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Day Trip to Nantucket

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Nantucket Activities

Fisher Real Estate
day trip to nantucket

Day trip to Nantucket

If you only have one day to explore the Grey Lady, there are some things you need to know. Luckily, Fisher Real Estate has you covered on what’s not to miss on our Island that may be small in diameter, but big in charm.

Transportation

Firstly, you’ll want to arrive as early as possible and leave as late as possible. Most likely, you’ll get here via one of the fast ferry options offered by the HyLine or Steamship Authority. Depending on the season and your schedule, you can catch a ferry as early as 6:10am on the Steamship Authority, or 8:15 on the Hy-Line and dock in Nantucket Harbor one hour later. We prefer to use NantucketFerries.com for the latest ferry schedules. 

Secondly, while Nantucket is not that big of an island, it can take a while to get from place to place. So, if it’s your first time on the island, you may want to stick to enjoying the downtown area. There is plenty to do from dining and shopping,  to people watching and enjoying our rich architectural history. Comparatively, if you’re a strong cyclist and you’re looking to explore, it’s possible to bike the entire island. Otherwise, you may need to rent a car or take advantage of the WAVE. The Wave is Nantucket’s great public transportation option providing shuttle routes throughout.

Town

Day trip to NantucketDay trip to Nantucket

The ferries both conveniently drop you off in Nantucket Town. Shake off those sea legs and walk around Nantucket’s historic district, uncovering a unique mix of the old and the new as you get a sense of downtown. For those that need a pick-me-up after the early morning boat, there are plenty of good options nearby. Try a coffee at Handlebar Cafe or a fresh juice from Lemon Press as you meander along. Then, step into The Whaling Museum for fascinating galleries and exhibitions that tell over four centuries of the Island’s stories.

The Cliff and Jetties

Day trip to NantucketDay trip to Nantucket

For lunch, walk up Cliff Road to Something Natural to pick up some very large sandwiches and cookies. You can bring your lunch to Jetties for some quality beach time. Here you can watch the ferries come in and out, rent a boat from Nantucket Community Sailing, or grab a cold drink at Sandbar (both open seasonally). When it is time to go, ask someone how you might walk back to town along the beach and you’ll end up right at the famous Brant Point Lighthouse. (Not quite time to throw those pennies, but have them ready for when you depart to ensure a return to Nantucket!)

Back to Town

Day trip to NantucketDay trip to NantucketDay trip to Nantucket

As you get back into town, shops will be open, and you’ll find a bit more energy than when you arrived earlier. Not a big shopper? Grab a seat on one of the benches outside The Hub and do a little people watching. Depending on the time, you could also take the Cisco Brewers shuttle out to the brewery for a quick visit and local brew or cocktail. There are several food trucks at the brewery as well, so you can grab a snack here before the boat. Otherwise, the chowder on the ferry is as good as anywhere in New England and a perfect way to end your day.

Enjoy your day trip to Nantucket! If you are visiting Nantucket for longer than a day, Fisher Real Estate offers long-weekend rentals in the off-season and week-long rentals in-season. Don’t forget to visit our office on Main Street to book your next stay!

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Fisher Real Estate