THREE CHEERS for summer on the Vineyard! Now that you’re here, it’s time to plan your perfect day. Start by hitting the beach (p. 18), hiking or biking a trail (p. 14), or shopping in one of the three down-Island towns. In fact, you can use the guide in your hands to take a walking tour of Vineyard Haven (p. 26), Oak Bluffs (p. 36) or Edgartown (p. 42). We’ve even got a treasure map to follow in each town (see below).
If you’ve got time, take a scenic drive (or ride the bus, p. 24) up-Island to see the Gay Head Cliffs (p. 48), to spend a few hours on Moshup Beach (p. 18) or to watch the sun set in Menemsha, lobster roll in hand. Or head back down-Island for your choice of farm- and sea-inspired cuisine (p. 52).
At the end of the day, listen to live music and check out the spectacular Vineyard sky. We hope that perfect day turns into many more.
For more information, visit welcometomarthasvineyard.com
TIME FOR A TREASURE HUNT!
Calling all adventurous kids (and adults)! This Welcome To Martha’s Vineyard guide features three special treasure maps to help you discover the hidden gems of Martha’s Vineyard. All you need to do is follow the treasure map for the town you are visiting to get stickers from the participating retailers (no purchase necessary). Complete the map for any town (see contents on p. 5) and bring it to us at the Vineyard Gazette Media Group, 34 South Summer Street, Edgartown, for a prize!
Welcome to Martha's Vineyard publishes the following issues: Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Fall and Off Season.
Send $3 per issue for postage and handling. Vol. 41, No. 3.
Listed in Standard Rate & Data under Travel.
MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Vineyard Sound
EDGARTOWN
HAPPENINGS
ON MARTHA’S VINEYARD, the summer calendar is packed with events, from live music and shows to markets and festivals. The following is just a sample of the numerous things to do while visiting the Island this time of year. For a more comprehensive list of this year’s exciting August events, visit calendar.vineyardgazette.com/august-on-the-vineyard.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Grand Illumination Night
An annual tradition, the gingerbread cottages in the Camp Ground are festooned with colorful lanterns that are illuminated all at once after sunset. Happening this year on Wednesday, Aug. 14, it begins at the Tabernacle, 80 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs, with a sing-along starting around 7:30 p.m. mvcma.org.
Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show & Fair
Enjoy rides, games, shucking and fiddle contests, livestock shows and more. Thursday, Aug. 15 – Saturday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. & Sunday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. marthasvineyardagriculturalsociety.org.
Oak Bluffs Fireworks
On Friday, August 16, grab your spot in Ocean Park and get ready for the big fireworks. Sponsored by the town of Oak Bluffs, the show begins at 9 p.m.
Martha’s Vineyard Comedy Fest
From Monday, July 29, to Saturday, August 17, shows run at the Strand Theatre, 11 Oak Bluffs Avenue. marthasvineyardcomedy.com.
Built on Stilts Dance Festival
Enjoy this free celebration of dance, music, and storytelling at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. Shows are 8 p.m., Thursday, August 8, to Saturday, August, 10, & Saturday, August 17 to Monday, August 19. builtonstilts.org.
FARM AND CRAFT MARKETS
Chilmark Flea Market
The Island’s oldest outdoor flea market features high quality handmade items from Vineyard artists and craftsmen, antiques, vintage finds, jewelry, clothing, art, food items and more. Saturdays and Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 142 North Road, Chilmark. chilmarkchurch.org.
Edgartown Village Market
The Edgartown Village Market is a biker and pedestrian friendly, open-air market in the heart of historic Edgartown. Shop for farm produce, flowers, provisions and artisanal goods. Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind the Dr. Daniel Fisher House. edgartownvillagemarket.com.
Oak Bluffs Open Market
Island-grown produce, specialty foods, flowers, arts, crafts, antiques and live music. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Washington Park, next to Our Market. oakbluffsopenmarket.com.
Vineyard Artisans Summer Festival
Meet the artists and enjoy demonstrations of fine arts and crafts. Rain or shine, Sundays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free parking and admission. Food available. Grange Hall, 1067 State Road, West Tisbury. vineyardartisans.com.
West Tisbury Farmers’ Market
The finest from Vineyard farmers and artisans: food, flowers and baked goods. Saturdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Agricultural Hall, 35 Panhandle Road, West Tisbury. wtfmarket.org.
GETTING AROUND
MARTHA’S VINEYARD IS A BIG ISLAND with six towns, so getting around requires a little advance planning. On a day trip, you can explore each of the three down-Island towns (Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown) by foot. You can also rent a bike or hop on a bus to travel between these towns. (See bus route map, p. 32.) Just be sure to check the bus schedule online at vineyardtransit.com for the most current service schedule. Day-trippers who want to visit the scenic up-Island towns of West Tisbury, Chilmark or Aquinnah should plan to bring or rent a car. For a longer visit, bringing a car or bike is ideal for exploring all of the towns. Bicyclists should note that most routes combine bike paths and travel on roads where all traffic laws should be obeyed. For a fun 10-mile ride without traffic, take the paved bike path through the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest.
CAR RENTALS
A-A ISLAND AUTO RENTAL
Locations: 4 Water Street, Vineyard Haven; 12 & 31 Circuit Avenue Extension, Oak Bluffs; 196 Upper Main Street, Edgartown.
Pick-up service at MV Airport, Harbor View Hotel and the Winnetu Oceanside Resort. 508-627-6333, mvautorental.com.
ADVENTURE RENTALS
19 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-1959.
AVIS MV Airport, 508-693-2226, avis.com.
BUDGET MV
Locations: MV Airport; 9 Oak Bluffs Avenue, Oak Bluffs; 45 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-1911, budgetmv.com.
HERTZ
MV Airport, 508-693-2402. 29 Water Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-4196, hertz.com.
SUN ‘N’ FUN
28 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-5457, sunnfunrentals.com.
AN ESSENTIAL RESOURCE for both home buyers and sellers
Details of every property sold by town, neighborhood descriptions, useful statistics, charts and graphs, a directory of real estate agents and appraisers, and more.
