Top 5 cultural & heritage things to do in Nantucket

1. Self-guided walking and biking tour of Nantucket

Explore Nantucket with a combined self-guided walking tour downtown and a scenic bike or drive from Madaket to Sconset, with offline GPS audio.

2. Nantucket historical bus tour

One and a half hours on a bus — narrated tour of lighthouses, Siasconset, and historic houses.

“Chris from Barrett Tours provided an outstanding tour experience. His knowledge of Nantucket's history was impressive, and we were encouraged to engage and share during the tour. There were plenty of opportunities for photography. I highly recommend this tour with Chris for anyone visiting Nantucket; it will not disappoint.”— Priscilla_B

3. Self-guided walking tour of Nantucket

Explore Nantucket's history on a self-guided audio tour — cobblestone streets, key landmarks, and rich heritage at your own pace.

“The audio tour was highly informative. Prior to my vacation, I researched Nantucket's history extensively, and this tour included all the key figures and events I had learned about. It beautifully conveyed the essence of early Nantucket, providing an ideal look back at a bygone era. Skipping this audio experience means missing a crucial part of what makes the island significant in American history.”— Houstonsite

4. Self-guided biking or driving tour across Nantucket

Explore Nantucket's coast on a self-guided tour, covering key sights from Madaket to Sconset by bike or car.

“We finally took the high-speed ferry from Hyannis to Nantucket for a day trip and brought our bikes along to explore the island more thoroughly. We parked nearby and easily rode our bikes to the pier. Check-in was straightforward, but there was a separate line for bikes since they are stored with the luggage in the boat's lower level. One drawback was that bikes are not placed in self-standing racks; instead, they are just piled together, which raises the risk of scratches, especially since ours were among the first loaded. The ferry ride was smooth, with both indoor and outdoor seating, plus charging plugs at some spots and plenty of restrooms. Once we disembarked, navigating downtown proved challenging due to the narrow, bumpy cobblestone streets crowded with other visitors, so we ended up walking our bikes until we reached safer roads. We then found paved streets that led us to some bike trails to explore the northern side of the island, passing beautiful homes and beaches. On our next trip, we plan to check out the southern coast. Downtown offered lots of upscale shops and restaurants. We visited the Whaling Museum, which provided a good amount of Nantucket's history, and loved the rooftop area with stunning views of the harbor. Public restrooms were conveniently located throughout the downtown area. Visiting in September, just after Labor Day, made for a hectic but enjoyable experience. We will definitely return, possibly staying at one of the charming inns.”— joannk679

5. Interactive scavenger hunt in Nantucket

Two to three hours of exploration — a remote-hosted scavenger hunt through Nantucket’s unique cultural and historical sites, complete with a leaderboard challenge.

“This experience was a total scam. We were instructed to meet at the Corner Table Cafe at 11 am. We got there at 10:55 am and waited until 11:20 am. When I called the provided number, they informed me that the operator never showed up. I requested a refund, but it hasn’t appeared in my statement yet. Be cautious; I feel scammed.”— lemong914