Make the Most of Your Time on Martha’s Vineyard, Or Do Nothing At All
For generations, travelers have flocked to Martha’s Vineyard to admire its natural beauty and small-town charm. Located just seven miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard is a short ferry ride from the mainland, but another world all itself–and therein lies its charm.
You won’t find any big box stores or towering skyscrapers, there are not even any traffic lights to be seen. Stretched across approximately 100 square miles you’ll find six unique towns, endless stretches of pristine beaches, dozens of hiking and biking trails, a handful of quaint downtowns, and majestic views at every corner.
Visitors return again and again to bask in its beauty and to get lost on Island time. While the rest of the world keeps spinning, time on Martha’s Vineyard seems to stand still. The stresses of daily life subside, replaced by feelings of awe and appreciation. The air here on Martha’s Vineyard is cleaner, saltier. The light is more dramatic. The sunsets are worthy of applause, and they get it. Martha’s Vineyard has long served as a peaceful retreat for many, and for good reason. It has become a destination for authors, artists, celebrities, even presidents, plus everyone else in between, all treated equally as grand by the majestic sunrises and the welcoming locals.
We invite you to come discover all that Martha’s Vineyard has to offer.
For the Adventure Seekers
For those travelers who want to make the most of their time on Martha’s Vineyard discovering what makes this place so charming and unique, here’s five things you absolutely can’t miss:
- The red clay cliffs of Aquinnah, a National Historic Landmark, and one of the most breathtaking views of the East Coast shoreline.
- Menemsha, a quaint fishing village in the town of Chilmark where many scenes from the iconic movie JAWS were filmed. Enjoy the freshest seafood on-Island and be sure to stay for a sunset.
- A stroll through Oak Bluffs, enjoying the colorful cottages of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, the vibrant Oak Bluffs harbor, and the historic Flying Horses Carousel, the nation's oldest platform carousel.
- A tour of Martha’s Vineyard’s five diverse lighthouses, many of which are open for seasonal tours.
- A stop at one of our many hardworking farms where you’ll find the freshest food around. Try The Grey Barn Farm in Chilmark for award-winning cheese, North Tabor Farm in Chilmark for delicious produce, or Morning Glory Farm in Edgartown for a little bit of everything, including melt-in-your-mouth baked goods. For a dose of adorable don’t miss Island Alpaca Farm where you can meet our local alpaca and shop goods made from their luxuriously soft fibers.
- (Pro Tip: Should your travels bring you to Martha’s Vineyard from June to October you’ll want to make sure to check out the West Tisbury Farmers Market where you can shop from dozens of our local farms and food purveyors all in one place!)
Discovering the Great Outdoors
Of all the things to appreciate on Martha’s Vineyard it’s our incredible landscapes and coastlines that really make this place special. From rolling hills, and ancient stone walls, to lush fields, wooded paths and pristine beaches, nature lovers rejoice over the beauty and diversity of our sprawling land.
For those that love to be outside, be sure to make time to hike or bike our incredible nature trails with the help of the TrailsMV app, a compilation of all of the public trails on-Island. For a real breath of fresh air discover the enchanting oases of Polly Hill Arboretum or Mytoi Gardens that flourish with non-native and native flowers and plants.
When it comes to
beaches our top picks are South Beach in Edgartown, Lambert’s Cove Beach in West Tisbury and Lucy Vincent Beach in Chilmark, the latter two are closed to the public during the day in-season but go early or late for a sneak peak at what makes them most special.
Culture and Art Aficionados Take Note
If you’re more inclined to immerse yourself in the rich history of Martha’s Vineyard don’t miss a stop at the Aquinnah
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Wampanoag Indian Museum, which is housed in a historic Wampanoag family homestead. The Wampanoags were the first people of Noepe, what we today call Martha’s Vineyard, and the Aquinnah Cultural Center preserves the Aquinnah Wampanoag self-defined history, culture and contributions, past, present, and future. Additionally, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Heritage Trail offers 30 sites dedicated to the formerly unrecognized contributions made by people of African descent to the history of the Island.
At the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, a stately structure in Vineyard Haven, you’ll explore artifacts and learn even more about the diverse heritage of Martha’s Vineyard and it’s important role in the whaling era of New England. Equally as educational, and impressive in its displays is the Carnegie, the flagship landmark of the Vineyard Preservation Trust who owns and maintains more than 20 historic properties central to the Island community.
Learn too from the work of many of the artists and writers that have sought refuge on Martha’s Vineyard for it’s beauty and tranquility that provides endless inspiration. Their works are proudly displayed at many local galleries including the Old Sculpin Gallery, Night Heron Gallery, The Granary Gallery and more. There’s ample entertainment for theater buffs too, at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center and the seasonal offerings of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival.
Come hungry, Martha’s Vineyard is Delicious
Don’t worry it might be an island, but there's no shortage of dining destinations to satisfy every taste and preference on Martha’s Vineyard. We’re known for our fresh seafood, and for good reason, it’s some of the best you’ll ever have.
Our local fish markets serve the freshest, so be sure not to miss your chance to enjoy local Martha’s Vineyard oysters or scallops. And no trip is complete without a lobster roll and a cup of chowder, the unofficial meal around here. Remember to save room for an apple fritter–a stop at Back Door Donuts is a right of passage for visitors.
To explore all of the dining options available on Martha’s Vineyard by town check out the
Martha’s Vineyard Dining Sourcebook, an all inclusive digital, (and printed) guide of all of the restaurants and dining destinations on Martha’s Vineyard. Ask us for your copy upon check-in!
Save the Date to Celebrate
There’s always something to do on Martha’s Vineyard but there’s some extra special annual events that make for even more memorable vacation memories. Consider booking your stay around one of the beloved Vineyard happenings listed below:
May
Edgartown’s Pink & Green Weekend, a celebration of spring and Mother’s Day.
August
The third week of August brings three of the Island’s most sought after events: The Grand Illumination or Illumination Night takes place on the third Wednesday of August each year, followed by the Oak Bluffs Fireworks on that following Friday, and the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair through the weekend, complete with livestock competitions, amusements, and old-fashioned family fun.
September
Tivoli Day: An old-fashioned end-of-summer festival in downtown Oak Bluffs. Live entertainment, street vendors, dancing, arts, sales, food and more!
October
Martha’s Vineyard Oyster Festival: A celebration of Martha’s Vineyard’s briny and beloved bivalves and the people that provide them to us.
December
Christmas in Edgartown: A charming New England holiday festival full of holiday merriment for the whole family.
Be sure to check the event websites for exact dates and details. For a full calendar of events and Martha’s Vineyard happenings visit the
Vineyard Gazette online calendar.
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