When To Go To Martha’s Vineyard
As any Martha’s Vineyard travel guide will tell you, the best time to visit the island is from May until September, when the Atlantic Ocean ensures temperatures around the low 70s and rarely above 90 degrees. If you’d rather avoid the huge summer crowds, though, visit Martha’s Vineyard in the fall when temperatures stay pleasantly moderate, and the ocean is still warm enough for swimming or surfing.
Hyannis To Martha’s Vineyard Ferry
Operates: May 1 – October 31, 2021
Travel Time: 60 minutes
Price : Adult – $32 | Child – $22| Bicycles – $7
Price : Adult – $62 | Child – $41 | Bicycles – $14
Phone:
Info: Please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to departure to allow for drop-off, parking and ticketing. Book online.
Info: Reserved tickets can be picked up at the ticket office at any time after they are made, but must be picked up from the ticket office no later than 30 minutes prior to departure. Passengers who have not boarded or who are not ticketed and in line 15 minutes prior to departure may have their tickets released to standby passengers. Any reservations not claimed prior to the boats departure time will be considered a No Show. Prior to the day of departure: Reservations are refundable, less a cancellation fee, if cancelled online or with an agent by 5:00 PM. Reservations may be moved to another sailing date at no charge. Day of departure: Reservations are not refundable however, if cancelled prior to departure time, reservation will be moved to open-ended for one year at no charge. No Show Reservations will be moved to open-ended and valid for one year subject to a reuse fee of $5.00 per passenger, per leg.
Schedule notes: Minor Schedule Changes 10/21-25
Hyannis to Martha’s Vineyard 2021
| 11:55 PM |
Nantucket Vs Marthas Vineyard: 7 Key Differences To Know
Pristine beaches, maritime history, and beautiful scenery are all part of an island escape. In New England, two of the most picturesque island destinations await: Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard, both located off the southern coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Both can only be reached by boat or air, and on both islands, peak season begins on Memorial Day weekend and ends on Labor Day weekend. A few shoals and about 30 miles separate the two islands, which were both formed during the Ice Age. While each destination inspires fierce loyalty, there are key differences between them to keep in mind when deciding which to visit.
Nantucket / Telvin Benjamin / Shutterstock
Also Check: Wax Museum Times Square
Am: Pick Up Salt And Smoked Bluefish
On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, theres the West Tisbury Farmers Market , which starts for the season on June 12. It opens at 9 a.m. Theres the I always buy salt from them to bring back to New York. I pick up smoked bluefish from . Its a spread you can put on crackers, and its so good I cant get enough of it. If you like sweet stuff, theres Enchanted Chocolates and Pie Chicks I love their apple-cherry. I also love Milkweed Farm it has great produce. Beetlebung Farm is also there. Thats Amy Schumers husbands family farm.
The Best Of Whats New On Marthas Vineyard This Year
2. What are the top must see sites, or experiences, or activities on Marthas Vineyard, especially for black families?
Oak Bluffs
Start in Oak Bluffs. Thats traditionally been the center of the black experience on the island. Walk down Circuit Avenue, where you can find lots of shops and places to eat.
Take a ride on the historic Flying Horses. Stop by Nancys, where the daughter of former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama worked a summer job a couple of years ago.
The Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs, Marthas Vineyard
Visit the Methodist Campground, where charming gingerbread houses circle a wide green space.
Gingerbread Houses in Oak Bluffs, Marthas Vineyard
Walk, bike or drive over to East Chop, which has incredible views of the Bay. The lighthouse there is a good destination. From there you can see iconic scenery of a Marthas Vineyard summer.
On Sunday, everyone and I do mean everyone attends the service at the Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. The guest ministers change each week and they are phenomenal. Reverend Calvin Butts of Abyssinian Baptist Church has preached there for the past two summers. In the pews youll find candidates running for office. And elected officials like Ayanna Pressley, Massachusetts first black Congresswoman.
Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs, Marthas Vineyard
The Ocean Park Gazebo on Marthas Vineyard. Courtesy Photo.
Former President Obama and daughter Malia biking on Marthas Vineyard
Read Also: How Much Are Tolls From Dc To Nyc
Join Our Virtual Book Club Discussion
Join the Boston.com Book Club Wednesday, July 28 at 6 p.m. for a virtual discussion with Marthas Vineyard Book Festival featured author Deesha Philyaw featured guest Sunny Hostin on her novel, Summer on the Bluffs.
Register to join Hostin and Philyaw on Wednesday, July 28 at 6 p.m.
Buy Summer on the Bluffs from: Bookshop | Bunch of Grapes
Learn more about the Marthas Vineyard Book Festival here.
