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Unspoiled seaside settings, rolling hills, and a relaxed tempo have lengthy attracted guests to the shores of Martha’s Winery. That is, in any case, a small island; a splendidly rural place to get pleasure from drives on nation roads. Its 87 sq. miles is an oasis of old-world attraction and pure magnificence in equal measure, with each a summer time season and year-round inhabitants.
Situated about 4 miles off the southeast coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, quaint cities and recent ocean breezes convey hordes of holiday makers yearly. The 2 famously photogenic cities of Martha’s Winery embrace Oak Bluffs, with its colourful Victorian gingerbread homes, and Edgartown, with its stately brick houses.
The island of Martha’s Winery is split into two foremost sections: the extra populated “down-island” cities of Winery Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown, and the extra rural “up-island” cities of West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah. Residence year-round fishermen and farmers, creatives and entrepreneurs, tradesmen and lecturers — and a LOT of attorneys and surgeons in the summertime — a powerful sense of group and distinctive character is the draw for a lot of to make a house right here.
Martha’s Winery is a superb place to partake within the easy pleasures of strolling, biking, fishing, boating, crabbing, beachcombing, grilling, or just studying a ebook below a tree.
And right here’s one thing to know: regardless of its title, Martha’s Winery doesn’t really comprise any vineyards, a lot to the chagrin of wine fans (and my husband particularly). However concern not, there may be loads of wine to drink, and lots of of different issues to do in these six fantastic Martha’s Winery cities.
![A crowd of people enjoying drinks at an outdoor bar underneath umbrellas, next to a tall pale blue Victorian house with a wraparound porch.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Marthas-Vineyard-Towns-1024x653.jpg)
Finest Cities on Martha’s Winery
Each single city on Martha’s Winery could be very family-friendly, however Oak Bluffs has some pleasant youngsters’ points of interest just like the carousel.
Oak Bluffs is the city with the gingerbread homes, and the island takes nice delight in these architectural gems.
If you wish to have a lot of issues to do close by, I like to recommend staying in Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, or Vineyard Haven. These are probably the most hopping cities.
Chilmark, Aquinnah, and West Tisbury are quiet, rural spots that are perfect for a spot to recharge. Maybe most quiet is Chappaquiddick Island, with no shops on-island.
![A row of four colorful gingerbread houses in a wooded area in Martha's Vineyard.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Oak-Bluffs-Marthas-Vineyard-Towns-1024x663.jpg)
Oak Bluffs
The down-island city of Oak Bluffs is one in all Martha’s Winery’s most well-known (and most photographed!) spots. Properly-known for its charming gingerbread cottages, historic websites, and fantastic seashore roads, this city gives enjoyable points of interest for guests of all ages.
A number of Steamship Authority ferries from Woods Gap dock right here in Oak Bluffs, in addition to the passenger-only ferry with direct service from Hyannis. You can view the ferry schedule here.
Positively take day out to go to the enduring gingerbread homes, an important cease for each customer! These charming cottages painted in vibrant hues make a powerful sight that by no means fails to please.
Circuit Avenue is the primary road, stuffed with pleasant spots to buy and eat. Ocean Park gives an inviting seven acres of inexperienced house the place guests can stroll, play Frisbee or get pleasure from a picnic lunch. Plus, dwell music and fireworks happen right here each August!
Inkwell Seashore is a small however standard seashore, with turquoise waters and an extended historical past of being a haven for Black American residents and vacationers. The light bay-side waves make this an awesome selection for youths.
And maybe one of the best youngsters’ exercise in Martha’s Winery is right here in Oak Bluffs: the Flying Horses Carousel, one of many longest working constantly working carousels in America! Kids of all ages love using its horses. And for individuals of all ages, right here you may store in boutiques, get pleasure from bars and coffeeshops, and absorb loads of native island companies.
![A stately white home turned into Edgartown Books bookstore, flying a rainbow pride American flag.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Edgartown-Towns-of-Marthas-Vineyard-1024x683.jpg)
Edgartown
Situated on Martha’s Winery’s japanese finish, Edgartown boasts a number of the island’s most elegant and historic houses, many relationship again to when whaling was at its peak within the nineteenth century. These homes have been superbly restored, making Edgartown a gorgeous place for a stroll.
Edgartown gives loads of charming outlets on Most important Avenue, with every little thing from girls’s attire and artwork galleries to sweet shops lining its downtown district. Discover the various array of eating choices, with eating places corresponding to The Seafood Shanty, with breathtaking ocean views and a number of the island’s finest clam chowder, and The Wharf, with an inviting bar and scrumptious basic diner dishes.
Only a 10-minute stroll from the city heart is among the most particular lighthouses on the island, Edgartown Lighthouse, also called Harbor Mild. Inbuilt 1828, it was really as soon as on a man-made island only a quarter-mile off-shore, however a brand new seashore shaped in 1939, connecting the lighthouse to the mainland.
