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Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
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Martha's Vineyard is about 20 miles long and 10 miles wide (about 100 square miles) with summer water temperatures in the upper 60's to low 70's. There are 124.6 miles of tidal shore line. The climate is relatively mild. It is located seven miles off the southeast coast of Massachusetts. The Vineyard population is about 90,000 in the summer and 14,000 in the winter. The temperature in the summer, like Nantucket, is usually 10° cooler than the mainland making it a very popular destination for the affluent from the Boston Area. The bike paths are relatively flat with small, gentle rolling hills. Excellent for beginner and experienced roller bladers and bikers of all levels. Access to the island is by plane or boat. The car ferry costs are $48 (1999) during the summer season and adults are $5 for one-way between Woods Hole and Martha's Vineyard. Other passenger ferry fares may be greater for the same period. Cape Air serves Martha's Vineyard from Boston, New Bedford, Hyannis, Providence and other airports on a daily basis as does US Air and Continental Express.
Executive Summary
We will depart Caldwell Airport and fly to Martha's Vineyard. Some trips are evening dinner trips and occasionally we will visit for the day (check the schedule). The flight to Martha's Vineyard is about one hour and five minutes. Edgartown is most popular for dinner flights while Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are popular for day-trips because there are bicycle and moped rentals. Rental cars are available from the airport but they must be reserved well in advance. The distance to town is only a few miles so it is possible to roller blade for those who are energetic. Bicycle rentals in town are very reasonably priced and are often the preferred mode of transportation. Martha's Vineyard offers a full range of activities that are easily accessible from town. Dinner trips typically arrive back in Caldwell by 11:30 p.m. while day-trips often return by 9 p.m.
Highlights
Temperatures are in the 80's during the day though they can reach the low 90's in August. The evenings are often quite pleasant as the ocean breeze keeps the island about 10°F cooler.
Excellent Bike Paths throughout the island makes biking or roller blading a great way to get around.
Great Beaches within a short distance from town are within walking distance or a few miles by the bike paths.
Way-Cool Town with lots of shops, restaurants, and bars. Evening festivities are quite nice.
How to Get Around
Martha's Vineyard lends itself to bicycling or roller blading. The bike path passes the airport and is excellent for rollerblading. There are several bicycle rental shops in Vineyard Haven and Edgartown with reasonable rates. Mopeds can be rented in Vineyard Haven. They do not rent roller blades. The island is relatively flat. Maps can be obtained in the bike shop. Bus service between the three main towns of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown is regularly scheduled during the summer months.
In-Town Activities
Vineyard summers are full of sports, entertainment, and educational activities. The list of things to do is not an exhaustive list but represent a sample of activities that others have most enjoyed.
Evening Entertainment includes bars with a piano player or other musicians. Favorite restaurants in Edgartown include Chesca's, Seafood Shanty, the Coach House, Latanzi's, and the Square Rigger. Favorite island restaurant is the Home Port in Menemsha.
Shopping in town for gifts and clothing is excellent. The handmade sweaters, materials, and clothing at the Nantucket Looms on lower Main Street is very popular. Furniture made from antique woods, china, glass, interesting weather vanes, and beautiful needlepoint from Erica Wilson are among the most attractive souvenirs. Local craftspeople make candles and quilts which are found in many stores.
Walking Tours are popular.
Out of Town Activities
Beaches on Martha's Vineyard are not all public beaches. The public beaches are listed below and are open to all.