The Harbor View Hotel
Few Martha’s Vineyard sleeps are as iconic as the Harbor View Hotel, an 1891 institution steps from downtown Edgartown. Visit this summer and youll be among the first to experience its $30 million renovation, which brightened up guest rooms with nautical-inspired mahogany and brass details and blue-and-cream color palettes that complement the stunning water views of the Edgartown lighthouse and nearby Chappaquiddick island. If youre planning an extended stay, consider renting a one-, two-, or three-bedroom cottage, which come with kitchens and laundry rooms. Don’t feel like cooking ? Book a table at one of two new restaurants on property: Bettini is great for an upscale meal while Roxanne Bar offers more casual Asian-, Mediterranean-, and New England-inspired small plates, from mini lobster rolls to Bluefin tuna tartare.
Don’t Miss: Celebrity Wax Museum In New York
The Black Culture Guide To The Best Of Marthas Vineyard
1. How do people get there?
You Can Fly In
When people are pressed for time, or coming out for the weekend after working all week, like my father used to do when we were kids, they fly into the Marthas Vineyard airport . JetBlue and Cape Air fly direct from Boston and New York. American also has some flights into the island. If you fly in, be sure to book a rental car, because while theres bus and taxi service on the island, that can be a slow and somewhat unpredictable way to get around.
You can take the ferry
As glamorous as it may sound, though, flying to the island is not nearly as authentic and socially entertaining as taking the ferry. There are a number of fast ferries and private commercial ferries available from New Bedford and Cape Cod.
But most folks take the Massachusetts Steamship Authority ferry. Its the iconic way to travel to Marthas Vineyard, and it doesnt matter much whether you take one to Oak Bluffs or to Vineyard Haven.
Where To Stay In Marthas Vineyard
Staying at the Best Beach Hotels at the Summer Colony
Do you want to know about where to stay in Marthas Vineyard? Our mission, in this post, is to address and answer this question.
The large tides are tumbling into the beach as you bathe in the suns rays. The nearby lighthouse continues to stand tall, withstanding historys events and becoming a tourist spot for all those who want to see the harbor at a panoramic view. The 19th century Gothic houses of the past Methodist confuses you as they are painted in bright and colorful hues. The herds of fluffy alpacas and thriving wildlife pull you closer to nature at the islands reserves.
Oh, and the bridge from the first Jaws movie inclines you to go over the ledge and jump into the water. Marthas Vineyards many beautiful beaches, historic lighthouses, animal reserves, and venues from famous movies are open to cater your luxurious traveling needs. Hence, knowing where to stay in Marthas Vineyards best beachside hotels are a must and is exactly what this article is here to do for you. The good news is you dont have to worry about costs as all these accommodations are affordable and light to ones pocket!
You May Like: How To Register A Car In New York
Ob Plans Veteran Housing Projectyour Browser Indicates If You’ve Visited This Link
Affordable housing for military veterans may be coming to Oak Bluffs. At an August 10 meeting, chair of the Oak Bluffs affordable housing committee Mark Leonard informed the select board the Island’s veteran outreach group had contacted fellow committee member Jim Bishop about a veterans’ affordable housing project.
The Martha’s Vineyard Times
Why Democrats Love Marthas Vineyard
Think of all the vacation destinations President Obama might have considered. The Outer Banks in the important new swing state, North Carolina, for example, or the lovely eastern shore of Lake Michigan, in a state that could use some positive attention. Instead, the president and his family are headed to , the exclusive haven of the Eastern liberal elite that conservatives tar as an exclusive haven of the Eastern liberal elite.
At a fundraiser on the island two years ago Mr. Obama called it one of those magical places where people of all different walks of life come together where they take each other at face value. Do they?
What makes the island so superior to every place else in America that Democratic presidents are willing to brave the elitist label by seeking succor there, as Todd S. Purdum says below.
- John Harris, editor in chief, Politico
Republicans Once Slept Here
is the editor of the Vineyard Gazette, a 163-year-old weekly newspaper. She lives in West Tisbury.
So why pick Marthas Vineyard? Barack Obama said it best himself, when he was on the island two summers ago. He called it a place where I can wander around in shorts and not shave in the morning and no one talks about it.
He got it right.
But it has not always been a bastion of Democrats.
The president may be able to get some real down time on the Vineyard. Especially because in Chilmark, where he will stay, his Blackberry probably wont work without a boost from the Army signal corps.
Read Also: The Wax Museum Nyc
Pm: Go Clamming For Dinner
Theres also a beach there called Lobsterville , where you can go clamming. But theres a catch: There are a lot of regulations around who can clam. They dont want just anyone there affecting the ecosystem you have to have a license, and they dont give out many a year. If youre renting a house in Aquinnah for a long time, you can go to the city office and get one for $50. But there are also services you can hire to take you fishing, like Black Dog Tall Ships or Book-A-Boat, who can take you. You just stand there and move the sand below you with your feet and try to find the hard clam. Once you feel it, you dig it up with your feet and pick it up. We took ours back to our friends house that they were renting in Aquinnah, and we cooked and ate them. Sea to table.
What To Eat And Drink
Readers try to eat all of the lobster they can while theyre on Marthas Vineyard, from bisques to rolls. As Menemsha is known to be a quaint fishing village, its no surprise that people are finding the best buttery and delicious lobster at the Menemsha Fish Market. If you cant make it to the market for seafood this summer, dont worry, the family-owned and operated business will ship live seafood, soups, smoked fish, souvenirs, and more to any U.S. location.
