A picturesque island in South Cape Cod, getting to Martha’s Vineyard can be an ordeal. Battling the throngs of tourists who flock to Massachusetts favorite seaside escape from April to October can be overwhelming, but the quaint villa feel, dining, shopping, outdoor adventure opportunities, and stunning coastline are worth the hassle and it’ll only takes one visit for you to start planning a return trip.
Whether you intend to go for the day or for a holiday, a visit to Martha’s Vineyard can painless. Here are a few pointers to get you started.
For the day:
First thing’s first, accept that you can’t possibly see all of Martha’s Vineyard in a day. Then, aim to catch the ferry from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven as early as possible to make sure you have the maximum amount of time to enjoy Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. With those two as your base, you can see just the right amount of gingerbread cottages and beach dunes to satisfy any New England seaside yearnings.
Be sure to make time for: Take a spin on the Flying Horse Carousel in Oaks Bluff, spend a hour or two sightseeing along the Aquinnah Cliffs in Edgartown, grab a souvenir from the Black Dog General Store, and order a plate of friend clams and lobster rolls from Nancy’s.
For the weekend:
Escaping reality for a few days is easily done in Martha’s Vineyard, and devoting a few days to the island can help you explore the six towns way more than you could in a day. The only hard part about spending a few nights on the island is determining where to stay. For picturesque views and proximity to some of the better-known attractions, once again, aim to spend a few nights in either Edgartown or Oak Bluffs, as they are the most centrally located. From there, biking through the state forest and along Seaview Avenue or driving across the island for a day of hiking in West Tisbury is quick and easy.
Be sure to make time for: Spend a morning at Chappaquiddick Island and rent a kayak to the Cape Poge Lighthouse, order a plate of lobster along Menemsha Beach, and take a break from sunning yourself to hang out with a few alpacas at the Island Alpaca Company.