Why choose to visit?
The island of Nantucket is gaining popularity as “the new Martha’s Vineyard.” Located only 30 miles from Cape Cod, it is a desirable destination for nature lovers, vacationers, and appreciators of the American national heritage. Visitors can enjoy endless beaches and numerous activities during the high summer season and throughout the year.
Thanks to the regular ferry lines, you can easily go on a day trip to the “Little Gray Lady of the Sea” from Cape Cod.
A brief trip will give you an idea of what to expect if you are planning on renting a vacation home for a more extended stay on the chic island as well.
Soak up the beauty by wandering the abundant photo spots
Thanks to its perfectly preserved historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and untouched conserved nature, Nantucket is a leading Instagram and other social media photo-sharing hotspot.
You can visit some of the top-rated photography spots to take amazing pictures to share with friends or to enjoy as private memories with your loved ones during your daily trip.
Some of the best photography locations worth visiting include the village of Siasconset and the picturesque Sconset Bluff Walk. You will pass through the cutest cottages of this village near the east coast of the island and the surrounding charming gardens with blooming French roses and hydrangeas. There you can visit Siasconset beach and the Sankaty Head Lighthouse.
If you want to take some stunning photos of the endless beaches and the ocean for your photo album, then you should visit Madaket or Surfside beach.
Madaket is on the west coast of Nantucket and is the place to go for the best sunset photographs. Go to the harbor beach to enjoy some time and snap some photos.
Surfside Beach is on the island’s southern shore and is one of the most beautiful spots for taking photos. You can enjoy a cocktail on the beach or explore the dreamy sandy paths around it.
Get moving and exploring with a walking tour or a hike
Nantucket is a small island with an extensive network of biking paths. So renting a bike while you are there is the perfect way to get the most out of your daily trip. You can reach any point on the island via bike or explore it by taking one of the many available walking tours to different sites and areas there.
One of the top walking tours is the scenic one-mile-long Sconset Bluff Walk, starting from Sconset village and reaching Sankaty Head lighthouse. Keep in mind that this is a walking path only. No jogging or biking is allowed.
Or you can take a 75-minute public walk down Main Street to see the historic buildings and learn more about the whaling history of Nantucket.
For those who enjoy hiking, there are some great trails you can explore during your one-day trip to the island. Some of them include the Smooth Hummocks trail, the Polpis harbor trail, the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge Pond and Woods trail, the Smith Points trail, and many more.
Dive deeper into Nantucket’s exciting past
Nantucket has a fascinating history. It starts from the original Native American inhabitants of the Wampanoag tribe. Then came the English settlers from the early 1600’s. Later, it became the whaling capital of the world.
If you are fascinated by the history and want to find out more about the historical significance of this small island, then you should visit the Whaling Museum and the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum.
The Whaling Museum is located in an old factory for the production of candles from whale oil in Downtown Nantucket. There you can see various exhibits, pictures, and artifacts from when the whaling industry was the dominating business on the island. In the museum, there is a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton and an original Fresnel Lens, and you can even see how the candles were made in the 1800s. This unique museum contains items from the sunken Essex whaling ship that inspired the writing of “Moby-Dick.”
The Shipwreck Museum is a smaller one but definitely worth visiting. It contains relics and items retrieved from the more than 750 shipwrecks which occurred on and around the island back in time.
You will also learn the stories of the rescuers who participated in the dangerous rescue missions through the years.
Enjoy fresh seafood
The island has become a popular destination for foodies. It is the home of some of the best restaurants and eateries in the country. During your trip to Nantucket, you should most certainly enjoy some fresh seafood and New England coastal cuisine dishes offered in one of the many diners, bars, and restaurants there.
Some of the top-rated places to eat lobster, clam chowder, scallops, or other fresh seasonable seafood in Nantucket include the Dune Restaurant & Bar, Breeze restaurant, and Seagrille, Slip 14, Brant Point Grill, and Sayle’s Seafood.
More Nantucket ideas
some other ideas for your one-day trip itinerary for Nantucket include a visit to Bartlett’s Farm. It is the oldest family-owned farm on the island, where you can buy the best freshly grown local vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
Another thing to do is take a stroll along the Nantucket Harbor for stunning ocean views and gaze at the mega yachts.
If you are into shopping, then Main Street is the perfect destination for you. It is home to some top-of-the-line boutiques and vintage shops, which are a perfect spot to buy locally crafted jewelry, art, apparel, and household items. You can buy a pair of the iconic Nantucket Reds while you are there as well.
Or you can explore your preferred area of the island to do some dream home spotting and house hunting.
How to get to Nantucket from Cape Cod
The easiest and most affordable way to get to Nantucket is via ferry. There are several regular ferry lines provided by Steamship Authority, Hy-Line Cruises, and Freedom Cruise Lines.
You can get on a ferry to the island from either Hyannis or Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port on Cape Cod.
Steamship Authority offers car and passenger traditional ferries and passenger-only catamarans, which are faster. Hy-Line Cruises offers fast passenger-only ferries, which take only an hour to get to Nantucket.
The traditional passenger ferry takes about two hours and 15 minutes to get there. The lowest fares start from $37 for a round trip for a traditional passenger ferry. The prices for one adult for the faster ferries start from $69 and can reach $99 for a Captain’s view ticket.
The car ferry takes slightly longer (2.5 hours) and is the only option if you will be taking your car with you.
Keep in mind that it will cost you a minimum of $400 to take your car with you, so it is better to leave it parked near the docks. There is paid parking near the docks, which will cost you a daily fee starting from $20. Or you can take the bus or train to get to the port of your choice.
You can also take a bike with you for less than $15 for a round-trip ticket or rent one at the harbor on the island.
The cruise and ferry lines recommend that you reserve and buy your ferry ticket well ahead of your trip, especially during the high summer season.
