I had the pleasure of revisiting Martha’s Vineyard this summer after 25 years. This island is just so lovely! Martha’s Vineyard is located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts and if you’ve never been, please put it on your list. The weather, the people and the food make it the perfect place for a summer vacation with family, friends or in my case, a girls getaway. Once you get there, here are my picks for the top 10 things to do on Martha’s Vineyard:
1) Eat Seafood. It is fresh, it is affordable and it is everywhere! I’d been craving a lobster roll all summer and this was the perfect place to have it. I had the pleasure of enjoying some decadent New England clam chowder, lobster bisque and the best fried fish sandwich of my life. This category deserves its own post, but for now I will let you in on some of our repeat offenders on the island. You won’t regret paying a visit to these three restaurants: Lookout Tavern, Linda Jean’s Restaurant and The Net Result.
2) Watch the sunset on Menemsha beach. Beyond beautiful! This is a tradition on the island, both tourists and locals alike flock to this particular beach to watch the sunset. The colors setting on the ocean are brilliant. Bring your own food and beverages or order from restaurants along the waterfront, including fresh lobsters from Larsen’s fish market. I also observed a rather large clam bake on the beach. Fun! Be sure to stay until the sun fully fades away and you will be treated to delightful applause!
3) Visit the town of Oak Bluffs. Oak Bluffs is a bustling area known for its quaint and colorful gingerbread cottages and its shops along Circuit Avenue. You can also take a ride on the Flying Horses carousel, which is an US national landmark and the oldest platform carousel in the country. Afterward, you can then relax on the town beach, also known as Inkwell Beach. Lying on this beach you’ll see beautiful views of the ocean on one side and the gingerbread cottages on the other.
4) Bike ride around the island. What a great way to take in the amazing views all around you! Being on a bike you’ll be able access areas cars cannot, and it’s a great way to get exercise while on vacation. There are trails everywhere and you can ride inland or along the ocean or bay. You will notice many bike rental shops and bikers everywhere.
5) Visiting Edgartown. I’d describe this town as chic, clean, polished, crisp and sophisticated! As soon as you enter this area you can tell the difference compared to the more relaxed, almost rural look of the rest of the island. Be sure to take the stroll down to the Edgartown lighthouse! This is mentioned in another topic on this list of the top 10 things to do.
6) Eat lobster on the beach. Have you ever done this? After seeing many people do so all week on the island we couldn’t leave without doing the same. On our last day we ordered lobsters from Edgartown seafood and drove out to South beach to relax and indulge in this island tradition. I highly recommend it!
7) Visit South Beach. Yes, they have a South Beach too! Here you’ll find a wide beach with soft sand that is perfect for pleasurable long walks; the other two beaches we visited, Menemsha and Inkwell, had too many shells. There are uninterrupted ocean views and it is less crowded than the town beach of Inkwell.
8) Explore the Lighthouses. I have always loved lighthouses and they are all over Martha’s Vineyard! Most are very accessible and the fee to enter is a simple $5. The water views from the Edgartown lighthouse and the Gay Head lighthouse are breathtaking and relaxing.
9) Visit the town of Aquinnah. This is the home of the Gay Head cliffs and lighthouse. Well worth the drive no matter where you are staying on the island. It is also home to the Wampanoag tribe. There is a monument and tribal home that contains artifacts and information on their history.
10) Party at Lola’s restaurant. Lola’s is located in Oak Bluffs and while we were on the island just about every organization had an event there! This included happy hours, receptions, and an all white party that we attended. It’s a restaurant on one side with a club atmosphere on the other. It also boasts a beautiful large outdoor patio and lawn area.
As you can tell my friends and I had an amazing girls getaway on Martha’s Vineyard! If you are visiting for the first time or returning, I hope this list of the top 10 things to do on Martha’s Vineyard will help you make the most of your vacation on this lovely island.
