Yesterday's Island/Today's Nantucket, Vol. 56, Issue #3, May 28 - June 10, 2026 by Yesterday's Island Today's Nantucket

photo courtesy Steve Tornovish

photo courtesy NHA

photo courtesy Nat Philbrick

Stretch Stone Bracelets by Pam Freitus $40

White Enamel and Gold Heart Charm Pearl Bracelet $55

Pendants

Probing the Darkness & Writing Bestsellers

by Suzanne Daub

The author of eight New York Times bestsellers, winner of the National Book Award and the George Washington Book Prize, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, islander Nathaniel Philbrick is one of America’s most celebrated narrative historians. And on July 10, he will be the recipient of the Nantucket Atheneum’s 2026 Luminary Award.

Philbrick’s path to literary fame began not in a library or a lecture hall, but on the water, shaped by early summers on Cape Cod, life on Nantucket Island, and a passion for sailing and the sea.

Nathaniel Philbrick grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—far from any ocean —but the sea called to him at a young age. His father grew up in Providence, his mother on Cape Cod, and both had sailed as children. Each summer, the family would spend two weeks at his grandparents’ house on Cape Cod, and it was there that young Nat discovered sailing. “For a shy kid not much of a team athlete, sailing was the perfect thing,” he reminisced. He was an All-American sailor at Brown University, and it was while both taught sailing that he met his wife, Melissa.

After college, he followed his father’s footsteps into graduate school for American literature, but after about a year he realized academia wasn’t for him. “I did not want an academic life. I wanted to be a writer.”

He landed a job at a sailing magazine, working as an editor at Sailing World for four years, then as a freelancer writing and editing several books about the sport, including Yaachting: A Parody and The Passionate Sailor.

The pivot that changed everything came in 1986, when Philbrick and Melissa moved to Nantucket. “It was Melissa’s job [as a lawyer] that brought us here. We were living outside of Boston...I was trying to write and was home with a oneand a four-year-old...Melissa’s commute was getting difficult. One day her train

Pink Ladies of Nantucket

by Dr. Sarah Treanor Bois, PhD Director of Research & Conservation at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation

Right now is the perfect time to go on a hunt for one of Nantucket nature’s treasured beauties, the pink lady’s slipper orchid.

The pink lady’s slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule) is Nantucket’s most popular orchid (or the one most often seen), likely because it is hard to miss when in bloom. As the name suggests, the bloom resembles a small, pink ballet slipper fit for a squirrel. This orchid is locally common with each plant growing a single flower. These individual flowers tend to grow in clusters, so where you see one, you may see several. This grouping lends itself to magical thinking, imagining a dancing troupe of forest creatures. And while this isn’t a fairy tale, there is something magical about orchids and where they grow. It’s nearly impossible to duplicate the conditions necessary to cultivate these lady slippers. That’s why seeing them in the wild along a trail can feel so special.

The first thing to note is that this hearty perennial survives the winter underground. After this past winter—harsh temperatures and lots of snow—the leaves of the lady slipper orchid emerge in late spring with the flowers visible late May to early June. Now is the perfect time to hunt. This past weekend, I spotted early emerging leaves along a favorite forested trail. This has been a perfect spot, with slipper blossoms seen for the past 4 years in the same section of trail.

When fully emerged, the pink lady’s slipper is an upright plant ranging from six to twelve or so inches tall. Each plant has a pair of basal leaves, meaning that the leaves grow from the lowest part of the stem. The leaves are one to three inches wide and about six inches long, oblong. The leaves are smooth (not toothed), usually a rich green above and silvery and hairy below.

continued on page 16

Scratch Up the Quahogs

by Steve “Tuna” Tornovish

Well would you look at that: Memorial Day weekend was a few days ago and Nantucket is insta-busy. Not surprising, of course, but it does feel often sudden this year. Perhaps it’s due to the lack of any real warm weather. Or maybe it’s that this national holiday was celebrated a week earlier than usual this year. Whatever it may be, it’s busy! Joggers, bikers, e-bikers, rental cars, Ubers, summer neighbors, people riding scooters or those crazy big wheel skateboard thingies –the island is very people-y all at once.

That’s why I jumped at the chance to escape for a few hours last Saturday, when my buddy Josh Sandsbury asked me to join him on his boat for a clam digging run. Josh is a great friend. He and I, along with our third amigo Mike Ramos, had ducked off-island the previous week for a sojourn into central Maine to spend a day with a freshwater fishing guide. We fished at Thompson Lake in Oxford, ME—a spectacular place to fish! Thompson Lake is seven miles of gin-clear water and is full of refrigerator-sized boulders. Our fishing guide, Mike Andreotti, was a retired police detective (as am I, for those of you who may have missed some of Season One). The trip was a blast. We caught some beautiful smallmouth bass, Cap’n Mike was great and the quick boys’ trip will certainly be repeated!

Back on Nantucket and surrounded by invading weekenders, we formulated our quahog adventure. Josh texted me an important question: Town or Madaket? We both agreed that hauling his 22-foot boat on a trailer through the downtown madness was just asking for trouble. Madaket won by default. Low tide was around noon. We rounded up our gear and got at it (Pitter patter, let’s get at ‘er, for you Letterkenny types).

And what is needed for clamming gear, you ask? Well, the boat is fairly essential. It allows for the clammers to hit some different flat areas in the western bay. Low tide is also important. The clams are nestled all snug in the sand and grass, and the clamming types need to be standing in the water in order to seek them out. The less water, the better.

Did I mention rakes? Yeah, clam rakes are suggested. Sure, some intrepid folks will use their toes to detect where the hard-shelled clams are buried and

then reach down and dig them out. That’s a younger person’s method. Josh and I went with the traditional quahog rakes, complete with wire baskets. The clam rakes have six to eight metal tines that are about three inches long, pointed and curved akin to a predator’s paw. The tines dig into the sand. When the metal tines make contact with a quahog shell, the digger can feel a different sensation and hear a different sound that lets you know to scoop that unseen object into the attached basket.

Waders are optional for some. They’re not optional in my world, that’s for sure! Josh and I were digging in knee-deep water, but the water temperature was somewhere around 50 degrees. Yes, waders. And rubber gloves.

Baskets are needed to put your quahogs into. These baskets are kept afloat by tire inner tubes that are inflated and secured to said basket by plastic zip ties. The basket assembly is then tethered to the digger by a short leash of some sort.

And finally, the last thing needed for a quahog digging adventure is a license from the Town of Nantucket. These licenses can be had at the licensing window located inside the Nantucket Police Department lobby on Fairgrounds Road. Geezers like me (over 60 years of age) who are Nantucket residents are awarded a free white button. People can dig for quahogs year-round.

Josh and I eased our way out of Madaket harbor. The tide was very low and the channel buoys have not yet been set. Josh followed the track displayed on his GPS system while we both kept a sharp eye for new shoals.

The digging was fun. We were about twenty feet apart, close enough to talk and laugh about dumb things. We did so the entire time. The quahogs were relatively plentiful. We talked about how digging quahogs took us back to our respective childhoods. Scratching them up always makes me recall my annual trip with Oscar Bunting, one of the greatest Nantucket fishers ever. I would burden Oscar with my teenaged presence once a year on a nice summer day. Oscar would dig quahogs with a machine-like efficiency. He would laugh and give me tips on

THURSDAY, MAY 28

Story Walk: Drawn Together

In the Nantucket Atheneum Garden, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com.

Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

10:30 to 11 AM - Free Preschool Story Time for Age 3+

A 30-minute story time featuring new & classic stories, fingerplays, and songs. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11 AM to 2:30 PM - Social Security Administration - J1 Visa Social Security will be at the Atheneum to meet with J1 students. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

11:15 AM - The Signature Tour: Traditional Historic Tour of Nantucket

Friendly, knowledgeable guides lead a 75-min. tour of historic sites in Nantucket Town, Sconset, & more. See The Oldest House, The Old Windmill, Sconset Village, Sankaty Head Lighthouse & more. Daily at 11:15, 1, & 2:45. Book at 42 Straight Wharf or at nantucketbustours.com or at 508-228-0334.

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

Relax on a narrated tour of the inner harbor while you enjoy ice cream with friends & family. Departs again at 1, 2:15, & 4 pm. One-hour; daily cruises. Call 508-2287037 or book online nantucketbywater.com.

11:45 AM - The Westender Tour with Island Tours

Visit historic sites in Town and the Village of Madaket. Plus stops at Bartlett’s Ocean View Farm & at Cisco Brewers, where you can enjoy libations & food vendors. The experience lasts about 2-1/2 hours. Book at 42 Straight Wharf, at nantucketbustours.com, or at 508-228-0334.

1 PM - Linda Loring Nature Foundation Hike with Nantucket Walkabout LLNF’s publicly accessible property has easy trails thru sandplain grasslands, coastal shrublands, & along the North Head of Long Pond in sight of an active osprey nest. 110 Eel Point Road. Book at 508-422-7466 or WalkNantucket.com

2 PM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour

A 1/2-mi, 80-min, walk with stops. Hear the story of the Greatest Small Town in American history. Departs from corner of Centre & Main sts. by bank steps. Cash only; $25; $20 age 65+; $15 for teens; $10 for ages 7-12. No Reservations needed. Arrive 10 min early. 774-325-8972

3 to 5 PM - Island Tours Elin Hilderbrand Blue Book Tour

From the pages of Elin’s “Must See, Can’t Miss, Won’t Forget” guide to Nantucket, The Blue Book, this tour is led by Elin’s sister, Heather Thorpe, & highlights Elin’s favorite shops, restaurants, & beaches, & showcases island spots prominent in her novels. Book at 42 Straight Wharf, at nantucketbustours.com, or at 508-228-0334.

3 to 5 PM - Wine Tasting at Mór Wine

Join us for New Wines with Mór Wine. Come by to find your new favorite bottle or a fabulous outfit! Enjoy a sip while you browse Commonwealth’s designer resale collection. Beth English and her fabulous vintage collection will be popping up Wednesday-Sunday. 16 Federal Street. Morwine.com

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Doug & Co at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

Next Phase for the Mill

The Nantucket Historical Association is beginning the next phase of restoration work on Nantucket’s iconic Old Mill, built in 1746. The NHA purchased the mill in 1897. In 1992, it was designated as a historic mechanical engineering landmark and is believed to be the oldest working windmill in the United States.

The Old Mill is the only one of at least five still standing on the ridge above the town; it was built to withstand strong winds needed for the wind power to grind corn. In the mill is a complex mechanism of wooden gears and mill stones.

Since its acquisition, the property has undergone several major restorations: the current project, which began in late 2024, required additional research and materials testing once the structure was opened for thorough inspection. Those findings have led to a broader view of the project and an understanding that a more intensive restoration will be required.

“Historic machines such as this are often upgraded with modern technology because it can be difficult to source original parts and find the necessary materials. We do not want to take that approach. We think it’s critically important to preserve what makes this mill unique... We are grateful for our partnership with millwright, Amy Boyce from Husk Preservation, and for her knowledge, guidance, and efforts to ensure we can restore the mill using the best methods and appropriate materials. We are also thankful to the Community Preservation Committee and their leadership support of the project as we determine each phase, source materials, identify craftspeople to work with us, and engineer an appropriate approach for this structure,” said Niles Parker, NHA Gosnell Executive Director.

Much of the work on the mill to-date has not been visible to the public, such as archival research, laser scanning to obtain highly accurate dimensions, materials testing, ground-penetrating radar, and installing monitoring systems to track wind, weather, and humidity, moisture levels in the wood, as well as temperature, and humidity inside the mill. Ground and water level sensors determine how the stone foundation has shifted.

Work on the Mill will soon become more evident to the public. Security fencing will be installed around the perimeter. A boom will give contractors access to the entire exterior without scaffolding. Once the mill’s top cap is removed, Boyce will conduct an official preservation and reconstruction work survey.

This project will be a multi-year effort and promises to reveal interesting information about the mill and its history.

Events & Entertainment

Events are updated daily, year-round at Nantucket.net from page 6

5:30 PM - Lecture on Nancy Gardner Prince | Another Daughter of Nantucket

A presentation exploring the creation of The Adventures of Nancy Gardner Prince, a young adult adaptation of a historic autobiography. Featuring insights from Dr. Karttunen. Nantucket Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street. nha.org

6 to 7 PM - ELL Beginner & Intermediate English Class

Learn basic conversation or improve English skills. Class in English; preregistration not required. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India St. NantucketAtheneum.org

6 to 8 PM - Art Workshop: Mixed Media Magnet Collage for Ages 18+

Create a vibrant mixed-media abstract “floating” magnet collage ad this one-day workshop taught by Jaimee Todd, Artists Assoc. of Nantucket Artist in Residence. Register at nantucketarts.org

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

7 PM - Dreamland & Nantucket Comedy Festival Present: Christian Finnegan Known for Chappelle’s Show and VH1’s Best Week Ever, Finnegan brings his sharp, thoughtful humor and acclaimed stand up to Nantucket. The Dreamland, 17 S. Water Street. Tickets at NantucketDreamland.org

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

Nothing beats a Nantucket Sunset. Grab your favorite beverages & snacks and c’mon aboard for one of the best shows in town! Departure time will vary with sunset. Call 508-228-7037 or book online nantucketbywater.com

8 PM - The Nantucket Ghost Walk - Town Route Gather 6:50 pm at corner of Centre & Main by bank steps. This is the most popular walking tour ever on Nantucket, led by the original guide. The Most Popular Walking Tour Ever on Nantucket. $25; $20 seniors(65+); $15 for teens; $10 for ages 712. Cash Only. No Reservations needed. whjamieson@gmail.com 774-325-8972

FRIDAY, MAY 29

8 AM - Shawkemo Hills Hike with Nantucket Walkabout Hike a portion of the island dramatically shaped by the last glacier to cover most of N. America. See & learn about the formation of Coatue, Great Point, Haulover, Nantucket Harbor, & inner harbor shores. Book at WalkNantucket.com

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Fabulous Mansions of the Cliff & Brant Point

A 2-1/2 mi., 1 hr exercise walk with historic commentary past island's spectacular summer homes. Led by 3-time runner-up in Nantucket Quiz Bowl $25 ~ $20 for 65+ ~ $15 for teens, $10 for kids 6-12. Cash only. No reservations needed. Gather at Centre & Main Sts, by bank steps. 774-325-8972 whjamieson@gmail.com.

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11:15 AM - The Signature Tour: Traditional Historic Tour of Nantucket Friendly, knowledgeable guides lead a 75-min. tour of historic sites in Nantucket Town, Sconset, & more. See The Oldest House, The Old Windmill, Sconset Village, Sankaty Head Lighthouse & more. Daily at 11:15, 1, & 2:45. Book at 42 Straight Wharf or at nantucketbustours.com or at 508-228-0334.

