Lovely Nantucket, just off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a great resort island with all of the conveniences of the modern age, and all of the charm of the 19th century. With its history of whaling, fishing, and piracy, combined with plentiful stores, quaint inns, cobblestone streets, and pristine beaches, this is a great place for a vacation by rental car in Nantucket.
Getting there
There are no bridges to Nantucket Island so if you wish to bring your rental car to Nantucket, you will have to come over by ferry. There are several companies offering ferries to the island from Hyannis on Cape Cod. These trips vary in price and luxury as well as national travel deals, but all average about two hours time in crossing. Hyannis can be reached from Boston via I-93 to Route 3 and a car rental ride over the Sagamore Bridge. From New York City, car rental drivers will approach the Cape Cod Canal via Route 25 and the Bourne Bridge.
By air, Delta Connection offers flights from Boston and New York, Cape Air/Nantucket Airlines from Hyannis, Boston, Marthaеs Vineyard and New Bedford, Continental Express from Newark, Island Airlines from Hyannis and US Airways Express from Boston and New York. Bostonеs Logan International is served by most major American and international carriers.
Key attractions
In the island’s only town, also named Nantucket, you can find the 1926 solid-mahogany catboat, the Christina, and the Whaling Museum. The Museum, a one-time whale-wax candle factory, showcases the history of whaling in New England. The Christina provides daily tours of the harbor and is great for an afternoon picnic.
Also on offer on the island are body boarding, bike riding, windsurfing, sunbathing and spending time in the islandеs thriving live-music filled pubs. For something more organized, the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge offers a fascinating tour which includes opportunities to see egrets, terns, oystercatchers and the Great Point Lighthouse.
Out and about
Cape Cod, to the west of Nantucket, is also a great place to visit. With its varied geography of great beaches, sand dunes, heathlands, pleasant hills, marshes, fresh water ponds and lakes it has fantastic swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, hiking, and bicycling. Another extremely well regarded holiday location nearby is famous Marthaеs Vineyard. National travel deals are plentiful on all of these popular islands.
Leisure options
People from all walks of life choose Nantucket as a refuge from big city stress and bustle. Families also enjoy Nantucket because children can safely explore the island on their own. Food vendors and souvenir shops line the local strip. The beaches on Nantucket’s south side usually have cooler water than north side beaches. The whaling industry which was once crucial to the island economy is now depicted at the Whaling Museum.
Safety
Nantucket may be safe enough for children to comfortably explore, but sunbathers and swimmers should still take proper precautions around water, especially when waves are high and weather is unpleasant. Travel insurance is another recommended precaution.