PICK UP A COPY ON NEWSSTANDS NOW or order at vineyardgazettestore.com
BIKE RENTALS
EDGARTOWN:
MARTHA’S VINEYARD BIKE RENTALS
1 Main Street. 800-627-2763, marthasvineyardbike.com.
EDGARTOWN BICYCLES
212 Upper Main Street. 508-627-9008, edgartownbicycles.com.
WHEEL HAPPY
8 South Water Street. 508-627-5928, wheelhappybicycles.github.io.
OAK BLUFFS:
ALL STAR BIKE RENTALS
5 Oak Bluffs Avenue. 508-693-0062, marthasvineyardbikerentals.com.
is one of Martha’s Vineyard’s main attractions, and exploring the Island’s diverse landscapes is a great way to learn your way around the Island. Nearly 40 percent of the Island has been conserved or protected by agricultural restrictions. In addition to more than 100 walking trails (find highlights on p. 16), there are conservation properties that offer educational programming and special events for visitors – including a world-class arboretum and an alpaca farm.
THE FARM INSTITUTE
14 Aero Avenue, Edgartown. This working farm near South Beach offers educational programs for all ages. Learn about sustainable agriculture and livestock management while visiting with cows, chickens, goats, sheep and pigs. Or take a class in the FARM’s kitchen. 508-6277007, thetrustees.org/tfi.
FELIX NECK WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
100 Felix Neck Drive, Edgartown. A Massachusetts Audubon property, Felix Neck’s four miles of trails provide explorations of the surrounding woodlands, meadows, pond, salt marsh and barrier beach. $4: Adults; $3: Seniors & Children. Walk the trails and visit the nature center as well. 508-627-4850, massaudubon.org/felixneck.
ISLAND ALPACA
1 Head of the Pond Road, Oak Bluffs. Island Alpaca is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit the herd and meet the alpaca babies (aka cria) and llamas in the viewing area behind the barn. Don’t miss the farm store and special programs. $8: Person. 508-693-5554, islandalpaca.com.
THE POLLY HILL ARBORETUM
809 State Road, West Tisbury. Discover the range of trees and plants that can be grown successfully on Martha’s Vineyard. The grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset (except on Wednesdays). The Visitor Center is open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (excluding Wednesdays) through mid-October. $5: Adults; Free: Children. 508-693-9426, pollyhillarboretum.org.
TIM JOHNSON
WALKING TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS
To explore one of the more than 100 walking trails on the Island, visit mvlandbank. com, thetrustees.org and sheriffsmeadow. org (where you can also download the free TrailsMV app to your phone). When walking be aware that ticks are abundant in grassy and woodsy areas; use tick spray and check for ticks after walking.
1. CEDAR TREE NECK SANCTUARY
Off Obed Daggett Road, West Tisbury. 508-693-5207, sheriffsmeadow.org. The sanctuary features a variety of woodland trails that lead to a beautiful walk along the North Shore (though no swimming allowed).
2. MENEMSHA HILLS
Off North Road, Chilmark. 508-693-3678, thetrustees.org. This 211-acre preserve boasts dramatic views of the Elizabeth Islands and is home to the second-highest point on the Vineyard, Prospect Hill. Allow 1.5 hours for full hike.
3. WASKOSIM’S ROCK
RESERVATION
Off North Road, Chilmark. 508-627-7141, mvlandbank.com. This walk is like a journey through Vineyard history: Visit remnants of a 17th century homestead and see the legendary rock itself, a prominent feature in Island and Wampanoag history; dogs and bikes allowed.
4. FULLING MILL BROOK PRESERVE
2 Henry Hough Lane, Chilmark. 508-6277141, mvlandbank.com. Take a short or a meandering walk through this 66.7-acre property. The shortest trail runs between Middle Road and South Road and features footbridges over the brook and a short steep climb through the dense wooded habitat. Dogs and bikes allowed.
PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): RAY EWING, TIM JOHNSON, RAY EWING, TIM JOHNSON
PUBLIC BEACHES
ON MARTHA’S VINEYARD there’s a beach for everyone, whether you like big surf and endless sand, or calm waters and easy parking. Some beaches on the Island are private; to avoid confusion, what follows is a list of beaches that are open to the public. Dogs are welcome at some of these beaches and not at others, and parking is limited in some spots. Take note of all posted signs.
AQUINNAH
LOBSTERVILLE BEACH
This two-mile beach off Lobsterville Road faces calm Vineyard Sound and is also a popular fishing spot. It can be rocky in some places and parking is limited.
AQUINNAH PUBLIC BEACH (Moshup Beach)
This surf beach off Moshup Trail extends to the beginning of the spectacular Gay Head Cliffs. Parking is $30/day and a short walk from the beach.
CHILMARK
MENEMSHA PUBLIC BEACH
Gentle Vineyard Sound surf and epic sunsets make this an all-day favorite. The beach is next to Menemsha Harbor so you can also watch the fishing vessels come and go and pick up lunch or supper at one of the seafood stores on the docks.
WEST TISBURY
LONG POINT WILDLIFE REFUGE
This barrier beach just east of Tisbury Great Pond offers both fresh and salt water swimming. Owned by The Trustees of Reservations. Advance passes are required for admission. Visit thetrustees. org for more information.
EDGARTOWN
STATE BEACH (Bend-in-the-Road)
This family-friendly two-mile stretch between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs faces Nantucket Sound on one side and Sengekontacket Pond on the other. Waters are calm and there’s plenty of accessible parking. The beach is also on the bicycle path.
LIGHTHOUSE & FULLER STREET BEACH
Both are on Edgartown Harbor at Starbuck Neck, just off North Water Street. Find the lighthouse and you’re there. Calm water and a view of the harbor. Street parking is at a premium, so leave your car elsewhere.
SOUTH BEACH (Norton Point/Katama)
This three-mile barrier beach has Atlantic Ocean surf on one side with a protected salt pond and Katama Bay on the other side. Three miles west from the center of Edgartown, it’s the classic go-to beach for college kids. Only vehicles with over-sand permits are allowed on marked dune trails. Street parking available on Atlantic Avenue.
CHAPPAQUIDDICK
CAPE POGUE & WASQUE (East Beach)
This beautiful stretch of east-facing coast is owned by The Trustees of Reservations. At the legendary fishing point, Wasque, there
are also trails along the bluffs overlooking Wasque Point and Poucha Pond. Be mindful of strong currents.