| Oak Bluffs Town Beach | Calm, shallow, open to all. The beach terminates at the first jetty heading towards Edgartown. This is located at the end of the breakwater and is marked by a fence. The beach continues, again, about one-mile southeast of the small inlet flowing into Sengekontacket Pond to the state beach. |
| Joseph Sylvia State Beach | Two miles of clear, mild beach between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. Accessible by bus. |
| Lighthouse Beach | A harbor beach at Starbuck's Neck, Edgartown. |
| Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge and Wasque Reservation (East Beach) | One of the best beaches. |
| Katama Beach | Three miles of barrier beach on the South Shore at Edgartown. Fine surf on one side, protected salt-pond water on the other. |
| Lake Tashmoo Town
Beach, Vineyard Haven |
At Herring Creek on Lake Tashmoo. Open to all. |
| Menemsha Public Beach | A gentle beach with the clear, bright water that is typical of the North Shore. |
| Menemsha Hills Reservation Beach | A quiet secluded North Shore swimming, fishing and nature study area. Can only be reached by walking a mile along the shore from Menemsha public beach. |
| Owen Park Beach, Vineyard Haven | A harbor beach. |
Boat Rentals and Instruction are available either by the day, half day, or hour. There are small outboards, sail boards, and sailboats available for rent. Sport-fishing boats are available for charter. The larger yachts offer dinner cruises or may be chartered by private parties.
Concerts throughout the summer attract many nationally known popular singers and bands. The schedule of concerts are published in the local paper.
Horseback Riding is available at Misty Meadows Horse Farm, Scrubby Neck Farm, Iron Hills Stables, and Pond View Farm. The moorland terrain and the large open expanses of the Island's central area lend themselves particularly well to horseback riding. Trail rides and instruction are available.
Other Sports available on the island include:
- Tennis
- Golf
- Fishing.
Small Towns and Landmarks of Martha's Vineyard
Each of the six towns on Martha's Vineyard has its own government.
Menemsha is a small fishing port characterized by lobster pots, nets, rigging, and other fishing gear. Here the draggers still come in with their great nets and lobstermen land their catches. Lovely private vessels lie along the docks while yachtsmen take on fresh water and supplies. It is an artist's paradise and a working fishing village. Best of all, it is home to a favorite restaurant, the Home Port, which has excellent sea food and the best sunsets on the island.
Chilmark was a farming community for hundreds of years. The rolling landscape was grazed by sheep and outlined by beautiful stone walls. Chilmark today has a town hall, post office, library, school, and several businesses. The area is blessed with a beautiful coastline and is now home to fishermen and summer residents. In addition to the beaches and bike rentals, enjoy:
- Cruises on Arabella (645-3511), a 50-foot catamaran that sails daily to Cuttyhunk in the Elizabeth Islands, leaving Menemsha at 11 a.m. and returning about 5 p.m.
- Kayaking at Creek Charters and Dogfish Sea Kayaking (645-9097) on Coast Guard Lane.
- Fishing charters aboard Bass Ackwards (645-3915) for bluefish and striped bass off the Elizabeth Islands; Flashy Lady (645-2462) for parties and bluefish and bass; North Shore Charters on Tea Lane (645-3131) aboard Bass 'n' Blue or Tomahawk.
- Movies at the Chilmark Community Center.
- Tuesday evening concerts (July and August) at the Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Society.
- Tennis at the Chilmark Community Center.
- Walking and tours at:
- Allen Farm off the South Road for acres of sheep farming and beautiful vistas of Chilmark Upper POnd with exceptional birding.
- Fulling Mill Brook Preserve for 44.6 acres of woodland and meadow.
- Peaked Hill Reservation for 70.3 acres of vigorous walking (hilly) and lovely sunset views and good birding.
- Roth Woodlands for ponds and wetlands that attract a wide variety of birds.
Aquinnah Cliffs streaked in red, orange, and other colors, form the westernmost corner of Martha's Vineyard. They stretch one mile long and were declared a national landmark in 1966. Studies of the cliffs indicate the Wampanoag Indians have farmed, fished, and hunted whales from Aquinnah long before the first white man arrived. The clay was used by Indians to make pottery. The quahog (clam) shells were used to make wampum jewelry. The natural forces of the battering tides and seeping rainwater are eroding the cliffs. Landslides occur frequently after rains and threaten the foundation of the Gay Head Lighthouse.
Christiantown was called Mackkonnetchasqua by the Indians and is denoted by some Indian graves and a tiny chapel, dating from 1828. The Township was governed by the tribesmen under England's Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Many of the Wampanoag Indians adopted Christianity through the ministry of Thomas Mayhew Jr., one of the original colonists.
