Martha's Vineyard
Neighborhoods
North of Edgartown are the two main ferry ports of Martha’s Vineyard: Oak Bluffs and Tisbury. Oak Bluffs, to the east, was once a district of Edgartown, but seceded and became a separate town in 1880. In its early years, Oak Bluffs blossomed as a center for summer religious retreats; one of its architectural treasures today is the Methodist Campground, an enclave of multicolored gingerbread cottages with the grand open-air Tabernacle (built in 1879) in its central park. Both Edgartown and Oak Bluffs have miles of public and lively nightlife scenes downtown.
58 locals recommend
Oak Bluffs
North of Edgartown are the two main ferry ports of Martha’s Vineyard: Oak Bluffs and Tisbury. Oak Bluffs, to the east, was once a district of Edgartown, but seceded and became a separate town in 1880. In its early years, Oak Bluffs blossomed as a center for summer religious retreats; one of its architectural treasures today is the Methodist Campground, an enclave of multicolored gingerbread cottages with the grand open-air Tabernacle (built in 1879) in its central park. Both Edgartown and Oak Bluffs have miles of public and lively nightlife scenes downtown.
Originally established in 1642 as Great Harbour, Edgartown occupies the southeastern corner of the island. It’s the oldest English settlement on Martha’s Vineyard and still the shire town, or county seat. Architecturally, Edgartown is famous for the white-painted captain’s houses and grand churches that speak to the great prosperity of the whaling era. The plains district south of the town center, near the popular expanse of South Beach, is known as Katama. (Hint: If you remember to pronounce it Kah-TAY-mah, you’ll sound just like a local.)
59 locals recommend
Edgartown
Originally established in 1642 as Great Harbour, Edgartown occupies the southeastern corner of the island. It’s the oldest English settlement on Martha’s Vineyard and still the shire town, or county seat. Architecturally, Edgartown is famous for the white-painted captain’s houses and grand churches that speak to the great prosperity of the whaling era. The plains district south of the town center, near the popular expanse of South Beach, is known as Katama. (Hint: If you remember to pronounce it Kah-TAY-mah, you’ll sound just like a local.)
Tisbury is the only Island town with two common names – it’s also known almost interchangeably as Vineyard Haven. In popular usage, Tisbury seems to be the name used most for official labels, like the town government and the school, but it’s the Vineyard Haven Post Office and the Vineyard Haven Public Library. Years ago, Tisbury was known by yet another historic name, Holmes Hole, the “hole” referring to the town’s excellent natural harbor. Indeed, during the days of coastal shipping before the creation of the Cape Cod Canal, Holmes Hole was one of the busiest shipping ports on the whole East Coast. Today, Vineyard Haven is still the island’s main port of entry – Oak Bluffs has a ferry terminal, too, but it closes every fall and winter.
27 locals recommend
Vineyard Haven
Tisbury is the only Island town with two common names – it’s also known almost interchangeably as Vineyard Haven. In popular usage, Tisbury seems to be the name used most for official labels, like the town government and the school, but it’s the Vineyard Haven Post Office and the Vineyard Haven Public Library. Years ago, Tisbury was known by yet another historic name, Holmes Hole, the “hole” referring to the town’s excellent natural harbor. Indeed, during the days of coastal shipping before the creation of the Cape Cod Canal, Holmes Hole was one of the busiest shipping ports on the whole East Coast. Today, Vineyard Haven is still the island’s main port of entry – Oak Bluffs has a ferry terminal, too, but it closes every fall and winter.
Aquinnah, at the westernmost tip of Martha’s Vineyard, is best known to visitors as home of the brightly colored Gay Head Cliffs and, atop them, the historic Gay Head Lighthouse. The town encloses less than six square miles and has some 400 year-round residents; it is home to the lands of the commonwealth’s only federally recognized Native American tribe, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). According to Wampanoag legend, the ancestral giant Moshup created the colorful clay deposits in the Cliffs by smashing whales against them.
35 locals recommend
Aquinnah
Aquinnah, at the westernmost tip of Martha’s Vineyard, is best known to visitors as home of the brightly colored Gay Head Cliffs and, atop them, the historic Gay Head Lighthouse. The town encloses less than six square miles and has some 400 year-round residents; it is home to the lands of the commonwealth’s only federally recognized Native American tribe, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). According to Wampanoag legend, the ancestral giant Moshup created the colorful clay deposits in the Cliffs by smashing whales against them.
Further Up-Island from West Tisbury (that would be west, remember?) is the town of Chilmark, known the world around for its rolling hills and stone walls, nature preserves and dramatic coastlines. From the South Road you can look across pastures of grazing sheep to sandy southern beaches and the island of Noman’s Land, now a federal bird sanctuary closed to human visitors; the rockier north shore offers views of the Elizabeth Islands chain. Chilmark includes the picture-postcard fishing village of Menemsha, with its quaint shops, tasty seafood and the best views of the sunset anywhere on the Vineyard.
14 locals recommend
Chilmark
Further Up-Island from West Tisbury (that would be west, remember?) is the town of Chilmark, known the world around for its rolling hills and stone walls, nature preserves and dramatic coastlines. From the South Road you can look across pastures of grazing sheep to sandy southern beaches and the island of Noman’s Land, now a federal bird sanctuary closed to human visitors; the rockier north shore offers views of the Elizabeth Islands chain. Chilmark includes the picture-postcard fishing village of Menemsha, with its quaint shops, tasty seafood and the best views of the sunset anywhere on the Vineyard.