OAK BLUFFS
OAK BLUFFS TOWN BEACH
(Includes the Inkwell)
On Nantucket Sound, this calm beach begins near the Steamship Authority dock and ends at the first jetty on the road to Edgartown, just past the breakwater. The beach picks up again about one mile east of the inlet, which flows into Sengekontacket Pond, and ends where the Joseph Sylvia State Beach begins.
JOSEPH SYLVIA STATE BEACH
Gentle surf, car access (parking along Beach Road) and easy access from the bike path make this two-mile beach a very popular spot for families. Fishing and crabbing are popular along the jetties. Go early in the day for best parking spots and beach spots.
EASTVILLE
POINT BEACH
A quiet spot on the Oak Bluffs side of the drawbridge on Beach Road. Parking is limited.
VINEYARD HAVEN
OWEN PARK BEACH
On the harbor, off Main Street and within walking distance of the ferry terminal and downtown, this small sandy beach near the Steamship Authority has an adjacent play area.
TISBURY TOWN BEACH
At the end of Owen Little Way off Main Street, this public beach is next to the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club on the harbor.
LAKE TASHMOO TOWN BEACH
You can swim in Vineyard Sound or in Lake Tashmoo from this out-of-the-way beach at Herring Creek. Clamming (by permit) is allowed and the jetty is a popular fishing spot.
LARRY GLICK
MUSEUMS
ALONGSIDE PRISTINE BEACHES and picturesque towns, Martha’s Vineyard offers many ways to explore its historical roots. Visit the Martha’s Vineyard Museum overlooking Lagoon Pond in Vineyard Haven, take a self-guided (or guided) tour of the AfricanAmerican Heritage Trail, or head up to Aquinnah to visit the Wampanoag Museum. Call or check websites for updates.
MUSEUMS
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL OF MARTHA’S VINEYARD
The African-American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard is comprised of 37 sites dedicated to the contributions made by people of African descent to Island history. Fully guided tours are available to book at mvafricanamericanheritagetrail. org. Or download the TrailsMV app at sheriffsmeadow.org to visit the sites on your own. Guided tours range from 1.5 to 4.5 hours and cost between $50 to $90.
THE CARNEGIE HERITAGE CENTER
58 North Water Street, Edgartown. 508-627-4440, vineyardtrust.org. Once Edgartown’s public library, this renovated landmark includes a permanent exhibition, Living Landmarks ($5 suggested donation), which illustrates the historical development of the Island through the lens of the Trust’s 20 properties. Historic tours of Edgartown are available. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MARTHA’S VINEYARD MUSEUM
151 Lagoon Pond Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-627-4441, mvmuseum.org. In a spectacular location overlooking the Lagoon, the museum features regular and rotating exhibits as well as a garden designed by stone artist Lew French. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday – Sunday. Adults: $18; Seniors; $15; Children 6-17: $5. Free: Members & children under 6.
MARIPOSA MUSEUM
57 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. mariposamuseum.org. The Mariposa explores American history and experience through a diversity lens and the creativity of artists, scholars and storytellers. For special programming, visit the website. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $10.
MV CAMP MEETING ASSOCIATION COTTAGE MUSEUM & SHOP
1 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-5042, mvcma.org
Visitors to the Cottage Museum can view the interior of a typical Camp Ground cottage, complete with period furnishings offering a glimpse of life on the campgrounds in the 1800s. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, through midOctober. Adults: $3; children: 50 cents.
Located in the historic Vanderhoop Homestead in Aquinnah, the museum is part of the nonprofit Aquinnah Cultural Center. Featured exhibit this summer: Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday, through October 6.
LIGHTHOUSES
ONE ISLAND, FIVE LIGHTHOUSES.
The lighthouses of Martha’s Vineyard have guided mariners since the age of sail, through the whaling era and in times of war and peace. They have been rebuilt, moved, manned, unmanned, oil-lit and automated. It hasn’t been an easy couple of centuries. And yet they still shine.
GAY HEAD LIGHT
President John Adams commissioned the first lighthouse at this location in 1799. Built in 1856, today’s red brick lighthouse is located on the Gay Head Cliffs in Aquinnah off Lighthouse Road. After a fundraising effort in 2015, the lighthouse was moved back 129 feet to a safer location away from the eroding cliffs. If you walk the grounds, you can see a stone circle marking the former location of the lighthouse.
The lighthouse is open for the season for tours, Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Thursdays during the summer, the lighthouse remains open until sunset. Note that the one-way trip takes approximately an hour by bus or half hour by car from downIsland towns, so allow at least 3 hours to go out, experience the cliffs and return.
Back down-Island, you can view the original 1854 Fresnel lens, designed in France and used in the lighthouse for almost 100 years, prominently displayed at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s Vineyard Haven campus. For more information visit gayheadlight.org.
GAY HEAD CLIFFS, AQUINNAH, OFF LIGHTHOUSE ROAD
EAST CHOP LIGHT
A telegraph signal tower was built at this location in 1828, and was replaced by a lighthouse in 1869. The present cast iron lighthouse was erected in 1875 and is located on the east side of Vineyard Haven Harbor in Oak Bluffs. From the grounds, enjoy a sweeping view of Nantucket Sound and Vineyard Haven Harbor. The lighthouse is maintained by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. The grounds are always open for exploring and the lighthouse itself is open for two hours at sunset on Sunday evenings. For more information, visit mvmuseum.org.
220 EAST CHOP AVENUE, OAK BLUFFS
EDGARTOWN LIGHT
The original lighthouse was built in 1828 but demolished after irreparable damage from the 1938 hurricane. In 1939 the cast iron Essex Light in Ipswich, Massachusetts was dismantled and brought to Edgartown by barge. The structure is located off North Water Street and offers views of Edgartown Harbor and Chappaquiddick across the channel. Maintained and restored by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum in 2007, the lighthouse is open seven days a week during July and August, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit mvmuseum. org for more information.
121 NORTH WATER STREET, EDGARTOWN
WEST CHOP LIGHT
First built in 1817, the original wooden structure was replaced by brick in 1838 and moved back from the bluff twice. It sits just outside Vineyard Haven on West Chop Road (the extension of Main Street) approximately 2 miles north of downtown, and offers views of both Vineyard Sound and Nantucket Sound. Owned by the US Coast Guard, the West Chop Light is not open to the public, but you can view the lighthouse from the road.
