What to do on Martha’s Vineyard this Summer

Edgartown Lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard.

Coming to Martha’s Vineyard for a day, or for an extended stay? Whether you’re landing at Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven, the first thing you’re liable to encounter is a quaint downtown shopping center, either on Circuit Ave or Main Street.

But what else is there to do on the Vineyard? Turns out, a lot more than shopping!

From bridge-jumping to alpaca-petting, there’s an activity on the island to suit every diverse interest.

Moped through the Island

The best way to see Martha’s Vineyard is by scooting through it. It’s the perfect balance of laid back and exhilarating – ride for long enough in one direction and you’re bound to find an intriguing shop, food stand or ocean vista. There are multiple rental offices near both ferry stops. Just watch out for pot holes.

Take a JAWS Tour

Explore the different sets scene in the film that made the world afraid to swim. Gay Head lighthouse in Aquinnah, the Chappy Ferry Dock, Memorial Bridge at Joseph Sylvia State Beach, Edgartown National Bank and Edgartown Town Hall and the Oak Bluffs Steamship Authority Terminal are all on the list. We’re gonna need a longer day.

Visit the Alpaca Farm

Island Alpaca, at 1 Head of the Pond Road in Oak Bluffs, features a whole herd of beautiful, fluffy and inquisitive creatures – and they don’t even spit like llamas do! Roam the acres of pasture and learn about these sociable livestock which will surely steal your heart.

Go Off-roading at Chappaquiddick

There are few places as perfect for off-roading as Chappaquiddick island. Cape Poge  and Wasque will offer views of the ocean and 14 miles of oversand vehicle trails. You must have a permit to take your own 4×4 vehicle, but there are oversand tours available.

See Martha’s Vineyard from the Air

Stop by Katama Airfield in Oak Bluffs for the ride of a lifetime. Classic red biplanes will bring you up into the atmosphere for the best view you’ll ever see of the island and the seas surrounding it.

Sunset and sailboat in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Dramatic sky with vivid orange and blue cloudscape reflected on the water. This is a small salted lake forming a bay around the costline, connected to the sea.

Sunset and sailboat in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Dramatic sky with vivid orange and blue cloudscape reflected on the water.

See a Menemsha Sunset

Nothing quite compares to the sunset at this tiny fishing village: the rustic harbor to the left and stretch of shoreline to the right, with a clear view of the perfectly centered sun sinking down under the waves. The spectacle draws a small crowd each evening throughout the year. It’s almost a local tradition; one that is widely regarded as the best sunset in New England.

Save Money: Go Camping!

You don’t have to spend a fortune for a Martha’s Vineyard getaway. Book a tent spot for under $50 dollars at Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground in Vineyard Haven. Its strategic location will allow you to rent a bike for easy transportation throughout your trip, and a close proximity to many of the island’s finest restaurants means you won’t even have to bring a camp stove!

Morning Glory Farm

Morning Glory Farm in Edgartown features the best produce around, at reasonable prices. Not only will they stock your shelves with excellent ingredients, but they’ll use those ingredients in pre-made, complete meals that locals and repeat visitors rave about. All for a price that proves MV does not have to be a more expensive version of Cape Cod.

Back Door Donuts

This is the definition of a hidden jewel. The slightly clandestine operation runs out of the literal back door of Martha’s Vineyard Gourmet Café and Bakery “nightly from 7:00 p.m. to 12:58 a.m.” The perfect way to cap off a busy day spent adventuring through the island is a stop at the back door.

 

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