Welcome to Nantucket Attractions

Nantucket attractions offer a wonderful array of nautical experiences and a first hand look at the area’s whaling history. Visit the second oldest lighthouse in the nation at Brant Point, it is still used today by the U.S. Coast Guard for navigational assistance. Enjoy the beautiful waters and take a day or sunset cruise on a cat boat built in 1926. Check out the varied wildlife or go fishing at the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge. Learn about the whaling industry’s contribution to the area at the Whaling Museum or see reflections of the wealth of 19th century whale merchants exhibited in the lavish Hadwen House. You will find all of this and more in Nantucket area attractions.

Brant Point Lighthouse
Brant Point Lighthouse, first built in 1746, is America's second-oldest lighthouse. It is also known as New England's lowest lighthouse because it stands a mere 26 feet. Brant Point Lighthouse was rebuilt numerous times, and the current edifice was built in 1901. The interior of the lighthouse is off-limits to the public, but the grounds surrounding it are not. The lights from Brant Point are visible for 10 miles, and the U.S. Coast Guard still uses it for navigational assistance. Tourists can reach the lighthouse by taking Easton Street.

Christina
The Christina, a cat boat built in 1926, departs seven times daily from Straight Wharf. Day cruises cost $25 per person, and sunset cruises cost $35 per person. Each cruise typically takes 1.5 hours. People are welcome to bring their own drinks and food aboard Christina. Reservations are recommended because the boat rides sell out quickly. Cruises are not offered November through April. Call (508) 325-4000 for more information about the cruises.

Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge
The Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, located on Wauwinet Road, is open all year. It is most notable for its beaches, fishing, historic lighthouse, and varied wildlife. The Trustees of Reservations offers guided natural history tours through the refuge for people of all ages. Expert naturalists lead the tours. Sixteen miles of trails offer moderate hiking to tourists. Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge is free to cyclists, pedestrians, and boaters. A permit is needed to ride over-sand vehicles in the area. Call (508) 228-5646 for more information about the refuge.

Great Point Light
Great Point Light, also known as Nantucket Light, was first built in 1785. It has been rebuilt many times since its initial construction. The lighthouse is located within the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge. Great Point Light is inaccessible by road. However, organized tours ending at the lighthouse are available through the refuge. The entrance to Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge is located on Wauwinet Road.

Hadwen House
The Hadwen House best illustrates the wealth accumulated by 19th-century whaling merchants. The interior of the house features lavish period furnishings, and the exterior sports a Victorian garden. William Hadwen built the house, located on 96 Main St., in 1845. In 1965, Jean Satler Williams gave the historic house to the Nantucket Historical Association. Contact the association at (508) 228-1894 for more information about admission to the building.

Jethro Coffin House
The Jethro Coffin House is also known as the "Oldest House" because it is the most ancient house on Nantucket Island. This National Historical Landmark was built circa 1696. The house underwent a restoration after lightening hit it in 1987. The inside of the house features period furnishings and four large fireplaces. Visitors may enter the Jethro Coffin House, located at 16 Sunset Hill Lane, only if they have a Nantucket Historical Association's History Ticket. Contact the association at (508) 228-1894 for more information.

Long Pond
Long Pond is located off of Madaket Road. It is owned by Nantucket Land Bank, and features a one-mile walking path. Hikers get a view of Long Pond, meadows, and a natural cranberry bog as they walk along the trail. This area is also an excellent venue for bird-watching. Long Pond spans 64 acres.

The Maria Mitchell Association
The Maria Mitchell Association, centrally located at 4 Vestal St., consists of six buildings: The Loine Observatory, Vestal Street Observatory, Hinchman House Natural Science Center, Mitchell House, Science Library, and an aquarium. Lectures, science seminars, nature walks, and star observations are just a few of the programs offered by the association. A museum pass, which provides entrance to most of the buildings, is $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 14 and senior citizens. Call the association at (508) 228-9198 additional information.

Nantucket Harbor Cruises
The Anna W II, located at Straight Wharf, sets sail on a number of different cruises throughout the day. It is led by Capt. Bruce Cowan, a naturalist that entertains passengers with knowledge of marine life and boats. Nantucket Harbor Cruises offers a romantic sunset cruise for $30 a person, a morning cruise for $25 a person, and two afternoon ice cream cruises for $15 a person. Children must be at least 4 years old to take a cruise. Contact Nantucket Harbor Cruises at (508) 228-1444 for more information.

Nantucket Historical Association Walking Tours
The Nantucket Historical Association offers walking tours of its numerous historical properties in Nantucket. The tours give visitors an understanding of how the island evolved from a whaling community into the resort destination it is today. Each tour is led by an NHA interpreter and typically takes 1.5 hours. Those wishing to take a tour must purchase a History Ticket, which gives access to all association properties and the walking tour. The tickets, priced at $15 for adults and $8 for children, can be purchased at the Hadwen House or the Whaling Museum. Call the Nantucket Historical Association at (508) 228-1894 for more information.

Nantucket Life-saving Museum
The Nantucket Life-saving Museum is dedicated to the struggle between man and the sea. It highlights the efforts of early Nantucket natives to save hundreds from the island's dangerous shores. The museum is open June 15 through Columbus Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children over 5, and free for children under 5. Special tours of the museum can be arranged during the off-season. The museum can also be rented out for events. Call the museum, located on 158 Polpis Road in Nantucket, at (508) 228-1885 for more information.

Nantucket Vineyards
Nantucket Vineyards is located on Bartlett Farm Road in Nantucket. Dean and Melissa Long own and operate the vineyard. They import grapes from around the United States in order to make their fine wines. The vineyard currently offers 10 wines and distills whiskey. Nantucket Vineyards, which hosts weekly tasting parties, can be rented for catered events. Call the vineyard at (508) 228-9235 for more information.

Sankaty Head Light
Sankaty Head Light is located in Siasconset on Nantucket Island. The interior of the lighthouse is off-limits to the public, but the grounds surrounding it are not. Thus, sightseers can enjoy exterior views of the lighthouse. Sankaty Head Light, built in 1850, is made of brick and stands 70 feet tall. The U.S. Coast Guard still uses this lighthouse as a navigational aid.

Whaling Museum
The Whaling Museum, which celebrates Nantucket Island's whaling history, should be on every vacationer's itinerary. Exhibit highlights include a world-renowned scrimshaw collection and an assortment of 19th-century objects brought back from whaling expeditions. The museum, housed in a former spermaceti candle factory, is located on Broad Street in Nantucket. Call the museum at (508) 228-1994 for information about its variable hours and admission rates.