Adventures in Nature
Pop-up Nantucket Bird Walk with Ginger Andrews
Explore Nantucket’s birdy landscapes and hidden nooks with local bird guide and Inquirer and Mirror columnist, Ginger Andrews. With so many varied habitats so close together, the Island is a great place to look and listen for birds. Our location out at sea makes for a fascinating mix of migratory species and year-round residents. Dry humor—always useful in a foggy environment—natural and human history, unexpected rarities, and other stories fill out the picture.
Children 8 and up are welcome with an adult guardian. Loner binoculars available. Wear sensible shoes, dress for the weather. You never know what may turn up. Transportation will not be provided for this offering and registrants must have a vehicle to participate. Parking available in the Town lot. This program convenes at the MMA Outdoor Classroom parking lot at 33 Washington Street at 7:45 AM. This program will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather and a ticket exchange issued for an alternative date. Pre-registration is recommended as programs do fill up but walk-ins are welcome subject to availability.
DATES:
Saturday, February 14
Friday , April 24
Saturday, April 25
Friday, May 22
Saturday, May 23
8AM - 10:00AM
COST: $30
Members receive a 20% discount in cart
For inquiries: Call 508.228.9198 or email: ekermani@mariamitchell.org
Full Moon Nature Walk
Join Joanna Roche on a peaceful one hour walk (up to 2 miles on uneven terrain) under the light of the full Moon. Discover the legends and narratives of the past and present. Enjoy the tranquility of the quiet night sky and learn about our Moon's current themes and its important symbolism.
Our complimentary under the stars experience meets at a rotating location, you will be emailed with the walk location on the day of the program.
Pre-registration is required as space is limited. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be cancelled and participants notified via email. This walk is designed to be interesting for adults and children ages 8 and older. Dress for the current weather conditions and bring your flashlights or headlamps!
DATES:
Wednesday, April 1 | 8PM
Friday, May 1 | 8:30PM
Sunday, May 31 | 8:30PM
COST: $10
free for Island residents
For inquiries: Call 508.228.9198 or email: info@mariamitchell.org
Feed & Meet the AnimalS, and science fun
Feeding Frenzy
Join MMA Aquarists and staff on a tour as they feed the ever-hungry creatures at the Aquarium before it opens to the public. You will learn all about the fascinating marine animals as you observe their unique feeding behaviors. This is a great way to learn about the diverse marine animals in the Nantucket Harbor and beyond.
This program is designed to be interesting for adults and children. This program meets at the Maria Mitchell Aquarium at 32 Washington St. All registered children must be accompanied by at least one registered adult to participate in this program.
Pre-registration is recommended as programs do fill up but walk-ins are welcome subject to availability. Program begins promptly at start time and late arrivals may be turned away.
DATES:
Daily
June 11 - September 4
9:00AM - 9:45AM
COST: $175
This flat-rate program can accommodate 1 group of up to 5 guests. Members receive a 20% discount in cart
For private group inquiries:
Call 508.228.9198 or email
cnorman@mariamitchell.org
Ravenous Reptiles
Join MMA staff on a tour as they feed the hungry animals at the Natural Science Museum! Learn about the unique adaptations of turtles, frogs, snakes, and more at the MMA Natural Science Museum! You will get to learn about and interact with several of the MMA Natural Science Museum educational animals. This is a great way to learn about native and non-native species up-close, especially if you love animals.
This program is designed to be interesting for adults and children ages 4 and older. This program meets at the MMA Natural Science Museum at 7 Milk Street, Nantucket MA.
All registered children must be accompanied by at least one registered adult to participate in this program.
Pre-registration is recommended as programs do fill up but walk-ins are welcome subject to availability. Program begins promptly at start time and late arrivals may be turned away.
DATES:
January 10 - April 26
Saturdays & Sundays
9:00AM - 9:45AM
COST: $20
Members receive a 20% discount in cart
For private group inquiries:
Call 508.228.9198 or email:
ekermani@mariamitchell.org
MMA Steam Squad
Join us on the third Friday of each month for an exciting, hands-on STEAM Club designed specifically for students in grades 6–8. Each session invites participants to explore the intersections of science, technology, engineering, art, and math through creative challenges, guided investigations, and collaborative projects.
From designing and testing inventions to analyzing natural phenomena and
building artistic interpretations of scientific ideas, students will grow their curiosity, confidence, and problem-solving skills. Each month features a new theme and a fresh opportunity for discovery.
This program is perfect for middle schoolers who enjoy exploring, making, experimenting, and thinking in new ways—no prior experience necessary.
Nature Storytime
Enjoy this program designed for the young explorer in your family! During each session, a MMA educator will read a nature or science themed book, introduce you to one of the MMA's animal friends, and will finish up with an activity related to the story. This is a recurring program, but the specific focus and materials provided will change each week.
At least one adult must sign up with children. This program is designed to be interesting for children ages 3 and older. This program meets at the MMA Natural Science Museum at 7 Milk Street, Nantucket MA.
Pre-registration is recommended as programs do fill up but walk-ins are welcome subject to availability.
Program begins promptly at start time.
DATES:
January 10 - April 26
Saturdays & Sundays
11:00AM - 11:45AM
COST: $15
Youth Members: Free
Members receive a 20% discount in cart
For private group inquiries:
Call 508.228.9198 or email: ekermani@mariamitchell.org
EVENING PROGRAMS
Night at the Aquarium
Join MMA aquarists for an evening at the MMA Aquarium after public operating hours! Discover what some of your favorite fishy friends do when the sun falls below the horizon and the moon fills the sky. Learn about animal nocturnal superpowers – like enhanced night vision or sleeping with half their brain awake! Plus, you’ll get to meet our animal ambassadors and learn how they are perfectly adapted for their adventures after dark.