Beachgoers will admire Katama Seashore (also called South Seashore), situated within the Katama space of Edgartown going through the Atlantic. It’s a barrier seashore, with an intensive stretch of white sand that extends for greater than three miles, good for shell fishing or simply strolling with household and associates. Remember that the sand will get slim at excessive tide.
At close by Katama Bay, Signature Oyster Farms lets you take a tour of its native oyster farms. You’ll have a chance to stroll on oyster beds and witness how these scrumptious bivalves are harvested earlier than having fun with an idyllic, farm-to-table lunch.
North of city, Joseph Sylvia State Seashore, generally known as State Seashore to locals, is a wonderful place for swimming. This sandy seashore was used because the setting for the 1975 film Jaws and boasts miles of sandy shoreline for guests to get pleasure from. You possibly can bounce off the Jaws Bridge, too!
On prime of having fun with a seashore expertise, guests to Edgartown must also discover a few of its historic landmarks, together with Vincent House Museum and Old Whaling Church. Each of those historic museums present fascinating insights into this island’s previous.
Chappaquiddick Island is technically a part of the city of Edgartown and takes only one minute to get to on the tiny Chappy Ferry, which might match only a few automobiles. That mentioned, I believe it’s finest to discover Chappaquiddick by bike — it’s small and flat, discovering parking is way simpler, and also you gained’t have to attend within the automobile line for the ferry.
On Chappaquiddick you may go to Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and its eponymous lighthouse; you may as well take a look at East Seashore, go to the Mytoi Japanese Gardens, or benefit from the limitless expanse of sea at Wasque Level (pronounced WAY-squee).
![A downtown area with wooden shingled houses and a street sign reading Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Downtown-Vineyard-Haven-MA-1024x676.jpg)
Winery Haven
Winery Haven is the generally used nickname for the city of Tisbury (totally different from the city of West Tisbury, which we’ll point out additional down). Situated on the North Shore of the island, the Steamship Authority ferry stops right here, however it’s completely price lingering a bit!
Very like Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, Winery Haven has a bustling environment with a lot of issues to do. Nonetheless, whereas the opposite two cities really feel tremendous tourism-oriented, Winery Haven feels prefer it’s designed for the various locals who name this city residence.
Winery Haven can also be the situation of the Nobnocket Boutique Inn, the place I liked staying throughout my time in Martha’s Winery! (Extra on Nobnocket under.)
Downtown Winery Haven is a beautiful place to wile away the afternoon hours buying, whose walkable downtown appears simply as timeless because it did many years in the past. Make sure you cease by Waterside Market for lunch to gas up beforehand; they served a large BLT that knocked my socks off.
The Black Dog Tavern, an iconic and world-famous Winery institution, has one of the best chef-crafted entrees, good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Right here in Winery Haven you may as well go to The Black Dog Store, and Black Dog Bakery (which has nice cookies).
Whether or not or not you’re a historical past buff, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum offers you invaluable perception into the island. (It’s additionally an awesome wet day exercise on the Winery.) Uncover the wealthy historical past and vibrant heritage of Martha’s Winery and its environment on this museum, situated in an 1890 Victorian marine hospital. Reveals function lighthouses in addition to these devoted to the Indigenous Wampanoag individuals.
Lighthouse completionists can cease by the West Chop Lighthouse — whereas this one shouldn’t be open to the general public, it does function a beautiful photograph opp! It’s a few 30-minute stroll from.
When you have time, do attempt to see a manufacturing at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. Situated on Church Avenue, they placed on a pleasant number of occasions all year long.
Learn Extra: A Visitor’s Guide to Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vineyard
![A row of mailboxes on a rural road in Martha's Vineyard.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/West-Tisbury-Towns-of-Marthas-Vineyard-1024x675.jpg)
West Tisbury
West Tisbury, one of many up-island cities on Martha’s Winery, is an idyllic and tranquil village. Comprised of acres of State Forest, serene seashores, and considerable farmland, its New England village attraction is preserved by way of normal shops, white church buildings, publish places of work, and family-run farms.
The relaxed and comfortable vibe makes it really feel like a rustic city and is residence to an intensive vary of domestically produced items. Recent produce, selfmade soaps and lotions, handcrafted wooden furnishings in addition to some nice eating places can all be had. Refuel at Woods Restaurant at Lambert’s Cove, which serves island-inspired meals.
Procuring at Alley’s General Store is a should. As one of many oldest constantly working retailers on Martha’s Winery, you will discover it behind a historic barn with a grey shingled roof. Since 1897, this stoop-to-porch institution sells every little thing you might have considered trying throughout your go to.
This rural agricultural group gives quite a few points of interest which might be each free and cheap. One such attraction is Long Point Wildlife Refuge, an outdated prairie remnant now residence to globally uncommon vegetation and wildlife; additionally that includes sandy seashores, coastal ponds, and small lakes good for chook watching.
Polly Hill Arboretum supplies a gorgeous place for picnicking on Martha’s Winery, that includes a chic oak tree in addition to different species planted to resemble its pure setting. This was one of many quietest and most serene locations I visited on the island.