WEST CHOP ROAD, VINEYARD HAVEN
CAPE POGUE LIGHT
Originally built in 1801 and moved and rebuilt several times, the current wooden structure dates from 1893. It is the most remote of the five Island beacons, located at The Trustees of Reservations’ Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge on Chappaquiddick. Tours of the lighthouse are not currently available. For more information, visit thetrustees.org.
CAPE POGUE WILDLIFE REFUGE, CHAPPAQUIDDICK
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAWS
2024 is the fiftieth anniversary of the filming of Jaws on the Vineyard
IN 1974, a young director named Steven Spielberg chose the Vineyard as the location for his first major motion picture: Jaws, which was released by Universal Studios the following year. While Chief Brody (Roy Scheider)’s house was in East Chop and shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) sailed from Menemsha, Edgartown was the epicenter of the movie’s action. From the Chappy Ferry to the Big Bridge on State Beach (now nicknamed Jaws Bridge), Spielberg’s cast and crew were all over town. Islanders got into the act as well. Hundreds of extras earned daily pay to shiver on the beach (filming began in May), and Spielberg gave speaking roles to several Vineyarders.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE FILMING JAWS ON THE ISLAND?
• Spielberg & Co. tried their best to keep their special effects under wraps, but it’s hard to keep such a big secret in a town this small. Islanders soon learned that the mechanical shark called Bruce was actually a collection of devices, including the toothy full-frontal shark, a profile shark that could submerge quickly and the “sled shark” with just a dorsal fin and tail that was dragged through the water behind a power boat.
• Fisherman Ben Gardner, found dead in one of the film’s scariest moments, was played by longtime Vineyard farmer and fisherman Craig Kingsbury.
• The Chappaquiddick Beach Club cabanas look a lot like the ones in the movie, but they’re not. Spielberg recreated them on State Beach.
• When Jaws opened on the Vineyard in the summer of 1975, the Edgartown movie theater was above town hall, where part of the movie’s action takes place.
• During the filming, municipal and business signs in Edgartown were changed to Amity. Townspeople cashed their checks at the Amity National Bank and picked up prescriptions at the Amity Pharmacy for most of 1974.
• Vineyard actress and theater coach Lee Fierro played the grieving mother who slaps Roy Scheider across the chops.
• Craig Kingsbury was originally brought into the production to teach Shaw how to act like “a filthy wharf rat,” and screenwriter Carl Gottlieb wrote the Islander’s voice into Quint’s part.
• The film crew wore silkscreened T-shirts with an early Jaws logo, and some lucky locals were able to get their own blank T-shirts screened as well by bringing them to the production barn on Fuller Street in Edgartown.
PHOTOS
Universal Studios
A WALKING TOUR OF
VINEYARD HAVEN
THE MAIN PORT OF ENTRY TO MARTHA’S VINEYARD, the bustling seaport of Vineyard Haven is a center for Island commerce all year round. The harbor sits between two jutting jaws of land, East Chop and West Chop, a natural refuge used for centuries by sailors awaiting fair winds and tides.
IN THE 17TH CENTURY, Vineyard Haven was known as Holmes Hole, after blacksmith John Holmes, who bought land in the area. “Hole” was sailing slang for a coastal inlet. In 1871, townsfolk voted to adopt the more graceful name of Vineyard Haven because, as one historian put it, “to hail from a ‘Hole’ was a source of chagrin to many of its inhabitants when traveling abroad.”
To further confuse matters, the official name of the town of Vineyard Haven is actually Tisbury, after the English hometown of Thomas Mayhew Sr., who bought the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket in 1641 for $200.
1. MAIN STREET
This is the lively center of downtown that invites a day or night of browsing shops, boutiques and art galleries, pausing for coffee or ice cream or dining at cafés and restaurants.
2.
MARTHA’S
VINEYARD MUSEUM
151 Lagoon Pond Road. 508-627-4441, mvmuseum.org. The Martha’s Vineyard Museum moved to its spectacular location on a hilltop five years ago after making extensive renovations to the old Marine Hospital, originally built in 1895. The museum campus now has 10,000 square feet of exhibit space. At the center of the western pavilion hangs the 1,008-prism original Fresnel lens from the Gay Head Light. The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.
3. OWEN PARK
Located just off Main Street, the town park is named for William Barry Owen, who in 1899 purchased the rights to Thomas Edison’s Victor Talking Machine, which came to be known as the Victrola. After his death in 1914, his widow donated the land for the park. The park includes a town beach and is the site of town band concerts.
4. WILLIAM STREET
Named for Captain William Daggett, this residential street is part of Vineyard Haven’s historic district. Ship captains, who expected the same kind of sturdiness from their homes as from their ships, built most of the William Street houses, the majority of which date to the mid-1800s.
Captain Richard Luce, Vineyard Haven’s most successful whaling master, built the imposing Greek Revival residence at #40, the first and largest of the William Street houses, in 1833. The later addition of the porch was inspired by Captain Luce’s admiration of houses in Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.
5. MARTHA’S VINEYARD PLAYHOUSE
24 Church Street. 508-696-6300, mvplayhouse.org. Constructed in 1833 as a one-story Methodist meetinghouse, the building is now home to the Vineyard’s year-round professional theatre company. In 1855, the original building was raised and a new ground floor built underneath.
6. KATHARINE CORNELL THEATRE
54 Spring Street. What is now the second story was built in 1844 as a church; in the
early 1900s a ground floor was added and the original structure was raised up. The neoclassic building now houses Tisbury town offices on the ground floor and the Katharine Cornell Theatre on the second floor.
7. JIRAH LUCE HOUSE
18 Beach Street. This early 1800s building is the only surviving example of Federal architecture in town. It was formerly the home of Rufus Spalding, town physician, postmaster and justice of the peace.
We are delighted to provide the island with toys, games and activities 7 days a week all summer long!
Board Games • Arts & Crafts • Ourdoor Play Lego • Dolls • Puzzles • Baby & Toddler Toys
8. VINEYARD HAVEN PUBLIC LIBRARY 200 Main Street. 508-696-4211, vhlibrary.org. The library has public computers, Wi-Fi and events for kids and adults.
9. MARTHA’S VINEYARD FILM CENTER 79 Beach Road, Tisbury Marketplace. 508696-9369, mvfilmsociety.com. Movie theatre with comfortable stadium seating, showing current, independent and classic films. The Film Center also hosts film festivals throughout the year.