Heading southwest from Vineyard Haven will take you to West Tisbury, another town that testifies to the stubbornly independent spirits of old New Englanders. As the name might suggest, West Tisbury used to be part of Tisbury, but it followed the lead of Oak Bluffs and split away from its parent town in 1892. A visit to West Tisbury will quickly suggest why its residents felt estranged from the built-up village of Vineyard Haven a century ago. West Tisbury has retained much of its rural charm, and its smaller downtown center features the historic Alley’s General Store (motto: Dealers in Almost Everything). Across from Alley’s is another favorite spot, the Field Gallery, with its whimsical dancing lawn sculptures. West Tisbury is home to the Island’s historic Grange Hall, and to the grounds of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, home to the popular fair held every August.
20 locals recommend
West Tisbury
Heading southwest from Vineyard Haven will take you to West Tisbury, another town that testifies to the stubbornly independent spirits of old New Englanders. As the name might suggest, West Tisbury used to be part of Tisbury, but it followed the lead of Oak Bluffs and split away from its parent town in 1892. A visit to West Tisbury will quickly suggest why its residents felt estranged from the built-up village of Vineyard Haven a century ago. West Tisbury has retained much of its rural charm, and its smaller downtown center features the historic Alley’s General Store (motto: Dealers in Almost Everything). Across from Alley’s is another favorite spot, the Field Gallery, with its whimsical dancing lawn sculptures. West Tisbury is home to the Island’s historic Grange Hall, and to the grounds of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, home to the popular fair held every August.
Local Necessities
Grocery store (lots of in-house-made meat options like burgers, ground sirloin, and sausage), walking distance from cottage, open Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
17 locals recommend
Reliable Self-Service Market Inc
36 Circuit AveGrocery store (lots of in-house-made meat options like burgers, ground sirloin, and sausage), walking distance from cottage, open Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Phillips Hardware
30 Circuit AveHardware and household needs
Beer, wine, general convenience store and gas station, open Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
8 locals recommend
Jim's Package Store & Island
27 Lake AveBeer, wine, general convenience store and gas station, open Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Food scene
Offshore Ale Co
30 Kennebec AveLunch, dinner and daily brewery tours
A must visit!, opens at 7:00 p.m., located behind Martha’s Vineyard Gourmet Café & Bakery in the Reliable Market parking lot, best apple fritters around!
37 locals recommend
Back Door Donuts
1-11 Kennebec AveA must visit!, opens at 7:00 p.m., located behind Martha’s Vineyard Gourmet Café & Bakery in the Reliable Market parking lot, best apple fritters around!
Mocha Mott's
10 Circuit AveCash only, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Lane reservations can be made online; kids bowl free before 3pm (non-rainy days only)
32 locals recommend
The Barn
13 Uncas AveLane reservations can be made online; kids bowl free before 3pm (non-rainy days only)
Biscuits
26 Lake AveGiordano's Restaurant
18 Lake AveLookout Tavern
8 Seaview AvenueLinda Jean's Restaurant
25 Circuit AvenueNancy's Restaurant
29 Lake AveThe Red Cat Kitchen
6 Kennebec AveSharky's Cantina
266 Upper Main StThe Sweet Life Café
63 Circuit AveThe Black Dog Tavern
20 Beach Street ExtensionArtCliff Diner
39 Beach RdMocha Mott's
10 Circuit AveScottish Bakehouse
977 State RdBad Martha Farmer's Brewery
270 Upper Main StAmong the Flowers Cafe
17 Mayhew LnAtlantic
2 Main StBehind the Bookstore
46 Main StDetente
15 Winter StEspresso Love
17 Church StThe Newes From America
23 Kelly StThe Port Hunter
55 Main StThe Seafood Shanty
31 Dock StSharky's Cantina
266 Upper Main StThe Wharf
3 Main StAlchemy Restaurant
71 Main StThe Covington Restaurant
52 Main StOutermost Inn
81 Lighthouse RdChilmark Tavern
9 State RdState Road
688 State RdThings to Do & See
The Barn
13 Uncas AveMartha's Vineyard Camp meeting Association (MVCMA)
80 Trinity ParkCollege male vocal group, every Monday at 7 p.m. and Friday at 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church (right by the Tabernacle)
Vineyard Sound
College male vocal group, every Monday at 7 p.m. and Friday at 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church (right by the Tabernacle)
Flying Horses Carousel
15 Oak Bluffs AveIsland Alpaca Company
1 Head of the Pond RdRyan Family Amusements
19 Circuit AveNiantic Park Playground
Tuckernuck AvenueJoseph Sylvia State Beach
267-125 Seaview AvenueIsland Cove Mini Golf
386 State RdEdgartown Harbor Light
121 N Water StSouth Beach
Herring Creek RdMartha's Vineyard Museum
151 Lagoon Pond RdEdgartown Cinemas
65 Main StMass Audubon's Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
100 Felix Neck DrMorning Glory Farm
120 Meshacket RoadChappaquiddick Island
Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook
31 Aquinnah CirGay Head Lighthouse
15 Aquinnah CirChilmark General Store
7 State RdAlley's General Store
1045 State RdOak Bluffs Public Library
56r School StVineyard Haven Public Library
200 Main StPirate's Puzzle Escape Room Style Game
23 Winter St