A B O U T    N A N T U C K E T

The native American name for Nantucket was "Natockete," which means "far-away land." The Wampanoags also referred to the island as "Canopache," or "place of peace." Located out in the Atlantic Ocean 30 miles off the Massachusetts coast, Nantucket island is truly off in its own world of time and space.

First settled in 1659 by English families seeking refuge from the religious intolerance of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, by the middle of the eighteenth century the island was inhabited by a Quaker settlement that exerted a strong cultural influence. Their sample, sturdy dwellings have been continuously occupied and stand today in pristine ranks along cobblestoned Main Street and other lanes and byways. Later, with the affluence generated by the whaling industry, merchants and master mariners built their homes with an eye to impress their neighbors. For a century and a half, Nantucket was the busiest and most prosperous whaling port in the world. The perfectly preserved Georgian, Federal, and Greek Revival houses of that era, together with the older Quaker buildings, make of Nantucket Town and architectural treasure trove. But this is a living town, not a collection of reconstructed museum pieces.

There are just two ways to get to Nantucket Island—by sea and by air. There are a number of ferry services, includiing Hy-Line and the Steamship Authority which operates a high-speed passenger boat as well as the only vessels that carry cars to Nantucket. Visitors can also fly from Hyannis on Cape Cod, or from Boston and New York on either Island Air, Nantucket Airlines, or Cape Air.

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Getting Around
Nantucket has a network of bicycle paths from one end of the island to the other and bicycles are readily available for rent. The island also has a shuttle bus system, operated by the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (NRTA).

There are numerous car rental agencies and a good taxi system also on island. If you need to bring your car, the Steamship Authority carries vehicles but reservations need to be made well in advance as there is limited capacity, especially during the summer months. No reservations are required for passengers.

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Conservation
Nearly 50% of the land on island has been permanently preserved for conservation. Several areas and habitats are rare to this region and even the world. Although several groups own the island's protected lands, with diverse missions, the goal of preserving Nantucket's unique natural resources for future generations is shared by all.

The Nantucket Islands Land Bank was created in 1984 to help the acquisition effort of protected land for the public to enjoy. The Land Bank is funded by a transfer fee of 2% on the sale of real estate, paid by the buyer. Since the Land Bank was established, it has added over 2,134 acres of open space to other tracts of conservation land. However, a host of other institutions, public and private, stand up for the integrity of the land, including the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, The Nantucket Land Council, The 'Sconset Trust, and the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

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Special Island Events
The Daffodil Festival: 3rd weekend in April
Nantucket's traditional welcome to spring, when over 3 million daffodils blooms and turn the countryside into a vivid yellow tapestry.

Events include the Annual Antique and Classic Car Parade and the Annual Tailgate Picnic, as well as activities such as hiking, fishing, bird watching, and seal cruises.

For more information, visit the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

Annual Nantucket Noel
End of November-December 31
Festivities for this month-long celebration begin the day after Thanksgiving with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and continue through New Year's Eve, with theatrical performances, concerts, holiday exhibitions, and the world-famous Christmas Stroll, held on the first weekend of December.

For more information, visit the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce.