Famous Places to Visit on Nantucket

The island of Nantucket, located 30 miles south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is only 14 miles long and 3-5 miles wide. Yet it has some of the most prominent landmarks not only in New England but in the USA.

With its endless, clean, windswept beaches, historic lighthouses and buildings, blooming gardens, and untouched nature, there is so much to see and do there.

Half of the idyllic island’s land is preserved, but many beautiful old and new local residences are available for short-term rent. So you can book one for a more authentic experience during your vacation there.

Here are some of the most famous places to add to your itinerary when you head to the “Little Grey Lady of the Sea.”

The Lighthouses

The island is home to three of the oldest functioning lighthouses in the country. They have been navigating the mariners for centuries and today are among the most iconic symbols of Nantucket.

Brant Point Lighthouse is the first building that greets anyone arriving on the island via ferry or boat. It is located at the Harbor and has been guiding the arriving and departing ships since 1746.

The historic lighthouse is decorated by the locals with flags or wreaths during the different holidays. It is one of the top Instagrammable sites on the island.

The Great Point Lighthouse is situated on the northernmost point of the island. It was built in 1784. Since it is more remote, you will need to plan a more extended trip either by cycling, hiking, or over-sand driving through the beautiful Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Reserve to get there.

Sankaty Head Light is the third historic lighthouse, which is probably the most recognizable of all three. The striped red and white tower is located on the east coast next to the picturesque village of Siasconset. Sankaty Head Light was built in 1850 and recently was moved inwards into the land to protect it from collapsing from the eroding coast. It is among the top-rated Instagram-worthy spots in Nantucket.

Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum

Nantucket was also known as “the graveyard of the Atlantic” because of the many shipwrecks which occurred on its shores and nearby. They were often due to the sudden heavy fogs and the dangerous waters surrounding it.

The Nantucket Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum, located on Polpis Street, pays tribute to all of the ships and crews lost through the years. And also to the heroic efforts of the local lifesavers who often risked their lives to help the ships in danger.

The small museum shows artifacts, paintings, and other exhibits of the more than 750 shipwrecks which happened in the ocean waters around the island. You can learn the stories of the local rescuers who helped hundreds of crew members through the centuries, too.

The Whaling Museum

The Whaling Museum, in the historic downtown of Nantucket, is the top-rated landmark on the island. It is also a place to visit to understand better the local culture, history, unique nautical style, and lifestyle there.

Nantucket is the place that inspired Herman Melville to write the epic novel Moby-Dick as the island was known as the “whaling capital of the world” several centuries ago. The whaling industry was the main business of the island’s residents and made them one of the richest communities in the USA. This museum contains some stunning exhibits that will take you through those heroic times.

The museum is set in a restored factory for whale oil candles from those whaling years. It has some unique artifacts and items on display, including a gigantic whale skeleton, the first Fresnel lens from one of the lighthouses, articles from the whaling ships and tours, and many more amazing things.

While you are there, don’t forget to go to the museum’s rooftop, which offers stunning bird’s-eye views of the town, harbor, and Nantucket Sound from the viewing deck.

Nantucket Atheneum

The Nantucket Atheneum, the only public library on the island, was built in 1834 by two prominent whaling industry tycoons – David Joy and Charles Coffin. Not an ordinary public library, it is and has been a cultural center and a forum for the communal discourse of the island’s residents for centuries. Located on India Street in a magnificent Greek revival-style building, it has a unique interior that resembles more of a museum than a library. You can explore its beautiful vintage staircases, secret hallways, numerous statues and whaling ship figures, and more.

Today, there are more than 40,000 books, and a dedicated wing for children called the Weezie Library on the premises. The Nantucket Atheneum is also host to numerous free events, including concerts, readings, shows, classes, festivals, and more. Plus, it has a beautiful garden where you can relax under the old trees.

Nantucket’s Compass Rose

The Compass Rose is a wall mural that was commissioned as an advertisement for the original art and photo studio owned by Marshal Gardiner in 1936. The mural is still there on the wall on the corner of Main Street and Washington Street, known as Gardiner’s Corner, and depicts a nautical-themed compass with the actual directions and distances to some of the destinations to which the local whaling ships traveled centuries ago.

You can take some great vacation photos at the Compass Rose, which points to exotic places such as Calcutta, Hong Kong, Moscow, Buenos Aires, Berlin, and more.

Old Mill

It may not sound exhilarating, but the Old Mill is a unique site for anyone interested in history.

The Old Mill, the only historic windmill that is still functioning in the USA, was built in 1746 and was inspired by the windmills of Holland at the time. Today, it is open to visitors, and if the weather allows it, you can see it working and grinding the corn, powered by the wind.

Cisco Brewers

Cisco Brewers combines the local brewery, winery, and distillery all in one, and is the favorite meeting and party spot for vacationers and locals alike.

You can take tours, taste the different craft brews, wines and spirits, or enjoy spending the afternoon in the large beer garden, where there are various food trucks and live music every day.

Once referred to as “the happiest place on Earth,” Cisco Brewers is definitely the place to mingle with the locals and try out some of the best beverages, snacks, and dishes on the island.