Nantucket Beyond the Cobblestones
A self-guided walking tour of Nantucket’s whaling history and island life
Discover the people, fortunes, and stories that shaped Nantucket
At a Glance
📍 Location: Nantucket, MA
🚶♂️ Type: Self-Guided Walking Tour
⏱ Duration: Approx. 2 hours (flexible)
✅ Includes: App download, GPS-triggered audio, No expiration
📶 Works Offline: Download ahead of time - no cell service required
🎧 Multiple Languages: English, Spanish, French, German
🔖 Save -> Also available as part of Complete Nantucket Combo!
From $9.99 per phone
Use anytime. No expiration.
What to Expect
Explore Nantucket’s historic downtown and waterfront on a self-guided audio walking tour. Follow the island’s transformation from a whaling powerhouse to the Nantucket of today as you pass historic wharves, grand homes, and cultural landmarks while hearing stories of sea captains, abolitionists, the Great Fire, and pioneering astronomer Maria Mitchell.
Tour Highlights
Trace Nantucket’s rise as one of the world’s great whaling centers
Walk the historic waterfront around Straight Wharf and Old South Wharf
Discover the Atheneum and stories of abolition, island society, and the Great Fire of 1846
See grand historic homes including Hadwen House and the Jared Coffin House
Learn about Nantucket’s Quaker heritage and the people who shaped the island
Visit the home of pioneering astronomer Maria Mitchell and hear her remarkable story
Continue toward Brant Point Lighthouse as an optional detour
Get Ready for Your Nantucket Self-Guided Tour
Uncover Nantucket's rich history and charm on this Drives & Detours self-guided audio tour.
Using our app, you can explore at your own pace as you stroll down cobblestone-lined Main Street and learn about how Nantucket evolved from the world's whaling capital to the tourist destination it is today.
Admire meticulously preserved 18th-century homes, each whispering tales of the island's whaling past. Explore iconic landmarks like the Atheneum, the Hadwen House, and Straight Wharf, a bustling hub since the 17th century.
All along the way, captivating stories, insights, and local recommendations bring Nantucket's vibrant heritage to life.
What You’ll See on Your Nantucket Walking Tour
Whaling Museum
We’ll begin our tour outside the Whaling Museum, where you’ll get a short introduction to its significance and what to expect inside. We recommend coming back to explore it in depth once the tour concludes.
Nantucket Atheneum
As you admire the Nantucket Atheneum from the outside, hear stories of the famous writers, thinkers, and public figures who have graced its halls over the years.
Straight Wharf
Wander along Straight Wharf, once the heart of Nantucket’s bustling maritime trade, as you discover how it’s evolved into a lively stretch of shops and restaurants.
Old South Wharf
Walk the narrow gravel lane of Old South Wharf and take a moment to peek into the charming galleries that showcase the island’s vibrant artistic spirit.
Petrel Landing
Stop by the historic marker honoring The Petrel, a Nantucket steamship that served the island community from the late 1800s into the early 1900s.
Compass Rose Mural
Pause to photograph the iconic Compass Rose mural on the side of the Ralph Lauren building and learn about the photographer who originally commissioned it back in 1936.
Nantucket Friends Meeting House
Take in the simplicity of the Quaker Meeting House as you listen to stories about its role in shaping Nantucket’s spiritual and cultural history.
Hadwen House
Admire this elegant 1846 mansion built by successful whaling merchant William Hadwen—an enduring symbol of Nantucket’s whaling-era prosperity. Entry is $10 per person or included with Whaling Museum admission.
Historic Mitchell House
As you view this charming historic home, hear about Maria Mitchell—America’s first female astronomer—and her remarkable contributions to science.
Greater Light
Discover the story of two Quaker sisters who transformed an old livestock barn into Greater Light, an imaginative blend of art, design, and creativity.
Jared Coffin House
Learn about Jared Coffin, a wealthy whaling captain who built this stately home for his family in 1845—and how it endured the devastating Great Fire of 1846.
Meeting Point
Your Nantucket walking tour begins on the sidewalk in front of the Whaling Museum on Broad Street.