This program meets at the MMA Aquarium located at 32 Washington Street, Nantucket. This program is appropriate for adults and children ages 5 and older. All registered children must be accompanied by a registered adult to participate in this program. Pre-registration is required for this program. Registration deadline: 4pm, the day of the program. Program begins promptly at start time and late arrivals may be turned away.
DATES:
Tuesdays
June 16 - September 1
8:30PM - 9:30PM
COST:$20
Members receive a 20% discount
For private group inquiries:
Call 508.228.9198 or email cnorman@mariamitchell.org
"Look Up!" at Loines Observatory
Join our astronomers for an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky. Get a chance to view the moon, planets, stars, nebulae, and even distant galaxies through the MMA’s telescopes! Learn more about the constellations, phases of the moon, the planets, and why eclipses happen.
This community-centered stargazing program is designed to be engaging and interactive for Nantucket students, educators, and families of all ages but with a special focus on young adults and students of K-12 grades learning about the Nantucket night sky.
This program will take place at the Maria Mitchell Association’s Loines Observatory located at 59 Milk Street Extension. Registration is required for this program which begins promptly at event time. All registered children must be accompanied by a registered adult to participate in this program.
In the event of inclement weather (rain or thunderstorm threat), the event will be cancelled. Please check our website on the day of the event for updates on weather related cancellations, we will post by 5pm if the event will be cancelled.
COST: $10
Free to Nantucket Island Residents
DATES:
Friday
May 8
8:30PM - 9:30PM
For school group inquiries: Call 508.228.9198 or email programs@mariamitchell.org for more information.
Adult PROGRAMS AND COURSES
Art After Hours, Lighthouse Series:
Paint with Nikoline Bohr
Experience the Natural Science Museum after dark during this special art program. Guided by artist Nikoline Bohr, you’ll create a personalized work of art in a calm and inviting setting. Connect with fellow participants, explore your creativity, and take home your finished piece as a lasting keepsake.
This program is designed for adults and meets at the Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, 7 Milk Street.
Pre-registration is required, and registration closes at 3 PM the day before the program. All materials are provided.
DATES:
January 23, 2026
February 13, 2026
March 20, 2026
6:00PM - 7:30PM
COST: $40
Free for MMA Members
email: programs@mariamitchell.org
Preserving the Monuments of Our Ancestors: How to Properly Clean Historic Gravestones
Join the curator of the Maria Mitchell House and the Prospect Hill Cemetery Association historian for a short talk about stone monuments and their conservation. The class will then move to the Prospect Hill Cemetery where participants will learn how to properly clean stone monuments. Class will be hands on so please wear appropriate clothing.
Please note that this class is to teach others so that they can clean their family's stone monuments. One must speak with the sextant of a cemetery before doing this. One must not work on stones not belonging to their family unless it is through a special program that has been approved by the cemetery and other officials.
This program meets at the Maria Mitchell House 1 Vestal Street Nantucket MA. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. In the event of inclement weather, programs will be cancelled and participants will be notified.
DATES:
Saturday, June 13
10:00AM - 12:00PM
COST: $15
Members receive a 20% discount, discount
For private group inquiries:
Call 508.228.9198 or email
jfinger@mariamitchell.org
FAMILY WORKSHOPS
Family Sailors’ Valentines
A great time for you and your child to learn and create together! Join the curator of the Maria Mitchell House and create your own version of a sailors' valentine by decorating a small Shaker-style box or picture frame - something to be enjoyed and remembered for years to come. We provide all supplies - you bring your imagination and creativity! Adults must remain with their child for the entire duration of the program.
This paired program is designed for an adult and child ages 5 and older. This program meets at the MMA Hinchman House Natural Science Museum courtyard at 2 Vestal Street, Nantucket MA. Pre-registration is required as space is limited to 8 participants.
DATES:
June 29
July 13
10:00AM - 11:30AM
COST PER PAIR:$55
Each Additional Child - $10
Members receive20% discount in cart
For private group inquiries:
Call 508.228.9198 or email
jfinger@mariamitchell.org
WALKING TOURS
Maria Mitchell and the Daring Daughters of Nantucket Island
Join the curator of the Maria Mitchell House, Jascin Leonardo Finger, for a walking tour concerning the lives of Maria Mitchell and Nantucket's famous and infamous women, as well as the lesser known women of our island. Learn why whaling, Quakerism, and the isolation of an island afforded these women opportunities that women elsewhere in America at the time were not afforded.
This program meets at the Maria Mitchell House 1 Vestal Street Nantucket MA. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. In the event of inclement weather, programs will be cancelled and participants will be notified.
DATES:
Saturday, May 2
Saturday, June 20
Friday, September 4
Saturday, September 19
10:00AM - 12:00PM
COST: $15
Members receive a 20% discount
For private group inquiries:
Call 508.228.9198 or email
jfinger@mariamitchell.org
Four Centuries Domestic Architecture Tour
A unique and extremely popular collaborative walking tour with the MMA's Deputy Director & Curator of the Mitchell House, the Preservation Trust, and the Nantucket Historical Association that looks at the changes in domestic life over four centuries and how it shaped homes, buildings, neighborhoods, and land use. Tour may include brief visits inside some of the sites visited.
This program meets at the Oldest House, 16 Sunset Hill Lane Nantucket MA. Pre-registration is recommended as programs do fill up but walk-ins are welcome subject to availability. In the event of inclement weather, programs will be cancelled and participants will be notified.
DATES:
Saturday, May 9
Saturday, June 6
Saturday, September 5
Saturday, October 3
10:00AM - 12:00PM
COST: $25
For private group inquiries:
Call 508.228.9198 or email
jfinger@mariamitchell.org