Historical Tour of Nantucket: Lighthouses, Old Mill & Siasconset
See the island's oldest landmarks without planning the route yourself.
A 1.5-hour narrated bus tour of Nantucket with a live English-speaking guide, covering the historic railroad, lighthouses, the Old Mill, and the village of Siasconset on the east end. Pickup is included, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. The tour moves at a pace that leaves time to plan where else to spend your day on the island.
1h 30m
Step-by-step itinerary
Historical sights of Nantucket island
- See old railroad line history
- Pass Quaker burial ground
- Visit the Old Mill windmill
- Travel to East end cottages
- View Sankaty Head Light lighthouse
The Experience
The Old Mill, believed to be the oldest operating windmill in the United States, anchors this tour—it's the only one of five mills that once overlooked Nantucket Town. The guide narrates the route as you pass the Quaker burial ground, where unmarked graves hold many of the island's early settlers, then heads east to Siasconset to see the rose-covered cottages and the Sankaty Head Light, a lighthouse built in 1850 and still operating from the easternmost point of the island. The 1881 railroad that once ran to Surfside and Siasconset closed in 1917, but its history shapes how you see the landscape.
The bus picks you up and moves through these stops in 1.5 hours, which is enough time to see the sights without eating into the rest of your day. An air-conditioned vehicle and a live guide mean you're not navigating or deciding where to turn; the route is set and the stories are told as you go. Families with infants can bring a stroller, service animals are welcome, and the tour works for all fitness levels.
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned transportation.
- a live guide narrating the route.
- pickup included.
Operated by Barrett's Tours
Is this one for you?Book this tour for your first morning on the island if you want the historical landmarks and the layout of Nantucket without building an itinerary yourself—the 1.5 hours leaves the rest of the day open.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What is the Old Mill and why does it matter?
The Old Mill, built around 1746, is believed to be the oldest operating windmill in the United States and the only survivor of five mills that once stood overlooking Nantucket Town. It's a stop on the tour where you see it firsthand.
Does the tour go to Siasconset?
Yes. The tour travels to the east end of the island to see Siasconset's rose-covered cottages and the old community, including Sankaty Head Light, the lighthouse built in 1850 at the easternmost point.
What does pickup include?
Pickup is included in the tour price. A driver collects you and returns you after the 1.5-hour route, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to the starting point.
How long is the tour?
The tour runs 1.5 hours, which the operator designed to cover the main sights—the railroad, Old Mill, lighthouses, and Siasconset—and still leave you time to plan the rest of your day.
Can I bring children or a stroller?
Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Foldable wheelchairs can be accommodated with advance notice.
Is there a live guide?
Yes. A live English-speaking guide narrates the tour, explaining the history of the railroad, the Quaker burial ground, the Old Mill, and the lighthouses as you pass each site.
Historical Tour of Nantucket: Lighthouses, Old Mill & Siasconset
1h 30m · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 57 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.74202 reviews
