Top Reasons to Book a Trip to Nantucket Today

Top Reasons to Book a Trip to Nantucket Today

Nantucket has become a dream vacation destination not only for the rich but also for celebrities. It is a unique island that has sites, styles, and vibes suitable for any taste, interest, age, and preference.

The enchanting shingle-style cottages all in weathered gray color, the winding cobblestone streets, the beautiful blooming flowers everywhere, and the infinite soft sanded beaches are only a few of the reasons why you should visit this New England island.

It has become one of the capitals of fine cuisine and exclusive high fashion shopping, and at the same time, has untouched wildlife and natural resources.

Here are some of the top reasons why you should consider renting a residence or booking a hotel and taking a trip to this island.

• Some of the most stunning beaches in the world

Nantucket is famous for having some of the most beautiful endless beaches in the USA and the world. There are more than 25 beaches on all coasts of the island. Their total length is 80 and more miles.

The different beaches have different pros and cons, amenities, and features. Some of the beaches on the north shore, such as Jetties and Children’s beach, are suitable for families who have small kids. They are on the coast of the warmer and calmer Nantucket Sound.

Others on the south and east coasts are on the shores of the open Atlantic. As such, they have stronger currents, bigger surfs, and colder waters. These are preferred by adventurers, surfers, and strong swimmers.

The western beaches are more remote and quiet and offer unmatched sunset views.

You can even enjoy some driving on the beach if you have a special permit, and the beach allows it.

Thanks to the local policy of the authorities and the conservation organizations, the majority of beaches, even though they are private, are open to visitors and free to access.

There are bus shuttles, bike paths, and walking paths to most beaches.

• The most romantic Sconset Bluff Walk

You don’t need to be a newlywed couple to enjoy this picturesque walking path. It is considered one of the best in the USA and is perfect for taking vacation photos.

It is only one mile long, but you will walk on a beautiful trail covered with white seashells along the Atlantic Ocean. 

The path starts in the iconic village of Siasconset so that you can stroll by the pre-Civil War cottages with blossoming gardens. Then you will pass through the market and a small wood.

The path continues towards one of the less crowded and beautiful beaches – the Siasconset Beach, and ends at the Sankaty Head Light lighthouse, at the easternmost point of Nantucket.

• The history and influence of the whaling industry on life on the island

Before whaling became outlawed, Nantucket held the position of whaling capital of the world. 

Most men in town worked on whaling ships and went on long and dangerous overseas whaling trips. Some of them returned wealthy and stocked up with the precious whale oil. Others were not so lucky. One of the unlucky ones was the Essex whaleship. It was attacked and sunk by a giant sperm whale. Its captain, though miraculously survived to tell the story which inspired Herman Melville to write Moby Dick and Nathaniel Philbrick to write In the Heart of the Sea.

All of this is depicted in the unique Whaling Museum. It is set in a historic whale oil candle factory and includes nine galleries and thousands of exhibits.

You can see a real skeleton of a sperm whale which is 46 feet long, as well as a Fresnel lens from a lighthouse, models of ships, artifacts, tools used for whaling, pictures, and more.

The whaling industry affected the architecture, the tight-knit and altruistic community, the lifestyle, and the vibe of Nantucket, which is still very much visible and palpable today.

Interestingly, the whaling industry left the women of Nantucket in charge of most local businesses, which is why there is a Petticoat Lane in the town.

• The red-to-pink Nantucket Reds

These very specific pants made of sailcloth have a faded red brick color, almost salmon pink. They were first introduced in the 1960s and were inspired by the ships’ sails near Brittany, France.

Today, the Nantucket Reds are trademarked and can be sold only in the single original Murray’s Toggery Shop on Main Street.

So, if you want to blend into the magical atmosphere of Nantucket or show off to friends, you should buy a pair of these iconic pants unique for the island.

• The sailing

If you like sailing, then Nantucket should definitely be on your bucket list.

You can watch the Lynx tall ship graciously gliding in the harbor and along the shores of the island. Many yachts and sailboats pass by and come and go to Nantucket and can be viewed from Brant Point and the beaches.

There is an annual Rainbow Sailing Parade in August when you can view the impressive fleet of hundreds of catboats with colorful sails that pass by Brant Point and the harbor.

There are also some excellent museums, such as the Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum. There you can see hundreds of models of ships and boats, as well as artifacts, pictures, and stories of the many shipwrecks. There are maps of the hundreds of wrecks. You will also be amazed by the heroic stories of the local people who saved some victims throughout history.

Collaboration.