TREASURE MAP VINEYARD HAVEN
USE THIS MAP TO COLLECT STICKERS FROM PARTICIPATING STORES AND PLACE THEM ON THE MAP. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VISIT ALL 4 LOCATIONS AND YOU’VE FOUND THE TREASURE!
Explore MV by Bus!
Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority
In-season May 17th - Sept. 29th
Map & Schedule
VTA In-Season Fares
One way fares (includes town of origin): IN-SEASON 2024: $2.00 per town
One (1) day pass
Three (3) day pass
Seven (7) day pass
Thirty-one (31) day pass
Annual pass (adult)
Annual pass (youth 7-18)
$8.00 $18.00 $30.00 $60.00 $150.00 $75.00
Persons with disabilities, military veterans with proper ID, and senior citizens (age 65 and older) are eligible for a discount on fares and passes, upon request.
Passes may be purchased on board all buses and at the Edgartown Visitors Center.
Schedules and fares subject to change without notice.
Chilmark
Aquinnah
Picking up your friends or family at the boat?
• VTA offers safe and reliable transportation.
• Parents can relax while the kids explore safely.
• Direct service to passes for many durations.
• Flexible - bike one way, take the bus with your bike the other way.
• VTA meets all SSA arrivals, luggage racks on buses.
• Frequent, inexpensive, efficient ride for your visitors.
• Convenient drop-off/pick-up locations islandwide, with real-time bus tracking.
• 75% all-electric bus fleet.
VTA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority provides year-round public transit service to the six towns of Martha's Vineyard. Visit vineyardtransit.com for the most recent schedule information.
Q: Can I see the whole Island using VTA transportation?
A: Yes. The VTA provides service to all six of the Island towns, the airport, and it travels down all major roads.
Q: Does the VTA provide service to the beaches?
APPROXIMATE TRAVEL TIMES
Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs, Ocean Park 8 min.
Vineyard Haven to “Jaws Bridge” Beach 16 min.
Vineyard Haven to Edgartown Visitors Center 20 min.
Vineyard Haven to West Tisbury, Alley’s Store 22 min.
Vineyard Haven to Chilmark Beetlebung Corner 30 min.
Vineyard Haven to Aquinnah Cliffs 45 min.
Oak Bluffs to Edgartown Visitors Center 15 min.
Edgartown Visitors Center to South Beach 10 min.
A: Yes. Route #8 services South Beach which is on the southern side of the Island. Route #13 services State Beach with one drop off and pick up point located at the “Jaws Bridge.”
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Fares are $2 per town including town of origin; there are also unlimited use passes:
• 1 Day Pass: $8
• 3 Day Pass: $18
• 7 Day Pass: $30
• Thirty-one (31) day pass: $60
• Annual pass (adult): $150
• Annual pass (student): $75 (age 7–17)
Children ages six and under ride for free when accompanied by an adult. Seniors age 65 and older and people with disabilities are entitled to half price fares upon request. Proof of age and/or disability is required. There is no additional charge for pets or bicycles. Passes can be purchased on the bus, at either Steamship Authority terminal, or at the Edgartown Visitors Center on Church Street.
Q: Do I need exact fare to board the bus?
A: Exact fare is strongly suggested! No cash or coins are returned from the farebox. Change is given in the form of stored value cards, which are good for future ride usage only and are not redeemable for cash. VTA fareboxes accept all American currency, up to and including $20 bills. Please do not ask the driver for change, as they are not permitted to handle fares.
Q: Do I have to be at a designated bus stop to catch the bus?
A: No. Buses may be flagged anywhere along their route, as long as it is safe for them to
stop. The only exception is on Route #13 which has one drop-off and pick-up point at the “Jaws Bridge.” If traveling at night, it is a good idea to bring a small flashlight to help flag the bus. If a bus does not stop when you flag it down, it could be for several reasons. The driver may have felt it was an unsafe location to stop the bus or the bus was at capacity.
Q: I am disabled, can I use the bus?
A: Yes. All VTA vehicles are handicap accessible.
Q: Can I bring my bike on the bus?
A: Yes. VTA buses are equipped with a bicycle rack that can accommodate two bikes at a time, on a first come, first served basis. For safety reasons, bikes are not permitted inside the buses. There is no extra charge for bringing your bike along.
Q: Are pets allowed on the bus?
A: Yes, as long as no one is allergic. Pets need to be on a leash or in a carrier in order to board the bus. Pets are not allowed on seats at anytime.
Q: Do the buses have luggage racks?
A: Yes. All VTA vehicles have a luggage rack at the front of the bus.
Q: What do I do if I left something on the bus?
A: If you left something on a VTA bus, call the VTA Administrative Offices as soon as possible at 508-693-9440 x7. The VTA will take every step possible to help you locate your lost item. If the item has to be shipped, you are responsible for all shipping costs.
MARTHA’S VINEYARD FERRIES
VINEYARD HAVEN (SEE MAP PAGE 8)
THE STEAMSHIP AUTHORITY
Service to Woods Hole, MA:
• Operates year-round.
• Carries cars and passengers.
• For schedules and information, visit steamshipauthority.com.
EDGARTOWN (SEE MAP PAGE 8)
THE CHAPPY FERRY
Service to Chappaquiddick:
• Operates year-round.
• Carries passengers and a limited number of cars.
• Sails from Memorial Wharf.
• For schedules and information, visit chappyferry.com.
PIED PIPER – FALMOUTH/EDG.
Service to Falmouth, MA:
• Operates from mid-June – Labor Day.
• Passengers only – limited ridership of 45 passengers.
• Sails from Memorial Wharf.
• For schedules and information, visit falmouthedgartownferry.com.
OAK BLUFFS (SEE MAP PAGE 8)
THE STEAMSHIP AUTHORITY
Service to Woods Hole, MA:
• Operates from June – October.
• Carries cars and passengers.
• For schedules and information, visit steamshipauthority.com.
OAK BLUFFS
ISLAND QUEEN
Service to Falmouth, MA:
• Operates Memorial Day Weekend – Columbus Day.
• Passengers only.
• For schedules and information, visit islandqueen.com.
HY-LINE CRUISES
Service to Hyannis and Nantucket:
• Operates mid-June – October.
