Things to do in Nantucket

Our most recommended things to do in Nantucket

Nantucket: Historical Landmarks Sightseeing Bus Tour

Nantucket: Historical Landmarks Sightseeing Bus Tour

Get picked up from the meeting point and embark on your bus tour of Nantucket's sightseeing highlights. Visit the island's historic landmarks and make 3 stops for pictures. Sights include the Sankaty Lighthouse, the fishing village of Siasconset with its famous rose-covered cottages, and the Old Mill, known as the oldest operational windmill in the United States. Enjoy commentary from your guide as you tour the picturesque island founded by the Quakers. Ask them questions you may have for a well-rounded experience exploring the island.

Discover Nantucket Self-Guided Biking or Driving Tour

Discover Nantucket Self-Guided Biking or Driving Tour

Uncover the hidden corners and rich history of Nantucket on this self-guided driving or biking tour. From lighthouses and historic homes to pristine beaches and iconic vistas, this tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the island's unique character. Learn about Nantucket’s culture and history as you ride (or drive) across the island, from Madaket to Sconset. We’ll point out several points of interest along the way as you explore Nantucket from coast to coast. Step inside the Oldest House or visit a museum honoring America's first female astronomer. Drive by the oldest operation windmill in the country and visit the seaside town of Sconset, once home to one of the first trans-Atlantic wireless communication stations.

Beyond the Cobblestones Self Guided Audio Tour of Nantucket

Beyond the Cobblestones Self Guided Audio Tour of Nantucket

Uncover Nantucket's rich history and charm on this self-guided audio tour. Using the app, you'll explore at your own pace, learning how Nantucket evolved from the world's whaling capital to the tourist destination it is today. Along the way, captivating stories and insights bring Nantucket's vibrant heritage to life. We also point out a popular store and a couple of restaurants that we genuinely recommend, even though we don't have any affiliation with them. Make your way to the front of the Whaling Museum and then open the app to start the tour. You'll get a brief overview of the museum, and we'll encourage you to visit the museum at the end of the tour. Learn about the Nantucket Atheneum as you view it from outside and hear about the well-known figures who have visited or spoken here over the years. Explore the shops and restaurants on Straight Wharf as you hear about this once active commercial hub for Nantucket. Stroll down the narrow gravel path and pop your head into a few of the art galleries on Nantucket's Old South Wharf. See the historic marker memorializing The Petrel, a Nantucket steamship dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Snap a photo of the well-known "Compass Rose" on the side of the Ralph Lauren building and learn about the photographer who commissioned it in 1936. Admire meticulously preserved 18th-century homes along upper Main Street. Explore important landmarks like the Hadwen House and the Quaker Meeting House as you hear about their history on the island. You'll also see the historic home of America's first female astronomer, Maria Mitchell. Learn about 2 Quaker sisters who restored an old barn into a quirky mix of art and architecture. You'll also hear about the Great Fire of 1846 and other influential residents who helped shaped Nantucket over the years.

Nantucket: Downtown Walking Tour

Nantucket: Downtown Walking Tour

Discover the history of Nantucket on a guided walking tour. Learn about the island's history, from its formation to its decline and rebirth as a tourist destination. Meet your guide in downtown Nantucket and begin your walking tour. Learn about the island's unique history, from its formation to the history of the Wampanoag Native Americans, early European settlement, and the development and decline of the whaling industry. Hear about the island's culture and heritage and the decline and rebirth of the island as a health, history, and tourist destination. Continue to the downtown area and learn about the development of the whaling industry, island culture, heritage, and architecture. Hear stories of the fascinating men and women of the island, the decline and then rebirth of the island as a tourist destination, and a different interpretation of some very important pieces of American history as you walk around areas of downtown.

Nantucket: Guided Bike Tour

Nantucket: Guided Bike Tour

Get an introduction to Nantucket and its unique history on a leisurely guided bike tour. Learn about the island's formation, the history of the Wampanoag Native Americans, early European settlement, the development and decline of the whaling industry, and the decline and rebirth of the island as a health, history, and tourist destination. After the introduction to the island and its unique history and culture, hop on your bike and visit the Brandt Point Lighthouse, Jetties and Galley beaches, the “Cliff Range Beacons” on the Gilbreth property, Steps Beach lookout, the Oldest House, Old Gaol, Old Mill, and then continue to Main Street to see the historic mansions and houses that the wealthy whale oil and candle factory owners and whaling captains built. Head back into town to hear some of the interesting history of a number of the famous and perhaps infamous historical figures from the island.

Go beyond Nantucket

Explore all

Frequently asked questions about Nantucket

What top attractions are a must-see in Nantucket?

The must-see attractions in Nantucket are:

See all must-see sights in Nantucket

Other Sightseeing Options in Nantucket

Want to discover all there is to do in Nantucket? Click here for a full list.