When the summer comes, chances are that your Instagram feed becomes flooded with stunning photos of postcard-like lighthouses, weathered gray shingle-style cottages covered with crawling roses, and buildings and streets which look like you stepped back in time in the 18th century.
If you see photos like these, then there is a significant probability that they are from Nantucket.
This idyllic island which is 30 miles south of Cape Cod, has turned into one of the most sought-after destinations for buying a luxurious second home.
But thanks to the fact that there are many houses, lofts, and other local residences which are available for short-term rent there, it is also a haven for thousands of vacationers from around the country.
The Little Grey Lady, as it is called, is such a popular destination that in the peak of the summer, the number of people inhabiting the island swells up from 10,000 to over 50,000.
The things that make this New England island unique are its beautiful nature, perfectly preserved historic sites and buildings, and amazing vibes.
If you want to impress your friends and followers with some gorgeous pictures from your stay in Nantucket, here are the top 5 most beautiful places to take them.
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Sconset Bluff Walk
This postcard-like walking path is covered with white shells. It is only a mile long, but it is one of the most beautiful walking trails in coastal New England.
You can find it at the southern end of Front Street. The path passes through the beautiful village of Siasconset. It will take you by the charming gray cedar shingle-style cottages, many of which have trellises with blossoming roses up to the roofs. The gardens are overflowing with aromatic hydrangeas and other delightful flowers.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity for a photo shoot at the famous rose-covered cottage on Mitchell Street.
At the end of the street, you can turn left to pass through the bluff or continue ahead towards Sconset Beach and the Sankaty Head Lighthouse.
On the way, don’t forget to grab some fresh snacks from the local market!
Sankaty Head Lighthouse
The Sankaty Head lighthouse is probably the most recognizable of the three historic lighthouses on the island. The red and white striped light is on the eastern shore by Siasconset and Sconset Beach.
Unfortunately, it is rarely open to the public. But you can explore the land around it and the panoramic view of the endless ocean and the green golf courses on the island from there.
It is a still functioning lighthouse, even though it was first built in 1850. Its automated light is visible to mariners from 25 miles, so this historic building has been guiding ships and saving lives for over 270 years now.
An interesting fact is that several decades ago, a massive project for saving the lighthouse from erosion was executed. Then, the entire building was moved back by about 100 feet from the bluff and the shore.
Brant Point Lighthouse
This is the smallest of the three lighthouses in Nantucket. But it is the easiest to get to and is one of the first things you will see if you are arriving by ferry. On your way back home, don’t forget to toss two pennies once the ferry passes it, which means that you will once again return to this paradise island.
The original tower was built in 1746, and since then, it has been destroyed and rebuilt 10 times!
Today’s Brant Point Lighthouse is from 1901 and is the second oldest one in the entire USA, which is still fully functioning.
At Christmas, it is decorated with a giant wreath, and during the Daffodil Festival in the spring, the locals decorate Brant Point Lighthouse with daffodil wreaths. Around the 4th of July, the tower is often decorated with the American flag.
Interestingly enough, there is an exact replica of this famous lighthouse built in 1966 – the Mystic Seaport Light in Connecticut.
Main Street’s Compass Rose
This is another one of the hidden gems in the historic Downtown, which is worth visiting. The mural has been decorating the building on Gardiner’s Corner, where Main Street and Washington Street meet, since 1936.
Back then, it was commissioned as an attraction by the owner of the Art Shop and Kodak photo developing studio of Marshall Gardiner. Today, it is the Ralph Lauren store.
The nautical-inspired compass includes the directions and distances to local sites, as well as to faraway ports and cities such as Moscow, Calcutta, Hong Kong, Berlin, Buenos Ayres, and more.
It is a great place to take some vacation photographs to wow your friends or keep them as memories from your Nantucket vacation.
Steps Beach Nantucket
This is one of the island’s most beautiful beaches on the north shore, located between the more popular Jetties and Dionis Beaches. It is quieter than the other beaches and offers a fantastic view.
The beach is just a few miles from town and can be reached from the top of the hill via the many steep steps. The view from the top is absolutely spectacular. You can see Great Point Lighthouse and the turquoise waters of the Nantucket Sound from above.
At night in late august and September, you can see some bioluminescent creatures lighting up the water on the shore.
The beach itself is beautiful, and the water is warm and calm, with gentle surf and a sandbar that appears at low tide.
Keep in mind that it is hard to access for people with mobility issues, and there are no amenities or lifeguards on the beach itself.
But overall, Steps Beach is absolutely magical and definitely one of the most beautiful spots in Nantucket.