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

1:50 PM - Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Nantucket

2 PM - Gardner Farm-Lost Farm Loop Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

This 2.5 mile hike explores plant succession on globally threatened sandplain grasslands. These former vegetable farms are now dominated by pitch pines and meadows of wildflowers. Book at 508-422-7466 or WalkNantucket.com

3 to 5 PM - Wine Tasting at Mór Wine

Join us for a wine tasting with Sean Larkin of Larkin Wines. Experience Larkin wines while you browse! Beth English and her fabulous vintage collection will be popping up Wednesday-Sunday. 16 Federal Street. Morwine.com

3:30 to 5:30 PM - Free Wines & Rinds at Bartlett’s

Head out to Bartlett’s Farm every Friday afternoon for a tasting of wines and

cheeses. Free, no reservations needed Bartlett’s Farm, 33 Bartlett Farm Road. 508228-9403 BartlettsFarm.com

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Angelus Hall at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

6 to 8 PM - Teen Game Night

Teens & tweens are invited to play a selection of Nintendo Switch games like Just Dance and Mario Party, and more. Games rotate and are first-come, first-served. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

8 PM - The Nantucket Ghost Walk - Town Route

Gather at 7:50 pm at corner of Centre & Main by bank steps. This is the most popular walking tour ever on Nantucket, led by the original guide. The Most Popular Walking Tour Ever on Nantucket. $25; $20 seniors(65+); $15 for teens; $10 for ages 7-12. Cash Only. No Reservations needed. whjamieson@gmail.com 774-325-8972

SATURDAY, MAY 30

8 AM - ACK Clean Team

Help clean up Nantucket. The Clean Team supplies everything you need, including grabbers. Meet at Handlebar Cafe, 15 Washington St. or outside of Town meet at Surfside Beach Parking Lot

9:30 AM to 4 PM - Grab & Go Bag: Torn Paper Landscapes

Learn how tearing paper can add texture to a landscape design. Free kits at Nantucket Atheneum, while supplies last. 1 India St. NantucketAtheneum.org

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Morning Exercise Walk with Historic Commentary

A 2-mi, nonstop exercise walk with historic commentary down beautiful streets most visitors never find. Cash only; $25; $20 age 65+; $15 for teens; $10 for ages 6-12. Meet 10 min. early at corner of Center & Main sts, by bank steps. No reservations needed . 774-325-8972

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 12PM - Art Workshop: Community Paper Mobiles for Ages 9+

Create colorful hanging paper mobiles designed for wall or ceiling display. Working together, participants will cut, draw, & assemble shapes while exploring balance, movement, and simple design principles. Taught by Jaimee Todd, Artists Assoc. of Nantucket Artist in Residence. Register at nantucketarts.org

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

10:30 AM - Free Cinema for the Very Young

Sensory friendly film shown in a welcoming, low volume screening with lights at a comfortable level to encourage socialization. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. The Dreamland, 17 S. Water St. Tickets: NantucketDreamland.org

10:30 to 11:15 AM - Family Connections Tour in the Whaling Museum

Experience our featured exhibit The Wider World and Scrimshaw in a guided intergenerational tour. Guides bring topics to life with visual & tactile elements, to share the influence of Nantucket whalers, whale ecology, the art of scrimshaw, souvenirs, & more. Included with museum admission: registration strongly recommended at nha.org.

10:30 AM to 12:30 PM - NHA Historic Bike Tour

Join the Nantucket Historical Assn for a guided Historic Bike Tour exploring lesserknown edges of town. Bring your bike or rent one at a discount from Young’s Bicycle Shop. The ride starts & ends at the Whaling Museum & includes audio for easy listening. Rain or shine unless conditions are unsafe. Tickets: nha.org

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11 to 12 AM - Russian Club for Kids and Parents

Children of all ages can enjoy books, games, cartoons, songs, dancing, & activities in Russian. Families can connect & learn together! Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

11 AM to 12 PM - READ with a Buddy

A NiSHA Pet Therapy team will be in the Children's Room at Mitchell's Book Corner

and ready to read with you. First come, first read — all ages welcome. Mitchell's Book Corner, 54 Main Street. MitchellsBookCorner.com

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

11:30 AM to 12 PM - Walking Tour of Bartlett’s Farm

A guided tour of Bartlett’s Farm exploring the blend of traditional & modern greenhouse growing. Discover how fresh, local produce is cultivated year-round on Nantucket’s oldest family farm. Tickets at BartlettsFarm.com

1 to 2 PM - Paper Crafting at the Nantucket Atheneum

Join us for a rotating workshop of paper crafts.: creating pop-up cards, paper fish, woven balloons, and more! Atheneum, 1 India St. NantucketAtheneum.org

2 PM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour

2:45 PM - Lost Farm Sanctuary Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

The area is within Nantucket's oldest outwash plain of sandplain grasslands & contains pitch pine forests & an inlet with a small walkway. One of our shorter hikes and is close to Cisco Beach & Cisco Brewery. Book at WalkNantucket.com

3 to 5 PM - Wine Tasting at Mór Wine

Join us for a wine tasting with Dana Von Sternberg of Vō-kel Cellars. Experience Vō-kel wines while you browse! Beth English and her fabulous vintage collection will be popping up Wednesday-Sunday. 16 Federal Street. Morwine.com

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Angelus Hall at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

6:45 PM - Polpis Harbor Sunset Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

As the sun sets over Nantucket Harbor & Coatue, learn from Guide Peter Brace how geological forces formed Nantucket & Polpis Harbors & about salt marsh ecosystem in the harbors & conservation efforts. Book at WalkNantucket.com

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

8 PM - The Nantucket Ghost Walk - Town Route Gather at 7:50 pm at corner of Centre & Main by bank steps. This is the most popular walking tour ever on Nantucket, led by the original guide. The Most Popular Walking Tour Ever on Nantucket. $25; $20 seniors(65+); $15 for teens; $10 for ages 7-12. Cash Only. No Reservations needed. whjamieson@gmail.com 774-325-8972

SUNDAY, MAY 31

8 AM - Sankaty Bluff Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

On this hike, walk south down the beach from the Hoicks Hollow Road public way to see examples of & learn about Nantucket’s geological past. Book at 508-4227466 or at WalkNantucket.com

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

Nantucket tradition. established 1982 Private Charters Per Person Fares Captain James Genthner Slip #1015 • Straight Wharf 508-228-5585 EndeavorSailing.com

NANTUCKET WALKING TOURS

Providing Quality

Further information can be found in the “Events and Entertainment” calendar in this paper. Private tours also available. whjamieson@gmail.com Reservations strongly recommended Straight Wharf | Nantucket 508.228.3949

ing

Events & Entertainment

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

12 to 3 PM - Live Music by Madaket Mountain at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

2 PM - Head of The Plains with Nantucket Walkabout

Experience the Head of the Plains walk through Nantucket’s rare sandplain grasslands. Includes transportation to & from downtown. Bring water, bug spray, sunblock, and walking shoes. Book at 508-422-7466 or at WalkNantucket.com

2 PM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour

3 to 5 PM - Island Tours Elin Hilderbrand Blue Book Tour

3 to 6 PM - Live Music by The Slips at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

6:15 PM - Smith’s Point Sunset Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

See an amazing sunset at the westernmost extremity of Nantucket in sight of Tuckernuck Island. Walk back on the beach under the rising moon & stars, and maybe take a dip in the ocean if you’re game. 508-422-7466 WalkNantucket.com

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

8 PM - The Nantucket Ghost Walk - Town Route

MONDAY, JUNE 1

Story Walk: Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

Stop by the Atheneum Garden & check out our free story walk. Enjoy the story of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen. 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org. All month long in the Garden

8 AM - Coskata Pond & Woods with Nantucket Walkabout

A 3-mile hike mostly over sand. This area is a fascinating exploration of the beginnings of Nantucket Harbor.: 6 habitats - tidal pond, beach, cedar forest & dune, maritime oak forest, salt marsh with two active osprey nest poles and harbor. Book at 508-422-7466 or at WalkNantucket.com

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Morning Exercise Walk with Historic Commentary

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

10:45 AM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour with NHA Walk through Nantucket town with an NHA Museum Guide & hear the story of the rise and fall of whaling, the beginnings of tourism, and social & racial develop-

Events are updated daily, year-round at Nantucket.net from page 9 continued on page 11

ment on-island. Rain or shine. Tickets at nha.org.

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

2 PM - Shawkemo Hills Hike with Nantucket Walkabout Hike a portion of the island dramatically shaped by the last glacier to cover most of N. America. See & learn about the formation of Coatue, Great Point, Haulover, Nantucket Harbor, & inner harbor shores. Book at WalkNantucket.com

2 to 4 PM - Drop-In Craft Gam with No Instruction

Bring any project you are working on to this open session & work with other creative people to share knowledge. Basic tools available; no instruction provided. 1800 House, 4 Mill St. nha.org Nantucket Historical Assn. Heritage Craft Program

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Chloe Rae at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

5:30 to 7 PM - Free Introduction to Amateur Radio

Learn how amateur radio works, how to get started, & its role in global communication & emergency response, and how operators connect across long distances— even with astronauts. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India St. NantucketAtheneum.org

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

6:45 PM - Head of The Plains Sunset with Nantucket Walkabout

Experience the Head of the Plains at sunset on a guided dusk walk through Nantucket’s rare sandplain grasslands. See night herons, owls, & deer emerge as the sky glows and stars begin to shine. Includes transportation to & from downtown. Book at 508-422-7466 or at WalkNantucket.com

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

TUESDAY, JUNE 2

8 AM - Gardner Farm-Lost Farm Loop Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

10 AM - Little Riders Free Walking Group

A welcoming stroller walking group for parents & caregivers with little kids. Enjoy fresh air, gentle movement, & connection on a stroller friendly path while learning about infant care & public health topics. The Creeks Reserve, 2 Milestone Rd.

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Fabulous Mansions of the Cliff & Brant Point

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

10:30 AM - Free Cinema for the Very Young Sensory friendly film shown in a welcoming, low volume screening with lights at a comfortable level to encourage socialization. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. The Dreamland, 17 S. Water St. Tickets: NantucketDreamland.org

10:30 to 11:30 AM - Book Signing with Rebecca Fallon

Meet author Rebecca Fallon as she signs copies of Family Drama at Mitchell’s Book Corner, 54 Main Street. 508-228-1080 MitchellsBookCorner.com

10:45 AM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour with NHA

Walk through Nantucket town with an NHA Museum Guide & hear the story of the rise and fall of whaling, the beginnings of tourism, and social & racial development on-island. Rain or shine. Tickets at nha.org.

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11 AM to 4 PM - Nantucket Saves - Blood Drive

A community blood drive June 2 & 3 at VFW Hall, 22 New South Road. Donate blood and help save lives. Even individuals who had Lyme disease are still eligible to donate. Registration available through the American Red Cross.

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

11:45 AM - The Westender Tour with Island Tours

2 PM - Beechwood Farm Loop with Nantucket Walkabout

This property in Polpis shares elements of maritime or coastal heathlands habitat: native tree species, meadows, & wetlands. You’ll feel you’re exploring Yoda’s home swamp planet of Dagobah from Star Wars. Book at WalkNantucket.com

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Chloe Rae at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

6:30 to 7:30 PM - Free Concert: Night Shift

This high-energy pop cover band from Los Angeles is known for packed dance floors, crowd favorite hits, & nonstop fun. With dynamic performances and major stage presence, they keep audiences dancing. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

6:30 to 7:30 PM - ELL Beginner English Class

Learn basic conversation or improve English skills. Class conducted in English; registration not required. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India St. NantucketAtheneum.org

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

8 PM - The Nantucket Ghost Walk - Town Route

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3

7:45 to 10:30 AM - Free Birding Field Trip

774-325-8972

Explore Nantucket’s birding hotspots and observe birds in their natural habitats. Binoculars, spotting scope, and field guides available to borrow. All levels welcome. Registration required at llnf.org

8 AM - Smith’s Point Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

Nantucket’s westernmost sand extremity is a great hike to see gray seals during the winter, see nesting piping plovers, least terns and American oystercatchers during the summer and catch a glimpse of Tuckernuck Island. This is one of the longer hikes Nantucket Walkabout does. 508-422-7466 WalkNantucket.com

9 AM to 2 PM - Nantucket Saves - Blood Drive

Nantucket Saves is hosting a community blood drive at VFW Hall, 22 New South Road. Donate blood and help save lives. Even individuals who had Lyme disease are still eligible to donate. Registration available through the American Red Cross.

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Walking Tour of Bartlett’s Farm

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

MAP of DOWNTOWN NANTUCKET

brant

● NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION PROPERTIES

whaLing museum: 13 Broad Street Hear the story of Nantucket over 4 centuries with rotating exhibits in 9 galleries. Daily programs, films, & a stunning view of town from the rooftop. Open from 10am.

oLdest house: 16 Sunset Hill Built in 1686; restored in 1990. Opening June 2026.

greater Light: 8 Howard Street Built in the 1790s & transformed into a stunning whimsical summer home in the 1920s, this is home to the NHA Decorative Arts Program. Opening June 2026

hadwen house: 96 Main Street This Greek Revival mansion built in 1846 is the only mansion of its era onisland open to the public. Exhibits include Nantucket Lightship Baskets, maps, and decorative arts. Open 11am-4pm May 23-Sept. 4.

oLd miLL: 50 Prospect St The oldest functioning mill in the USA, built in 1746. Opening June 2026.

oLd gaoL: 15R Vestal Street Constructed of massive oak timbers with iron bolts & iron rods across the windows. The heavy wooden doors are reinforced with iron. Opening June 2026.

Please visit nha.org for hours, tours, ticket prices, and additional information.

shipwreck & Lifesaving museum: 158 Polpis Road eganmaritime.org Learn the dramatic history of Nantucket’s shipwrecks, lifesaving, and rescuers. Family activities. Free shuttle to the museum from Visitor Services downtown runs June 23-Oct. 3.. Beautiful property at Folger’s Marsh open for picnics. Opening for 2026 on May 25.

▲ OTHER HISTORICAL POINTS OF INTEREST

brant point Lighthouse: 2 Easton St First erected in 1746, America's second oldest lighthouse and at 26 feet tall, the shortest in New England.

nantucket atheneum: 1 India St The island’s public library was built in 1847 and is filled with art & artifacts as well as books, periodicals, digital materials. Children’s section, reading room, & public garden. Open Mon.-Sat. pacific cLub: Lower Main St Built in 1772 by whaling merchant William Rotch, this is the only 18th century brick building still standing on-island. Quarterboard on the front lists names of 3 notable ships of Rotch: 2 in the Boston Tea Party and

the first ship to fly the American flag in London. first congregationaL church: 62 Centre St Built in 1725 & moved to this site in 1765. Open for services. Climb the tower for a view of town & the harbor.

st mary’s church: 3 Federal St Built in 1897. Open for services.

unitarian church: 11 Orange St Built in 1809. Houses the town clock & 1810 Portuguese Bell. Open for services. three bricks: 93, 95 & 97 Main Street Identical brick mansions built 1836-38 by whaling merchant Joseph Starbuck for his sons. Now privately owned.

soLdiers & saiLors monument: Upper Main Street Built in 1875, this obelisk bears the names of 73 island men who died in the Civil War.

st pauL’s church: 20 Fair St Founded in 1838. Rebuilt in 1901 with Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows. Church is open daily for visits and for Sunday services. methodist church: 2 Centre St Built in 1831. Open for services.

african meeting house: 29 York Street Built in 1827, the only public building constructed & occupied by African Americans in the 19th century still standing on-island.

Probing the Darkness & Writing Bestsellers

from page 3

broke down, and she was reading Lawyers Weekly when she spotted an ad for a lawyer on Nantucket.” Neither of them knew the island well, but the idea was appealing. “It sounded good, and I loved Moby Dick,” Philbrick has said simply. They visited, fell in love with the island, and “by September we were on the ferry with a crib on the roof.”