FAQs About Our Nantucket Walking Tour
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Tickets to the Nantucket Whaling Museum are sold by the Nantucket Historical Association. Your ticket will also include entry to Hadwen House, Oldest House, Old Jail, Greater Light, Old Mill, and the Friends Meeting House.
Adult: $20
Senior 65+ / Student: $18
Youth / Student (6–17): $5
Under 6: Free
Island Residents & Members: Free
Admission for active duty service members is always free, and veterans receive free admission on Veterans Day.
The Nantucket Historical Association also provides free admission to EBT, WIC and ConnectCare holders through the Card to Culture. Visit the Card to Culture website for more details.
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Tickets to the Historic Mitchell House are sold by the Maria Mitchell Association. Admission is free for members of the Association.
A range of tickets are available:
Natural Science Museum or Aquarium Only Admission
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 3–16): $15
Children (ages 0–2): Free
Loines Programming Admission (programmed events only)
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 3–16): $15
Children (ages 0–2): Free
Combo Pass for Mitchell House, Natural Science Museum, and Vestal Observatory
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 3–16): $15
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Tours are fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
If it’s within 24 hours or you had an issue during your tour, email support@drivesanddetours.com. We review all requests individually and will always do our best to make things right.
Our goal is to ensure every traveler has a great experience exploring with Drives & Detours.
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You will walk for two to three hours on Drives & Detours’ Nantucket tour. This is mostly easy and along flat surfaces. There are some hills to climb and the road is often cobbled. We recommend wearing a good pair of shoes.
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Yes, downloading the Drives & Detours app will give you full access to the tour you have purchased, as well as many other self-guided tours.
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Download the tour before you go. Some areas have poor signal, which can make downloading the tour difficult. Once the tour is downloaded, it will work without any cell signal
The tour audio plays automatically as you approach each stop
Want to see more? Tap “View Stop” to see photos and bonus content
To return to the map, tap the small down arrow between the “previous” and “next” buttons
Follow the blue line and audio directions to stay on route
Use audio controls to pause, rewind, or skip—just like a podcast
Safety first: Keep your eyes on the road or sidewalk, follow traffic laws, and stay aware of your surroundings
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No—download your Harpers Ferry tour before you go, and you won't need a cell signal. Drives & Detours’ tours work without any cell signal once they are downloaded to your device.
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Once you have purchased your Nantucket walking tour from Drives & Detours, you can use it whenever you want. You can always take the tour another day if the weather is bad on the day you plan to take it.
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Unfortunately, Drives & Detours cannot guarantee that the Nantucket self-guided tour is accessible. People with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility impairments are very welcome, but we recommend checking the accessibility guide on the Nantucket council website for detailed information.
Pro Tips for Your Drives & Detours Nantucket Self-Guided Tour
Download before you go.
Enable location services—GPS triggers the audio.
Use earbuds, headphones, or your car speakers.
Pause and resume anytime. If you take a break, just reopen the app and head back toward your last stop.
Lost your way? Tap any pin on the map, then tap the right-turn-arrow icon to open your default maps app for turn-by-turn directions to that spot.
Drives & Detours' Nantucket Tours
Nantucket Coast to Coast Driving Tour
Discover Nantucket’s lesser-known gems and fascinating past with this self-guided biking or driving tour of Nantucket. Journey from Madaket to Sconset, taking in lighthouses, historic homes, unspoiled beaches, and breathtaking island views. As you travel across Nantucket, engaging narration shares the stories, culture, and heritage that define this remarkable place. You’ll be guided to noteworthy landmarks and scenic stops that showcase the island’s character from shore to shore.
Complete Nantucket Combo
Experience the best of Nantucket with this 2-in-1 self-guided audio tour. Begin in the heart of downtown, where cobblestone streets and historic landmarks come alive through location-based storytelling that immerses you in the island’s whaling heritage. Then, continue your adventure by car or bike on a scenic journey from Madaket to Sconset, discovering picturesque beaches, iconic lighthouses, and tucked-away treasures across the island.
Discover More About Nantucket
