There are 92 steps to the top of the tower of the First Congregational Church and though not air conditioned, visitors always seem to find the climb worth the effort. The windowed tower offers views in all directions; from the red and white stripes of Sankaty Lighthouse to the brick and cobblestone quaintness of Nantucket Town directly below. A collection of historic photographs and artifacts are on display on a mezzanine level, providing a nice, informative, resting stop on the climb up. A donation is requested.

There is no tricky, hidden meaning to the name Children's Beach. It is simply a quiet, Nantucket Sound beach with absolutely no waves, making it a perfect place to bring small children. The beach is located right in Town at the end of Harbor View Way. Children's Beach lacks the grandeur of so many of Nantucket's other beaches but families find it meets many of their outdoor needs. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months. Playground and restrooms available, and parking is free. Summer Music Concerts take place Thursdays and Sundays at 6 pm.

There is probably no more frequently photographed lighthouse in America than this one, the second oldest in the country (the original was built in 1746). The lighthouse sits at Brant Point and all ferries, yachts and ships from the mainland pass its picturesque side on their way into the harbor. To visit the lighthouse up close, walk along Easton Street and continue over the wooden footbridge. The Nantucket lighthouses are not open to the public, but being right in town many visitors enjoy a stroll around the grounds of Brant Point.

It is fairly well recognized that the best way to tour the island of Nantucket is by bicycle. Those who have not brought a bike with them can rent a variety of styles of bikes from Island Bike Company. Roller blades, beach chairs, kid trailers that attach to adult bikes, baby joggers and baby seats are all also available for rent.

Nantucket Boat Rental has a range of center console powerboats available for rent by the day, week or month. Amongst your choices are 13' Blueskin skiffs, 17' Dusky and 20' Maritime skiff. Rate vary depending on size of boat and amount of time. It is best to call ahead for reservations. These boats are a popular method to explore the vast array of Nantucket's beaches.

Coatue, the barrier beach which stretches northeast from Nantucket Harbor out toward Great Point is beautiful but nearly impossible to get to. For the determined and the athletic there is the kayak route. Single and double kayaks can be rented by the hour or the half-day from Sea Nantucket, which is located just a quarter mile from the center of town. Sailboats are also available for rent during the height of the season. Rental prices vary.

Spermaceti is a substance derived from whales that was once used to make candles. This converted 1846 candle factory is now home to Nantucket's whaling history - and excursion not to be missed. It features a tremendous collection of artifacts including the skeleton of a 46-foot sperm whale, the 16-foot glass prism from Sankaty Head Light, portraits of sea captains, and a large scrimshaw collection. You can buy a separate ticket for the Whaling Museum or get a combination ticket for the other historic sites around the island. Come the holidays, the museum hosts the magical Festival of Trees. Opens daily at 10 am.

The original lighthouse, constructed in 1785, was a wooden structure that was built to support the then important port of Sandy Point. However, the historical tower was destroyed in the 1984 hurricane and after few years a 70-foot replica was built near the site of the old tower to conserve the island's historical character. It is now part of the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, much of which is inaccessible by road and not open to pubic. Nature history tours are offered by the refuge, wherein visitors can climb up the tower or even explore the surrounding area.

The small-town feel of Nantucket can seem to get much bigger if you are trying to explore the island on foot. Nantucket Island Tours show you the best of Nantucket's rich history, while you rest your feet and enjoy the tour from the comfort of a bus. Tour guides tell stories of Nantucket's past as you take in the Nantucket lighthouses, historical sites and the Siasconset fishing village.

Unique among Nantucket's art scene is the Dane Gallery, which houses some of the most unusual and beautiful examples of glass art to be found. You can find pieces by 35 different artists from across the country at the Dane; some of them have had pieces displayed in such places as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian. Open year round, this gallery has a clientele that includes day trippers, collectors and home decorators. Even if you can't afford a piece, you can still look and marvel.