Nantucket became his muse. While Melissa worked in her profession, Philbrick stayed home with their two young children and wrote. When their son Ethan started first grade, he suddenly had time to himself until 2:30 in the afternoon. He threw himself into researching our island’s history, drawn in by its extraordinary depth. “Moby Dick is my favorite book of all time. When we moved to Nantucket, [I thought] we’re at the port of the Pequot—this is amazing! I don’t know of any small town with such a history that has such great resources all within a block of each other,” he said. “It was all here!” And he discovered his genre: “For me it was ‘wow, this is the writing I want to do’: history, but telling a narrative.”

In the early 1990s, Philbrick connected with Bud Egan through Mimi Beman, bookstore owner and “the literary czar of Nantucket.” Egan owned Mill Hill Press and was looking for authors. “Mimi mentioned him to me, and I met with him...Bud published Away Off Shore.” (1994) In 1998, his book Abram’s Eyes, focusing on the history of the Native Americans on Nantucket, was published.

Philbrick also became the founding director of the Egan Maritime Institute, splitting his time between writing and the organization until the demands of both made it clear he had to choose. He stepped back from the directorship and wrote In the Heart of the Sea. “I owe Nantucket a lot,” he reflected. “It’s where I learned to write history. Nantucket provided an amazing group of circumstances that allowed me to become a narrative historian.”

In the Heart of the Sea—the harrowing account of the Nantucket whaleship Essex, sunk by a sperm whale in 1820—was the book that launched Philbrick into the national literary conversation, and its success surprised even him. It started with a 68-page proposal; then he found an agent he still works with today; and

watched as about a dozen publishers competed for his manuscript. “It was an out-of-body experience,” he commented. He went with Viking, his publisher to this day. “I went from being a stay-at-home-dad struggling to write to a published author,” he explained. The book was published first in England, where it debuted at number one. When it was distributed in the US, In the Heart of the Sea spent 40 weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list. The book was selected for the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read program, and it’s again listed for the 2026-27 NEA Big Read. In 2000, In the Heart of the Sea won the National Book Award for Nonfiction.

During the years following, Nathaniel Philbrick wrote more than a dozen books, and his writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and The Boston Globe. He has appeared on the Today Show, The Morning Show, Dateline, PBS’s American Experience, the Newshour, C-SPAN, NPR, and on Ken Burns’ The American Revolution. His body of work is impressive for its range and its coherence of vision. Sea of Glory, Mayflower, The Last Stand, Bunker Hill, Valiant Ambition, In the Hurricane’s Eye—each takes a moment of crisis in American history and uses it as a lens on national character. “My books are about communities,” Philbrick explained. “A whaleship, people on the Mayflower, citizens of Boston. When events become challenging and scary… how do people respond? Each one of my books is a version of that under different circumstances. I’m fascinated by America...stories a lot of us think we know...when you examine what really happened, there are huge surprises.”

In the preface to Travels with George—his account of a 2018 road trip retracing Washington’s presidential tours, taken with Melissa and their puppy Dora, he wrote: “I like to probe the darkness at the edges of our nation’s history. Instead of the triumphs, I’m most interested in the struggles… I’m compelled to explore what happens to people in the worst of times, especially when it comes to issues of leadership.” Philbrick also often highlights lesser-known players: “They are the ones that intrigue me…what happens along the edges is where the real important stuff happens. When you get into history on a granular level, there are people who never got the headlines: they were there but have not been recognized.”

When asked which he prefers,the research or the writing, Philbrick answered continued on page 14

Probing the Darkness & Writing Bestsellers

from page 13

“both....What I really enjoy is that it is so varied: I’m not doing the same thing over and over again. I bury myself in the research, find things that are a total surprise. We don’t really have vacations, we have research trips. I’m always curious. I enjoy learning new stuff. My books go all over the map about American history… there’s great excitement in learning and discovering things, and I try to share that. Each topic is brand new—a whole new challenge. I get excited, then it comes to the point where you think ‘there’s so much to know,’ but I have a deep seated topic and really want to know about it. I’ve done it before, so I know I can get to the end.

“I do love the writing…it can be frustrating, challenging, and requires rewrite after rewrite, but I am, in the end, a writer. I enjoy editing and making it better. You never get it completely right....I don’t want to let the books go… I could keep rewriting.”

He declined to name a favorite among the nearly two dozen books he’s written, commenting: “It would be like picking your favorite child: I cannot do that. I remember the circumstances under which each book was written, so each has a great memory... I’m very fond of each book. For 3 or 4 or 5 years, they were central to my world. My next book helps me leave the last one behind. Each book is a commitment...and I’m always thinking of the next book.”

He did name some of his favorite reads, stating he enjoys novels and books about music. The novels he reads for pleasure are not always recent: “the

voice of the writer is very important to me. Creating a voice as you try to put together evidence from a wide variety of sources is a challenge. Melville will always be my favorite author. Dickens and Faulkner were early favorites, and I went through a huge Steven King phase.” At the time of the interview, Philbrick was in the midst of After the Flood, a book about Bob Dylan.

Philbrick’s talent for making familiar stories feel urgent and new again is evident in his upcoming book The Rush: California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World, due October 2026. In this book, Nathaniel continues his style of narrative history—and its origins trace back to Nantucket. His research for Away Off Shore revealed that the Gold Rush came just two years after Nantucket’s Great Fire, as the whaling industry faded and islanders turned their ships into passenger vessels to carry prospectors west. Nantucket lost a quarter of its voting population in nine months. The seed planted decades ago has grown into what promises to be his most sweeping work yet: proof that for Nathaniel Philbrick all roads still lead back to that island ferry with a crib on the roof.

The evening of July 10, Nathaniel Philbrick will be the Nantucket Atheneum’s first Luminary Award Recipient and Speaker. For details about this spirited celebration in support of the Nantucket Atheneum, visit nantucketatheneum.org

Scratch Up the Quahogs

how to find the hard-shelled clams. Well, today I made Oscar proud! I had it going on, scratching up one quality clam after another. It made me smile to think of that great man once again.

One of the hard parts of digging quahogs is knowing when you have enough in your basket. I knew that my wife Beth wanted to make some stuffed quahogs (stuffies) and that I wanted a dozen or so small ones (cherrystones) for linguini and clam

from page 5

sauce, my North End favorite meal. Josh had similar goals. We had to talk each other into stopping our digging after that one last quahog. It was a perfect afternoon with a good friend.

Our mission was successful and completed in about an hour and a half. The only other people that we saw were some crazy kids in kayaks who looked like they should have had some warmer gear on. They had pulled up several hundred yards away and appeared to be digging via the foot method. You do you, kids. It’s all good.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend. Yes, Memorial Day weekend, not Figawi weekend. Yes, it was busy. Yes, people are coming from a lot of different places to get it going on Nantucket for a couple of days. Here’s hoping that our visitors enjoyed the island safely and kept things between the navigational buoys (a Jimmy Buffett saying). And here’s hoping that all of us took moment to remember the supreme sacrifices made by so many of our brave service members throughout our country’s 250 year history. Our freedom did not come for free. God bless our fallen heroes.

And go scratch ‘em up if you get a chance.

Steve “Tuna” Tornovish is a Nantucket native who has spent his life fishing from the beaches of his beloved island. He loves to introduce clients to the joy of fishing with his Nantucket Island Fishing Adventures: stevetuna.com

photo courtesy Steve Tornovish

June 11-14, 2026

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Lady’s slippers are found in almost every county in New England. They may be widespread, but their specific requirements and symbiotic relationship with fungal associates restricts available habitats. Off-island, the pink lady slipper is considered a woodland plant. On Nantucket, it occurs in more diverse habitats: the heathlands of Head of the Plains, or shrublands of the south coast, as well as the dappled edges of the pine forests. The pink lady’s slipper is the most adaptable of the lady slipper orchids in terms of its moisture tolerances. It can flower in bogs and wet woods as well as dry, sandy uplands. It just likes nutrient-poor,

Emerging basal leaves

photo by Sarah T. Bois

acid soil, which is perfect for Nantucket!

At the Linda Loring Nature Foundation, a heathland clearing between pitch pine trees has often held dozens of lady slippers. In 2019, after restoration efforts cutting Japanese black pine trees, the cleared area was awash in pink lady slipper plants. Some were only vegetative (not blooming that year), but there were hundreds appearing after the pine clearing.

Other common names for lady’s slippers include Moccasin Flower, Stemless Lady’s Slipper, Squirrel Shoes, Small Pink Lady’s slipper, Lady’s slipper Orch, Pink Lady’s slipper Orchid, and American Valerian. The latter name is a reference to the fact that this plant was once widely used as a substitute for the European plant valerian for its sedative properties.

Unlike many other flowering plants, these orchids do not provide pollinators with any pollen or nectar lure. Instead, their structure fits function. The lower section of the orchid flower, the lip, forms an inflated pouch with a cleft in the center—this is the part that resembles a silken ballet slipper. Lady’s slippers are pollinated by bees, attracted to their color and fragrance, that enter the flower through that slit in the front of the pouch. Once a bee enters the colorful, inflated lip through a one-way opening, it quickly discovers that there is neither pollen nor nectar available, and that it cannot readily escape. The insects can escape only through exits beneath each pollen mass. When the bee passes under the stigma, it deposits pollen from previous visits to other flowers and picks up a fresh load of pollen.

Although flowers remain on the plants for several weeks to increase the chances of pollination, fewer than 10% of plants in a population will produce fruit. Fortunately, each fruit contains thousands of seeds. But the seeds are tiny, dispersed by the wind, and contain no stored food reserves. They must land on a patch of soil containing a specific fungus that provides nutrients for germination and subsequent plant growth.

It’s not surprising that lady’s slippers are sought for their beauty. Native orchids have very specific cultural needs and close symbiotic relationships with soil fungi, so they rarely do well when transplanted from their wild habitat into a garden. Pink lady’s slipper plants dug from the wild and transplanted rarely reproduce due to the lack of this fungus. They also fail to thrive and will die after a couple of years, unless the specific fungus is present at the transplant site.

The best way to ensure their continued growth on island is to protect their

habitats and the individual plants. So where can you see a lady’s slipper? Trail edges are good spots since they often have dappled sunlight. The acidic soils of pine forests are ideal, and you’ll see flowers popping up right in the needle thatch. If you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of pink lady’s slipper or other wild orchids, be sure to leave them undisturbed—do not pick these! A picked lady slipper will not rejuvenate itself, and the plant has a less than 5% transplant success rate. Picking may be illegal and will limit the reproductive ability of the plant and can affect the population. They are for the enjoyment of everyone. Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints.

Pink Lady’s Slipper

photo by Sarah T. Bois

Events & Entertainment

Events are updated daily, year-round at Nantucket.net from page 11

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

10:30 to 11:15 AM - Free Toddler Time with Miss Melanie

Your toddler will get ready for preschool in this fun, play-based class with educator Melanie Hajjar. Circle time, hands-on activities, engaging toys to explore, & a project to create together. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India St. NantucketAtheneum.org

10:45 AM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour with NHA

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11 AM to 12 PM - Free Reader's Advisory with Annye Camara

Annye Camara offers personalized book recommendations. Discover new reads, share favorites, and find inspiration in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

11 AM to 2:30 PM - Social Security Administration - J1 Visa

Social Security will be at the Atheneum to meet with J1 students Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

11:15 AM - The Signature Tour: Traditional Historic Tour of Nantucket

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

11:45 AM - The Westender Tour with Island Tours

2 PM - Gardner Farm Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

This hike is within Nantucket’s oldest outwash plain of sandplain grasslands and contains pitch pine forests with a walkway over a cattail-choked inlet. This hike is close to Cisco Beach & Cisco Brewery. 508-422-7466 WalkNantucket.com

3 to 4 PM - Library Legos at Nantucket Atheneum

The library will supply the LEGO bricks & just have fun. The program is FREE but space is limited. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

3 to 5 PM - Island Tours Elin Hilderbrand Blue Book Tour

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Dub Apocalypse at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

5:30 to 8:30 PM - Free Game Night (with Mag-ACK the Gathering) for Ages 13+

A night of board games, card games, and Mag-ACK The Gathering. Whether you’re a pro or just getting started, there’s fun for everyone. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

6:30 to 8:30 PM - Atheneum Knitting Group

A relaxed knitting group for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced crafters. Share projects, learn new techniques, and get help in a welcoming setting. Free and open to all. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

6:45 PM - Shawkemo Hills Sunset Hike with Nantucket Walkabout Hike through a portion of the island dramatically shaped by the last glacier to cover most of N. America. See & learn about the formation of Coatue, Great Point, Haulover, Nantucket Harbor & inner harbor shores. Book at WalkNantucket.com

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

THURSDAY, JUNE 4

8 AM - Head of The Plains with Nantucket Walkabout

Experience the Head of the Plains walk through Nantucket’s rare sandplain grasslands. Includes transportation to and from downtown. Bring water, bug spray, sunblock, and walking shoes. Book at 508-422-7466 or at WalkNantucket.com

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Morning Exercise Walk with Historic Commentary

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 am to 4 PM - Chasing Light AAN Art Exhibit Opens

Visit the Artists Association of Nantucket’s Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery, 8 Federal Street, to view their newest exhibition. Open through June 23.

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

10:45 AM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour with NHA

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

11:45 AM - The Westender Tour with Island Tours

3 to 5 PM - Island Tours Elin Hilderbrand Blue Book Tour

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

6 to 7 PM - ELL Beginner & Intermediate English Class

Learn basic conversation or improve English skills. Class in English; preregistration not required. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India St. NantucketAtheneum.org

6 to 8 PM - Art Workshop: Bubblewrap & Tissue Paper Abstract Collage for Ages 18+

Create expressive artworks using everyday packaging materials such as tissue paper & bubble wrap. Through layering, rolling, and mark-making, participants will explore texture, transparency, and chance as creative tools. Taught by Jaimee Todd, Artists Assoc. of Nantucket Artist in Residence. Register at nantucketarts.org

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

continued on page 19

7 to 8:40 PM - Eureka Day presented by Theatre Workshop of Nantucket

This sharp dark comedy follows a progressive school community as a mumps outbreak ignites a fierce debate over vaccines, values, & consensus. What begins as civil discussion spirals into ideological chaos with biting humor & high stakes. Winner of 2025 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Tickets at TheatreNantucket.org Bennett Hall, 62 Center Street. 508-228-4305

FRIDAY, JUNE 5

8 AM - Coskata Pond & Woods with Nantucket Walkabout

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Fabulous Mansions of the Cliff & Brant Point

10 to 11:30 AM - Free Guided Nature Walk

Join Dr. Sarah Bois to explore sandplain grasslands and coastal heathland habitats, with views of Long Pond from the Linda Loring Nature Foundation’s Eel Point Road property. Meet at 110 Eel Point Road.

