Nantucket is a small island about 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, quieter and more exclusive than neighbouring Martha's Vineyard. Once the whaling capital of the world — Moby-Dick opens here — it is now a summer resort with a beautifully preserved historic town centre, cobblestone streets, grey-shingled houses, and some of the best beaches on the East Coast.
The Nantucket Whaling Museum in the centre of town is excellent and gives real weight to the island's maritime past. The town itself is compact and walkable, full of galleries, shops, and good restaurants. The beaches range from the gentle, family-friendly Jetties Beach on the north shore to the open Atlantic surf of Surfside Beach. Cycling is the best way to get around — the island is flat and has good bike paths reaching out to Siasconset on the eastern tip.
Nantucket is expensive, especially in July and August. The shoulder seasons (late May–June and September–October) offer better value, fewer crowds, and often beautiful weather.