Nantucket, a two hour ferry ride from Cape Cod, is the smaller, quieter, reserved sister to Martha's Vineyard. Nantucket Town is the central destination on the island, and the center of tourist activity. Covered in similar looking buildings, with a gray blue exterior and white trim, Nantucket has a distinct fishing/seaside look. The restaurants specialize in seafood, and the island is known for its remote location and serene beaches.
Restaurants and souvenir shops line the streets of Nantucket Town, and the Museum of Nantucket History includes exhibits on the history of the island. There are several historic houses and churches in this central area, reflecting the early inhabitants of the region. Nantucket Town is where you will find the majority of dining and nightlife options.
Siasconset, in the southeastern region of the island, is seven miles from Nantucket Town and has a population of only 150 year round residents. Just north is the Sankaty Light, an 1849 lighthouse perched atop a tall bluff, and a little further north is Coatue-Coskata-Great Point, a five mile stretch of sand featuring wildlife refuges only accessible by foot or a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Madaket, in the westernmost region of Nantucket, is the smallest settlement on the island. Eel's Point, a few miles north is a quiet, pristine location with wildflower, plants and birds.
Nantucket is thirty miles south of Cape Cod, parallel to Hyannis. It is bordered by Nantucket Sound to the north and west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south.