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

2 PM - Smooth Hummocks Hike with Nantucket Walkabout Hike Nantucket's version of the Midwest's prairies, with rare wildflowers & grasses that thrive in sandy soil. Smooth Hummocks is a fascinating island ecosystem with much to teach. Book at 508-422-7466 or at WalkNantucket.com

3:30 to 5:30 PM - Free Wines & Rinds at Bartlett’s Head out to Bartlett’s Farm every Friday afternoon for a tasting of wines and cheeses. Free, no reservations needed Bartlett’s Farm, 33 Bartlett Farm Road. 508228-9403 BartlettsFarm.com

4 to 4:45 PM - Free Self Defense Class for Ages 8 to 12

Led by Jules Embry-Pelrine of Nantucket Martial Arts Alliance. Learn practical skills & techniques in a fun, supportive environment. Registration encouraged, walk ins welcome. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Mo Lowda & The Humble at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

7 to 8:40 PM - Eureka Day presented by Theatre Workshop of Nantucket

8 PM - The Nantucket Ghost Walk - Town Route

Gather at 7:50 pm at corner of Centre & Main by bank steps. This is the most popular walking tour ever on Nantucket, led by the original guide. $25; $20 seniors(65+); $15 for teens; $10 for ages 7-12. Cash Only. No Reservations needed. whjamieson@gmail.com 774-325-8972

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

8 to 10 AM - World Ocean Day Beach Clean Up

Join Egan Maritime and Nantucket Clean Team for a community shoreline cleanup at Fulling Mill Creek in honor of World Ocean Day. Help protect Nantucket’s harbor while learning about local conservation efforts. Coffee and free museum admission follow the cleanup. eganmaritime.org

9:30 AM to 4 PM - Grab & Go Bag: Crawling Caterpillar

This week’s Grab & Go Bag is a crawling caterpillar. Pick it up at Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street, while supplies last. . NantucketAtheneum.org

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Morning Exercise Walk with Historic Commentary

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 12 PM - Four Centuries Walking Tour

Join expert preservationists & conservators for an exploratory 2-hour walking tour examining 4 centuries of architectural history and land use and how it shaped homes, buildings and neighborhoods. Oldest House, 16 Sunset Hill. nha.org

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

10:30 AM - Free Cinema for the Very Young

Events & Entertainment

10:30 to 11:15 AM - Family Connections Tour in the Whaling Museum

10:45 AM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour with NHA

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11 to 12 AM - Russian Club for Kids and Parents

Children of all ages can enjoy books, games, cartoons, songs, dancing, & activities in Russian. Families can connect & learn together! Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

11:30 AM to 12 PM - Walking Tour of Bartlett’s Farm

12 to 3 PM - Live Music by Doug & Co. at Cisco Brewers Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

2 PM - Nantucket Dance Theater Presents The Good, The Bad, The Ballet Join Tallulah on a lively Wild West adventure filled with dance, colorful characters, and unexpected challenges. From prairie trails to a bustling saloon, this familyfriendly performance celebrates friendship, community, & making space for all on the dance floor. In the Dreamland: tickets at NantucketDreamland.org

2:45 PM - Beechwood Farm Loop with Nantucket Walkabout

3 to 5 PM - Kids Indoor Fishing Fun Day for Ages 8+

Kids Indoor Fishing Fun Day at the Nantucket Anglers’ Club offers hands on activities, instruction stations, games, and fishing basics for children. Learn knot tying, casting, baiting, and safety in a fun, family friendly setting. Free admission. Call 508-228-2299, email: fish@nantucketanglersclub.com or just stop by.

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Mo Lowda & The Humble at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5 PM - Nantucket Dance Theater Presents The Good, The Bad, The Ballet Join Tallulah on a lively Wild West adventure filled with dance, colorful characters, and unexpected challenges. From prairie trails to a bustling saloon, this familyfriendly performance celebrates friendship, community, & making space for all on the dance floor. In the Dreamland: tickets at NantucketDreamland.org

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

7 to 8:40 PM - Eureka Day presented by Theatre Workshop of Nantucket

lar walking tour ever on Nantucket, led by the original guide. The Most Popular Walking Tour Ever on Nantucket. $25; $20 seniors(65+); $15 for teens; $10 for ages 7-12. Cash Only. No Reservations needed. whjamieson@gmail.com 774-325-8972

SUNDAY, JUNE 7

8 AM - Gardner Farm Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

Events are updated daily, year-round at Nantucket.net from page 19 continued

9 AM - Nantucket Public School Color Run

A morning of color, community, and fun at 10 Surfside Rd. Registration begins at 9 am; the Color Run starts at 10:15 am. Special senior send-off at 10:30 am. Participants are encouraged to wear white and gather their crew for this lively community event supporting Friends of Nantucket Public Schools. Tickets available at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/color-run-senior-send-off

9 to 11 AM - Native Plants for Native Landscapes Free Workshop

Join Sustainable Nantucket, In-Situ Native Plant Nursery , and the Nantucket Conservation Foundation for an in-depth conversation on the ecological & practical benefits of planting native species on Nantucket. Sustainable Nantucket Farm at 168 Hummock Pond Road.

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

12 to 3 PM - Live Music by The Slips at Cisco Brewers Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

3 to 5 PM - Island Tours Elin Hilderbrand Blue Book Tour

From the pages of Elin’s “Must See, Can’t Miss, Won’t Forget” guide to Nantucket, The Blue Book, this tour is led by Elin’s sister, Heather Thorpe, & highlights Elin’s favorite shops, restaurants, & beaches, & island spots prominent in her novels. Book at 42 Straight Wharf, at nantucketbustours.com, or at 508-228-0334.

3 to 6 PM - Live Music by Beach Nights at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5 PM - Nantucket Dance Theater Presents The Good, The Bad, The Ballet

Join Tallulah on a lively Wild West adventure filled with dance, colorful characters, and unexpected challenges. From prairie trails to a bustling saloon, this familyfriendly performance celebrates friendship, community, & making space for all on the dance floor. In the Dreamland: tickets at NantucketDreamland.org

5 to 6:40 PM - Eureka Day presented by Theatre Workshop of Nantucket

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

6:30 PM - Smith’s Point Sunset Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

See an amazing sunset at the westernmost extremity of Nantucket in sight of Tuckernuck Island. Walk back on the beach under the rising moon & stars, and, if you’re game, take a dip in the ocean. Book at 508-422-7466 or WalkNantucket.com

8 PM - The Nantucket Ghost Walk - Town Route Gather at 7:50 pm at corner of Centre & Main by bank steps. This is the most popu-

NANTUCKET ISLAND

Nantucket Island is just about 14 miles by 3-1/2 miles, and there are miles of bike paths to nearly every area. This means that riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to get around our island. Follow the QR code to discover miles of bike paths, where to rent bikes, biking tips, and where to ﬁ nd water stations along the way.

NANTUCKET ISLAND BEACHES

NORTH SHORE AND HARBOR BEACHES

40th Pole: Great for families and young children, but no lifeguards. On Nantucket Sound; warm water during July, August and September inspired nickname “The Bathtub” for area nearby. Parking. Best access via 4WD vehicle.

Dionis: 3 miles from town by bike on the north side of Eel Point Rd off Madaket Road. Look for the boulder marked “Dionis.” Sheltered by dunes, calm waters for swimming, safe for children; restrooms, & parking. Beachgoers can take NRTA shuttle bus to Eel Point Rd stop & walk.

Steps: Between Dionis and Jetties beaches; access from Cliff Road. No lifeguard, no facilities, very little parking. Gentle surf; sandbar. Many steep steps must be descended to get to the beach.

Jetties: Easy bike ride from town, or take the shuttle bus. Great beach for families. Lifeguards, changing rooms, playground, volleyball nets, restrooms, showers, public phones, restaurant and take-out food service. Concession and restrooms handicap accessible; boardwalk to the beach. Tennis. Windsurfing, sailboat, and kayak rentals. Shuttle service from town to Jetties Beach is available seasonally.

Brant Point: Easy walk or bike ride from town. No lifeguard. Strong current; experienced swimmers; beach drops off suddenly under the water. Scenic beach with Brant Point Lighthouse; nice to sit and watch the boats rounding the point. Here is where to go to wave goodbye to friends and family departing on the Steamship.

Children’s: Harbor Beach, an easy walk from town down So. Beach Street and off Harbor View Way. Flotation devices are not permitted within the guarded area. Ideal for small children; park, playground, and bandstand; lifeguard, restrooms, showers, food service, picnic tables. Food, playground, and rest room are all accessible. Activities sponsored by Park & Recreation Commission are often held at this beach during the summer.

Francis Street: Five-minute walk from Main Street. Calm harbor waters for swimming; no lifeguard. Jungle gym, kayak rentals, bathroom.

SOUTH SHORE - OCEAN BEACHES

Cisco Beach: Four-mile bike ride to end of Hummock Pond Road. Heavy surf; lifeguard. No facilities. Parking. Rip currents can be strong.

Ladies Beach: To access, turn left at the end of Bartlett Farm Road. No facilities; no lifeguard. Limited parking. Rip current can be strong; heavy surf.

Miacomet Beach: at the end of Miacomet Road. Some parking. Surf and rip currents can be strong on the ocean side. No facilities or food service. This beach is near Miacomet Pond, but the pond is currently closed due to harmful algae.

South Shore Beach: at the end of South Shore Rd. Limited parking; difficult to access beach, 4WD is advisable. No lifeguard; no facilities.

Surfside: Located at the end of Surfside Road, a three-mile ride on paved bike path or take the shuttles. Easy to park. Plenty of surf, wide beach is good for picnics, beach games, and surfcasting. Kite flying west of Surfside Beach is acceptable; for safety reasons, please do not fly kites east of Surfside toward the airport. Due to the number of people who frequent Surfside Beach during the day, it is inadvisable to fly kites during the peak beachgoing hours. Lifeguard, restrooms, showers, public phones, food service. Shuttle service from town to Surfside Beach is available seasonally.

Fisherman’s Beach: Located between Surfside Beach and Nobadeer. No parking; Beach access via steep wooden steps. Plenty of surf, wide beach is good for picnics, beach games, and surfcasting. No lifeguard; no facilities.

Nobadeer: Located near the airport. Limited parking; difficult to access beach. Plenty of surf, wide beach is good for picnics, beach games, and surfcasting. No lifeguard; no facilities.

Madequecham: Land Bank property at the end of Madequecham Valley Road; rough sand road. Parking. No facilities; no lifeguards. Rip current can be strong; heavy surf.

Tom Nevers (“Pebble Beach“): Surf can be heavy; very coarse sand. No lifeguard; no facilities. Good for fishing. Strong rip currents; heavy surf. Access to the beach can be difficult.

WESTERN SHORE - OCEAN BEACHES

Madaket: As far west as you can go, six-mile bike ride on scenic, paved bike path, or take the shuttle bus. Heavy surf, lifeguard, restrooms. Famous for its incredible sunsets.

EASTERN SHORE - OCEAN BEACHES

Siasconset: Regular shuttle bus service or seven-mile ride on paved bike path. Surf can be heavy; lifeguard. Food available in nearby village of ’Sconset. Low Beach: 4WD access. Surf can be heavy; no lifeguard.

BAY & POND BEACHES

Miacomet Pond: This fresh water pond is currently closed due to harmful algae. Pocomo Beach: Great for kayaking and to learn to windsurf. Just west of the Head of the Harbor. Good for children. No lifeguards, no facilities.

Eel Point: Good for fishing and watching the sunset. No lifeguard; no facilities. Limited parking. Rip currents can be strong.

Coskata-Coatue and Great Point: at the end of Wauwinet Road, past The Wauwinet Inn. Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge managed by Trustees of Reservations; beach sticker required for vehicles from Trustees of Reservations. Great for fishing and for seeing Great Point Lighthouse up close. Rolling dunes, bayberry, beach plum, heather, and beach grass. Salt marsh and maritime shrubland. The largest red cedar savanna and woodland in New England. Gray and harbor seals. Public restrooms available at the lighthouse Memorial Day-Columbus Day. Sections of the refuge are sometimes closed to protect nesting shorebirds. Dogs permitted only from Sept. 16 thru March 31 and must be leashed at all times. Guided tours with Trustee naturalists offered in-season. Seasonal hunting permitted. For more details, go to www.TheTrustees.org Property Lookup.

Sesachacha Pond: off Polpis Road. Great for families; warm water; no facilities; no lifeguard. Parking. Near the Audubon Sesachacha Heathlands and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Leave only footprints...

BEACH SAFETY

•Learn to swim. If you can’t swim an overhead stroke for at least 15 minutes you should not be in the ocean. •Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy, and swim near a lifeguard whenever possible. •Stay out of the “surf zone” where the waves break at the shoreline. Waves are at their greatest force here, and even a small wave can lift you up and throw you headfirst into the sand. •Never run from the beach into the water and dive headfirst into the waves. Sandbars that cannot be seen from the surface may be present and/or the water may be too shallow. •Don’t jump or dive into the water from a pier or rock jetty. From a pier or jetty, water appears much deeper than it really is. What looks like 10 or 20 feet of water may only be 2 to 3 feet deep. Diving in could be fatal. The same applies for jumping headfirst into the ocean or a wave from a surfboard – don’t do it! It’s not a risk worth taking. •If you are body surfing or boogie boarding, always keep your arms out in front of you to protect your head and neck. •A rip current will pull you away from the shore, but it will not pull you under. If you’re caught in a rip current, do not swim toward the shore! Instead, swim parallel to the shore, until you’re out of the rip current. Then, swim in to shore. •Never drink alcohol or use drugs at the beach. It clouds your ability to make wise decisions, and that could be fatal! •Take direction from lifeguards at all times.

Island Fun & Shopping

Adventure / Eco-Tours

Nantucket by Water

508-228-7037

A Variety of Boat Tours for All Ages Straight Wharf, Slip #1011

Call or visit us on Straight Wharf for your Island Adventure NANTUCKET by WATER (formerly Shearwater Excursions) is a local family-run company dedicated to providing unique tours and cruises to individuals and families of all age groups. From small kids to grandparents, NBW has trips that cater to your needs and taste for adventure. Whether you take a leisurely tour around Nantucket Harbor, or a longer adventure exploring the wildlife sanctuary of Coatue or visiting the unique 5th Bend Oyster Farm, Nantucket By Water promises an exceptional experience. nantucketbywater.com

Nantucket Walkabout

508-422-7466

Daily Guided Wilderness Hikes on Nantucket see website for hikes & times Book online & meet at Handlebar Cafe, 15 Washington St

Explore Nantucket’s wilderness with “Walking Nantucket” and “Nantucket: A Natural History” author and naturalist Peter Brace, and learn how the last glacier formed the island. Experience wildlife and rare plants. Learn about Nantucket’s conservation efforts, ecology and the Native Americans that lived here. Adults $65-80; children ages 13 & younger $30-$35. Private and solo hikes also available. Apple Pay, Android Pay, MC, Visa, Amex, & Discover accepted. Get details & make reservations at nantucketwalkabout.com or 508-422-7466.

nantucketwalkabout.com

Apparel & Accessories

Blue Beetle

508-228-3227

Open Daily 12 Main Street

Clothing, Accessories, Jewelry, Gifts

Located at 12 Main Street, BLUE BEETLE reflects the playfulness and elegance of island living. We strive to provide a collection of carefully curated clothing, jewelry, gifts and accessories that portray the summer lifestyle on Nantucket. The boutique is filled with modern, chic, and contemporary fashions to suit every occasion. We proudly sell Joules, Jude Connally, Captiva Cashmere, Lilla P and MZ Wallace. Known for our Nantucket Jewelry, there is something for everyone; beads to fit Pandora, rings, bracelets and of course our charm bar, where you can create your own unique island necklace. Shop year round in store or visit us online at BlueBeetleNantucket.com

Commonwealth

Open Daily. Visit us in the store & online!