West Tisbury consists of an old general store, town hall, Congregational Church, Music Street, and old Agricultural Hall. It's small, but bigger than Christiantown. The grist mill was the original attraction to the early settlers since there was no stream in Edgartown strong enough to dam for a water wheel. The Congregational church is always open to visitors. Several old houses started out as inns. Daniel Webster stayed at the West Tisbury house next to the store building. Across the little pond from the old inn is a house built by the son of Miles Standish in 1668. Some of the largest houses in town were owned by the captains and are still occupied by their descendants. In addition to the beaches and bike rentals, enjoy:
- Berrying at Thimble Farm off the State Road. You can pick strawberries and raspberries in season.
- Farms for a unique experience:
- Takemmy Farm - Llamas and miniature donkeys and chickens are accustomed to having youthful visitors. It's on State Road.
- Nip-n-Tuck Farm - Ponyback and horse cart rides are fun for the kids. Other animals include cows, horses, chickens, pigs,a sheep, a goat, peacocks, and ducks (minimal charge). Open at 10 a.m. and rides from 3 to 5 p.m.
- Hillside Farm - Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, jams,
jellies, and baked goods on State Road in North Tisbury.
- Arrowhead Farm (693-8831) for riding lessons, especially for children. It's an attractive Indian Hill Farm.
- Misty Meadow Horse Farm (693-1870) for both lessons and trail rides.
- South Shore Stables (693-3770) for both lessons and
trail rides.
- Cedar Tree Neck Wildlife Sanctuary for 300 acres of evergreen woods, marked trails, a beach, bog land, Daggett Pond. Goldfinches, bob-whites, pheasants, black-capped chickadees, and woodpeckers (winter). Off the Indian Hill Road.
- Manuel F. Correllus State Forest for cycling, jogging, walking and birding in 2,000 acres alon gthe West Tisbury-Edgartown Road.
- Long Point Wildlife Reservation.
- Waskosim's Rock Reservation for views of the surrounding countryside from the Island's highest peaks.
Gay Head is famous for its cliffs. Many town residents are descendants of the Wampoanog Indians, who showed the white settlers how to kill whales, catch herring and eels, plant corn and where to find the clay for the early brickyards. The Gay Head Indians were judged to be the most skillful and courageous of that era. Pieces of lignite from the Cretacesous Period have been found on the beach. Bones of camels and wild horses have been found in the cliffs as well as fossil bones of ancient whales. The Gay Head light now stands atop the cliffs warning mariners of the great peril of the rocks below. In addition to the beaches and bike rentals, enjoy:
- Art galleries including Gay Head Gallery.
- Birding that includes seagulls, snowy egrets, and black-crowned night herons.
- Cast fishing for blues and stripers.
- Lighthouse and views of Vineyard Sound, Noman's Land, and the breakers of the Atlantic. On a clear day you can see Buzzard's Bay and Block Island.
- Great sunsets.
Chappaquiddick is blessed with some beautiful beaches, a beach club, and a Japanese garden. It is easy to navigate by bike and accessible via the Chappy ferry in Edgartown ($3 for bike and rider). It is a great way to spend an afternoon. Wasque and Cape Pogue are both unspoiled areas owned and maintained by The Trustees of the Reservations. They are a favorite of bass and bluefish fishermen. In addition to the beaches and bike rentals, enjoy:
- Walking tours of:
- The 200-acre Wasque Reservation for beach walks.
- Chapy Five Corners for 35 acres of woodland walks.
- Brine's Pond for 40 acres of walks through wood and field.
Katama Point Preserve provides a long view of downtown Edgartown as well as a direct view of Chapaquiddick Island. It is great for birding because it is the site of an osprey pole complete with a nesting pair. The area is great for fishing, sunbathing ,swimming, and picnicking. Katama Beach is a barrier beach providing surf, bathing, and cool dunes.