Lastly, Lengthy Cove Pond supplies a number of the island’s most breathtaking landscapes, whereas additionally serving as a superb location for snorkeling and fishing.
![A clapboard fishing cabin light up in bright golden light at sunset.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Menemsha-Chilmark-Towns-of-Marthas-Vineyard-1024x683.jpg)
Chilmark
The south shore city of Chilmark gives each magnificence and tranquility harmoniously. There may be a lot to do and see with its fellow up-island neighbors of West Tisbury and Aquinnah.
One factor I like about Martha’s Winery is visiting native farmstands for domestically made produce. Top-of-the-line is The Grey Barn and Farm in Chilmark, which makes wonderful cheeses and in addition has loads of recent produce, a bakery, and a butcher store. Want a pick-me-up? Chilmark Coffee Roaster is a well-liked spot for each locals and guests.
Whereas mountaineering and admiring nature’s splendor are rewarding experiences, kayaking or crusing at Nashaquitsa and Stonewall Ponds is one other unbelievable choice.
Many island guests flock to observe the sundown at Menemsha Seashore at Menemsha Village — its waters change into painted in hues that rival a few of New England’s most beautiful and romantic sunsets! Surrounded by massive rocks, this seashore gives stunning and peaceable environment. Hire a motorcycle, or simply come down with some seashore chairs to hitch everybody else because the solar dips down.
Menemsha Hills Nature Reserve ought to be included on any itinerary to the island. Simply exterior Chilmark, this protected 211-acre reserve boasts numerous mini-environments corresponding to woodland groves, coastal plains, and low wetlands, in addition to breathtaking views of Winery Sound and Elizabeth Islands from 308-foot Prospect Hill!
![Giant seaside cliffs lit up at sunset in shades of yellow, red, and orange.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Aquinnah-Cliffs-Marthas-Vineyard-1024x692.jpg)
Aquinnah
Aquinnah is the westernmost city on the island, and was previously generally known as Homosexual Head. It’s the cultural residence of the Aquinnah Wampanoag nation and options a lot pure magnificence, together with beautiful over-water sunsets at Moshup Seashore (my private favourite seashore on Martha’s Winery!).
For those who’re in search of issues to do in Aquinnah, most individuals come to go to the Aquinnah Cliffs, a protected, multi-color pure marvel. Each the cliffs and the seashore are off-limits as a result of their delicate nature, however you may view them from the Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook. I like to recommend visiting at golden hour, simply earlier than sundown, after they gentle up in shiny colours (this was when the photograph above was taken).
A go to to the Aquinnah Cultural Center is a should — and gives a beautiful historical past of the Indigenous peoples of Martha’s Winery. This museum is price a go to and strolling distance from the cliffs lookout and Moshup Seashore.
On the lookout for an unimaginable view over the Atlantic Ocean? Climb to the highest of Homosexual Head Mild, one of many Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses you may go to.
Long Point Wildlife Refuge is an idyllic pure space, which as soon as shaped a part of an island prairie ecosystem, now boasts a rare assortment of vegetation and animals — plus a number of seashores and a two-mile mountaineering path to your enjoyment.
![A large Martha's Vineyard mansion at the end of a driveway.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Nobnocket-Boutique-Inn-Vineyard-Haven-1024x761.jpeg)
The place to Keep on Martha’s Winery
For a quintessential Martha’s Winery keep, Nobnocket Boutique Inn will handle you. I completely liked my keep right here.
Situated on a quiet road in Winery Haven, house owners Simon and Annabelle Hunton present excellent service from the second you step into the property. Stylish, trendy furnishings accentuated with elegant art work make you are feeling like pampered royalty with out the pomp and circumstance.
The visitor rooms exude a quiet class with consolation firmly in thoughts. The Nobnocket achieves that delicate steadiness of a contemporary, fashionable aesthetic whereas conserving the environment cozy. Considerate design touches may be discovered all through, from the plush mattress linens to the inviting wainscoting within the loos.
Most boutique inns provide complimentary espresso, tea, and even board video games within the foyer, however the Nobnocket ups the ante by providing a little bit of port, whiskey, or brandy, together with gentle snacks, simply in case you fancy a night nightcap. Once you need to stretch your legs, an expansive yard supplies the perfect spot to chill out, dine exterior, or stroll the gorgeous grounds.
However the Inn’s breakfast is the wow issue right here! Each morning is totally different, often starting with a inventive fruit parfait earlier than shifting to the primary occasion. This may embrace waffles with a tasty topping corresponding to mango and sherbet, avocado toast with egg and pancetta, or creamy bread pudding topped with recent berries. All are paired with Chilmark Espresso’s domestically roasted beans, tea, and juice.
There’s even a turndown service with cookies! No higher option to drift off to dreamland.
Extra on Martha’s Winery and Cape Cod:
Extra on Massachusetts:
Better of Boston:
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