508-680-1399

16 Federal Street Fabulous Resale. Fresh Finds.

COMMONWEALTH is a unique resale boutique where we believe even clothes deserve a second chance. This eclectic little shop on Oak Street specializes in curating quality gently used pieces from your favorite designers. Come in to find preloved gems or bring in your gently used items to turn your closet into cash! Commonwealthnantucket.com

The Love Shack by Lola

774-325-5982

Open for the 2026 Season 10 Old South Wharf Layer. Collect. Gift.

THE LOVE SHACK is located right in the heart of Nantucket’s boat basin and it is home to our entire collection of LOLA jewelry. Here you can see, touch and layer all of our pendants, chains, and bracelets that LOLA offers. It is also our inspiration for our Love Shack apparel and home goods which include t-shirts, candles, hats, glassware – everything you need that is perfect for your very own Love Shack! Holiday Sale: discounts on everything in the store (not including gift cards). lolacompany.com

Artists & Galleries

Artists Association of Nantucket

“Sea Sky Earth Wind” exhibit to June 2

“Chasing Light” exhibit from June 4-23

In-Person Gallery & Online Exhibits

G. S. Hill Gallery

Open Daily 10 am to 5 pm

Oils, watercolors, prints, and note cards by G. S. Hill

508-228-1353

40 Straight Wharf

G. S. HILL’s one-man gallery is open daily. For more than three decades, Greg’s original oil and watercolor paintings have captured the image, spirit, and soul of Nantucket. The gallery also offers giclees and miniatures, plus exclusive American-made gifts designed by Greg and Judi Hill. Est. 1979 gshill.com

Banking

Cape Cod 5

888-225-4636

Open Monday-Saturday Locations at 112 Pleasant Street & Zero Main Street

We at CAPE COD FIVE are deeply committed to the communities we serve. Our dedication to serving our neighbors and local businesses and earning our customers’ trust every day has remained the same since our founding in 1855. We focus on continuously evolving to be our customers’ trusted financial partner in a rapidly changing world, offering digital tools, accessibility and sound guidance and insight to help our customers navigate their unique journeys. capecodfive.com

Bike Rentals

Cook’s Cycle

508-228-0800

Open Daily 6 So. Beach Street, next to Affordable Rentals

Bicycle Rentals & e-Bike Rentals

Nantucket’s bike shop for all of your vacation needs here at Cook’s Cycles Nantucket we have all of the latest bikes and accessories for your beach runs, brewery tours, and beyond. Our selection of new bicycles & e-bikes in a convenient downtown Nantucket location (just a 2-minute walk from Steamboat Wharf) is great for a day of cycling. Nantucket is known for its many bike paths and trails. Whether you want to ride to Jetties Beach for a swim or take in the sights of the Sconset Loop, Cooks Cycles has the bikes for you and your family. Moped & Jeep rentals, too! cookscyclesnantucket.com

Easy Riders Bicycles

508-325-2722

Open Daily 65 Surfside Road

Bike Rentals, Sales, Service AND Electric Bikes easyridersbikerentals.com

EASY RIDERS BICYCLE RENTALS offers rentals, sales, and service, plus island-wide free delivery on all rentals and usually within an hour or so. With advanced on-line reservations, it’s the easiest way to experience Nantucket! Offering low prices and discounts on multi-day, weekly, monthly, and group rentals of top quality, new GT and Easy Riders bicycles, as well as retrostyle Schwinn Cruisers, and accessories in a variety of styles...They have the right bicycle for all of your adventures. We have electric bikes. Check out our Easy Riders brand ebikes at erbikes.com. EASY RIDERS has a safe & convenient bike path location at 65 Surfside Road.

Young’s Bicycle Shop

Open daily in season

“The Cycle-logical Way to See Nantucket Island”

508-228-1151

6 Broad Street

Harvey A Young’s Bicycle Shop started on Nantucket in 1931. When Harvey sold the business to his son, Roger, it became YOUNG’S BICYCLE SHOP. Now with over 90 years in business, the 4th generation is running YOUNG’S. The Young family and their staff provide you with the ideal rental bike for Nantucket. Their fleet of CANNONDALE and TREK bikes are well maintained, so you and your family can have a safe and enjoyable bike ride around the island. YOUNG’S also rents cars and Jeeps. Check out their website, give them a call, or stop in to see their friendly, knowledgeable staff, so they can share with you “The Cycle-logical Way to See Nantucket Island”. Reservations & delivery services available. youngsbicycleshop.com

Books & Publications

CALL NANTUCKET

508-228-0294

8 Federal Street

The mission of the ARTISTS ASSOCIATION OF NANTUCKET is to foster the visual arts on Nantucket. They create a vibrant arts community by promoting, supporting, and encouraging the work of Nantucket artists, providing educational programs in the arts, and preserving the legacy of Nantucket artists. You can see a range of works, including oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, mixed media, ceramics, and photography in AAN’s Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery downtown at 8 Federal Street. Through June 2, view the SEA SKY EARTH WIND Exhibition. Opening June 4-23 is CHASING LIGHT Stay in touch at nantucketarts.org for a schedule of 2026 exhibits. Visit AAN’s online gallery to view regularly changing online exhibitions of fresh, original artwork from iconic Nantucket artists. nantucketarts.org

508-228-9165 ext. 110

FREE DOWNLOAD - Nantucket’s searchable phone book app CallNantucket.com

The island’s “Little Black Book”

CALL NANTUCKET is the fully searchable app version of The Nantucket Directory: the island’s phone book. Not sure who to call? Browse our Yellow Pages to choose the best company for your needs! Town information in our newly redesigned White Pages. Our CALL NANTUCKET app is FREE TO DOWNLOAD. CallNantucket@gmail.com

508-228-9165

Guiding Visitors on Nantucket for 56 Years Box 626, Nantucket, MA 02554

In print & online + eNewsletter

Visit our online publication to see more articles, more photos, enter contests, and to share your impressions of Nantucket. For more than half a century, YESTERDAY’S ISLAND/TODAY’S NANTUCKET has been the best source for planning your leisure time on Nantucket Island. From Daffodil Festival through Christmas Stroll, you can pick up our print editions, available everywhere, or you can visit us online at YesterdaysIsland.com. After you leave your favorite island, you can stay in touch with the happenings here — find us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram @nantucket_insider, and sign up for our free Nantucket eNewsletter — look for the link at the top of Nantucket.net Yesterdaysisland.com

Island Fun & Shopping

Bookstores

Mitchell’s Book Corner

Classes & Workshops

Artists Association of Nantucket

508-228-1080

Open Daily 54 Main Street

See the calendar for our upcoming book signings

MITCHELL’S BOOK CORNER prides itself on a long tradition of personalized attention to its customers for more than 50 years. Visit nantucketbookpartners.com for any book in print, preorders, signed copies, e-books, audio books, gift cards, staff picks, and more. If the book is “on our shelves now” we can offer next business day island home delivery for a small fee. If the book is not on-hand we can either ship it to you or order it for you. We are also happy to ship books to anywhere in the US. MITCHELL’S is open daily. nantucketbookpartners.com

Nantucket Bookworks

508-228-0722

Open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm Visual Arts Center, 24 Amelia Drive Classes & Workshops for all ages

The ARTISTS ASSOCIATION’s Arts Program offers year-round educational programs for adults and children. Our spacious workshop on Amelia Drive hosts a wide variety of classes and workshops in many media including oil painting, watercolor, pastel, life drawing, ceramics, printmaking, textile art and mixed media. Our instructors are resident artists, AAN artist members and a variety of visiting artists who work in a range of mediums and bring a wealth of talent and experience to the program. Classes are designed for all levels of experience, from the novice to advanced and for all ages. nantucketarts.org

Maria Mitchell Association

508-228-4000

Open Daily: books, gifts, chocolate 25 Broad Street Books, chocolates, & unique gifts

NANTUCKET BOOKWORKS is our quirky little shop chock full of books, gifts, and goodies. Visit nantucketbookpartners.com for books and nantucketbooksworks.com for the very best of Bookworks online. We have Nantucket gifts, puzzles, games, toys, art supplies, party accessories, stuffed animals, greeting cards, kids items, and so much more. And we have an enticing nook filled with amazing chocolates to buy and savor as you read your new books. We also are happy to ship anywhere in the US. For books, shop nantucketbookpartners.com. Order online or stop in to browse. BOOKWORKS is open daily. nantucketbookpartners.com

Car Rentals

Affordable Rentals

Open daily

508-228-9198

Summer Programs for All Science center, aquarium, museums, & programs for all Join MARIA MITCHELL ASSN professional astronomers for an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky. MMA staff will guide you in viewing astronomical objects through our historic 8inch Alvan Clark refractor and our modern 24-inch research telescope. Get a chance to view the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, and even other galaxies! In addition, MMA experts offer classes, workshops, nature tours, and so much more! mariamitchell.org

Confections

Aunt Leah’s Fudge

Open daily

Made fresh on Nantucket

508-228-3501

6 South Beach Street Cars, jeeps, mopeds

AFFORDABLE RENTALS can help make your visit on Nantucket more complete. With their cars, 4x4s, vans, and mopeds, you will have access to all parts of the island: Great Point, Wauwinet, Coatue, Squam, ‘Sconset, Madaket, and more. Explore to your heart’s content in a vehicle from AFFORDABLE RENTALS, open daily at 6 South Beach Street. Call ahead for reservations. All major credit cards accepted. affrentals.com

Young’s Bicycle Shop

Open daily in season

“The Cycle-logical Way to See Nantucket Island”

508-228-1017

The Courtyard, 16 Straight Wharf

Step into AUNT LEAH’s and discover why our homemade fudge has been loved for decades and voted award-winning year after year. Crafted fresh in our shop using premium ingredients, we offer more than 40 rich and creamy flavors that make every visit unforgettable. Don’t leave Nantucket without trying our famous chocolate-covered cranberries, available in both milk and dark chocolate. Sweet, tart, and perfectly indulgent, they’ve become a favorite island treat and gift. Looking for the perfect souvenir or special occasion gift? Explore our wonderful collection of beautifully packaged tins filled with our signature fudge and chocolate specialties — perfect for sharing a taste of Nantucket with family and friends. www.auntleahs.com

Consignment & Thrift Shops

Commonwealth

508-228-1151

6 Broad Street

Harvey A Young’s Bicycle Shop” started on Nantucket in 1931. When Harvey sold the business to his son, Roger, it became YOUNG’S BICYCLE SHOP. Now with over 90 years in business, the 4th generation is running YOUNG’S. The Young family and their staff provide you with the ideal rental bike for Nantucket AND YOUNG’S also rents cars and Jeeps. Check out their website, give them a call, or stop in to see their friendly, knowledgeable staff, so they can share with you “The Cycle-logical Way to See Nantucket Island”. Reservations & delivery services available. youngsbicycleshop.com

Charters - Sailing & Boating

Endeavor Sailing Excursions

Private Charters. Per Person Fares

508-228-5585

Slip 1015, Straight Wharf Pleasure sailing

“Captain James Genthner shares his love of the Island with visitors aboard his sloop ENDEAVOR”—Ted Reinstein, CBS Good Day! Featured in Yankee Magazine’s Best of New England: “A cruise aboard the Endeavor is a lesson in beauty and local history.” “No one has done more to make sure that Nantucket’s maritime traditions are alive and well than Capt. Jim Genthner,” Nat Philbrick, author In the Heart of the Sea. The ENDEAVOR sails daily at 10 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, and at sunset. They offer private charters, public sails. Gift certificates are available. Call for information and reservations. endeavorsailing.com

Nantucket by Water

508-228-7037

A Variety of Boat Tour Adventures for All Ages Straight Wharf, Slip #1011 Oyster Cruises, Ice Cream Cruises, Cocktail Cruises Sunset Cruise, & more

NANTUCKET by WATER (formerly Shearwater Excursions) is a local family-run company dedicated to providing unique tours and cruises to individuals and families of all age groups. From small kids to grandparents, NBW has trips that cater to your needs and taste for adventure. Whether you take a leisurely tour around Nantucket Harbor, or a longer adventure exploring the wildlife sanctuary of Coatue or visiting the unique 5th Bend Oyster Farm, Nantucket By Water promises an exceptional experience. nantucketbywater.com

508.680.1399

Visit us in the store and online! 16 Federal Street Fabulous Resale. Fresh Finds.

Hospital Thrift

Shop

Commonwealthnantucket.com

508-228-1125

Mon., Wed., Fri. 10am-12:30pm & 1-3:30pm Tues. & Thurs. 1-3:30pm & Sat. 10am-12:30pm 17 India Street

Clothing, housewares, furniture & more

In 1929, a small group of dedicated women volunteers established the Thrifty Shop, selling affordable, recycled men, women and children clothing, household items and furniture to benefit the Nantucket Cottage Hospital. Now incorporated as THE HOSPITAL THRIFT SHOP this store has donated millions to the NCH. Shopping hours in May are Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 10 am to 12:30 pm & 1-3:30 pm and Tuesday & Thursday 1-3:30 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 12:30 pm. Evening hours start June 9. hospitalthriftshop.org

Island Treasures

Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm & Sat. 10am-2pm

New & used clothes, housewares, jewelry, & more

508-228-0789

128 Old South Road

Looking to expand your wardrobe on a budget or need some items for your home at affordable prices? ISLAND TREASURES is the perfect place to shop! Here you’ll find a great selection of new and gently used clothing for women, men, and kids, jewelry, housewares, small furnishings, books, art, beach toys, kids toys, and so much more. There’s an ever-changing variety, so visit often — you never know what treasures you may discover. Find us in Hanabea Shopping Center, off Old South Road. There’s a convenient NRTA bus stop nearby!

The Rainbow Fleet

Open Monday-Saturday 10am to 5pm

Clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories

508-680-1159

167 Orange Street

Shop sustainably at THE RAINBOW FLEET, Nantucket’s year round women’s consignment boutique located mid-island near the rotary. We carefully select the best vintage, modern and designer pieces from over 450 island consignors, and steam-clean them into new life daily! From clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories to one of a kind finds from local artists, you can find your own style in our relaxed atmosphere—complete with outdoor covered shopping, dressing rooms, and, yes, ample parking! We aim to provide sustainable and affordable fashion options for all… great for the planet and your wallet too! Follow us on Instagram @therainbowfleet therainbowfleetnantucket.com

Island Fun & Shopping

Contests

NANTUCKET PHOTO CONTEST

508-228-9165

Deadline is Sept. 12, 2026 - CASH PRIZES Box 626, Nantucket, MA 02554

See winners & entries online at Nantucket.net

ENTER EARLY & OFTEN! This annual photo contest is a popular way to share your photos of Nantucket with the world. Winners of previous contests are online at The Insider’s Guide to Nantucket: nantucket.net. The 2026 Contest has begun: DEADLINE TO ENTER IS SEPTEMBER 12, 2026. We accept copyright-free images of Nantucket present and past. Email your high resolution photo entries to ACKPhotoContest@gmail.com or mail us a CD or thumb drive with electronic images from your digital camera. Please make sure your digital images are highresolution. Visit Nantucket.net to see a great selection past entries and winners. nantucket.net/photo-contest-entry

Copying, Mailboxes, Shipping

The UPS Store

Open Monday - Saturday

Locally owned and operated

508-325-8884

61 Old South Road

Nantucket’s UPS STORE is in spacious quarters at 61 Old South Road and offers a variety of products and services to make your life easier: personal mailboxes, mail forwarding, UPS shipping and receiving, overnight delivery, and more. THE UPS STORE offers a wide variety of copy and print services, including b&w and color copies, output from disks, wide format printing, laminating, collating, and a full range of finishing services. You can even go there for notary services, passport photos, and mail boxes. THE UPS STORE makes high quality, full color banners and posters! Plenty off-street parking. THE UPS STORE: let them help you!

