Martha’s Vineyard
About the Martha’s Vineyard
A picturesque island paradise, just 7 miles off the coast of Massachusetts but a world away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. A longtime New England summer colony, it encompasses harbor towns and lighthouses, sandy beaches, and farmland.
It’s accessible only by boat or air. Vineyard Haven, on the eastern end, is a ferry port and the island’s commercial center. Oak Bluffs has Carpenter Gothic cottages and an iconic carousel. With a population close to 15,000, the island is known primarily for its natural beauty. Windswept beaches, seaside cliffs, open marshlands
Vineyard Haven
Filled with charm and plenty of friendly locals, Vineyard Haven blends art, culture, music, shopping, food, and inspiration. Visit Vineyard Haven hosts fun activities and events all year long. From showcasing local artisans and musicians at the First Friday events June-October to Halloween and Christmas activities for all ages in the fall and winter; there’s always something to do in Vineyard Haven.
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| POPULATION | 2,747 |
|---|---|
| POINTS OF INTREST | Vineyard Haven |
Oak Bluffs
OB is feisty. She’s a little bit Country, a little bit Rock-n-Roll, and a whole lotta Soul. This town has great beaches (State Beach, East Chop Beach), great hikes (Farm Pond, The Southern Woodlands) and great people watching (Nancy’s deck, Back Door Donuts on Post Office Square). Mingle with the locals at the Ritz and have a great time!
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| POPULATION | 5,341 |
|---|---|
| BEACHES | Eastville Beach Oak Bluffs Town Beach Hart Haven Beach Joseph Sylvia State Beach State Beach |
| POINTS OF INTREST | Oak Bluffs |
Edgartown
Edgartown carries her preppy handbook wherever she goes. Except when she bikes over to Chappy for the day. Edgartown is one incredible photo opportunity after another (the Whaling Church, Edgartown Lighthouse). Dress to impress and enjoy the views!
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| POPULATION | 5,168 |
|---|---|
| BEACHES | Katama Bay South Beach |
| POINTS OF INTREST | Edgartown |
West Tisbury
West Tisbury is the quintessential hippie chick. Always one for engaging in some healthy banter while soaking in the sun on Lambert’s Cove Beach. The Farmer’s Market, the Craft shows, the Field Gallery… they all engage the senses on every level and restore a little peace to our World. Let your Zen flag fly and chill out!
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| POPULATION | 3,555 |
|---|---|
| BEACHES | Cedar Tree Neck Lambert’s Cove Long Point |
| POINTS OF INTREST | West Tisbury |
Chilmark
Don’t underestimate Chilmark, she’s more than the bookish introvert that she appears. Chilmark is where the cool kids hang out to be seen (steps of the Chilmark Store, naked on Lucy Vincent beach, oohing over the sunset at Menemsha). Always the go to spot for a lecture by a local notable or a cutting-edge film, Chilmark is worth the drive up-Island.
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| POPULATION | 1,212 |
|---|---|
| BEACHES | Long Beach |
| POINTS OF INTREST | Chilmark |
Aquinnah
Who is Aquinnah? Tough to say. Part old school Vineyard, part holdover revolutionary. Aquinnah is the Island’s unapologetic wild child. She hears her own drummer, and follows it along Philbin Beach all the way up the cliffs to the Gay Head Lighthouse. The deep history of the Island is tangible in Aquinnah, just as Moshup intended.
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| POPULATION | 439 |
|---|---|
| BEACHES | Moshup's Beach |
| POINTS OF INTREST | Aquinnah |
Island Overview
Martha’s Vineyard, an island of glacial origin, is located off the coast of Massachusetts. The island is 20 miles long and 2-10 miles wide.
Its coastline is characterized by numerous inlets and ponds sealed by sand spits by the sea.
The year round population is 15,000 and in the summer the population swells to 200,000.
The earliest settlers came in 1602. The first people of Martha’s Vineyard were Indians of the Wampanog tribe and the Wampanogs still make up a large part of the Town of Aquinnah. In fact, the Wampanogs were the tribe that had the first Thanksgiving with the new settlers from England.
Facts & Figures
In spite of the name, there are actually no vineyards on Martha’s Vineyard. Bartholomew Gosnold, who was one of the first settlers on the Island, named the Island after his daughter Martha, and the vine-like growth found along the coast.
Martha’s Vineyard is home to the Oldest Flying Horse Carousel, an American relic of late 19th-century entertainment. After eight years of service in Coney Island, New York, the Flying Horses Carousel was relocated to the town of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard in 1884, where it remains in operation as one of the only two surviving carousels from that time period.
Visitors
Make a point to visit the famous gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs, there are actually 330 of them. In the summer1835 a group of Islanders started a revival meeting that lasted a week. The event was so invigorating to the spirit that they returned the next year and many years after that.
Eventually, these worshippers built elaborately decorated homes where their tents once stood, These became summer cottages in the Victorian “gingerbread” style.
Martha’s Vineyard feels tucked away, a secret getaway, and nature’s lovers’ paradise. It’s a favorite vacation retreat for many well-known – and not so well -tourists.
