A fantastic vacation retreat filled with quaint New England charm, the islands that comprise Nantucket are characterized by scenic ocean views and beautiful beachfront cottages. While its year-round population is quite small, the town explodes into life during the summer as visitors fill its many hotels and cottage bed and breakfasts, and shop at the small art galleries, clothing boutiques and independent shops downtown. Due to its position in the northern Atlantic Ocean, Nantucket's cuisine focuses around seafood, with a number of restaurants offering various delicacies. Remnants from a past era of seafaring and water-based commerce, various historical lighthouses are scattered around the islands, adding to the community's traditional feel and beach-community scenery.