Nantucket, MA, is such a unique place that it is hard to name just one main reason it is such a popular destination for tourists, vacationers, second homeowners, and seasonal residents.
The island located south of Cape Cod combines a historic charm, some of the most beautiful New England coastal shingle-style cottages and gardens, infinite beaches and landscapes, and a friendly and close-knit community.
If you are still having doubts about whether or not to book a rental residence in Nantucket and go on a trip there, here are some of the main reasons which may help you make up your mind.
The Nantucket beaches
The spectacular beaches of Nantucket are spread across 80 miles on the entire shoreline of the island. Thanks to the local conservation organizations and the authorities of Nantucket, the beaches and waterfront are accessible for free for all visitors, even though the majority of them are private.
There are over 25 beaches, all of which are unique, offer stunning views, and are worth visiting.
The best part is that there are beaches where the water is calmer and warmer, and there are child-friendly amenities such as playgrounds and others that have bigger waves and heavier surf, which are suitable for surfers and adventurers. There are also more remote beaches which are less crowded and offer quiet relaxation.
Many of the beaches have lifeguards during the season, as well as other amenities such as restrooms, showers, snack shacks, and others.
There are beaches in wildlife reserves and some beaches where you can enjoy driving a 4WD vehicle if you have a special beach permit.
You can reach most beaches by bike, by the regular shuttle bus lines, via walking, or you can take a cab or order an Uber ride.
The fascinating history of whaling
Nantucket was the world capital of whaling from the mid-1700s to the late 1830s, and this industry was the primary business on the island for nearly a century. The local captains and crews went on 3-5 year-long overseas voyages in search of whales and the valuable whale oil, or “greasy luck,” as they called it. In Nantucket, the women took over the local businesses while the men were out at sea.
This part of the history of the island has affected all aspects of life there, including the strong sense of community, the beautiful architecture, the culture, and the strong desire for preserving the history and nature of Nantucket.
When you go to Nantucket, you will see reminders of this glorious period for the people of the island. Many of the big captain mansions were built after the crews returned with tons of oil and riches. There are restaurants, bars, and stores dedicated to remembering the whaling industry that changed the lives of people here.
There is a Whaling Museum, which was once named – one of the ten places to visit in the USA before you die by Andrew Harper.
It is set in a historic building that used to be a candle factory that processed the whale oil and ensured lighting for the people.
There are thousands of exhibits and many galleries in the museum. You can see a gigantic sperm whale skeleton hanging from its ceiling, a real Fresnel lens from one of the lighthouses, different whaling tools, artifacts, and pictures.
You can find out more about the Essex whaling ship and its captain, which inspired the writing of In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick, which was the story that inspired Herman Melville to write Moby Dick.
The story of shipwrecks and the bravery of the locals
Another museum which you should visit when in town is the Nantucket Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum.
Nantucket has always been known for the heavy fogs, and thus was called The Little Gray Lady of the Sea. This plus the unpredictable weather and waters around it are the reasons why hundreds of shipwrecks occurred near its shores.
Some referred to the island as “the graveyard of the Atlantic” because of these incidents.
In this museum, you can find out more about most of these shipwrecks, see models of the ships and boats that sank or were destroyed, and actual artifacts from them.
The museum also pays tribute to the local heroes who risked their lives trying to save the ships and their crews.
It is an intriguing and touching part of the history of Nantucket, which is another factor that has left an imprint on life on the island. And it is probably something that will help you understand the people of Nantucket and their love and appreciation of their hometown even better.