Top 10 Things to do in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts (MA)

July 9, 2021 Veronika Gaddis

Yes, getting there is a bit of a project. But vacationers have been braving the ferry for years, and this tiny island off Cape Cod remains one of the most popular and picturesque destinations in New England. Among the island's towns, you're sure to find the Vineyard that's right for you. With stately Greek revival houses dating back to the whaling era of the early 19th century, Edgartown is a seaside village of boutique shopping and pristine harbor views. For more of a "beach town" feel, Oak Bluffs has the Flying Horses carousel, an arcade and an easy walk to the beach, plus the history and charm of the "gingerbread" houses in the Methodist campgrounds. Vineyard Haven offers visitors a blend of both. For a real retreat, Chilmark/Aquinnah is the place to get away from it all. In the off-season, the island is quieter and far less crowded, but the shore is always beautiful. Whenever you visit, leave your car behind! Cabs are plentiful and greet the incoming ferries to help you reach your destination. Most visitors prefer to explore the island on a bicycle, scooter or tourist-friendly public buses.
Restaurants in Martha's Vineyard

33 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02557 +1 508-693-9481 http://mvpreservation.org/properties/flying-horses-carousel/
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 387 reviews

Flying Horses Carousel

Try your luck at catching the brass ring and winning a free ride on the oldest working carousel in the U.S., which has been enchanting children and adults for over a hundred years. The 20 hand-carved horses on this official historic landmark have real horsehair manes and tails.

Reviewed By joettek2015

The kiddos loved trying to get the brass ring all while riding the oldest carousel in the country! Fun experience for all!

2. Edgartown Lighthouse

121 N Water St, Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02539-8016 +1 508-627-4441 [email protected] http://mvmuseum.org/edgartown.php
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 590 reviews

Edgartown Lighthouse

The Martha's Vineyard Museum is privileged to be the steward of three of the Island's lighthouses. The East Chop, Edgartown, and Gay Head lighthouses are not only historic reminders of a bygone age, but are working beacons that still send a light out into the night. Beyond their important functional role, these structures also offer visitors spectacular views of the breathtaking beauty of Vineyard Sound, the simple elegance of Edgartown Harbor & Chappaquiddick, and the majestic cliffs of Aquinnah. Major renovations completed in 2007, including installation of a staircase to the lantern room, allow the interior of the Edgartown Light to be open to visitors. A lighthouse keeper will be available and the doors will be open during designated hours. Parking is available, but limited, on North Water Street. The Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) busses drop off on Church Street in Edgartown. It is a 5-10 minute walk to the lighthouse from this location.

Reviewed By nidesa - Wayne, United States

The historical lighthouse in Edgartown have a magnet to visitors to be seen .Beautiful homes to see from Main Street to the lighthouse.Nice blooming flowers.Must visit every time in the island.

3. Martha's Vineyard Camp meeting Association (MVCMA)

80 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02557 +1 508-693-0525 http://www.mvcma.org
Excellent
71%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 631 reviews

Martha's Vineyard Camp meeting Association (MVCMA)

Reviewed By SharonR227 - Wayzata, United States

We walked down Circuit Ave and took a path leading into the beautiful grassy area of the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. It was a quiet restful place by the Tabernacle revival meeting house where concerts are still held, surrounded by beautifully ornate gingerbread cottages from 1867. Each cottage is unique and creatively adorned with color. We also toured the Trinity Methodist Church. A delightful area in Oak Bluffs for a stroll.

4. South Beach

Katama Road, Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 481 reviews

South Beach

Reviewed By annapN7702ZW - Holyoke, United States

Nice sand - soft and not rough. Nice waves! Everyone was mindful of social distancing. There is not place to buy food - so pre plan.

5. Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge

Dike Road Chappaquiddick Island, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02539 +1 508-627-3599 [email protected] http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/cape-cod-islands/cape-pogue.html
Excellent
69%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge

Explore this magnificent barrier beach with its sandy shoreline, expansive salt marsh, beautiful salt pond, and unique colony of hardy red cedars.

