This Massachusetts island has six small towns, sandy beaches, and lighthouses from the 1800s. Visitors can spot whales in spring and explore car-free gingerbread cottages.
Martha's Vineyard sits seven miles off the Massachusetts coast, where clay cliffs rise above the Atlantic and five lighthouses guide ships along its 124-mile shoreline. In Oak Bluffs, you'll walk past rows of pink, purple, and yellow gingerbread cottages, while Edgartown's streets lead you to white-painted sea captain homes from the 1800s. Summer transforms this island of 20,000 year-round residents into a community of 200,000, yet you can still find quiet moments jumping off the wooden "Jaws Bridge" or watching the sun sink into the ocean at Menemsha Beach.
Ferry and Air Connections
You can reach Martha's Vineyard on the Steamship Authority ferry from Woods Hole, Massachusetts - a 45-minute journey that runs year-round. In summer, catch passenger-only ferries from Falmouth, Hyannis, New Bedford, or New York City. Cape Air operates daily flights from Boston throughout the year, while JetBlue and Delta run seasonal flights from major East Coast cities.
Towns of Martha's Vineyard
Vineyard Haven serves as the main commercial center, with shops and restaurants that stay open through winter. In Oak Bluffs, children can ride the wooden horses on the 1876 Flying Horses Carousel while parents explore the harbor front restaurants. Walk Edgartown's narrow streets lined with white-painted captain's houses dating to the 1800s. In the western towns of Chilmark, Aquinnah, and West Tisbury, you'll find working farms, quiet roads, and less-crowded beaches.
Swimming and Beach Activities
The north shore beaches have gentle waters where children can wade and swim safely. Head to the south-facing beaches for surfing waves. South Beach stretches for three miles with dunes perfect for sunbathing and consistent waves for bodyboarding. At Aquinnah Beach, collect pieces of red and orange sand created by the eroding clay cliffs above. Watch the sunset from Menemsha Beach, where local families gather with picnic dinners on summer evenings.
Local Food and Farming
Fifty local farms grow vegetables and raise livestock across the island. Stop at Morning Glory Farm's wooden farm stand for just-picked corn, fresh eggs, and warm pies straight from their ovens. Visit the Agricultural Fair in August to see sheep-shearing demonstrations, enter pie-baking contests, and ride old-fashioned carnival rides. Many island restaurants create their daily menus based on what local fishermen caught that morning and what farmers harvested that day.
Events Throughout the Year
Watch independent films at various locations during the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival. In August, hundreds of Chinese lanterns light up Oak Bluffs' gingerbread cottages during the Grand Illumination night. Listen to live music at Beach Road Weekend's outdoor concerts or catch local musicians at year-round venues. Learn about island history at the Martha's Vineyard Museum, where you can examine maritime artifacts, whaling equipment, and rotating exhibits about island life.
