Nantucket Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: Beyond the Cobblestones

3.8 (11 reviews) 2–3 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

11 reviews

3.8

Wharf — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Exploring Nantucket's Main Street — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore historic downtown Nantucket on a self-guided audio walking tour. Follow a roughly 2-mile route as stories and directions play automatically along the way.

Hear how Nantucket rose to prominence as a whaling port, how Quaker families shaped the island, and how its economy and architecture evolved after the whaling era. See landmarks including the Nantucket Atheneum, Straight Wharf, Hadwen House, Greater Light, and Jared Coffin House.

Download the tour in advance to use it offline as you walk. Pause anytime for museums, shops, food, photos, or a break, then continue whenever you’re ready.

GPS-triggered narration plays automatically
Approximately 2-miles and relatively flat
Hear about whaling, Quaker history, architecture, and island life
Works offline after download
Explore at your own pace
Pause anytime and continue when you’re ready

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Architecture Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 2–3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Audio guide: English, Spanish
Written guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Drives & Detours

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lifetime Tour Access Once Unlocked
Included: Offline Tour Access After Download
Included: Interactive Route Map and Stop Information
Included: GPS-Triggered Audio Tour in the Drives & Detours App

Not included

Not included: Smartphone (bring your own)

Itinerary

Whaling Museum

Passing by

The tour begins outside the Nantucket Whaling Museum on Broad Street. Hear how Nantucket became one of the world’s leading whaling ports and why the museum is worth visiting before or after your walk.
Nantucket Atheneum

Passing by

Learn about the Nantucket Atheneum as you view it from outside and hear about the well-known figures who have visited or spoken here over the years.
Stop 3

20 min

Explore the shops and restaurants as you hear about this once active commercial hub for Nantucket.
Stop 4

15 min

Stroll down the narrow gravel path and pop your head into a few of the art galleries on Nantucket's Old South Wharf.
Stop 5

Passing by

See the historic marker memorializing The Petrel, a Nantucket steamship dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Stop 6

Passing by

See Nantucket’s distinctive Compass Rose mural and hear the story behind the photographer who created the original image in 1936.
Nantucket Friends Meeting House

Passing by

View the Quaker Meeting House as you hear about its history on the island.
Hadwen House

20 min Admission not included

View this historic home and museum, built in 1846 by William Hadwen. It's a prime example of the island's whaling success. Admission is $10 per person (or included if you purchase admission to the Whaling Museum).
Maria Mitchell Hinchman House

Passing by

Learn about America's first female astronomer as you view her historic home.
Greater Light

Passing by

Learn about 2 Quaker sisters who restored this old barn into a quirky mix of art and architecture as you view it from outside.
Stop 11

Passing by

Learn about a prosperous whaling-ship owner who built this house for his family in 1845, and how it survived the Great Fire of 1846.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The starts on the sidewalk in front of the Whaling Museum on Broad Street.

End point

The starts on the sidewalk in front of the Whaling Museum on Broad Street.

Using your ticket

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: To access your tour, you will need to download the Drives & Detours app and enter your 6-character access code to unlock it. Your access code will be sent separately the day before your travel date. Access codes for same-day bookings will be sent within minutes after purchase.

HOW TO PREPARE: We recommend downloading the Drives & Detours app in advance so you are ready to go when you arrive.

DOWNLOAD THE APP:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drives-detours/id6443681888

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app6506

WATCH FOR YOUR ACCESS CODE: Your access code will arrive as a message through the booking platform. They should notify you by email, but if you don’t see it, check your spam folder or directly in the platform’s message center.