Whether you want to add fabulous posts to your social media feed or take some photographs for your personal album, Nantucket is one of the best places to make the most of your camera or phone cam.
The island of Nantucket is small but charming, thanks to its high concentration of historic buildings, endless beaches, picturesque bluffs and coasts, and untouched flora and fauna.
You may find that even your ride on the ferry to the island will present hundreds of photo ops. And that once you get there, the place you are staying at will probably be Insta-worthy as well.
Most houses in Nantucket are picture-perfect, with their coastal New England charm, blooming colorful gardens, outdoor seating spots, and iconic nautical signs and design elements.
It is very likely that you won’t have trouble taking hundreds of photos during your stay on the island, no matter your interests and tastes.
Nevertheless, here are some ideas for the top photograph-worthy spots to visit during your vacation in Nantucket.
Sconset Bluff Walk
This walkway is a mile long and over 130 years old and is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful walking paths in the country.
The path walk is covered with white shells. It offers visitors a rare opportunity to take a close look at the famous rose-covered cottages and their magnificent blooming gardens behind the white picket fences.
This walking path, also known as Cliff Walk, will take you through the village of Siasconset. On the way, you will be able to enjoy some unobstructed views of the ocean from the bluffs and, of course, the weathered gray shingle-style cottages, with climbing roses reaching to their rooftops.
The path leads to the cliffs. But you can take a turn and head to the easternmost Siasconset Beach. There you can enjoy a picnic and the view of the Atlantic and take photos of the Sankaty Head Lighthouse, which is one of the top Instagram-able spots on Nantucket.
Brant Point Lighthouse
Chances are that if you are arriving at Nantucket via ferry, then this lighthouse will be the first building to greet you.
Brant Point Lighthouse was originally built in 1746. Even though it has been rebuilt nine whole times through the centuries, it still continues to guide the boats arriving at and leaving the harbor of Nantucket. In fact, it is the second oldest fully functional lighthouse in the USA.
The lighthouse is a top spot for taking photos on the island. It is especially spectacular in April when the locals decorate it with a massive daffodil wreath for the traditional Daffodil festival. Another season to see Brant Point Lighthouse adorned with a wreath is before and during the annual Christmas Stroll. On the 4th of July, the old lighthouse proudly displays a giant American flag to greet all coming to and leaving the island.
The lighthouse is small, but its location and its historical value make it a perfect spot for taking romantic and vacation photos. It is an excellent spot to take some stunning photographs of the harbor and the mega yachts and boats there.
Steps beach
Steps Beach is near town and on the north shore of Nantucket, where the most popular family-friendly beaches, such as Children’s Beach, Dionis, and Jetties, are located.
It is a beautiful spot for sightseeing and taking photos because the beach is located below some picturesque cliffs, and the only way to get there is to go down a steep set of stairs.
The view from the top of the stairs is absolutely spectacular. You can photograph a panoramic view of the harbor, the Nantucket Sound, the Great Point Lighthouse, and the lush green flora on the coast.
Due to the fact that it is harder to reach because of the steps, this hidden gem of a beach is not as popular and, thus, is less crowded than the neighboring beaches on the shore of the Nantucket Sound.
Yet, it is wide, sandy, and beautiful. This makes it an excellent spot for a romantic or family picnic, some fun and games on the beach, and of course, for shooting some memorable snaps of your vacation in Nantucket.
Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge
You may not be aware of this, but nearly half of the entire territory of the island of Nantucket is conserved and has not been developed.
There are several wildlife refuges and sanctuaries which are definitely worth visiting there.
The Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge is among the most Instagrammable ones.
It is located on the island’s northern shore and spreads over two peninsulas and a beautiful barrier beach that divides the Nantucket Sound and the Harbor.
The nature there is stunning. You can see and take photos of some rare local trees and plants, wild birds, and animals such as seals, deer, raptors, and more while exploring the area.
While you are getting there or hiking through the refuge, you will witness some of the most striking views of the ocean, the sandy dunes, and the northernmost lighthouse on the island – Great Point Light.
Main Street
Walking on Main Street in the historic downtown of Nantucket is a magical experience for young and old alike. It is the town that has the highest number of restored and preserved pre-civil war buildings and houses in the entire country. So, when you stroll through the cobblestone-paved Main Street and pass alongside the stately Captain’s mansions and other houses and stores built centuries ago, you will feel like you magically traveled back in time to the years when Nantucket was the whaling hub of the world.
Main Street offers photo ops at every step and corner. Some places to stop to take pictures include the George Gardner and Thomas Macy houses, the home of the legendary Captain Edward Cary and one of the first settlers of the island Henry Coffin.
Don’t forget to pop by the infamous Murray’s Toggery Shop, where you can buy a pair of the legendary faded red Nantucket Reds pants.
Also, make sure to stop at Gardiner’s Corner to take photos of the Compass Rose mural. It was created back in 1936. The compass depicts the directions and distances to some of the most exotic and faraway lands that the brave local whaling captains and crews used to reach during their expeditions.
It was these dangerous and heroic travels that brought wealth and fame to Nantucket and inspired Herman Melville to write Moby-Dick.