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see + do
Nantucket see + do
On a first visit, Nantucket seems to be much bigger than you'd expect—for an island, anyway. Beyond Nantucket Town's cobblestone commercial district, you'll find neighborhoods of sea captains' homes, and beyond these are farms, beaches, secluded cottages, and tiny villages, all worth a visit, a swim, a lazy afternoon in the sand, a bike ride, a boat ride, or a hike. There isn't a Starbucks in sight on Nantucket—unless you count the two Greek Revival mansions once owned by a family of the same name. These homes (just two of the 800 on the island that were built before the Civil War) can be seen on a walking tour offered by the Nantucket Historical Association (508-228-1894; www.nha.org). There are equally intriguing architecture walking tours of Nantucket Town, presented by the Nantucket Preservation Trust, that leave from 2 Union Street at 9:30 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays from June to September. The trust also offers group tours by appointment, and periodic walking tours of Siasconset (508-228-1387; nantucketpreservation.org).
Nantucket has 10 public beaches, some reachable only by foot or bike. The most popular North Shore spots are Dionis and Jetties beaches. Dionis's mild surf and...more
Low-lying and just 14 miles long and 3.5 miles wide, Nantucket is easily toured by bicycle. Of the island's seven clearly marked trails, the best is the...more
One of the most rewarding adventures on Nantucket is a drive on the beach to the island's wild and woolly remote northeastern tip. You'll need a...more
Moby Dick? True story. The Nantucket whaler Essex, the basis for Herman Melville's classic, was rammed by a whale off the coast of South America in 1820 and...more
Captain Jim Genthner sails Nantucket Sound several times each day on his 31-foot Friendship sloop Endeavor. The tours leave from Straight Wharf and take in...more
The waters around Nantucket teem with bluefish, striped bass, tuna, fluke, black sea bass—and a few lurking sharks. Surf casters can fly-fish directly off...more
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