Cranberry Products

Aunt Leah’s Fudge

508-228-1017

Open daily The Courtyard, 16 Straight Wharf

Made fresh on Nantucket

Stop in AUNT LEAH’S for a taste of her delicious homemade fudge. Choose from more than 30 flavors of “the best fudge in the world.” Try her cranberry fudge or her famous Nantucket chocolate covered cranberries. AUNT LEAH’S Nantucket chocolate-covered cranberries, both milk and dark chocolate, are not only delicious, but also are loaded with antioxidants proven to have health benefits! Both make unique wedding favors, gifts for special events, or takehome gifts. Another unique gourmet candy is her cranberry “bog frogs,” filled with roasted cashews, dried sweetened cranberries smothered with rich caramel and topped with premium milk chocolate. And you’ve got to try her mouth-watering cranberry bars: dried and sweetened cranberries with roasted almonds in both milk or dark chocolate. auntleahs.com

Digital Guide to Nantucket

Insiders Guide to Nantucket

Beaches, Events, Museums, Biking, Classifieds, & More

Visit us online & follow us on Instagram @nantucket_insider

508-228-9165

Visit Nantucket before & after you visit Nantucket! Visit NANTUCKET.NET for a biking page, lighthouse page, festivals page, photo galleries, maps, parks & trails, and guides to lodging, dining, real estate, recreation, and much more! Our Calendar of Events is the most complete and is updated several times a week, year-round. Looking for a beach? Our Beach Listings have photos, videos, and info about all the best island beaches and where to find them. And our classifieds are ever-changing. Visit Nantucket before, during, and after you visit Nantucket by going to Nantucket.net and follow us on Instagram @nantucket_insider Nantucket.net

Gifts

Hill’s of Nantucket

Open Daily 10 am to 5 pm.

Unique & Original Nantucket Theme Gifts

It’s A Shore Thing

Open Daily

Distinctive Nantucket Gifts

508-680-1901

30B Main Street

At IT’S A SHORE THING, we are proud to carry products made in New England. Come in and browse through our wide selection of gifts including lotion, soaps, jewelry, pottery, antiques, housewares, tote bags, art, and home decor. You can find unusual gifts at all prices in A SHORE THING that you’ll find nowhere else! shorethinggifts.com

Museum Shop at the Whaling Museum

508-228-1894, ext. 138

Open during museum hours: 10am-5pm in the Whaling Museum, 11 Broad Street NHA exclusives, gifts, apparel, books, home decor

The Nantucket Historical Association has been a steward of Nantucket’s cultural history since 1894. Don’t miss the MUSEUM SHOP at the Whaling Museum, where you will find unique gifts, books, prints, maps, and objects of art inspired by Nantucket history. Many items are exclusive to the MUSEUM SHOP, and NHA members get special discounts. 100% of all purchases support the Nantucket Historical Association and its mission to tell the inspiring stories of Nantucket through its collections, programs, and properties. nantucketmuseumshop.org

Healing Practitioners

White Feather Pure Healing

Schedule an Appointment Online Illuminating Ways to Healing

508-776-6939

Kim LaRue is a passionate holistic and energy healing practitioner, specializing in Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy, and Reflexology. Her gentle, intuitive sessions calm the nervous system, release energetic blockages, and support body, mind, and spirit. Through White Feather Pure Healing, Kim guides clients toward restored balance, wellness, and a deeper inner connection with their inner healing. whitefeatherpurehealing.com

Health Care

Cottage Pharmacy

508-825-7300

Open daily 10 Vesper Lane

New community pharmacy servicing Nantucket

NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL continues to expand its services provided to the residents and visitors of Nantucket. Located just across the street from the hospital, this new pharmacy will provide patients with greater convenience and continuity of care while sustaining an important community resource. Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s new community pharmacy—the Cottage Pharmacy—is open to everyone in the community, not only patients of NCH. Nantuckethospital.org/pharmacy

Nantucket Cottage Hospital

24-hr emergency services, hospital care, lab, rehab

508-825-8100

57 Prospect St Medical Care & Urgent Access

NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL has been caring for our island community. In addition to excellent physicians and nursing staff, the hospital has a 24-hour Emergency Department, full laboratory, physical therapy, cardiac rehab, chemotherapy, surgical services, imaging services, maternity services, and much more. Through Mass General Brigham, NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL offers high-quality virtual urgent care services for many conditions and minor injuries daily. NCH URGENT ACCESS is open Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm & Saturdays 8 am-3pm. Details at nantuckethospital.org/urgentaccess Nantuckethospital.org

Home Decor

Icarus + Co

Open Daily 19 Old South Wharf

Jewelry and Home Decor

Discover unique sculptural jewelry by local artists. We interpret nature through wearable art, handmade in small batches using uncommon and precious materials – including our exclusive collection of Nantucket beach stone jewelry. Follow along on instagram for a behind the scenes look: @icarusandco + @nantucketbeachstones. icarusandco.com

It’s A Shore Thing

508-228-1353

40 Straight Wharf

Established in 1981, HILL’S combines the best of Nantucket for the art and gift seeker. G.S. Hill Gallery and Hill’s of Nantucket offer fine art by Greg Hill and wonderful speciality gifts designed by this husband-and-wife team. Nantucket theme prints, note cards by Hill are their main focus. American made; that hard-to-find gift is here waiting for you! Treat yourself to a unique gift gallery from HILL’S. Est. 1981 gshill.com

508-680-1901

Open Daily 30B Main Street

Distinctive Nantucket Gifts

At IT’S A SHORE THING, we are proud to carry products made in New England. Come in and browse through our wide selection of quality items for your home, including pottery, antiques, housewares, serving plates & trays, pillows, art, decorative wall hangings, and much more. You can also find unusual gifts at all prices in A SHORE THING that you’ll find nowhere else! shorethinggifts.com

Island Fun & Shopping

Island Apps

Call Nantucket

Your telephone book for Nantucket FREE download for IOS and Android

Know who you want to call but need their phone number? Search by name on CALL NANTUCKET. Know what you want but not where to get it? Search by category on the up-to-date and locally produced CALL NANTUCKET app. This app is free to download and easy to use. Both white pages and yellow pages are included. callnantucket.com

Jewelry

Blue Beetle

508-228-3227

Open Daily 12 Main Street

Jewelry & Gifts

Icarus + Co.

Open Daily

Jewelry and Home Decor

19 Old South Wharf

Jewelers’ Gallery of Nantucket

Visit us online

Fine Antique & Estate Jewelry

508-228-0229

21 Centre Street

JEWELERS’ GALLERY offers Nantucket’s largest collection of antique and estate jewelry, including pieces by Tiffany, Cartier, Webb, and more. Until we can reopen, visit us online to see our exquisite island classics, including the Turk’s Head braided bracelet, Nautical Cable Collections, gem-set Sailors’ Valentines, and handwoven gold lightship basket jewelry. Also featured at JEWELERS’ GALLERY is an outstanding collection of beautifully designed jewelry by such leading goldsmiths as Ronald Pearson, Michael Good, Thomas Kruskal, and others. Call us for details. JEWELERS’ GALLERY has been serving Nantucket since 1971. thejewelersgallery.com

The Love Shack by Lola

Open daily

Handcrafted sterling pendants, bracelets, jewelry, & more!

774-325-5982

10 Old South Wharf

THE LOVE SHACK is welcoming back customers to their shop on Old South Wharf. AND your favorite items are also available online at lolacompany.com. LOLA™ designs and creates beautiful sterling jewelry with inspirational messages on the back marking important moments in peoples lives. With more than 30 pendant designs varying in size and gorgeous colors, creating your own look is endless and addicting. THE LOVE SHACK is home to our entire jewelry collection and is inspiration for our apparel, candles, hats, and more. Everything you need for your very own Love Shack! lolacompany.com

Nantucket Estate Jewelry and Fine Arts

508-228-0272

Open for the 2026 season. Great gifts that sparkle! 1 Orange Street

Jewelry, Lightship Baskets, Art, Scrimshaw, & more

We feature fine estate jewelry in all price ranges - antique, vintage, and contemporary - including designers such as Tiffany, Cartier, Bulgari, Roberto Coin, and David Yurman. We also sell sterling silver jewelry and flatware and hollowware. We also carry a large assortment of Nantucket baskets and carved Nantucket purses, as well as a fine selection of antique scrimshaw. We stock an assortment of quality art work, including antique paintings, nautical items, maps, and island works by local artists. Follow us @Nantucket_Jewelry Nantucketestatejewelry.com

Nantucket Pearl Company

identifies the piece as hers. NANTUCKET PEARL COMPANY jewelry is available exclusively at Hill’s of Nantucket, 40 Straight Wharf. Est. 2004 nantucketpearlcompany.com

Library & Public Programs

Nantucket Atheneum

508-228-1110

Open year-round. Books, Programs for All Ages, Concerts, & More 1 India Street Nantucket’s Free Public Library & Gathering Place

THE NANTUCKET ATHENEUM, our island’s public library is a vital community hub. We are open year-round and offer materials and services for all ages. More than 170,000 people come through our doors annually, where they have free access to 1.6 million books and a large collection of CDs, and DVDs. In addition, we offer many web-based services, a digital library, free computer use, WIFI, and more than 1,300 educational and cultural programs a year. Our historic building, which opened in 1847, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and filled with beautiful art and artifacts that celebrate our maritime heritage and the history of Nantucket. nantucketatheneum.org

Mortgages

Cape Cod 5

Open Monday-Friday

We’ll make your dream come true!

888-225-4636

112 Pleasant Street and Zero Main Street

CAPE COD FIVE will give you more than just a mortgage... they’ll help make your dream come true! Fixed Rate, Adjustable Rate, Jumbo Loans, Affordable Housing, Construction & Land Loans for first time home buyers. Our knowledgeable, experienced mortgage loan officers are available to help you. Call Beth Ann Meehan at 508-247-1709 or Lauren Ard at 508-247-1795 or visit our website at CapeCodFive.com capecodfive.com

Movies, Concerts, Celebrations

The Dreamland

See Our Website for Films & Events

Nantucket’s Film & Cultural Center 17 South Water Street Films, Concerts, Celebrations, & Events

THE NANTUCKET DREAMLAND is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the cultural and intellectual life of Nantucket by providing year-round films, educational programs, and a venue for community activities that engage Nantucket in the evolving world of entertainment and education. Films are shown in our 314-seat Main Theatre, in our 110-seat Studio Theatre, and seasonally at our Drive-In at 7 Nobadeer Farm Road. Tickets are available at NantucketDreamland.org. Become a member and get special access, special pricing, and even free tickets! Check our schedule for film showings, Dreamland Stage productions, special concerts & events in the DREAMLAND’s Harbor View Room. NantucketDreamland.org

Museums & Sites

Nantucket Whaling Museum

508-228-1894

Admission $25; 65+ & Students $23; Ages 6-17 $10; under 6 free Island residents & NHA members admitted free 15 Broad Street Your portal to Nantucket history.

No trip to Nantucket is complete without a trip to the NANTUCKET WHALING MUSEUM . In this top-quality exhibition venue, visitors can see a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, a restored 1847 candle factory, exquisite collections of scrimshaw, artwork, artifacts from centuries of Nantucket life, and a fully accessible rooftop observation deck with an unmatched panoramic view and cozy seating. Discover treasures from Nantucket’s cellars and attics in the newly redesigned, artifact-rich Hadwen & Barney Oil & Candle Factory. Don’t miss the film “Nantucket,” directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ric Burns. Showcasing the island’s natural beauty and its significant role in global history, this 51-minute film is a feast for the eyes, offering a transformative experience for islanders and visitors alike. All this and more can be found at the Nantucket Whaling Museum. nha.org

NHA Sites

508-228-1353

Open Daily 10 am to 5 pm online & in the G.S. Hill Gallery, 40 Straight Wharf American made, hand-strung pearl jewelry

Authentic American-made jewelry from quality pearls at affordable prices. Jewelry designer Pam Freitus creates stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry from hand-selected pearls, stones, leather, crystals and glass. On some pieces, pearls are interspersed with turquoise and crystals or sapphire and diamond bling enhances the soft shimmer of the pearl’s whiteness. On others, the Ying & Yang of black and white is featured. Look for Pam’s signature: a small red bead that

508-228-1894

Your portal to Nantucket history 15 Broad Street

Historic Sites, Classes, Talks, & more

The Nantucket Historical Association preserves, interprets, and shares the diverse stories of Nantucket with all audiences through its collections, properties, programs, and research. In addition to the Nantucket Whaling Museum, the public is invited to visit THE OLDEST HOUSE, built in 1686 and believed to be the oldest residence on Nantucket still on its original site; THE OLD MILL, said to have been built in 1746, this is the only surviving mill of 5 that once stood overlooking Nantucket town; THE HADWEN HOUSE, a Greek Revival mansion built in 1846; GREATER LIGHT, a stunning and unique home that was built as a barn in 1790 and renovated & repurposed in the 1930s into a home that illustrates the era of Nantucket’s art colony days. Learn more about these sites and the others that the NHA keeps open for visitors at NHA.org nha.org

Island Fun & Shopping

Pet Accessories & Gifts

Cold Noses

508-228-3731

Nantucket’s Go-To Pet Paradise is open daily 119 Pleasant Street Tail-wagging Treasures & Pet Services with Love COLD NOSES serves all your pet needs on Nantucket! Your favorite island pet boutique offers a wide variety of toys, treats, accessories, and necessities for your pets. Exclusive signature Nantucket collars and leashes feature different iconic island designs, including lighthouses, lobsters, whales, shells, baskets, and anchors. We have lots of toys for your four-legged friends, and for humans who love pets, we have fun gifts and ornaments. Stop in if you forget a critical pet item, if you are looking for that distinctive pet-themed Nantucket keepsake or a special something for a pet or pet person. Our pet services tailored with love include: Dog Wash and Pet Equipment Rentals. nantucketpetstore.com

Special Events

A Night at the Museum

July 9: Tickets on Sale Now! Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum

Join the Egan Maritime Institute for an unforgettable evening as they commemorate the 70th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Andrea Doria, one of the most storied ocean liners of the 20th century. Come dressed to impress in Nantucket Black Tie attire and embrace the glamour of the 1950s. You will enjoy cocktails, engaging conversations, and specially curated museum experiences that explore the ship’s legacy, its final voyage, and its lasting connections to Nantucket’s maritime history. eganmaritime.org

Baskets, Bubbles, & Bourbon

June 26: tickets at nha.org

Annual Fundraiser & Garden Party

Join us for our annual summer fundraiser celebrating the rich tradition of Nantucket lightship baskets! This year, Baskets & Bubbly is now BASKETS, BUBBLES & BOURBON and will feature exciting new additions that honor both weavers & collectors. We will also have an exclusive showcase of distinguished basket collectors displaying their treasured pieces. This year, our highly anticipated auction features a curated selection of exceptional works from today’s most talented artisans—plus select collaborations with other skilled craftspeople. And that’s not all! Enjoy a bourbon tasting alongside our signature bubbles, craft cocktails, and light bites. Tickets on sale now at nha.org nha.org

