Your Travel Guide to Martha’s Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard is the quintessential New England Summer town. The island, only 100 square miles, is right off of the coast of Cape Cod. This was one of my favorite travel destinations I’ve ever been – not necessarily because of what there is to do, but the calm yet elevated coastal towns you can stroll through the day. After going there this past May, these are some of my top recommendations for what to do in Martha’s Vineyard.
How to Get to Martha’s Vineyard
There is no bridge to get to Martha’s Vineyard, so you will need to take one of the ferries from Massachusetts or Rhode Island that take people to and from Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. These are your main options:
- Steamship Authority – This is your only year-round option, which leaves from Woods Hole, MA. You will need to park in one of the designated lots they have and then take a free ~10 minute shuttle ride that will leave directly from the parking lot to the dock. This is also the only ferry that lets you bring your car, but note it can cost a few hundred dollars. They run nearly once an hour and have two stops – Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. If you are going during peak season, be sure to book your tickets ahead of time as these
- Martha’s Vineyard Fast Ferry – This ferry leaves from Quonset Point in Rhode Island. However, this only runs during the peak Summer season so be sure to check the schedule ahead of time to see if it’s running when you need. We just missed this ferry restarting by one week when we went.
- Hy-Line Cruises and Island Queen – These are also seasonal ferries which leave from Cape Cod that you can take directly to Martha’s Vineyard.
Transportation on Martha’s Vineyard
The island itself is quite small at 23 miles long, with it taking you only 45 minutes to get from one side to the other. I highly recommend leaning on the public transportation or bike rentals on the island to get around if you are deciding between bringing your car or not. The public busses are extremely clean and entirely free to the public. They are so fast and on-time, its super convenient and saves you hundreds of dollars in transporting your car on the ferry.
Where to Stay in Martha’s Vineyard
There are two main options to choose between when deciding where you want to stay in Martha’s Vineyard: Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.
Edgartown
Edgartown is the more sophisticated, polished, expensive of the two to stay-in. With that, comes more high-end shopping, finer dining, and a very clean and peaceful town.
Oak Bluffs
Oak Bluffs is right by the ferry dock, which makes it convenient to get to/from the island. It is typically less expensive than Edgartown which makes it more popular for younger adults and a more lively night scene.
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We opted to stay in Edgartown, which is the more high-end town to stay in with higher prices, more high-end shopping, finer dining. I highly recommend splurging a bit more to stay in Edgartown if you can; it was so picturesque, quaint, and peaceful. Albeit being small, we loved walking around the town each day. We stayed at the Faraway which, with no exaggeration, was my favorite hotel stay I’ve had thus far. The charm, decor, and even custom candle scent that gets pumped throughout the vents, this is a great accommodation option. Faraway Official Site.
Top Places to Eat in Edgartown
Rosewood cafe
Rosewood Cafe is the center of Edgartown, serving local coffee and incredible breakfast sandwiches. There is a cute patio in front to sit at and people watch. This is a great spot for a more casual breakfast or brunch.
19 Raw Oyster Bar
We came to 19 Raw Oyster Bar for dinner and the food was incredible! The cocktails were alright in our opinion but the seafood on the menu was so fresh; I highly recommend getting the ceviche. There is both bar seating and candlelit table seating in the dining room. It has a very local feel to it from the owners to those eating at the restaurant.
Among the Flowers Cafe
This is another great casual breakfast spot in Edgartown. They have a cute outdoor deck, serving coffee and a variety of classic breakfast options.
Rockfish
This is known as the most lively place in Martha’s Vineyard if you’re looking to stay up a little later and have a drink. Keep in mind the town overall is more quiet, with most places shutting down at 10pm. This is however the one spot to have a drink at the bar post-dinner. We didn’t have a chance to go here ourselves but I’ve heard it’s a great spot.
The Pelican Club
This restaurant is an outdoor bar and patio, which is actually attached to the Faraway. We loved our food and drinks here. I got a piña colada which was delicious and a fresh poke bowl. The atmosphere here was great during the day – it was so lively, they played great upbeat music, and you could see the water from the patio.
Behind the Bookstore Cafe
Behind the Bookstore Cafe was such a cute gem in Edgartown; we went for lunch but they also have a full bar if you are looking to go around Happy Hour or Dinner time. Be sure to actually checkout the bookstore too, they have such a wide selection of books and it’s very quaint inside.
Top Things to Do on Martha’s Vineyard
Shop around edgartown
Edgartown is one of my favorite downtown areas I have ever visited. It looks straight of a summer beach town you see in so many movies and books. Every building is this beautiful white brick, extremely walkable, and numerous local restaurants and curated boutique shops. The downtown area itself isn’t that large so you can walk around the premises within likely an hour or two, but I recommend taking your time and stopping at some of the bookstores and cafes!
Be sure to checkout Vineyard Vines’ flagship store which is located right in the heart of Edgartown.
Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse
The Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse is one of five lighthouses in Martha’s Vineyard, it’s quite short in person but has a beautiful walking path to it with the beach, flowers, and stunning $15M mansions lining the water.
Beach Days
There are so many incredible beaches on the island; these are some of the top ones to add to your list:
- Katama Beach
- Joseph Sylvia State Beach
- Inkwell Beach
- Lucy Vincent Beach
I highly recommend taking part in one or some water sports – kayaking, paddle boarding, etc. or taking a boat out on the water for an afternoon.
Go Hiking on Martha’s Trails
Beyond beaches and towns, the Vineyard has scenic trails that showcase its natural beauty. Whether you want ocean views, forests, or wildlife, there’s a hike for every pace:
- Menemsha Hills Reservation – A 3-mile loop through shaded woods up to Prospect Hill, with panoramic views over Vineyard Sound.
- Long Point Wildlife Refuge – A mix of sandy trails, coastal ponds, and beachfront — great for spotting birds and other wildlife.
- Manuel F. Correllus State Forest – Over 5,000 acres of pine forest in the island’s center, with flat trails perfect for biking and hiking.
- Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary – A quieter trail system that winds through forest and fields before opening up to a peaceful beach.
Local Events
There are often local events that take place throughout the summer months in Martha’s Vineyard. I highly recommend looking up what might be happening when you are visiting; during our visit we were able to attend Porchfest which was local artists playing on porches throughout the neighborhoods.
Go wine tasting at the vineyards
Yes, the island has its own vineyards! Stop at Island Alpaca Company for a quirky twist with alpacas, or sample wines at Martha’s Vineyard Glassworks — blending art and wine together.