• Passengers only.
• Service between Hyannis and Nantucket available as well.
• For schedules and information, visit hylinecruises.com.
VINEYARD FAST FERRY
Service to Quonset Point, Rhode Island:
• Operates late June – October.
• Passengers only.
• For schedules and information, visit vineyardfastferry.com.
SEASTREAK
Service to New Bedford:
• Operates year-round.
• Passengers only.
• Sails out of the Steamship Authority docks: Vineyard Haven, Jan. 1 to May 15; Oak Bluffs, May 16 to Oct. 14.
• For schedules and information, visit seastreak.com.
Ferry to: Woods Hole & Hyannis
to:
A WALKING TOUR OF
OAK BLUFFS
A LIVELY SEASIDE TOWN of colorful gingerbread cottages and Victorian summer homes, Oak Bluffs was established as a religious retreat in 1835, but today is better known for its bustling harbor, miles of sandy beaches and a variety of shops, dining spots and family-friendly activities.
THE SEEDS OF OAK BLUFFS
grew from a handful of tents pitched amid a grove of oak trees for a week of spiritual rejuvenation. By 1880, this Methodist revival meeting located in what is now known as the Camp Ground had grown into a summer city of wood frame tents and cottages.
Known originally as Cottage City, most of the town was built in a burst of activity between 1867 and 1872. After seceding from Edgartown, it was incorporated as Oak Bluffs in 1907.
Today, there are over 400 homes in the Camp Ground and Cottage City areas, many of which are historically significant, representing a unique style of architecture sometimes called Carpenter Gothic Revival.
As the Vineyard’s first summer resort, Oak Bluffs fostered a vacation economy that soon spread throughout the Island to replace the disappearing whaling industry. A popular summer destination for African Americans, the town was nationally recognized in 2015 by the Smithsonian Institute with a permanent exhibit in the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
1. CIRCUIT AVENUE
Always the business center of town, it was named for the circular street designed by Robert Morris Copeland, the landscape designer who laid out the map of The Oak Bluffs Land and Wharf Company’s development. One of the first buildings, the Arcade, was built in 1872 and still stands today at 32 Circuit Avenue.
2. CAMP GROUND
The first Methodists camped in tents surrounding Wesleyan Park where services were held. Families returning year after year used intricate rope designs to differentiate theirs from others. As the years went by the tents became more permanent wood plank homes – with the “gingerbread” modeled after the earlier roping. There are over 300 of these colorful, delightful, hand-built Carpenter Gothic Revival private homes still there.
3. TABERNACLE – TRINITY PARK
Surrounded by the lovely cottages and originally the site of a preacher’s stand, (then under a huge sailcloth tent), the Tabernacle, 100 feet high, 130 feet across, and seating more than 3,000 people, was built from wrought iron in 1879. On Illumination Night, held each August, hundreds of Japanese lanterns decorate the Tabernacle and the eaves of surrounding cottages in a celebration that traditionally marks the end of summer. The first Illumination Night in 1868 was organized by the Oak Bluffs Land and Wharf Company developer to attract attention to the new houses being built in the new Cottage City area. The Tabernacle is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Cottage City Museum is located in the Camp Ground.
4. SUMMERCAMP, FORMERLY THE WESLEY HOTEL
70 Lake Avenue. Built by A.G. Wesley in 1879 for the sum of $18,000, the hotel prospered until an 1894 fire. Three days later, Wesley confessed to arson. He wanted to build “an even larger, more
creditable hotel for the community.” The hotel rehired Wesley as a cook after he served three years in jail. This sole survivor of the large hotels so prominent in Cottage City was remodeled in 1986. In 2015, Lark Hotels purchased the property and renovated the hotel of old into Summercamp, its new name a nod to the historic Methodist Camp Ground.
5. OAK BLUFFS HARBOR
Once a swampy, landlocked pond called Lake Anthony, the harbor was opened to the ocean at the turn of the century and now holds as many as 500 boats at a time. The boardwalk continues to bustle with shops and restaurants and the harbor is the Island’s largest marina.
6. FLYING HORSES
15 Lake Avenue. The Flying Horses carousel is the nation’s oldest platform carousel. Originally operated as an attraction on Coney Island, it was moved to Oak Bluffs in 1884 and includes 22 stationary carved wooden horses with
manes and tails of real horse hair and inset glass eyes. Now a National Historic Landmark, the carousel is owned by the Vineyard Trust and recently underwent a refurbishment. For more information, visit vineyardtrust.org.
7. OCEAN PARK & THE BANDSTAND (NOT THE “GAZEBO”!)
The beautiful seven-acre park at the entrance to town hosts the annual Oak Bluffs fireworks held each August and the Sunday evening concerts from the 1880s bandstand. The houses surrounding the park – most built in the late 1800s – reflect the more affluent families who came to Oak Bluffs.
8. UNION CHAPEL
55 Narragansett Avenue. Designed by architect Samuel F. Pratt of Newport (who also designed 18 remaining private homes and the Arcade Building on Circuit Avenue), this octagonal chapel with its three-tiered roof and four doors was built in 1871 as an interdenominational sum-
mer church. Events and interdenominational services are held here throughout the summer. Union Chapel is owned by the Vineyard Trust and is on the National Historic Register.
9. ARTS DISTRICT
Located along Dukes County Avenue, the Arts District is a concentration of galleries featuring fine art and photography.
10. OAK BLUFFS PUBLIC LIBRARY
56R School Street. 508-693-9433, oakbluffslibrary.org. The full service library offers something for everyone from computer use and meeting rooms to games and DVDs to rent. A robust calendar of programming offers events for kids and adults alike.
11. EAST CHOP LIGHTHOUSE
The East Chop Lighthouse is a historic reminder of a bygone age and a working beacon that still sends a light out into the night. The grounds offer spectacular views of Nantucket Sound. The lighthouse is open seasonally at sunset on Sundays.
$90 per person. All tackle and licenses included.
VOTED BEST FISHING CHARTER FOR 35 YEARS!
TREASURE MAP OAK BLUFFS
USE THIS MAP TO COLLECT STICKERS FROM PARTICIPATING STORES AND PLACE THEM ON THE MAP. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VISIT ALL 4 LOCATIONS AND YOU’VE FOUND THE TREASURE!
