Nantucket, just 30 miles south of Cape Cod, MA, is a small and remote island, but it has become one of the top vacation spots for millions over the years.
There are multiple reasons why people are adding it to their bucket lists and wish to keep coming back to this idyllic island.
Some obvious ones are the endless sandy beaches, the perfectly preserved historic infrastructure and buildings, the blinking lighthouses, and the postcard-like views.
But while it is a tiny island, there are so many sites to see and things to experience in Nantucket that rarely one vacation or visit is enough for most travelers there.
Here are five of the main reasons why you are very likely to fall in love with this beautiful vacation spot.
1. It is easy to feel like a local
One of the unique features of Nantucket is its tight-knit community. The permanent residents of the island are less than 15,000 people, but they are committed to making their small town and island a welcoming vacation location and to preserving its historical and natural charm.
In the summer, the number of people on the island usually swells up to 50,000 and more at a time.
Ever since whaling was banned, tourism became the leading business of the people in Nantucket.
When you get there, you will feel like you are at home, with friendly locals greeting you, chatting with you, and willing to help you enjoy your stay even more.
The properties available for sale in Nantucket are sparse because of the local nature conservation policies, the limited construction, and the sky-high real estate prices. Still, it is easy to spend your vacation there feeling like a local.
This can be done thanks to the many available local beach houses, cottages, lofts, waterfront mansions, and other homes which are available for short-term rent.
Many of the rentals include all the amenities to help you feel like you are in your own summer home.
2. The postcard-like scenery
The scenery in Nantucket is absolutely stunning, apparent from the flood of photos posted on Instagram and other social media every year.
It has some of the most beautiful sandy beaches, Atlantic Ocean views, and mesmerizing sunsets. Nantucket is also home to three historic lighthouses, cobblestone streets, over 800 impeccably preserved pre-civil war mansions, gray cedar shingle-style cottages covered with roses and blooming hydrangeas and other flowers at every step. Plus, more than half of the land on the island is conserved, and this means that the nature and wildlife there are unspoiled and striking too.
It is no surprise that many sites there are often voted and rated as the top Insta-worthy places in the country.
3. The many free and gorgeous beaches
This New England island may be small in size, but it has a coastline with over 80 miles of beaches, which are widely considered some of the most stunning ones in the USA.
All of the beaches are open to the public and free to visit.
With more than 25 beaches to choose from, you can easily spend every day of your month-long vacation on a different beach.
Some of them are closer to town and have calmer and warmer water making them more suitable for families with young children. Others are on the Atlantic Ocean coasts and are preferred by surfers and watersports lovers. There are beaches that are suitable for people who want a quieter and less crowded experience.
Also, some beaches are perfect for romantic picnics, wedding photos, and sunset viewing.
You can go to beaches which are great for fishing, sailing or kayaking.
In other words, Nantucket has a perfect beach for everyone.
4. The opportunities for getting around by bike
The island of Nantucket is only 14 miles long and has a width of just 3 to 5 miles. Thanks to the efforts of the local authorities, it has an extensive network of biking, walking, and multifunctional paths and trails, which means that you can get to just about any spot by cycling.
Taking your bike with you or renting one for your stay in Nantucket is an excellent idea, considering the high price of taking your car with you.
Some local short-term rental residences even include bikes as added amenities for their guests.
With a bicycle, you can better explore the sights, smells, and sounds of the island. Plus, it is more eco-friendly, cheaper, and much healthier than driving.
Last but not least, the locals generally frown upon taking your vehicle with you on vacation to Nantucket.
5. It has a remarkable whaling history
For centuries, the people of the island engaged in the dangerous but very lucrative whaling industry. The glorious whaling years made Nantucket known as the “whaling hub of the world” and allowed the island and its residents to become some wealthiest communities in the country.
Even though whaling was prohibited and abandoned centuries ago, the signs from those times are still very much evident in today’s Nantucket.
There are multiple beautiful captains’ mansions along the cobblestone streets. Plus, you can see hand-carved signs with whales and nautical themes just about everywhere on the island.
Also, the three historic lighthouses, the harbor, the famous Whaling Museum, and the smaller but unique local Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum are some of the island’s most popular sites and landmarks.
If you want to learn more about the island’s history and its people and the stories of the brave captains and crews who traveled for months and years to the other side of the world. And the true stories which inspired the classic American novel “Moby-Dick” then you should visit these museums and sites. They will make you fall in love with the history, culture, and charm of Nantucket even more.
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