Martha's Vineyard · Travel guide
Things to Do in Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is best explored as six distinct towns, from the ferry towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs to rural Aquinnah, Chilmark, and West Tisbury. Use this hub as your map to the island's beaches, lighthouses, food, and practical trip plans.
6 neighborhoods · 13 things to do · 2 itineraries
Martha's Vineyard in brief
What should I not miss on Martha's Vineyard?
Do not miss the Aquinnah Cliffs, Oak Bluffs' gingerbread cottages and Flying Horses Carousel, historic Edgartown, the island's beaches and lighthouses, and scenic bike routes.
What to do on Martha's Vineyard for a day?
For one day, choose Edgartown and South Beach, Oak Bluffs and State Beach, or Aquinnah and Menemsha rather than trying to cover the whole island.
What is Martha's Vineyard best known for?
Martha's Vineyard is best known for its beaches, historic towns, lighthouses, colorful Oak Bluffs cottages, harbor communities, and distinctive island landscapes.
Explore by town
Martha's Vineyard's neighborhoods, mapped
Martha's Vineyard's towns each have a different draw: Edgartown for whaling-era architecture and harbor walks, Oak Bluffs for gingerbread cottages and the Flying Horses Carousel, Vineyard Haven for museums and ferry access, and Aquinnah for the colored-clay cliffs. Menemsha brings the working waterfront and sunset, while Chappaquiddick trades town streets for dunes, wildlife, and quiet beaches. Open a town guide to see what fits your day.
Edgartown
Walk whaling-era streets, the harbor, South Beach, and one of the island's easiest lighthouses.
Oak Bluffs
See gingerbread cottages, ride the Flying Horses, and stay out for Circuit Avenue after dark.
Vineyard Haven
Start with the ferry, the museum, harbor views, and a useful year-round town center.
Aquinnah
Make the drive for colored-clay cliffs, Gay Head Lighthouse, and Moshup Beach.
Menemsha
Pair a working harbor walk with seafood and one of Martha's Vineyard's best sunsets.
Chappaquiddick
Take the Chappy ferry for Mytoi, dunes, wildlife, beaches, and Cape Poge.
See & do
The best things to do in Martha's Vineyard
The best things to do on Martha's Vineyard include seeing the Aquinnah Cliffs, walking Edgartown's historic streets, touring Oak Bluffs' Camp Ground, and watching the sun set at Menemsha Beach. Add a lighthouse, a beach such as South Beach or Joseph Sylvia State Beach, and a seafood stop at Larsen's Fish Market for a well-rounded island day. Filter the picks by theme, then open the town guide for details.
Gay Head Cliffs (Aquinnah Cliffs)
In Aquinnah
Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association Camp Ground Gingerbread Cottages
In Oak Bluffs
Flying Horses Carousel
In Oak Bluffs
Edgartown Harbor Light
In Edgartown
Main Street and North Water Street Historic District
In Edgartown
South Beach (Katama)
In Edgartown
Martha’s Vineyard Museum
In Vineyard Haven
Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook
In Aquinnah
Menemsha Beach
In Menemsha
Larsen's Fish Market
In Menemsha
Mytoi Japanese Garden
In Chappaquiddick
Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge
In Chappaquiddick
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
In Edgartown
Highlights across the city; each neighborhood guide has the full list for its area. Ratings link to each place's Google listing; prices are approximate, per person, in USD.
Plan your trip
Martha's Vineyard itineraries, from a weekend to a week
A day on Martha's Vineyard works best when you choose one side of the island, while three days gives you room for Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Aquinnah, and a sunset in Menemsha. A longer stay can add Chappaquiddick, beach time, and the quieter up-island roads through Chilmark and West Tisbury. Start with a ready-made route, then ask Zoya to shape it around ferries, beaches, or food.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Martha's Vineyard
The best base depends on your ferry and your pace: stay in Edgartown for restaurants and historic streets, Oak Bluffs for nightlife and harbor energy, or Vineyard Haven for practical ferry access and a year-round feel. Aquinnah and Menemsha suit a quieter up-island stay, while Chappaquiddick is a choice for privacy and access to open landscapes. Book lodging early, especially in summer.
Popular areas to stay
Tap an area to preview it, then open the full where-to-stay guide.
Know before you go
Martha's Vineyard travel essentials
The essentials are transportation, timing, cost, beaches, food, and lighthouses. The Steamship Authority carries cars from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs, but passenger ferries, VTA buses, bikes, and the down-island trolley can cover many trips without a car. Check seasonal access before planning a beach or lighthouse stop.
When to visit
Summer has the fullest beach and ferry schedules, while shoulder seasons are quieter and more seasonal.
Trip costs
Plan early for lodging, ferries, parking, beach access, and the higher cost of island dining.
Best beaches
Compare surf at South Beach, calm water at State Beach, sunset at Menemsha, and cliffs at Moshup.
Where to eat
Build meals around Menemsha seafood, Edgartown dinners, and Oak Bluffs harbor classics.
Island lighthouses
Edgartown, Aquinnah, Oak Bluffs, and Chappaquiddick each offer a different lighthouse outing.
On screen
Martha's Vineyard on screen
Martha's Vineyard became part of film history through Jaws, the 1975 shark thriller filmed across the island and released under its fictional name of Amity Island. The movie's beaches, bridges, harbors, and small-town streets remain recognizable places to visit.
- Film, 1975
Jaws
Steven Spielberg's film was shot across Martha's Vineyard, including Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Menemsha, and Joseph Sylvia State Beach.
Ready to plan your Martha's Vineyard trip?
Tell Zoya, your personal travel assistant, how you like to travel, and she'll turn any of this into a day-by-day plan that fits your dates.
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