You’ve read about it for years, you’ve heard celebrities talking about spending their vacations there, and you’ve dreamed about visiting it yourself for longer than you care to remember… Martha’s Vineyard. This 87 and a half square mile island off the coast of Massachusetts is known for lighthouses, sandy beaches and for being a playground to the stars. Rows of colorfully painted Victorian gingerbread cottages line quiet streets and everywhere you turn you’re surrounded by postcard perfect views. America’s favorite summer destination place is a slice of heaven not often found on earth and is a region you must put on the top of your travel bucket list.

Planning a daytrip to Martha’s Vineyard

Your Cape Cod vacation will not be complete without a trip to Martha’s Vineyard and fortunately it’s very easy to get there… just board a ferry, the most well-known being the Island Queen. No cars are allowed on board this ferry, but you can bring your bicycle – which is really the preferred way to explore the island. Since summer traffic can be congested and a bear to navigate through, walking or biking is recommended. Once aboard the ferry, sit back and enjoy a snack as you take in the landscape speeding past you, your trip to paradise is about to begin! There are 6 towns on the island, (Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, Aquinnah, Chilmark, & West Tisbury) a few of which are ‘dry” towns meaning no alcohol, so plan accordingly. If a glass of wine with your lunch is what you prefer, bring your own bottle, most places will accommodate you this way! Either way, planning ahead is recommended. There is no way you are going to be able to explore the island in one day, so figure out what you really want to do and go from there. Island life is laid back and easy which is exactly how you should spend your day here!

Events and Activities on the Island

  • Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival will be held September 6-11 this year and is a great event for film lovers to participate in. Laid back but exciting, this is your chance to get a peek at top rated films from all over the world!
  • The Jaw’s Bridge- for more movie related fun, be sure and take a selfie at the bridge where key scenes from the movie Jaws were filmed. Connecting Edgartown with Oak Bluffs, the American Legion Memorial Bridge (Jaws Bridge) might be just as you remember it from the movie!
  • Shopping- There are no chain stores or shopping malls here! Every store you wander into will be unique and distinctive! Your family back home will be thrilled to receive an item that can only be found on Martha’s Vineyard, don’t you think?
  • Beaches- with miles of beaches framing the island, you could easily spend your entire trip just hanging out on a beach! Swim, windsurf, fish, or just relax and revel in the beauty of a Martha’s Vineyard beach as you picnic with wine – this is your trip, your choice!

And finally-

Exploring, bike riding, windsurfing, and shopping can take a lot out of a person, we bet you’re getting hungry right about now aren’t you? You’re on an island in Massachusetts so you HAVE to try a lobster roll! Our personal favorite is the Offshore Lobster Roll, found on the menu at The Offshore Ale Company, of course! Located at 30 Kennebec Avenue in Oak Bluffs, we’ve been known to plan our entire day on Martha’s Vineyard around a trip to this fabulous restaurant! For information on this and other restaurants, activities, and events on Martha’s Vineyard, start by booking your vacation home today and let our knowledgeable staff help you plan your daytrip to the Vineyard.