Larsens Fish Market also came highly recommended from a Boston.com reader. The market was founded in 1969 by an offshore fisherman to help support the local fishing community by offering fair prices to both the fishermen and the customers.
For anyone with a sweet tooth, look no further than Back Door Donuts in Oak Bluffs. If youre craving dessert to tie over dinner, Back Door Donuts is open until midnight during the week and 1 a.m. on the weekends.
Looking for a caffeine fix for your morning walk? Head to Mocha Motts in Oak Bluffs or its second location in Vineyard Haven for organic, fair trade coffee and espresso drinks, homemade baked goods, and Cape Cod bagels. One reader recommended stopping by Ocean Park to sip your coffee and people-watch.
Read Also: Registering A Car In Nys
Pm: Eat At Dapper Dans Favorite Diner
On Fridays at 3 p.m., Grace Church in Vineyard Haven sells the best lobster rolls. Theyre big and succulent, and theres no filling no celery and shit. Just a little bit of mayo and seasoning.
We also like to go to Edgartown Diner , which is Black owned. Its really divey with great diner food. Dapper Dan goes there with his wife.
How To Find A Perfect Rental On Marthas Vineyard 2019
6. If youre renting a home, what part of the island is core to the experience of black families on Marthas Vineyard?
Oak Bluffs is the beating heart of the black experience on Marthas Vineyard, so if you want to be right in the middle of everything, thats where you should rent.
Lawrence Otis Graham shares tips on how to experience Black culture on the island: Homes in the East Chop section of Oak Bluffs, Marthas Vineyard.
More and more, though, people have started spreading out renting in Vineyard Haven, Sengekontacket Pond, even Edgartown. If you want real seclusion, you can consider Up Island. When the Obamas are on island, they stay in Chilmark, where they can be far away from prying eyes.
You can divide Marthas Vineyard into up-island and down-island . If youre one of the many African-American families vacationing on Marthas Vineyard and looking for lots of social activity, you want to be down-island.
7. What are 2-3 places youd suggest as good inns or hotels to stay?
The Summercamp Hotel is right in the middle of everything in Oak Bluffs. It changed ownership a couple of summers ago, and it gets good reviews.
Lawrence Otis Graham shares tips on how to experience Black culture on the island: Summercamp Hotel in Oak Bluffs, Marthas Vineyard.
In Vineyard Haven, we have friends who swear by the Mansion House.
Lawrence Otis Graham shares tips on how to experience Black culture on the island: The Kelley House, Edgartown, Marthas Vineyard.
You May Like: Can I Ship Wine To New York
I Getting To Marthas Vineyard Via Ferry
The trip to Marthas Vineyard can either be through boat or plane. So if you easily get seasick or you have a deathly paranoia of heights, Ive got bad news for you you gotta swim 4 miles to get to this island. But before it comes to that, you might want to double check the ferries prices and speed in getting you to the island because you might just find something that will either be a quick or cheap ride.
What Marthas Vineyard Ferry Options are Available?
There are 9 ferry ports from 7 ferry companies that can take you to Marthas Vineyard. To name a few, the celebrities that visit Marthas Vineyard are Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Larry David, and even the royal Princess Diana and Barack Obama which we can all agree is royalty in our hearts . The ferry companies that can take you across the sea and into this island are Steamship Authority, Island Queen, Hy-Line Cruises, Seastreak, Vineyard Fast Ferry, and Falmouth-Edgardtown Ferry.
Let us now move on and take a closer look at your ferry options:
1. Steamship Authority
If you want to take your bike or car with you through the ferry, and you like the prices, then you can immediately call to make reservations at 508-477-8600. If you have any inquiries or if you want to know more about their company, you can check them out at www.steamshipauthority.com. I have personally used this location a few times, and it was great! No problem with loading my vehicle on, either.
Is Marthas Vineyard Nice
Between the stunning scenery and laid-back atmosphere, its easy to see why Marthas Vineyard continues to be one of the best vacation spots in the United States. And while the popularity of Marthas Vineyard has grown over the last few decades, it remains a relaxing escape for residents, tourists, and celebrities.
You May Like: Tolls From Virginia Beach To New York
Am: Pick Up Some Jumbo Shrimp
By the third day, we have to get groceries because its more affordable and we like grilling at the house. So well go to our favorite local fish market, the Net Result , which is in Vineyard Haven and near Stop and Shop . Well buy jumbo shrimp there and salmon and soft-shell crab. Its really great because the fish is so fresh, and everyone is so nice. You can also eat there theyll fry or steam any fish you ask for, and they have sushi as well. People will eat outside on the picnic benches. Its a place a lot of people go to, so we usually run into people we know.
Then we head back home, pack up the car, and go to the beach. We sit on the beach every day during the day the only difference is what beach were going to. Sometimes well go to South Beach in Edgartown. People like going there because the waves tend to be bigger and more aggressive. We dont usually go because we have children, so its not as fun.