Nantucket Island Recreation
- Island Tours
- Sites & Museums
- Bike Paths & Rentals
- Lighthouses
- Water Activities
- Sports
- Other Activities
Island Tours
Small van tours are available in season. Tours last 90 minutes and depart from the hotel. Tour companies include:
- Around Nantucket Tours, 508.221.7900
- Gail's Tours, 508.257.6557
- Island Tours, 508.228.0384
You can take a 2 1/2 hour guided conservation tour via Ford Expedition through the dunes and rare habitat. Information available from Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge Natural History Tour, 508.228.6799.
Harbor charters on the Endeavor, office located at Straight Wharf, 508.228.5585. The sunset trips tend to sell out a day or two in advance. Don't miss the Endeavor Sailing (charter, 1-1/2 hours, 10am, 1pm, 4pm and sunset).
Sites & Museums
Whether you are a nature lover, history buff or aspiring astronomer, there are plenty of learning and exploration opportunities for everyone on Nantucket.
Hinchman House Natural Science Museum
7 Milk Street
508.228.0895
Natural history museum with collections of island reptiles, flowers and plants. Hands-on learning for kids. Appeals to all ages grade school through adult.
Maria Mitchell Aquarium
28 Washington Street
508.228.5287
Aquarium exhibit features fresh- and salt-water marine life. Appeals to all ages grade school through adult.
Maria Mitchell Observatory
3 Vestal Street
Loines Observatory
Milk Street Extension
508.228.9273
Observatories offer children's astronomy classes. The Loines offers popular public viewing nights Fridays, 8pm and Saturdays, 11pm. Appeals to all ages grade school through adult.
Nantucket Life-Saving Museum
158 Polpis Road
508.228.1885
This museum tells the stories of people who risked their lives to rescue others. Appeals to teens to adults.
The Whaling Museum
13 Broad Street
508.228.1894
An interesting lecture series on the history of whaling presented three times daily. Appeals to all ages grade school through adult.
Oldest House
Sunset Hill Road
508.228.1885
Built in 1686 as a wedding present for Jethro Coffin and Mary Gardner by their parents. Appeals to the whole family.
Old Mill
South Mill and Prospect Streets
508.228.1885
Made of salvaged wood in 1746 and set in its original location. Appeals to the whole family.
Bike Paths & Rentals
The most popular way to see the island is on the paved two-way bike paths. Rentals are available right off the boat at Young's Bicycle Shop, on Steamboat Wharf, 508.228.1151, Nantucket Bike Shop, on both Steamboat and Straight Wharves, 508.228.1999 and Cooks, right next to the Harbor House Village on South Beach Street.
Madaket Bike Path
Six-mile path, 45 minutes one way to top of Madaket. Rest areas and water fountains.
Siaconset (or Milestone) Bike Path
Seven miles, one-way. Approximately 1 hour to Siaconset. Water at the rotary.
Surfside Bike Path
Three and a half miles, one way. Flat paths, and only 20 minutes to the beach.
Polpis Road Bike Path
Sixteen and a half miles. Loops from the Siasconset Bike Path to Polpis Road and back to town.
Cliff Road Bike Path
Two and a half miles past beautiful cliff-side homes.
Dionis Bike Path
Continue on Cliff Road and explore the new Dionis Bike Path.
Lighthouses
Three distinct lighthouses provide numerous opportunities for artists and photographers alike, and lighthouse enthusiasts never leave disappointed.
Brant Point Light
A short walk from Nantucket Town. The original structure was built in 1746 and it was the second lighthouse built in America.
Great Point
Northern tip of the island, overlooking miles of splendid beaches.
Sankaty Head
Sankaty Head perches way atop Sankaty Bluff in the east, and is in the process of being moved 250 feet from the edge of the cliff it has occupied since 1850.
Water Activities
Experience all Nantucket has to offer, whether you are a nature lover, thrillseeker, or aspiring angler.
Fishing
A permit from the harbormaster (508.228.7261) is required for shellfishing. For surfcasting try Mike Monte of Surf & Flyfishing Trip, 508.228.0529. Deep-sea charters heading out of Straight Wharf include Captain Josh Eldridge's Monomoy, 508.228.6867 and Captain Martin's Flicka, 508.325.4000.
Windsurfing, Sailing, Kayaking & Surfing
Check out Nantucket Community Sailing, 508.228.6600 for windsurfing, sailing and surfing.
Wind surfing classes and rentals available at Jetties Beach. Sail boats available for rental from Nantucket Harbor Sail on Swain's Wharf, 508.228.0424.
For kayaks, canoes, and surf bikes rentals available from Sea Nantucket at Francis Street Beach, 508.825.9197.
Whale-watching
Whale-watching in Nantucket's Great South Channel is the ideal spot for watching these wonderful creatures. (Weather permitting, each week between mid-July and mid-September.) From June 15 - Oct. 15 the Shearwater runs whale watching tours on Sun., Wed., and Fri. leaving at 8am, returning at 2 pm. Private tours on other days from the Town Pier.
Seal Cruises
Seal cruises are offered year round. Web: www.explorenantucket.com. Phone: 508.228.7037.
Sports
Don't forget your golf clubs, tennis racquet and yoga mat when visiting Nantucket, because there are tee and court times, along with many fitness choices, available for you.
Fitness Club / Yoga
Nantucket Health Club, 508.228.4750 on 10 Young's Way is open daily. Also available at Children's Beach Mon. - Sat, 7 am - 8am. Ask the concierge for information on yoga classes.
Golf
Several golf courses are located on island: Take advantage of the hotel's exclusive 72 hour advance tee times at the new Miacomet Golf Course with our Stay and Play Golf offer. The Miacomet Golf Club features a new eighteen-hole course with views of Miacomet Pond and coastline.
Nantucket Island's Siasconset Golf Club has a nine-hole course, encircled by conservation land and Sankaty Head Golf Club in Sconset, is a private 18 hole course that is open to the public from October to mid-May. Check at the Front Desk for information regarding tee times.
Tennis
Check the Concierge Office for information regarding tennis lessons, court times, and locations.
Nantucket Tennis & Swim Club. Lessons and court times are available for non-members. www.nantuckettennis.com, 508.825.2020.
Public courts at Jetties Beach, open in season. 508.325.5334.
Other Activities
Nantucket has many other activities for the whole family, from shopping to birdwatching, and nature walks to playgrounds.
Antiques, Shopping and Collectibles
The island is filled with wonderful antique and collectible shops. Check out the local papers for what is happening during your stay or just browse through the shops in Nantucket town. And there are plenty of fashionable shops, perfect for the whole family.
Internet Access
All Nantucket Island Resort accommodations offer high speed wireless connection in the common areas meeting rooms, as well as, in each guest room.
Nature Trail and Birdwatching
One third of Nantucket is protected from development. Bird watching and wildflower walks available in season from the Maria Mitchell Association, 508.228.9198. Also available from Birding Adventures, 508.228.1769, customized adventure guided tours. The Nantucket Conservation Foundation, 508.228.2884 can provide information for organized tours.
Playgrounds
Children's Beach and Jetties Beach, just a short walk from the hotel have swing sets, slides and climbing equipment.