With over 80 miles of shoreline, stunning beaches, picturesque lighthouses, and a cute downtown area, it makes perfect sense for Nantucket to be named one of the most charming towns in America. The setting for every Elin Hilderbrand novel, Nantucket is just as magical in real life as the storied versions of Nantucket Island!
The Travel, a leading digital travel publication just released their list of the “10 Most Charming Towns In America That Should Be On Your Bucket List.” Nantucket ranked number 5 on the list.
The publication praised Nantucket for its “charm” and plethora of beaches:
Nantucket is an island located off the coast of Massachusetts, known for its stunning beaches, historic architecture, and charming small-town atmosphere. The island has over 80 miles of shoreline, with pristine beaches featuring long stretches of sand and hidden coves. Some of the most popular beaches in Nantucket include Surfside Beach, Madaket Beach, and Cisco Beach.
Overlooked, but incredibly important to create small-town charm is the architecture and history of any destination. The Travel also recognized the effort in preserving historic buildings rather than modernizing them:
Nantucket is also known for its historic architecture and well-preserved historic buildings, providing a glimpse into the rich history and heritage of the region. The island also has several nature preserves, such as the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, offering opportunities to see wildlife such as seals and migratory birds.
Nantucket travel tips
If you’re impatiently ready for your trip to Nantucket now, here are a few tips for ease of travel. Skip traffic and take the CapeFLYER from South Station to Cape Cod. It runs outbound and inbound trips Friday through Sunday.
From the Cape you’ll be able to board the ferry straight to the Island! Once on Nantucket you pretty much can’t go wrong with whatever you decide to do. Make sure to check out Elin Hilderbrand’s The Hotel Nantucket with the Nantucket Blue Book for an endless list of things to do!
Other charming New England towns to visit this summer
Nantucket isn’t the only charming town from New England to make the list! Bar Harbor, Maine came in at number 3 and Newport, Rhode Island ranked at number 7! The full list of the “10 most charming towns in America” is below:
- Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Telluride, Colorado
- Bar Harbor, Maine
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Caramel-by-the-Sea, California
- Newport, Rhode Island
- Aspen, Colorado
- Savannah, Georgia
- Charleston, South Carolina