Mid-Island
While there is a main “downtown” in Nantucket, just a mile away you can find the “mid-island” area, a fast growing section of Nantucket often referred to as “the new downtown.” Just a short walk, bike or bus ride from downtown, you will find a selection of fine dining and to-go food options, a famous entertainment venue, specialty shops, and pocket parks. Choose from several routes, ranging from quaint streets with historic architecture, to paths along the famed harbor “Creeks.”
Walking:
From downtown, stroll along Orange, Pleasant, or Fair Streets. Each features notable architecture, historically-significant buildings, and adorable cottages with clever quarter boards. You can also walk along “The Creeks” by taking the path at the end of the Washington Street extension from downtown.
Nantucket’s two rotaries – Milestone and Sparks Avenue – are both located exactly one mile from downtown. Each is adorned with seasonal flowers, or sculptures from some of the island’s leading artists. The well-known “Five Corners” intersection, where five streets converge leading to/from all directions on the island is also in this area.
Get more: At Five Corners, visit The African Meeting House at 29 York Street. Constructed in 1827, the small one-room building is the last remaining public structure central to the African American community of the 18th and 19th centuries and helps illuminate Nantucket’s rick Black History.
Biking:
The newest addition to Nantucket’s bike path system is the Washington Street extension. This off-road, paved bike path makes it safer and easier to bike from downtown, while enjoying the beautiful views of the Creeks and Nantucket Harbor. From there, it is a quick three-minute bike ride along Orange Street to Milestone Rotary, which connects the Surfside or Sconset bike paths. You can rent a bike from any of these providers:
Get More: Want to see more of the Creeks up close? Just before the Milestone Rotary, pull into the lot to the left marked by a Land Bank post. There you will find the newest walking path, with expansive, breath-taking views of the harbor.
The Seconds Shop, located near the Sparks Rotary across from the Stop & Shop, is one of the island’s leading thrift stores, providing gently-used designer apparel, shoes, art, housewares and more. All proceeds benefit Fairwinds, Nantucket’s Counseling Center which focuses on the mental health of the Nantucket Community.
Public Transit:
The WAVE bus departs from the Greenhound Building frequently, offering options to mid-island via two routes (loops) –Miacomet and Mid-Island.
Helpful Links: NRTA Home
Get more: Track your bus and get estimated arrival times on your cell phone nrta.transloc