Back in 1846, a candle factory was built by the Mitchell family just shortly after Nantucket’s Great Fire. Less than two years later, two island businessmen put their mind and money together in keeping the candle factory running until the end of the island’s whaling era in the 1860s. The building remained a warehouse before it became the New England Steamship Company’s offices and then finally converted into the NHA’s Whaling Museum in 1929. Since then, it has been dedicated to the history of whaling and restored for prime exhibition space, a fully accessible rooftop observation deck overlooking Nantucket harbor, and the sperm whale skeleton. In 2008, the whaling museum received accreditation from the American Association of Museums, which only 22 other museums have been awarded across the nation. Inside the museum you’ll find a vast array of whaling artifacts and memorabilia, including longboats, harpoons, and scrimshaw, but the centerpiece is the complete skeleton of a 46-foot bull Sperm whale suspended from the ceiling. They’re only open for a short period of time: September 7-October 31 from 10am to 5pm for $15 a person and an extra $3 to see the other historic sites around the area (Hadwen House, Oldest House, Old Mill, and Quaker Meeting House).

A 46-foot skeleton of a sperm whale that washed ashore on New Year's Day in 1998

Travel to the absolute tip of Cape Cod and you’ll arrive at Race Point Beach, which is recognized as one of the best beaches in the country. Why is it called Race Point? Those strong Atlantic offshore currents can travel you so fast that it makes for an exciting race amongst your friends as you let the fierce rip tide take you away. This beach is said to be the “wilder ocean sister of Herring Cove” as all the sand collected in this spot and then formed the sandy Race Point Beach we know today. The best part of this area is that swimming and sun tanning aren’t just the only things to do. Take a stroll through Provincetown‘s spectacular sand dunes or over to Race Point Lighthouse, which marks the tip of the Cape. The shoreline at Race Point has an incredible drop off that welcome occasional whales and sailboats coming from the deep water close inshore. Being the Atlantic waters it’ll surely be a chilly swim, but you can easily warm up again for Race Point faces north and gets sun all day long.

Before you enter the beach on Race Point Road off Rt. 6 you will see the Province Lands Visitor’s Center for you to find out more about the area and also the many summer activities offered by the Seashore. Parking costs $10 per day with facilities including  restrooms, lifeguards, and showers. Seasonal Oversand vehicle permits can be purchased at Race Point Beach from April 10-November 15 for $60. SUV’s with these permits can drive from Race Point all the way to High Head Beach in Truro.