What are the best things to do in Nantucket?
Top picks in Nantucket include Maria Mitchell Aquarium, Museum of African American History, Nantucket Whaling Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Nantucket travel guide.
🇺🇸 United States travel guide
North America · North America
Nantucket Travel Guide
Nantucket, United States
Photo: The original uploader was Bobak at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.5
Why visit Nantucket
Travel guide for Nantucket, United States — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Nantucket is a stop in United States, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 1 days. If time is short, prioritise Maria Mitchell Aquarium, Museum of African American History, Nantucket Whaling Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Nantucket
1
Maria Mitchell Aquarium
2
Museum of African American History
3
Nantucket Whaling Museum
Plan your trip
Nantucket itinerary (1 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Maria Mitchell Aquarium
- Visit Museum of African American History
- Visit Nantucket Whaling Museum
- Eat at The Downyflake (Breakfast/Lunch)
Budget
Nantucket trip cost
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Nantucket, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Nantucket
Estimated total (USD)
$3,300
≈ $1,650 per person · $471 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $200/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Nantucket mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
The Downyflake (Breakfast/Lunch)
The Juice Bar
Something Natural (Sandwich shop)
Black-Eyed Susan’s
Faregrounds Restaurant
LoLa 41 (Longitude Latitude)
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Nantucket Inn
The Nantucket Hotel
The Beachside at Nantucket
Brass Lantern Nantucket
Cliffside Beach Club
Shopping
- Christopher Wheat
- Shreve, Crump & Low
- Fresh
- Gu Family Markets
- Stop & Shop
Nightlife
- Galley Beach
- Chicken Box
- Kitty Murtaugh's
- Lo La 41
- Brotherhood of Thieves
- Pudley's Pub
Museums & culture
- Museum of African American History
- Nantucket Whaling Museum
In pictures
Nantucket gallery
Photos: The original uploader was Bobak at English Wikipedia., Nantucket Historical Association from Nantucket, USA, DanielPenfield, Denimadept, Frank van Mierlo — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Nantucket travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Nantucket?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Nantucket?
Plan at least 1 days in Nantucket for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Nantucket?
Popular stays in Nantucket include Nantucket Inn, The Nantucket Hotel, The Beachside at Nantucket. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Nantucket cost?
On the ground in Nantucket (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Nantucket, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