EdgartownVineyardHavenRd . HeadofthePondRd.
A WALKING TOUR OF
EDGARTOWN
A LIVING MEMORIAL TO THE GREAT AGE OF WHALING, the village of Edgartown is defined by its stately white clapboard houses, rose-covered picket fences and a lighthouse that stands sentry at the entrance to the harbor. Across the harbor is Chappaquiddick, accessible year-round by a small car ferry.
ESTABLISHED IN 1642 as the Vineyard’s first English settlement, the town underwent a building boom between 1830 and 1845 – the golden era of whaling –when profits from whaling and trade with China brought huge fortunes to the Island.
Many of the houses in the historic downtown district, and in particular along North and South Water Streets, are built in the Greek Revival and Federal styles popular in that period. Most remain private homes, although several have been converted to shops and inns. Topping some roofs are platforms popularly known as widow’s walks, but more accurately are perches from which to pour sand down the chimney in the event of a fire.
1. VISITOR’S CENTER
29 Church Street. The Visitor’s Center provides maps and brochures for tourists and is also the place to hop a bus for other Island towns and South Beach. There is a public restroom.
2. DR. DANIEL FISHER HOUSE
99 Main Street. This stately Federal style residence was built in 1840 for Dr. Daniel Fisher, a medical doctor and entrepreneur who, during the height of the whaling era, was one of the wealthiest men in the country. In addition to founding the Martha’s Vineyard National Bank, he owned what is now the town wharf, a bakery and a gristmill as well as a candle factory, which supplied spermaceti candles to the nation’s lighthouses. The house and gardens are owned by the Vineyard Preservation Trust. Seasonal tours begin at The Carnegie (#13).
3. VINCENT HOUSE AND GARDENS
Located behind the Dr. Daniel Fisher House, this is the oldest unaltered house on the Vineyard. Built in the 1670s and occupied by descendants of the original Vincent family for 250 years, it was originally located on Edgartown Great Pond and moved to its present location in 1977. The Vincent House and Gardens are owned by the Vineyard Preservation Trust. Seasonal tours are available beginning at The Carnegie (#13).
4. OLD WHALING CHURCH
89 Main Street. Designed by Fredrick Baylies, Jr., the Old Whaling Church and its iconic 92-foot clock tower was built by skilled shipwrights for Edgartown’s Methodist whaling captains and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in New England. The interior of the Old Whaling Church is notable for its elegantly curved ceiling, 1869 Simmons Fisher organ and restored trompe l’oeil murals by Island artist Margot Datz. Now used for town meetings and special events, the church is owned by the Vineyard Preservation Trust. Seasonal tours are available beginning at The Carnegie (#13).
5. FEDERATED CHURCH
47 S. Summer Street. Erected in 1828, the Federated Church is a traditional New England meetinghouse still in use by the Island’s oldest congregation (established in 1642) and was the first church to be designed by Frederick Baylies, Jr. in Edgartown. The front of the church faces Main Street because there were few, if any, buildings between the
church and Main Street at that time. Of note: a chandelier that originally burned whale oil, an 1895 Hook and Hastings organ and the old box pews.
6. VINEYARD GAZETTE
34 S. Summer Street. Built in 1760 by Benjamin Smith, the house is now home to the Vineyard Gazette, the Island’s oldest newspaper. After building the house, Smith later became a captain in the Island militia during the Revolutionary War. The Vineyard Gazette building is owned and maintained by the Vineyard Preservation Trust.
7. CAPTAIN VALENTINE PEASE HOUSE
80 S. Water Street. Captain Valentine Pease, master of The Acushnet, the whaler on which the author Herman Melville sailed in 1841, built the private residence between 1822 and 1836. Captain Pease is reputed to have been the prototype for Captain Ahab in Melville’s Moby-Dick.
8. THE PAGODA TREE
9 S. Water Street. Captain Thomas Milton, who first came to the Vineyard in the early 1800s, brought this tree from Asia when it was a seedling. Planted about 1833, it is the oldest of its kind on the continent. Commonly called the Flame Tree in China, its horticultural name is Sophora Japonica. It shades the home Captain Milton built in 1840, now part of The Harborside Inn.
9. MEMORIAL WHARF
The town wharf is where the On Time ferry to Chappaquiddick departs, and where an open pavilion offers great views of the harbor. A project to raise the wharf was completed and you can now climb the stairs to the pavilion again and watch the harbor activity below.
10. OSBORNE WHARF, NORTON BOATHOUSE, OLD SCULPIN GALLERY
45, 45A & 58 Dock Street. This section of the waterfront includes the historic Osborne Wharf Building, the oldest commercial structure on the waterfront; the
A Boatload of News.
Norton Boathouse, once the headquarters of the Norton family of sea captains; Old Sculpin Gallery, originally used for Dr. Fisher’s spermaceti candle factory, then as Manual Swartz’ boatshop, where he built the catboat Edwina B (moored off Norton boathouse in summer), and now as an art gallery. The Vineyard Preservation Trust owns the three properties and the Edwina B.
11. ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH
34 N. Summer Street. The stained-glass windows in this 1899 church were made and signed by Louis C. Tiffany. The pulpit is the bow of a dory from the schooner Northern Lights, for many years the largest ship in Edgartown Harbor.
12. EDGARTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY
26 Edgartown-West Tisbury Road. 508-627-4221, edgartownlibrary.org. The library offers year-round programming for kids and adults in addition to a range of services, including digital media and computer use.
13. THE CARNEGIE
58 N. Water Street. 508-627-4440. Once Edgartown’s public library, the renovated and restored landmark includes reading rooms, a visitor center, a gift shop and the permanent exhibition, Living Landmarks ($5: Suggested donation to view), which illustrates the history of Martha’s Vineyard through the lens of the 20 landmarks in the Vineyard Preservation Trust’s care. The Carnegie serves as the starting point for historic walking tours during the summer and fall and hosts speaker events year-round. Visit vineyardtrust.org for updated hours, tour times and pricing.
14. EDGARTOWN LIGHTHOUSE
Across from 131 N. Water Street. Located a half mile from Main Street on the beach, the lighthouse offers views of the harbor and Chappaquiddick. Currently open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit mvmuseum.org for more information.