Reviewed By lindapX661MN - Ballston Spa, United States

Getting to Martha's Vineyard needs planning and continuing to Chappaquiddick requires more. We spent the week, so had plenty of time to plan, rode the ferry across from Edgartown and took bikes so we could go to the front of the ferry line. Stop at the Mytoi garden first, the fee covers the beach as well at the end of the road. $5.00- dirt roads, but mostly level. Lots of sand, extremely clean, not a wide beach but really LONG, you can walk the entire side of the island. We took our lunch, lovely. 4 wheel drives with permits pass on regular basis, we returned on the pond side versus the ocean. Birds, shellfish, crabs, quiet.

6. Island Alpaca Company of Martha's Vineyard

1 Head of the Pond Rd, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02568-4147 +1 508-693-5554 [email protected] http://islandalpaca.com
Excellent
62%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 250 reviews

Island Alpaca Company of Martha's Vineyard

OPEN 7 Days, 10 am to 4 pm. $5 pp Entry fee 'til November 1, 2020. Free admission from Nov. 2, 2020 to April 23, 2021. Island Alpaca invites you to bring the family and friends for a unique experience, including a gift shop filled with locally grown garments, and down-on-the-farm furry, fun. Take their self-guided, walking tour to arrive at the 2,400 square foot antique Post & Beam Barn. Get up close with the friendly fluffy alpaca and meet our new babies, over 30 of them, in our very special viewing area. Bring a sample of their fleece harvest home to your family and friends! (Alpaca's are also for sale!) Open daily, 10 to 4 pm. See you at the farm!

Reviewed By jmadison86

Definitely make it a point to come here and schedule a walk with an alpaca! My husband and I had the opportunity to walk 2 male Alpacas with Tayla and she was so sweet and informative :) The gift shop had so many handmade genuine items made with Alpaca fiber! I bought a winter hat, socks and gloves and they are the most comfortable things ever! So warm! Very reasonable priced! I would recommend this activity for everyone. Young and old

7. West Chop Lighthouse

W Chop Rd., Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02568
Excellent
37%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
11%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 62 reviews

West Chop Lighthouse

Reviewed By nidesa - Wayne, United States

There’s something unique & unusual to this lighthouse among five lighthouses in the island of Martha’s Vineyard. There’s actually people living on the premises and so cute. The only Lighthouse that we haven’t gone and seen after coming to this island for over 22 years is the one in Chappaquiddick island.We’ve gone to that island once over 15 years ago just to see the bridge where Ted Kennedy’s car fell. This lighthouse we always visit for the past 5 years. There’s so much to see here....We love this island ! Please do come n visit !

8. Wasque

Wasque Road Chappaquiddick Island, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02539 [email protected] http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/cape-cod-islands/wasque-reservation.html
Excellent
50%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 6 reviews

Wasque

This southeastern corner of Martha's Vineyard is a saltwater angler's paradise. It's also a superb spot for birdwatching and for strolls along a beautiful shore.

9. Vineyard Haven Marina

52 Beach St, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02568-5478 +1 508-693-0720 http://vineyardhavenmarina.com/
Excellent
43%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
0%
Terrible
14%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 7 reviews

Vineyard Haven Marina

Reviewed By anaismolina

I had a great weekend at Martha’s Vineyard, it was my first time there and I went with my boyfriend on a romantic weekend. The weather was nice on Sunday but a bit cloudy on Saturday ( it rain this past Saturday night). We ve learned that it’s not that near Boston, and end up getting there by 4:30 pm on Saturday instead of earlier in the day to do more stuff, but it was great. It’s truly majestic, I am def gonna be back. We didn’t take a car so we used lift and public transportation and that worked great. We ended up doing some lighthouses tours and tried couple different restaurants like the famous “black dog” which is literally a block away ( or two ) from when you get off at the marina on Vineyard hacen when you first get to the island.

10. Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center

130 Centre St Summer institute Series, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02169-6320 http://Mvsummerinstitute.org
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.