Land Bank Natural Resources are maintained for conservation purposes. Some are remote and require permission to visit yet are great for birding, fishing, hiking, picnicking and, perhaps, horseback riding and hunting (by permission only). These include:
- Priester's Pond Preserve
- Waskosim's Rock Reservation
- Sepiessa Point Reservation
- Ramble Train Preserve
- Tisbury Meadow Preserve
- Christiantown Woods Preserve
- Moshuup Beach & Overlook
Large Towns of Martha's Vineyard
Check out http://www.bestreadguide.com/marthasvineyard for some most excellent walking tours of the following towns on the island:
Vineyard Haven is the main port of entry to Martha's Vineyard and is located on the northern part of the island. It was a natural refuge used by coastal schooners waiting for fair winds and tides. Many ship captains built their homes on the hill overlooking the harbor. Tidsbury is the official name of the township. Ferries from Woods Hole and New Bedford grace the docks at Vineyard Haven Harbor. The town has some excellent stores and gift shops, fine restaurants, and a beautiful harbor. Close to the town wharf is the Seamen's Bethel, now a chapel and museum, but once a place of rest and refuge for sailors far from home. The chapel has been restored and old nautical material is on display. The old school house is also used as a Congregational Church. Visit the Liberty Pole Museum, Owen Park, the West Chop Light House, and the War Veterans' Memorial Park. In addition to the beaches and bike rentals, enjoy:
- Birding at Mink Meadows off Franklin Street; West Chop Woods; and, Lower Lambert's Cove Road.
- Bowling at Spinnaker Lanes on State Road.
- Cruises.
- Golfing at Mink Meadows (18-hole golf course).
- Miniature golf at Island Cove Miniature Golf on State Road.
- Movies at Capawock Movie Theater on Main Street.
- Museums at Vineyard Seaman's Society on Beach Road. See Whale's teeth and walrus tusks and similar artifacts from the sea given by sailors to the society (open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
- Windsurfing on the Lagoon at Wind's Up on the Beach Road.
- Tennis at the Church Street Town Courts.
- Theater at the Island Theatre Workshop (693-4060) and Vineyard Playhouse (693-6450).
- Several art galleries, antique shops, and bookstores.
Oak Bluffs was rooted in 1835 from a few tents set in the oak trees for a week of spiritual rejuvenation. Forty-five years later a Methodist revival camp ground had grown into a summer city of a thousand wood frame tents and cottages. Oak Bluffs was known as Cottage City as church folk from all over the country gathered for the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting. It grew and developed into a seaside resort. One section of town is full of frilly, multi-colored gingerbread cottages erected to replace the earlier Methodists' canvas tents. The local businesses were inclined towards entertainment that includes theaters, a giant roller skating rink, hotels, and a carousel (very cool). The town turned from a whaling economy to the Vineyard's first summer resort. In addition to the beaches and bike rentals, enjoy:
- Cruises.
- Fishing charters from Kick's Bait and Tackle on New York Avenue (693-7669).
- Golfing at Farm Neck Golf Course off County Road (693-2504).
- Horseback riding at Iron Hill Stables on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road (693-0786).
- Miniature golf at the Dockside Marketplace.
- Tennis at the town courts on Niantic Avenue, Tuckernuck Avenue, and County Road; or, private courts at Island Inn.
- Art galleries including From the Heart, Dockside Marketplace, Kennedy Studio, and Moore Andrew Gordon Studio and Gallery.
Edgartown was the island's first settlement and grew steadily for two centuries since 1642 when it was founded. By 1825, it was a major whaling port with stately homes of rich whaling captains. The boom town was full of hustling activity and economic growth. Today, the town is preserved as it stood 100 years ago with stately homes, manicured lawns, white picket fences, and flowers in abundance. Main Street and North Water Street are picture-book scenes, with the harbor and waterfront. Lighthouse Beach across from the Harbor View Hotel offers a lovely view of the harbor and is the center of all peace and tranquillity in the known Universe. There are several historic houses and churches. A walking tour of the town is quite nice. In addition to the beaches and bike rentals, enjoy:
- Birding at the
- Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road. Thirty-five acres of fields and woods with songbirds, waterfowl, osprey nests, and turkeys.