BAD MARTHA. GOOD BEER.
oUtdoor patio Seating aMongSt the FlowerS and plantS oF donaroMa’S nUrSery
beer taSting FlightS, cheeSe and charcUterie boardS, brickoven pizza and live MUSic!
Farmer’s Brewery & TasTing room
270 Upper Main St., edgartown Ma 02539 (508) 939-4415
Mia@badMarthabeer.coM
OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 11 AM-9 PM
TREASURE MAP EDGARTOWN
USE THIS MAP TO COLLECT STICKERS FROM PARTICIPATING STORES AND PLACE THEM ON THE MAP. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VISIT ALL 4 LOCATIONS AND YOU’VE FOUND THE TREASURE!
TAKE A DRIVE
UP-ISLAND
THE RURAL WESTERN END OF THE VINEYARD is known locally as “upIsland.” The expression is a holdover from seafaring days when ships traveling west moved up the scale of longitude. The rolling countryside encompasses the three towns of West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah.
WINDING THROUGH PASTURES
dotted with grazing sheep and alongside ancient stone walls, it is possible to imagine the Vineyard as it was when the Wampanoag Indians hunted for whitetailed deer and colonists farmed the land. Heading toward the dramatic cliffs of Gay Head, shade trees line the roadside. Watch for spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and coastal ponds on South Road.
1. TOWN OF WEST TISBURY
Located at the intersection of the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road and State Road, this town typifies the old New England village. Alley’s General Store, opened in 1858, is the oldest operating store on Martha’s Vineyard. The First Congregational Church, built in 1833 and originally located at the cemetery on State Road, was moved in 1866. Constructed in 1859 and restored in 1997, the post-and-beam barn known as the Grange Hall hosts outdoor markets, festivals, concerts, films and lectures. Across the street is the Field Gallery, home to whimsical lawn sculptures and an indoor gallery with works from various artists.
2.
CHRISTIANTOWN
Indigenous Americans called this place Mackkonnetchasqua, and it was included in the bounds of Christiantown, given by Sachem Josias in 1659. The township was governed by the tribesmen under England’s Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Many of the Wampanoag Indians adopted Christianity through the ministry of Thomas Mayhew Jr., one of the original colonists. Graves here reflect both pagan and Christian beliefs. A tiny chapel, dating from 1828, still
stands. The tribe bought the cemetery back from the county in recent years.
3. FULLING MILL BROOK PRESERVE Between Middle Road and South Road. The easy walk through this MV Land Bank property includes crisscrossing a babbling brook, wandering an open meadow, exploring glacial rocks and enjoying the cool oak canopy on a hot day.
4. MENEMSHA
HILLS
Off North Road. Owned by The Trustees of Reservations, this 211-acre site offers a moderate, three-mile hiking trail and beautiful vistas from several lookout spots. From the top of the sandy bluffs to the rocky north shore below, it’s a beautiful walk.
5. MENEMSHA
A quintessential New England fishing village, Menemsha is also a working harbor; boats dock and unload their catch here. Film buffs may recognize scenes from the movie Jaws, which was filmed here and in other Island locations. In season, cyclists can continue their up-Island journey by taking the bike ferry across to Lobsterville. The public beach, a popular spot during the day, gets even more crowded as people gather to watch the sun set. The fish markets offer carry-out meals to accompany the show. Parking is limited.
6. NASHAQUITSA LOOKOUT
This stop affords a lovely view of Nashaquitsa Pond (known to most as Quitsa Pond) with Menemsha Pond beyond it with the shoreline and small craft spread out below. On a clear day, the Elizabeth
Islands are visible in the distance.
7. BEETLEBUNG CORNER
South, Middle and Menemsha Cross Roads converge to form the heart of Chilmark where the town hall, 1843 church, library and community center are located. Just around the corner on Middle Road is the dance colony known as The Yard. Just before you reach the corner on South road is Beetlebung Farm’s farmstand.
8. GAY HEAD CLIFFS, LIGHTHOUSE & VANDERHOOP HOMESTEAD
Steeped in natural history covering millions of years, the red clay cliffs have yielded fossils of ancient flowers, sharks and camels. Gay Head Lighthouse stands on the cliffs in the town of Aquinnah, where Wampanoag Indians still live. Their heritage is celebrated at the Aquinnah Cultural Center on the Vanderhoop Homestead, located across from the lighthouse. The Aquinnah shops and viewing platform offer lunch, souvenirs and a great view.
9. OLD MILL POND
690 Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, West Tisbury. Geese and swans nibbling breadcrumbs by the pond are notorious for sauntering across the road and forcing cars to stop here. As early as the 1850s, a textile mill was built next to the pond to manufacture a variety of fabrics from local wool.
10. MANUEL F. CORRELLUS STATE FOREST
Centrally located and covering 5,100
acres, this forest is crisscrossed by walking and bike trails that stretch for miles. In 1908, part of the forest was set aside to protect the now-extinct heath hen. In 1916 a fire killed most of these birds on their nests; the last one was seen in 1932.
11. AGRICULTURAL HALL
35 Panhandle Road, West Tisbury. Home to the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, the hall (and adjacent grounds) is the site of the annual Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair in August and other community events throughout the year, including the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market, which runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer.
12. THE POLLY HILL ARBORETUM
809 State Road, West Tisbury. Encompassing 40 acres of woodlands and 20 acres of trees and gardens, the arboretum is the legacy of horticulturist Polly Hill’s experiments with the best plants to grow on-Island. Open from sunrise to sunset. Self-guided and guided tours available.
The Tending Joy Artisan Shop
697 State Rd, West Tisbury
Open Wednesday- Sunday 11-5
RESTAURANTS, SNACKS & CAFÉS
This is a listing of both seasonal and year-round restaurants. Be aware that many restaurants close during the winter and reopen in April and May. Most are fully open by Memorial Day.
AQUINNAH + CHILMARK
Aquila
17 Aquinnah Circle, Aquinnah
Chilmark General Store
7 State Road, Chilmark · 508-645-3739
chilmarkgeneralstore.com
Chilmark Tavern
9 State Road, Chilmark · 508-645-9400
chilmarktavern.com
Cliffhangers
21 Aquinnah Circle, Aquinnah 508-955-9163
The Homeport Restaurant & Oyster Bar
512 North Road, Chilmark 508-645-2679 · thehomeportmv.com
