Our Cherished Cottage Guidebook
Food scene
We are lucky to live so close to this one-of-a-kind, family-owned farmstand, a short bike ride away at the intersection of Meshacket Road and the West Tisbury Road. Hands down there is no better place to get your vegetables and fixings for dinner. Their zucchini bread and fresh-baked pies are legendary. Grab a bunch of fresh-cut flowers and a recipe book! Above all, don’t miss their corn. It comes in fresh off the field and once you have tasted it, you will never go back to supermarket corn.
47 locals recommend
Morning Glory Farm
120 Meshacket RoadWe are lucky to live so close to this one-of-a-kind, family-owned farmstand, a short bike ride away at the intersection of Meshacket Road and the West Tisbury Road. Hands down there is no better place to get your vegetables and fixings for dinner. Their zucchini bread and fresh-baked pies are legendary. Grab a bunch of fresh-cut flowers and a recipe book! Above all, don’t miss their corn. It comes in fresh off the field and once you have tasted it, you will never go back to supermarket corn.
Sightseeing
Now a National Historic Landmark, the historic Methodist Campground is quirky, charming and unique. Visit www.mvcma.org for more info about these colorful “gingerbread” houses and a schedule of public events. Strolling around with an ice-cream is a favorite evening out. Grand Illumination Night is not to be missed, if you are lucky enough to be on-island!
Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs
80 Trinity ParkNow a National Historic Landmark, the historic Methodist Campground is quirky, charming and unique. Visit www.mvcma.org for more info about these colorful “gingerbread” houses and a schedule of public events. Strolling around with an ice-cream is a favorite evening out. Grand Illumination Night is not to be missed, if you are lucky enough to be on-island!
Parking can be quite difficult, and the town is within walking distance, so we recommend to walk. If that’s too far, parking is usually possible at the far end of South Water Street, which cuts the walk about in half. Edgartown is full of many delightful art galleries – one of our favorite things to do is get an ice-cream cone for dessert at the Ice Cream & Candy Bazaar on Dock Street and then browse the galleries as the sun goes down. Don’t miss the Old Sculpin, run by the Martha’s Vineyard Art Association. As a non-profit their commission is lower than the commercial galleries and your support goes to local artists. Of course, the shopping and dining are also fabulous. Finally, there are museums, such as The Vincent House Museum, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum or even the Edgartown Fire Museum (behind the firehouse) are great. Taking a stroll out to Edgartown Light at sunset is lovely and you can fish there too, when the tide is right.
59 locals recommend
Edgartown
Parking can be quite difficult, and the town is within walking distance, so we recommend to walk. If that’s too far, parking is usually possible at the far end of South Water Street, which cuts the walk about in half. Edgartown is full of many delightful art galleries – one of our favorite things to do is get an ice-cream cone for dessert at the Ice Cream & Candy Bazaar on Dock Street and then browse the galleries as the sun goes down. Don’t miss the Old Sculpin, run by the Martha’s Vineyard Art Association. As a non-profit their commission is lower than the commercial galleries and your support goes to local artists. Of course, the shopping and dining are also fabulous. Finally, there are museums, such as The Vincent House Museum, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum or even the Edgartown Fire Museum (behind the firehouse) are great. Taking a stroll out to Edgartown Light at sunset is lovely and you can fish there too, when the tide is right.
If you don’t catch them at the Agricultural Fair (Aug 19-22, 2021), then go visit the Island Alpacas at home, www.islandalpaca.com . If you have an alpaca, you can board it here, but what we love is the gift shop. Alpaca wool is gorgeously soft and they have all sorts of “locally grown” items, including actual alpacas.
26 locals recommend
Island Alpaca Company
1 Head of the Pond RdIf you don’t catch them at the Agricultural Fair (Aug 19-22, 2021), then go visit the Island Alpacas at home, www.islandalpaca.com . If you have an alpaca, you can board it here, but what we love is the gift shop. Alpaca wool is gorgeously soft and they have all sorts of “locally grown” items, including actual alpacas.
Completely unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience, Classic Aviators: www.biplanemv.com offers various tours in the famous red biplane that takes off from the Katama Airfield, the grass landing strip off Herring Creek Road. If you are out on South Beach you may get to see them do their special aerobatics! Quite a thrill and special memory.
Biplane Rides-Martha's
12 Mattakesett WayCompletely unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience, Classic Aviators: www.biplanemv.com offers various tours in the famous red biplane that takes off from the Katama Airfield, the grass landing strip off Herring Creek Road. If you are out on South Beach you may get to see them do their special aerobatics! Quite a thrill and special memory.
City advice
Don't miss
Vineyard Artisan's Festivals
In the 60’s and 70’s Martha’s Vineyard was very much an artist’s colony and that spirit and practice can be found all over the island. Simply a do-not-miss MV favorite, are the Vineyard Artisan’s Festivals. July-September they are held every Sunday and Thursday from 10:00am – 2:00pm at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury. Buy all kinds of artisanal goods from pottery to paintings, furniture, wampum jewelry, sea glass windows and so much more directly from the artisans themselves. Also highly recommended – a visit to Chilmark Pottery or the Martha’s Vineyard Glassworks.
Customs and culture
Jumping off Jaws Bridge
Its such a local tradition, that the AirBNB photo of Edgartown is someone jumping off the "Jaws" bridge which is on Beach Road between Edgartown & Oak Bluffs. Beware there are 2 bridges and only one is safe to jump from. We do it every year, but to be honest, it’s gotten a little crowded. Please stay safe whatever you do and only jump at high tide. At low tide, you will definitely hit bottom.
What to pack
Be prepared for all weather!
The weather on the Vineyard is fickle. Don't forget to bring a sweater and rain gear as well as your swimsuit!