- Katama Great Plains with extensive flat lands for marsh hawks, short-eared owls, sparrows, red-winged blackbirds, cowbirds, and gulls, sandpipers, and terns near the beach.
- Chappaquiddick for migrating song-birds and seabirds.
- Sengekontacket Pond in the fall on Edgartown-Oak Bluffs Road for wild ducks and loons.
- Sheriff's Meadow at the end of Pierce Lane for
shorebirds including the occasional heron.
Auto Rentals are available and reservations should be made well in advance because they are popular and the supply is limited. Most discount plans do not apply to rentals on the Vineyard. The phone numbers are listed below.
| Airport | |
| All-Island Rent-A-Car | 508-693-6868 |
| Bayside Auto Rental | 508-693-4777 |
| Budget Rent-A-Car | 508-593-1911 800-527-0700 |
| Consumer Car & Truck Rental | 888-902-7433 |
| Hertz Rent-A-Car | 508-693-2402 |
| Edgartown | |
| AAA Island Auto Rentals | 508-627-6800 |
| Oak Bluffs | |
| DeBettencourt's (Jeeps) | 508-693-0011 |
| Vineyard Classic Cars | 508-693-5551 |
| Vineyard Haven | |
| Adventure Rentals of Martha's Vineyard | 508-693-1959 |
| Adventure/Thrifty Rent-A-Car | 508-693-8143 |
| Atlantic Rent-A-Car | 508-693-0480 |
Favorite Restaurants
| Restaurant | Phone Number | Town |
|---|---|---|
| Latanzi's | 508-627-4488 | Edgartown |
| The Black Dog | 693-9223 | Vineyard Haven |
| Chesca's Restaurant | 627-1234 | Edgartown |
| The Daggett House | 627-4600 | Edgartown |
| Square Rigger | 627-9968 | Edgartown |
| The Coach House | 627-7000 | Edgartown |
| Homeport | 645-2679 | Menemsha |
| Seafood Shanty | 627-8622 | Edgartown |
Let us know your favorite restaurant and we'll check it out!
Sign Up
To sign up, contact 908-512-9039. Or, better yet, try it via our secure server where we guarantee a safe transaction and ease of use. You should sign up early. If you do wish to rent a car then you should make reservations early. The best companies include Budget (508-228-5666), Hertz (508-228-9421), and Thrifty (800-367-2277).
Alternatively, drive to Martha's Vineyard. Follow Route I-95 to Providence and then take I-195 East to 25 to the Bourne Bridge. After crossing the bridge follow Route 28 south to Falmouth, then follow the signs to Woods Hole. It is a 45-minute ride. Car reservations are required. Call the ferry in advance at 508-477-8600. There are no reservations necessary for walk-on passengers.
Air Carriers to Martha's Vineyard
| Carrier | Phone | Web Site | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air New England | 508-693-8899 | Martha's Vineyard Airport. Charter services available. | |
| Cape Air | 508-771-6944 800-352-0714 |
www.flycapeair.com | Flies from Boston, Hyannis, Nantucket, and New Bedford. They have interline agreements for joint ticketing and interline baggage handling for connecting flights with most major airlines. They also have joint fares for discounted travel with America West, Colgan, Continental, Delta, and USAir. |
| Continental Express | 800-525-0280 | Seasonal service direct to Martha's Vineyard from Newark, NJ. | |
| USAC Aviation | 732-591-8409 | www.usac.com/charter.html | Private charter flights from Caldwell, NJ to Martha's Vineyard. |
| US Airways Express | 800-428-4322 | From Boston, Nantucket, and Hyannis. |
Accommodations can be most easily obtained via Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Reservations service at 508-693-7200 or 800-649-5671. The Chamber of Commerce can be contacted for a list of real estate agents for rentals at 508-693-0085.
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03/25/03
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