DreamBIG 2026

See Our Website for Films & Events

Benefit for The Nantucket Dreamland held in the Sconset Casino Fundraiser on July 17

THE DREAMLAND is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the cultural and intellectual life of Nantucket by providing year-round films, educational programs, and a venue for community activities that engage Nantucket in the evolving world of entertainment and education. The annual DREAMBIG fundraiser will be held on July 17, 2026 in the Siasconset Casino. Guests will “Nantucket Royale,” and evening of gaming, glamour, and gratitude. Sponsorship opportunities are now available, and ticket packages will be on sale soon—don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary night! NantucketDreamland.org

Killer Queen

Theatre Gala

508-228-4305

Benefit on July 28, 2026 from 6-10 pm Tickets at theatrenantucket.org Nantucket’s Longest Running Professional Theatre

son talks, forums, gatherings, and celebrations of writers and readers. Presenting authors for 2026 include: Shannon Garvey, Jamie Siminoff, Rick Tulsky, Joshua Bennett, Emma Brodie, Jenna Bush Hager, Julie Gerstenblatt, Alice Hoffman, Marlon James, Norah O’Donnell, Ann Patchett, James Sulzer, and more. Most NANTUCKET BOOK FESTIVAL events are free — see the full schedule at nantucketbookfestival.org

Nantucket Dental Society

201-670-9076

20th Annual Seminar: June 18-20, 2026 Register online Nantucket Dental Society offers one of the best continuing education programs in the world, with world-class speakers, cutting-edge topics and techniques. Our annual seminar includes morning lectures and multiple networking events on Nantucket Island. The connections you make and the knowledge you leave with will enhance the day-to-day techniques you use in your own dental practice and help to grow your business. Register at nantucketdental.com nantucketdental.com

Plein Air Nantucket

508-228-0294

Artists Assn. of Nantucket Plein Air Festival around Nantucket June 12-18, 2026

ARTISTS ASSOCIATION OF NANTUCKET is hosting their annual Plein Air Nantucket from June 12-18. All community members and visitors are invited to register and then set up their easels anywhere on Nantucket, paint en plein air, and exhibit their Fresh Works at AAN’s Cecelia Joyce and Seward Johnson Gallery, 8 Federal Street. Participants may exhibit their fresh artworks daily for sale on our festival “Wet Walls.” This year’s Plein Air Paint Out Day will be held from 10 am on June 15 at the Shipwreck Museum & at the UMass Field Station. On June 16 from 10am to 12:30pm, Quick Paint sessions will be held at Oldest House and through .4 miles of Coffin Park to park area next to Something Natural, a combined location. Closing reception & awards ceremony on June 18 at 4 pm in Johnson Gallery. nantucketarts.org

Swim Across America

July 25, 2026 at Jetties Beach

Relay Swim to Raise Funds to Fight Cancer

Jetties Beach

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA began as a relay swim from Nantucket to Hyannis and has evolved into 16 open water swims and dozens of pool swims around the country. We are continuing the tradition of SAA on Nantucket with another swim this July 25, 2026! Join swimmers at a gorgeous venue for a day to remember this July and be a part of this landmark event this summer! Kids’ Splash, 1/4-mile, 1/2-mile, and 1-mile swim options, plus 2x2-mile relay and 4-mile swim options on Nantucket’s north shore. Register for OR donate to the Nantucket Open Water Swim at swimacrossamerica.org/nantucket

Theatre

Theatre Workshop of Nantucket

508-228-4305

EUREKA DAY opens June 5 thru June 20 Tickets at theatrenantucket.org

Nantucket’s Longest Running Professional Theatre

THEATRE WORKSHOP of Nantucket has been the island’s live theatre company since 1956. On stage June 5-20, EUREKA DAY is marked by biting humor, rapid-fire dialogue and serious stakes, the play is both a farce and a mirror: it skewers extreme viewpoints, but also holds tenderness for parents trying to do right by their kids. It asks: is there still room for doubt in a world where everyone demands certainty? And: what happens when the tools of inclusion become barriers to action? This dark comedy won the 2025 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Get your tickets today at theatrenantucket.org! TWN: Where Nantucket Meets Broadway! theatrenantucket.org

Tours - Bus & Van

Barrett’s Tours

508-228-0174

Join THEATRE WORKSHOP of Nantucket for an unforgettable summer evening in support of Theatre Workshop of Nantucket—a night filled with delicious food and drinks, great company, and the joy of coming together to celebrate the enduring importance of live theatre on Nantucket. The evening culminates in a thrilling live concert by Killer Queen, delivering the electrifying music of Queen with all the power, precision, and theatrical flair you’d expect. Sing along to iconic anthems, feel the energy, and let the music remind us why—“We are the champions”—when a community rallies around the arts. It’s a night to come together, raise a glass, and celebrate the magic that happens when theatre brings us all together and lifts us higher. TWN’s 70th Season as the island’s professional theatre.

Luminary Award Dinner

July 10, 2026 from 6 to 10 pm

theatrenantucket.org

508-228-1110

1 India Street Benefit For Nantucket’s Free Public Library & Gathering Place

The Nantucket Atheneum introduces the Luminary Award Dinner, a new summer fundraiser that blends timeless elegance with the vibrant charm of Nantucket Island. The evening opens with a festive cocktail hour and lively mingling, followed by a seated dinner designed to spark connection and conversation. Guests will experience engaging remarks, meaningful tributes, and an inspiring keynote address by acclaimed island author Nathaniel Philbrick. Details & tickets at nantucketatheneum.org/LuminaryAward nantucketatheneum.org

Nantucket Book Festival

June 11-14, 2026 Visit the website for schedule of free & ticketed events

Great Books & Fascinating Authors

The NANTUCKET BOOK FESTIVAL brings more than 20 stellar authors to Nantucket for in-per-

1-1/2 hr tour; departs daily at 10:30am, 1:30 pm, & 3:30 pm

Private charters available departs from 25 Federal St

BARRETT’S TOURS is the oldest tour company on Nantucket. With years of experience in the industry, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service & unforgettable experiences. BARRETT’S offers 1-1/2 hour historic tours with experienced guides daily from 25 Federal Street (across from the Visitors Center) at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. Our team of professionals is committed to ensuring your comfort, safety, and satisfaction. Whether you’re exploring the historic scenic beauty of Nantucket, celebrating a special occasion, or planning your dream wedding, we have the perfect transportation solution for you. Trust Barrett’s Tours to make your travel experience truly remarkable. For more information and reservations, please call 508-228-0174. BarrettsTours.com

Gail’s Tours, Inc.

508-257-6557

Departures at approx. 10 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm Call for reservations & pickup Pickup at 25 Federal St, across from Information Bureau

Personal scenic Island tours: voted “Best of Nantucket”

GAIL’S TOURS, tours of Nantucket guided by native islander Gail Johnson who has been giving tours for more than 25 years, gives you a look at the Island with a personal touch. Gail leads tours in her 14-passenger van with comfortable individual seats, AC, huge windows, and leg room! She’ll pick you up at 25 Federal Street approximately 10 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm every day. The tour lasts 1-3/4 hours to 2 hours, and passengers are welcome at any time during Gail’s tour to get out to take photos. Private charters are available. Call for reservations: if Gail is on a tour, she’ll call you back.

Nantucket Island Tours

Island Fun & Shopping Bakeries

508-228-0334

3 Great Tours - Don’t miss our fantastic and fun Elin Hilderbrand Blue Book Tour Nantucket’s Premiere Transportation Company 42 Straight Wharf NANTUCKET ISLAND TOURS is the largest provider of tours, charters, & transportation services on-island. For more than 70 years, Nantucket Island Tours offers daily tours May-October, corporate charters, wedding & event transportation. Air-conditioned buses & experienced local guides. We offer multiple tours daily May-October: the new Elin Hilderbrand’s Blue Book Tour a 2-hour tour on Wed., Thurs., & Sun. featuring iconic island spots in Hilderbrand’s novels, led by Elin’s sister ~ the 75-minute Signature Tour which departs 3 x a day ~ the longer 2-1/2-hour Westender Tour offered Mon.-Thurs. Learn the history of our diverse island, from the founders, the Whaling Days through the present. See the Oldest House, The Old Mill, The African American Meeting House, ‘Sconset Village, Sankaty Lighthouse, The Shipwreck Museum...and many more beautiful sights. Departures are from Straight Wharf. Buy tickets in advance at nantucketbustours.com, with your HyLine ferry ticket or in-person at 42 Straight Wharf. Tours sell out daily: advance reservations recommended. nantucketbustours.com

Tours - Walking

Guided Walking Tours with NHA

Walking Tours offered by Nantucket Historical Assoc. depart from Whaling Museum, 15 Broad St.

Starting June 1 at 10:45 am & 1:30 pm Mon.-Sat.

508-228-1894

Take a walk with the Nantucket Historical Association. Explore the ambiance of Nantucket’s cobbled streets and architecture with NHA guides trained in Nantucket history on the Downtown Tour at 10:45 am and at 1:30 pm. Tours begin at the Nantucket Whaling Museum Monday-Saturday from June through September, rain or shine. Tickets: $25 adults, $5 for ages 6 to 17; under 6 free. Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street. Walking tours are offered daily. nha.org

Nantucket Walkabout

see website for hikes & times

Book online & pickup at Handlebar Cafe, 15 Washington St

Daily Guided Wilderness Hikes on Nantucket

508-422-7466

Explore Nantucket’s wilderness with “Walking Nantucket” and “Nantucket: A Natural History” author and naturalist Peter Brace, and learn how the last glacier formed the island. Experience wildlife and rare plants. Learn about Nantucket’s conservation efforts, ecology, and the Native Americans that lived here. Rated 5 out of 5 on Trip Advisor. Adults $65-80; children ages 13 & younger $30-$35. Private and solo hikes also available. Apple Pay, Android Pay, MC, Visa, Amex, & Discover accepted. Get details & make reservations at nantucketwalkabout.com or 508422-7466. nantucketwalkabout.com

Nantucket Walking Tours

774-325-8972

Ghost Walks, morning exercise walks + afternoon tours. Call for Private Tours Explore Nantucket: No reservations necessary Times & meeting spot in calendar The ORIGINAL NANTUCKET GHOST WALK is the most popular walking tour ever on Nantucket. A fascinating evening stroll to five of the island’s most haunted locations, led by the original guide. See Calendar of Events for date & times & descriptions. Meet the guide 10 min. early at the corner of Main & Centre sts, near the bank steps. Discounts for groups of 10 or more. Cash only. No reservations necessary. Private tours are available for all walks. It’s a great way to see and enjoy springtime on Nantucket. whjamieson@gmail.com

Transportation Boat

Hy-Line

Travel daily; see schedule for times

Make your reservations online at HylineCruises.com

508-228-3949

Straight Wharf

High-Speed, Passenger-Only, Ferry Service from Hyannis Year-round, High-Speed Ferry Service between Nantucket and Hyannis. Seasonal, High-Speed Inter-Island Ferry Service between Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. With our convenient, daily departures all summer, let us whisk you away to the Cape, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard! While onboard, enjoy freshly-made food from our snack bar also featuring local beer, wine, and spirits. Visit us online for schedules, reservations, helpful blog posts, & more!

Steamship Authority

508-228-0262

Reservations: steamshipauthority.com 1 Steamboat Wharf

Dining Guide

Nantucket Bake Shop

508-228-2797

Tues.-Sat.: 6:30 am to 1:30 pm 17-1/2 Old South Road

The delicious freshly baked treats & bread you love + Gluten-Free goodies! Interested in enjoying an authentic bit of Nantucket? You still can in the NANTUCKET BAKE SHOP. Here you'll find genuine Portuguese bread & rolls. Be tempted by our world-famous almond macaroons and Magees, fresh donuts, blueberry muffins, scones, & more accompanied by a steaming cup of Green Mountain coffee. We bake decorated cakes, fresh fruit tortes, cheesecake, chocolate velvets, and pastries. Our traditional baked goods are preservative free and hand batched on Nantucket Island. Most of our cookies and our granola are gluten free. Take our Portuguese bread home so your friends can enjoy a bit of old Nantucket. Nantucketbakeshop.com

Brewers

Cisco

Brewers

Open 7 Days a Week

508-325-5929

5 Bartlett Farm Road

Home of Cisco Brewers, Nantucket Vineyard, and 888 CISCO BREWERS is Nantucket’s first & only craft brewery and prides itself on celebrating a deep-rooted New England island heritage through its portfolio of approachable, sessionable, and coastally-inspired beers. Founded near Cisco Beach in 1995 by hard-working, entrepreneurial islanders, CISCO BREWERS has gained a cult-like following across the Northeast. Visit its open-air beer garden while on Nantucket to enjoy a laid-back, good times atmosphere, live music, and a refreshing pint or two or a craft cocktail made with our own 888. Private tours may be arranged in advance. Table seating is first-come, first-served -- reservations are not accepted. Family & dog-friendly. ciscobrewers.com

Light Food & Take-Out

45 Surfside Bakery & Cafe

Breakfast & lunch daily

Take out or eat in our dining room or outdoor patio

774-333-3981

45 Surfside Road

Enjoy award-winning pastry chef/owner Rebecca Moesinger's delicious pastries, hearty breakfasts, and tasty lunches at 45 SURFSIDE BAKERY & CAFE. You can enjoy breakfast & lunch daily from 6:30am until 2pm in their air-conditioned dining room or on their outdoor patio. In addition to burritos, breakfast sandwiches, salads, and hot & cold subs and wraps, they serve bubbly delights and refreshing smoothies. Order online from the QR code in our ad. 45 SURFSIDE BAKERY & CAFÉ is located along Surfside Road on your way to the beach. We have plenty of parking and are a few steps from an NRTA bus stop. 45Surfside.com

Bartlett's Farm

508-228-9403

Open Daily, Year Round 33 Bartlett Farm Road

Farm Grown Produce | Garden Center | Groceries | Beer & Wine

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner To Go

A 7th generation family farm growing fresh vegetables on 200 acres of historic Nantucket farm land. Find our full service grocery store onsite with specialty items like quality meats, artisanal cheeses and dairy, olive oils, organic snacks, and more. Order groceries and made to order foods online at Bartlettsfarm.com. Peruse our selection of ‘well-farmed’ wines, craft beers and ciders. Our FARM KITCHEN offers take-out breakfast sandwiches, muffins, pastries, coffee and tea…for lunch we have sandwiches, lobster rolls, clam chowder...and delicious dinner specials. Grab lunch on your way to the beach, or food and beverages for your BBQ on the way home. Bartlett’s Farm, Who’s Your Farmer? bartlettsfarm.com

Cook's Cafe

508-228-8810

Open Daily 10 am to 3 pm 6 South Beach Street Healthy Take Out -- Wraps & Smoothies

COOK'S CAFE is the way to eat healthy while you're on Nantucket. Start your day right with one of their breakfast wraps, a toasted bagel, and a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a refreshing breakfast smoothie. Their Mermaid Magic Smoothie is a great way to start your day! For lunch or later, order one of COOK'S hearty wraps--there are more than 15 to choose from in two sizes, and they also have vegan specialties! All wraps are affordably priced. Go international with the “Bangkok Chicken Wrap,” the “Tokyo Curry Wrap,” the “Napoleon,” or try one of their tasty Bowls. They also have some classics: Italian, Turkey, Tuna Salad, Buffalo Chicken, and more! COOK's smoothies make a terrific afternoon snack. You can call in or order online at cookscafenantucket.com

Cisco Brewers

Dining Guide

Live Entertainment

Live Music & tasty libations

The Brotherhood of Thieves

Open 7 days a week 11:30 am to midnight

Good food. Good drinks. Good company.

