GETTING TO NANTUCKET

Plane: Nantucket is accessible by plane directly from Newark (United), JFK (JetBlue), LaGuardia (USAirways/American), Washington National; Boston (CapeAir), Providence (CapeAir), New Bedford (CapeAir), and Hyannis (CapeAir or Island Airlines). Flights decrease in the winter months, but are fully operational and frequent from early spring through early fall.

Boat: Alternatively you may take the ferry from Hyannis to Nantucket (or from Harwich Port from mid-May to mid-October). Two ferry lines are available for reservations:

1) Hy-Line Passengers only

2) Steamship Authority This is the ferry you need to take should you wish to bring your car to Nantucket Island. Visitors planning to bring a car would be wise to make reservations early via the Steamship website.

3) Swim: This is by far the cheapest way to go! (28 miles)

NANTUCKET INFORMATION

Nantucket, known as “land far out to sea”, is nearly 30 miles out in the open Atlantic. Once known as the whaling capital of the world, Nantucket has managed to retain the charm and elegance of the 1800’s.

Nantucket Town: Exudes charm with its cobblestone main street lined with unique gift shops, elegant restaurants, and stately homes. There are more than 800 historic homes and buildings in the town. Most of Nantucket’s historic sites are located in the center of town within easy walking distance of one another.

Population: 12,000 in the winter, and more than 60,000 during the summer.

History: Nantucket evolved from a small farming community to be the capital of the American whaling industry to a popular resort community. More than a third of the land has been protected and will never be developed.

Island’s Size: 48 square miles; 28 miles off the cost of Cape Cod; 3.5 miles long; 14 miles wide; 55 miles of beaches.

Natural Terrain: Nantucket offers scenic beauty: gently rolling heathlands, a remarkable diversity of vegetation, cranberry bogs, and salt marshes. With its location on the north/south flyway of migrating birds, the island is a popular venue for bird watchers. Dedicated bike paths can be found leading to beaches and other sites across the island. Beaches are public access.

Entertainment: Nantucket boasts three active theatre companies and a variety of musical organizations. The island attracts exceptional artists, and there are more than 50 art galleries. In 1996, the island hosted the first Nantucket Film Festival, a screenwriter’s festival that showcases original screenplays.

Accessibility: Nantucket is accessible by air or by ferry from Hyannis (and from Harwich Port from mid-May to mid-October). Many visitors travel around the island on bikes or in taxis, touring vans, or shuttle buses. Visitors who do plan to bring a car are encouraged to make reservations early.

Golf: There are two public golf courses, Miacomet, (18 holes) and Old Sconset Golf Course (9 holes). Both are owned and beautifully maintained by the Nantucket Land Bank and are accessible and affordable to the public. Clubs are available for rent at both locations.

Biking/Running: 20 + miles of well-maintained bike paths lead to all parts of the island and stretch from town to Surfside Beach, Madaket beach, Sconset beach and other beautiful island destinations.

Tennis: Public tennis courts are available at several island locations.

Swimming: Island beaches are everywhere, over 70 miles of public shoreline. Ocean beaches provide waves and surf (take a surfing lesson at Cisco Beach) and calm water beaches on the Nantucket Sound (Children’s beach and Jetties Beach with snacks, restrooms and playground).

NANTUCKET LINKS

Chamber of Commerce
Steamship Authority [Car & Passenger Ferry]
Hy-Line [Passenger Ferry only]
Nantucket Rent A Car
Nantucket Historical Association
Cape Air / Nantucket Air
Nantucket Life-Saving Museum