different purpose: Jetties Beach is your place for a do-nothing day, great if you have kids or simply don’t feel like packing lunches or traveling far from town—you’re set on food and amenities here. Sandbar is an open-air eatery that serves $1 oysters, cocktails and wings. Jetties has a flat pathway from the parking lot down to the water. There are also showers, volleyball courts, changing stations and a playground.
Surfside Beach can be reached via a bike path if you are a little farther out on the south side. This vast, sandy beach has rougher waves and attracts kite flyers in the evenings and surfcasters in the mornings.
Cisco Beach is a must-see for the athletic beachgoer. You can take a surf lesson with ACK Surf School and Nantucket Island Surf School. Or, bring your own gear. Adventurers and outdoorsy kids should also make the journey (45 minutes from town to the tip of Nantucket) to Great Point—the island’s most rustic, untamed, and natural landscape. Great Point Lighthouse, Grey Seals and sharks can be found on the barrier beach. You have been warned.
