DanaPMc

My husband and I are going to spend a day (from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. via plane) in Nantucket in September (after Labor Day). We're staying in Martha's Vineyard but we want to spend some time in Nantucket. We want to know the best way (other than renting a car) to see as much of the island as we can. We're fairly active but not fit enough to be able to ride a bike everywhere and for that length of time. We're considering renting mopeds to tour the island and we wanted some opinions on that. I'm sure the locals hate them and I've heard that riding them on the cobblestone streets is dangerous but I don't know of another viable alternative. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Traveler

Riding mopeds on Nantucket is dangerous whether you are on the cobblestones or on the main paved roads. There is just not enough room for them and cars and they go much slower.

I would recommend the shuttle instead. There is a new route from the airport to town, and from there you can get almost everywhere.

http://www.town.nantucket.ma.us/depa...20Brochure.PDF

You can also take a van tour, but I don't know whether you can get off and catch a later tour.

Catmomma

The cobblestone streets are in town. I was there a few years ago and remember the rest being paved.

You can walk pretty easily around town and then take the moped or the bus through the country-side.

MarieF

I would second the recommendation for using the Shuttle Service. For more information about it, go to www.nantucket.net, enter the site at the top, go to "how to get here", then information - NRTA. The shuttles leave from the center of town, and go to all the various parts of the island. Also, while you said you did not want to rent bikes, the island is very flat and there are numerous bike trails. It's an enjoyable way to explore the island, and does not have to be overly strenuous. You can go at your own pace. Whatever you decide to do, you will love your visit to this special island.

Melissa

If you are not used to riding mopeds or motorcycles, then the mopeds are DEATH MACHINES! Nantucket is no place to learn to ride (that is, if you have never been on one before). Some streets in Nantucket are very narrow. The cobblestones are also difficult to navigate on.
I went to Nantucket 2 years ago with 3 friends, with the intention of renting mopeds, and we all ended up riding bikes instead, after trying out the moped and deciding that we were all clueless and unable to operate them. I agree with the previous poster about the island being flat enough for an easy ride on many of the trails.

Pete1222

Your getting good advice here---skip the moped. Do the shuttle.
For what its worth biking is easy and safe w/ dedicated bike paths. It takes 30 minutes or so to bike out to the west beach---good sunsets!
And only an hour or so to get out to the east end. Throw a book and a towel into a bike basket and your set!
Pete

djkbooks

We very much enjoyed the bus tour (as opposed to the van tour). We were driven all over with interesting and informative commentary, with stops for photo ops.

On another trip, we took a van tour, thinking it would be even better. It wasn't. Getting in and out the the van was awkward and annoying. Our guide (her name was Nickerson) had wound down for the season (this was in September) and spent most of the time chatting with the people next to and right behind her and telling us all of her woes.

I'd recommend going on a bus tour first, then enjoying a nice lunch, then exploring Nantuckettown, which is small enough for walking all over.