For the Best Day Trip our favorite is the high speed ferry to Nantucket from Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port via Freedom Cruise Lines. 

Just 10 minutes from Cape Escape and the ferry takes just over an hour.  Don’t worry about bringing your car because the island has a very good shuttle bus service.
Start of your day by stepping ashore on Straight Wharf in the heart of Nantucket town. Spectacular mega yachts sit in the harbor with quaint fishing shacks, now high end shops line the wharves. 

Nantucket Whaling Museum is close to the wharves. Housed in a building dating back to the mid 1800s finally restored in 2005. Suspended from the ceiling is the complete skeleton of a 46-foot bull sperm whale that washed ashore on New Year’s Day in 1998.

The museum also houses a large collection of whaling artifacts and memorabilia including longboats, harpoons, of course scrimshaw.
After a visit to the whaling museum make your way to Nantucket Town’s Main Street. A few blocks away to browse through the exclusive shops and galleries.

Be prepared for sticker shock however, this Nantucket shopping is not for the faint of wallet.  You will find many one-of-a-kind items.  The Nantucket lightship basket. Still hand crafted on the island, these baskets are been recognized as one of America’s most unique folk art treasures. The Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum is worth a visit.
More shopping available along with waterfront dining found along Nantucket’s wharves. Having fallen into disuse because of the depression followed by the demise of Nantucket’s whaling industry.

Nantucket’s wharves and cottages sat empty and derelict. However today they are home to art galleries, crafts and jewelry shops, and restaurants. More over a must see when visiting the island. 

Along Nantucket town’s residential streets are the stately Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival sea captains homes along with charming antique cottages. Often with hydrangea and rose bushes in full bloom.

Take a guided walking tours, arranged at the Whaling Museum as well as at the Nantucket Preservation Trust at 55 Main Street. Some homes are open to the public for a fee.
After enjoying lunch explore more of the island. Nantucket Regional Transit Authority offers several shuttle routes for access to beaches and scenic areas of the island and one-day pass is just $7.00.
One of the more popular routes goes to Siasconset.  A quaint, picturesque town on the eastern shore of the island known for its cottages covered in rose-filled trellises with glimpses of the ocean as a backdrop. Furthermore there are also several small shops and restaurants and a beautiful stretch of beach.

After that, stop at Sankaty Head Golf Course to tour Sankaty.  Built on a 90-foot bluff in 1850 in 2007 and was repositioned 250 feet away from the eroding shore to near the 5th hole of the golf course.
The shuttle has routes to most of Nantucket’s beaches.

If your goal is to just hit the beach, take the shuttle to Jetties Beach ($1) or Surfside Beach ($2) certainly you’d want to see more of the island and points of interest so the Madaket Route to Madaket Beach or Miacomet Route to Surfside beach are good choices.

Consequently there is a one-mile walk or bike ride from the shuttle stop to Surfside beach, however the shuttles are equipped to carry a limited number of bikes consequently it is on a first come, first served basis.
The Mid Island Loop route takes you to shops, restaurants, and other points of interest in Nantucket mid island areas.
Lastly, leave time before you board the ferry back to the mainland to visit Brant Point Light. Just a short walk from the wharf.  The country’s second oldest light house. In addition the grounds include an 1856 keeper’s house and two range light towers.
Concluding your day trip to Nantucket enjoy a beautiful Nantucket Sound sunset on your return ferry resulting in capping off an idyllic island day.