| | Overview (Source: Frommers) |
In his classic novel, Moby Dick, Herman Melville wrote, "Nantucket! Take out your map and look at it. See what a real corner of the world it occupies; how it stands there, away off shore . . ." More than 100 years later, this tiny island 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod still defines itself, in part, by its isolation. At only 3 1/2 by 14 miles in size, Nantucket is smaller and more insular than Martha's Vineyard. But charm-wise, Nantucket stands alone -- all the creature comforts of the 21st century wrapped in an elegant 19th-century package. The island has long appealed to wealthy visitors, and the ultrarich are more visible than ever. Locals shake their heads over the changing demographics. "If they can't get a reservation at a restaurant, they buy the restaurant," one islander said. Nevertheless, this is still a terrific spot for a family vacation or a romantic retreat. After all, window-shopping at the island's exclusive boutiques and soaking up the sunshine on the pristine beaches are both free of charge. The Nantucket we see today is the result of a dramatic boom and bust that took place in the 1800s. The whaling capital of the world, the Nantucket of Melville's time was a bustling international port whose wealth and sophistication belied its size. But the discovery of crude oil spelled doom for the whale-oil industry. Nantucket sank into a severe economic depression until the tourism industry revived it at the end of the 19th century. Stringent regulation
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| History (Source: WCities) | Top | The name Nantucket derives from an Indian word that means "far away land" or "land far out to sea". The name applies to the island, the county that encompasses the island, and the island's main town—the only place in America that can claim such a distinction. The frequent fogs and common gray exterior of most homes has earned the Island the affectionate nickname of "little Gray Lady of the Sea". First charted in 1602, and originally inhabited by the Wampanoag Indian tribe, the official history of the Island's European settlement begins in 1659, when a group of nine men invested "the sum of thirty pounds...and also two beaver hats, one for myself and one for my wife", to the present "owner", Thomas Mayhew, for the purchase of the island with the initial intent to raise sheep. The investors then offered half shares of property to entice skilled craftsmen to develop the island. In 1672, the Islanders found whaling an ideal way to increase revenue. Experienced whalers were recruited to teach residents how to tap the abundant whale population in nearby waters. However, the whale population in nearby waters diminished over time, and whalers had to venture further out to sea to find more of the profitable mammal. On one of these voyages, in 1712, a boat blown off course discovered a pod of sperm whales, whose oil and by-products were considered preferable to those of local whales. The Island subsequently became the center for exploitation of sperm whales. Nantucket
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There Air Nantucket Memorial Airport ( ACK ) +1 508 325 5306 http://www.nantucketairport.com/ ACK is located 3 miles outside Nantucket and services the following airlines: Cape Air ( +1 800 352 0714/ http://www.flycapeair.com/ ) Colgan Air ( +1 703 368 8880/ http://www.colganair.com/ ) Continental Airlines ( +1 800 523 3273/ http://www.continental/com/ ) Island Airlines ( +1 800 248 7779/ http://www.nantucket.net/trans/islandair/ ) Nantucket Airlines ( +1 800 943 5436/ http://www.nantucketairlines.com/ ) US Airways Express ( +1 800 943 5436/ http://www.usairways.com/ ) From the Airport Taxi: All Point Taxis & Tours ( +1 508 228 5779 ) All Point Taxi Betty's Tour & Taxi Service Betty's Tour & Taxi Service Diane's Taxi ( +1 508 221 5399 ) Car Rental: Avis ( +1 800 831 2847/ http://www.avis.com/ ) Budget ( +1 800 527 0700/ http://www.budget.com/ ) Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131/ http://www.hertz.com/ ) Limo: Absolute Limousine service ( +1 877 849 LIMO/ http://www.nantucketlimo.com/ ) Ara's Tours & Private Charter ( +1 508 228 1951/ http://www.arastours.com/ ) Cranberry Transportation Services ( +1 508 825 9793 ) Highland Drivers ( +1 508 228 9556 ) King's Coach Limousine Service ( +1 800 272 9892/ http://www.kingscoach.com/ ) Aircraft Carrier Air Newport ( +1 401-849-0976/ http://www.airnewport.com/ ) Coastal Air Charter ( +1 888-359-2785/ http:
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | With all its museums, beaches, outdoor activities, festivals, celebrations and nightlife, it is sometimes hard to understand why people consider this a relaxing destination. But of course, all the activity just contributes to the Nantucket experience that draws visitors back year after year. Museums The island is steeped in history: every cobblestone street and old home has a story. Centuries of Nantucket history have been preserved in numerous museums. A few are scattered around the island but most are in the center of town. Favorite spots include the Whaling Museum ; Maria Mitchell Association 's Aquarium; the Nantucket Atheneum , and the Oldest House , also known as the Jethro Coffin House, not to be confused with the Jared Coffin House . Festivals Spring is greeted by the Daffodil Festival , with some 3 million blossoms the last weekend of April. Spring is a great time to partake of the Island's numerous outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, bird watching, fishing, and nature study. You can even take a seal cruise. Summer is peak season when throngs of vacationers flock to the pristine beaches to take advantage of the serenity and charm the isolated island offers. The island is ringed by some 50 miles of publicly accessible beaches, and, besides just lying about; you can also rent equipment to kayak, fish, sail or windsurf. The August Antiques Show takes place each spring. In the fall, streets that were bustling in
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