508-325-5929

5 Bartlett Farm Road

Live Entertainment Is Back - check website for schedule CISCO BREWERS is Nantucket’s first & only craft brewery and prides itself on celebrating a deep-rooted New England island heritage through its portfolio of approachable, sessionable, and coastally-inspired beers. Founded near Cisco Beach in 1995 by hard-working, entrepreneurial islanders, CISCO BREWERS has gained a cult-like following across the Northeast. Visit its open-air beer garden while on Nantucket to enjoy a laid-back, good times atmosphere, live music, and a refreshing pint or two or a craft cocktail made with our own 888. Private tours may be arranged in advance. Table seating is first-come, first-served -- reservations are not accepted. ciscobrewers.com

Markets

Bartlett’s Farm

Open Daily, Year Round

Farm Grown Produce | Garden Center | Groceries | Beer & Wine

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner To Go

774-325-5812

23 Broad Street

Whether you are a first-time or returning visitor to Nantucket, THE BROTHERHOOD OF THIEVES, 23 Broad Street, must be on your To Do List! This landmark island eatery, offers 4 concepts to enjoy—a downstairs pub echoing a 1840s Whaling tavern, a second floor Cisco Kitchen & Bar with a surf shack vibe and live music, the Notch Whiskey Bar, and a Beer Garden on their patio—all in the heart of downtown Nantucket. THE BROTHERHOOD's different menus feature fresh salads, sushi, hot & cold appetizers, nachos, hearty burgers & sandwiches, their famous curly fries, and entrees featuring fish, chicken, and steak. (Kitchen closes at 10pm.) To accompany your meal, THE BROTHERHOOD serves Cisco & other craft beers on draft, wines by the glass & by the bottle, and more than a dozen signature cocktails. brotherhoodnantucket.com

The Chanticleer

508-228-9403

Bartlett Farm Road

A 7th generation family farm growing fresh vegetables on 200 acres of historic Nantucket farm land. Find our full service grocery store onsite with specialty items like quality meats, artisanal cheeses and dairy, olive oils, organic snacks, and more. Order groceries and made to order foods online at Bartlettsfarm.com. Peruse our selection of ‘well-farmed’ wines, craft beers and ciders. Our Farm kitchen offers take-out breakfast sandwiches, muffins, pastries, coffee and tea…for lunch we have sandwiches, lobster rolls, clam chowder...and delicious dinner specials. Grab lunch on your way to the beach, or food and beverages for your BBQ on the way home. Bartlett’s Farm, Who’s Your Farmer? bartlettsfarm.com

Bars & Night Life

The Brotherhood of Thieves

508-257-4499

Lunch & Dinner Tuesday-Sunday 9 New Street, Siasconset Reservations available on resy.com or 508.257.4499

Originally opened as a small tea house at the turn of the century, THE CHANTICLEER is now one of the premier restaurants on Nantucket. One of the most romantic destinations on-island, you may linger here over an intimate lunch in the Rose Garden or come together with family and friends for a convivial dinner in one of our personal dining rooms: al fresco on warm evenings. The lush gardens produce organic herbs, flowers, berries, and seasonal vegetables for the kitchen. An extensive wine list features some of the finest wines in the world. Reservations are available on resy.com or by calling 508-257-4499 chanticleernantucket.com

Nobadeer Café

508-228-6900

Open daily from 7 AM to 3 PM 1 Miller Lane, in The Nantucket Inn

A casual, family-friendly spot for dining in or take-out

The all-new NOBADEER CAFE is your laid-back island escape inside the freshly reimagined Nantucket Inn. Whether you’re up early after chasing the sunrise or rolling out of bed ready to fuel your beach day, we’ve got just what you need to start your morning off right—or keep it going strong. In addition to bold coffees, for breakfast we serve warm breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit, bagels, and pastries. Our satisfying lunches include hearty salads, tasty bowls, hot flatbreads, and delicious clubs and paninis. And we have a kids' menu for your little ones. Whatever you’re after, NOBADEER CAFE is the perfect pit stop. nobadeercafe.com

Rose & Crown

774-325-5812

Open 7 days a week 11:30 am to midnight 23 Broad Street Good food. Good drinks. Good company.

NobaBar

Open Daily from 3 to 10 pm

508 228-6900

1 Miller Lane, in The Nantucket Inn

Whether you’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, an evening cocktail, or a nightcap before bed, NobaBar is the perfect place for refreshments and snacks. Located in The Nantucket Inn, NobaBar is the ideal spot to gather with friends away from the crowds downtown. nantucketinn.net/dining

Rose & Crown

508-228-2595

Open daily from 11:30 am 23 South Water Street

Indoor & Outdoor Dining ~ Takeout Available

THE ROSE & CROWN is a perennial favorite of islanders and visitors. Stop by for one of the largest draft Craft Beer selections on the island and our scratch made Eclectic Pub Fare. We offer everything you could desire, including nachos and wings, sandwiches and our famous burgers, lobster rolls, local seafood, and mouth watering steaks, plus gluten-free and vegetarian options. Always family friendly with a children’s menu. Eat indoors or at our sidewalk tables. And you can order online for takeout. Check theroseandcrown.com for current hours, menus, & daily specials. theroseandcrown.com

Wines & Spirits

508-228-2595

Open daily from 11:30 am 23 South Water Street Come for the Food, Stay for the Fun!

THE ROSE & CROWN is a favorite among locals and visitors. We are Nantucket's only Downtown Nightclub. Whether it's live local music, guided paint nights, house DJs, big screens for games, or our notorious karaoke competitions, we have your entertainment needs covered. In-season, we have entertainment 7 days a week, with early and late-night options, so everyone has a chance to enjoy the fun. Check our website for off-season entertainment listings. Theroseandcrown.com

Restaurants

45 Surfside Bakery & Cafe

774-333-3981

Breakfast & lunch daily 45 Surfside Road

Take out or eat in our dining room or outdoor patio

Mór Wine

Open 10 am to 9 pm

Curated selection of wines & spirits

16 Federal Street

This new boutique bottle shop founded by Edwin Claflin, chef & owner of Oran Mór Bistro, in partnership with Eileen Harkness, proprietor of the resale boutique Commonwealth Nantucket. Their goal is to enrich the island's wine scene by offering a curated grower champagnes, unique spirits, and small-producer wines. From wine to whiskey, they have that bottle you’ve been looking for as well as the one you didn’t know you wanted. morwine.com

Nantucket Vineyard

508-325-5929

Open daily 5 Bartlett Farm Road

Fine Nantucket wines

Stop by to taste our delicious wines. Located next to Cisco Brewers and Triple Eight Distillery. Ask about our wine dinners and events. Call for more information or to book a tour. ciscobrewers.com

Events & Entertainment

Events are updated daily, year-round at Nantucket.net from page 20

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

8 PM - The Nantucket Ghost Walk - Town Route

MONDAY, JUNE 8

8 AM - Stump Swamp/Norwood Farm Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

A mashup of island terrain; forest, upland meadows, small ponds, a former cranberry bog, & one of the island's true flowing streams. A 90-120 min. dual property hike, depending on group interest. Book at 508-422-7466 or WalkNantucket.com

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Fabulous Mansions of the Cliff & Brant Point

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

2 to 4 PM - Drop-In Craft Gam with No Instruction

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Haptic Sense at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

5:30 to 7 PM - Free Introduction to Amateur Radio

6 to 7:30 PM - Writing Group: Letters Against Isolation

Letter-writing gathering supporting this organization dedicated to combating senior loneliness with handwritten messages of hope & connection. Materials & light refreshments provided. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India St. NantucketAtheneum.org

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

6:45 PM - Head of The Plains Sunset with Nantucket Walkabout

Experience the Head of the Plains at sunset on a guided dusk walk through Nan-

tucket’s rare sandplain grasslands. Watch night herons, owls, & deer emerge as the sky glows and stars begin to shine. Includes transportation to & from downtown. Bring water, bug spray, sunblock, & walking shoes. Book at WalkNantucket.com

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

TUESDAY, JUNE 9

Story Walk: Drawn Together

Enjoy the story of Drawn Together by Minh Le and Dan Santat. In the Nantucket Atheneum Garden, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

8 AM - Shawkemo Hills Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

Hike a portion of the island dramatically shaped by the last glacier to cover most of N. America. See & learn about the formation of Coatue, Great Point, Haulover, Nantucket Harbor, & inner harbor shores. Book at WalkNantucket.com

9 to 11 AM - Free Ecologist in Training Workshops

This workshop series is geared towards getting participants out into the field and part of Linda Loring Nature Foundation research and conservation work. Get hands-on field experiences & connect with professionals in a welcoming, fun, and judgment-free environment. llnf.org

9:45 to 10:30 AM - Free Music in the Morning

Join the Nantucket Atheneum Garden for Music in the Morning with local musician Cory Morgan! Kids will enjoy 45 minutes of rhythm, instruments, and musical games. Perfect for toddlers through early elementary.

Bring a blanket! Canceled in case of bad weather. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org This program is funded by a generous grand from the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation

10 AM - Little Riders Free Walking Group

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

10:45 AM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour with NHA

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

11:45 AM - The Westender Tour with Island Tours

2 PM - Sankaty Bluff Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

On this hike, walk south down the beach from the Hoicks Hollow Road public way to see examples of & learn about Nantucket’s geological past. 508-422-7466 WalkNantucket.com

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Haptic Sense at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or

continued on page 31

508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

6:30 to 7:30 PM - ELL Beginner English Class

For those seeking to learn basic conversation or improve English skills. Class is conducted in English; preregistration not required. For details: 508-228-1110 x113. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

6:30 to 8:30 PM - Open Arts Nights!

Open Mic Night is growing into something more. The stage remains open to all, and now you’re invited to bring your own creative projects. Knit, embroider, color, wrap gifts, or simply enjoy the show in the acoustically stellar Great Hall. Free admission. All are welcome. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

7 to 8:40 PM - Eureka Day presented by Theatre Workshop of Nantucket

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10

7:45 to 10:30 AM - Free Birding Field Trip

These trips will explore Nantucket’s birding hotspots and offer participants a chance to observe birds in their natural habitats. Binoculars, spotting scope, and field guides are available to borrow. All experience levels welcome. Meet at 110 Eel Point Rd

8 AM - Smith’s Point Hike with Nantucket Walkabout Nantucket’s westernmost sand extremity is a great hike to see nesting piping plovers, least terns, and American oystercatchers during the summer and catch a glimpse of Tuckernuck Island. This is one of the longer hikes Nantucket Walkabout does. Book at 508-422-7466 or WalkNantucket.com

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 to 10:30 AM - Walking Tour of Bartlett’s Farm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

10:45 AM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour with NHA

11 AM - Barrett’s Tours

Historic tours departing daily from 25 Federal St., across from the Visitors Centre. Reservations: 508-228-0174 or Barrettstours.com Again at 1:30 & 3:30 pm

11 AM to 12 PM - Book Signing with Elin Hilderbrand

Meet Elin as she signs her books at Mitchell’s Book Corner, 54 Main Street. No prepurchase is required for Elin’s signings: only books purchased at Mitchell’s and at Bookworks can be autographed. . The first 100 people in line will get a ticket: start lining up at 10am. nantucketbookpartners.com

11 AM to 2:30 PM - Social Security Administration - J1 Visa Social Security will be at the Atheneum to meet with J1 students Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

11:15 AM - Nantucket by Water Harbor Tour & Ice Cream Cruise

11:45 AM - The Westender Tour with Island Tours

2 PM - Gardner Farm-Lost Farm Loop Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

A 2.5-mile hike explores plant succession on globally threatened habitat know as sandplain grasslands. These former vegetable farms are now dominated by pitch pines, but their groves & small forests are broken up by meadows of wildflowers. 508-422-7466 WalkNantucket.com

3 to 4 PM - Library Legos at Nantucket Atheneum

The library will supply the LEGO bricks & just have fun. The program is free, but space is limited. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

3 to 5 PM - Island Tours Elin Hilderbrand Blue Book Tour

4 to 7 PM - Live Music by Penelope Road at Cisco Brewers

Head to the brewery at 5 Bartlett Farm Road and enjoy live local bands. Tables are first-come, first-served: no reservations. Ciscobrewers.com

5 to 6 PM - New Nantucket Fiction Free Meet & Greet

Join authors Kyleigh Leddy, James Sulzer, Pamela Kelley, and Julie Gerstenblatt in a casual setting in the Dreamland, 17 S. Water St. Cash bar. A Nantucket Book Festival Event

5:15 to 6:15 PM - Nantucket by Water Cocktail Cruise

Escape the summer crowds & enjoy breathtaking views as you cruise around Nantucket Harbor with family & friends. On board music. BYOB. Book at nantucketbywater.com or 508-228-7037.

5:30 to 8:30 PM - Free Game Night (with Mag-ACK the Gathering) for Ages 13+

A night of board games, card games, and Mag-ACK The Gathering. Whether you’re a pro or just getting started, there’s fun for everyone. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

6 to 7 PM - New Nantucket Fiction Panel

A panel discussion featuring authors Kyleigh Leddy, James Sulzer, Pamela Kelley, & Julie Gerstenblatt. Moderated by Ann Sullivan, the conversation explores their latest books and Nantucket’s influence on their work. The Dreamland, 17 S. Water St. NantucketBookFestival.org A Nantucket Book Festival Event

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

6:30 to 8:30 PM - Free Atheneum Knitting Group

A relaxed knitting group for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced crafters. Share projects, learn new techniques, and get help in a welcoming setting. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. NantucketAtheneum.org

6:45 PM - Polpis Harbor Sunset Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

7 to 8:30 PM - Nantucket by Water Sunset Cruise

7 to 8:40 PM - Eureka Day presented by Theatre Workshop of Nantucket

8 PM - The Nantucket Ghost Walk - Town Route

THURSDAY, JUNE 11

8 AM - Lost Farm Sanctuary Hike with Nantucket Walkabout

9:15 to 10 AM - Marine Storytime - Ages 3+

A marine-themed story, a live animal intro, & a related activity at the MMA Aquarium, 32 Washington St. Pre-registration encouraged: MariaMitchell.org Walk-ins welcome if space allows.

10 to 10:45 AM - Author Talk: Lois Romano with Kathleen Matthews

Hear about An Inconvenient Widow: The Torment, Trial, and Triumph of Mary Todd Lincoln in the Methodist Church, 2 Centre Street. NantucketBookFestival.org A Nantucket Book Festival Event

10 AM - Gail’s Tours of Nantucket

Daily in-depth van tour of Nantucket with 7th generation native as your guide. Intown pickup. To reserve a seat, call 508-257-6557. Tours again at 1 & 3 pm

10 AM to 5 PM - Nantucket Whaling Museum Open

Exhibits in 9 premium galleries & more than 1,000 works of art, artifacts, & treasures on display to tell the story of Nantucket across 4 centuries. Tickets: nha.org

10:45 AM - Historic Downtown Walking Tour with NHA