You could spend weeks on the Island and not explore all of the different activities that it
offers. Naturally, we suspect that many of you will find your own way and discover
things that we've never even heard of - but if you need a boost, here are some great
options:
1) Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
Every September the island welcomes the bluefish and stripers back to the Cape with
a month long fishing derby. Whether you want to test your surf casting or borrow one
of the boats around the island to test something deeper, the fishing of MV in
September is world class. And you may as well register in the Derby ... 'cause you
never know ....
www.mvderby.com
2) Charter fishing
For those interested in going deep sea fishing, or just need a guide around the island,
the following can help steer you in the right direction:
Charter Fishing Links
3) Kayaking
If open ocean kayaking is your thing, there are a couple of great outfits in Oak Bluffs
and Vineyard Haven where you can rent a kayak for a day and surf the waves.
Otherwise, there are some great ponds, harbors and marsh systems throughout the
island that you can explore, as well. Winds Up Rentals also rents sailboats for those
of you that know your way around a sunfish!
Winds Up Rentals
4) Nantucket Sound Cruises
If you'd rather let somebody else work the sails and the rudder, consider either the
Mad Max (from Edgartown) or the Alabama or Shenandoah sailing boats out of
Vineyard Haven. The Alabama and Shenandoah are owned by the owners of the
Black Dog franchise and are spectacular wooden sailing vessels from another era,
while the Mad Max is a sleek, modern catamaran.
Mad Max Sailing
Alabama and Shenandoah
5) Farm Neck Golf Course
The fees are a little pricey (~$150 per 18), but the course is spectacular and
challenging (and, besides, this was President Clinton's course of choice while he
vacationed on MV during his stint in the White House!) The golf course is located on
the inland side of Sengonkontacket Pond, near Oak Bluffs. They don't have a website,
but you can make reservations 3 days in advance by calling
Farm Neck Golf Club
1 Farm Neck Way
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
(508) 693-3560
6) Biking
The island has an extensive bike trail system that can take you between the beaches
and the towns sometimes more efficiently than by car! While not Nantucket, the
Vineyard does pride itself in offering plenty of biking options to visitors
Biking Links
NOTE: Please do NOT rent the mopeds on the island. As fun as it may seem, the
traffic, streets, and crowds are not set up very well for mopeds and there are
countless accidents in the summer seasons - many of which are extremely
serious. We'd prefer if none of you were to end up in a hospital and miss our
celebrations! There's plenty of else to do on the island - leave the mopeds for
another vacation.
7) Beaches!
Oh yes, the island has beaches. LOTS of them. State Beach up by Oak Bluffs is by far
the most famous (many of the scenes from Jaws were filmed on it's white sands) but
South Beach (Katama) in Edgartown, Lake Tashmoo Beach in Vineyard Haven, East
Beach on Chappaquiddick, and Gay Head (Moshup) Beach in Aquinnah are equally
spectacular. The following link has a great map and information on all of the beaches.
Beaches Map
8) Spa
After a long day at the beach (the torture!) you can curl up for a invigorating spa
treatment at one of the best spas in Massachusetts, the Mansion House spa in
Vineyard Haven. It was voted "Best of Boston: Day Spa" for 2005
Mansion House Spa
9) Outerland
Carol's still upset that they changed the name of this iconic club from the Hot Tin Roof,
so don't be surprised if she starts talking about the acts she's seen at "The Roof". The
music is still good, though, and worth the trip out to the airport. Past performers have
included Bonnie Raitt, Blues Traveller, Bo Didley, Ben Harper, 10,000 Maniacs ...
Outerland
10) Art and Photography Galleries
You can't come to the Vineyard and not poke your head in a couple of art galleries.
While the towns are literally strewn with wonderful options, we had to toss a couple of
kudos to some of our friends that have put out their own signs.
Louisa Gould Gallery
Dragonfly Gallery
Heather Blume Studios
The Old Sculpin Gallery
11) Lighthouses
Obviously Carol and I are partial to the Edgartown lighthouse, but the Island has the
largest concentration of lighthouses in the US (five in all). You can almost feel the
presence of the old whaling ships when looking out past these icons.
Lighthouse directory
12) Cliffs of Gay Head
The multi-colored cliffs of Gay Head (out in Aquinnah) are a spectacular escape from
the hustle of the tourist towns. The shops out at the cliffs are all owned and operated
by the Wampanoag tribe, the original settlers to the island. If you plan on visiting,
though, realize that the trip up-island can take 40+ minutes. You may want to pack in a
trip to Menemsha Harbor, as well, and make a half-day excursion out of it!
13) Polly Hill Arboretum
This botanical treasure has an extraordinary display of the flowers and plants that can
grow on Martha's Vineyard. Located in West Tisbury, this is a great spot to let loose
your inner horticulturist!
Polly Hill Arboretum
14) Hiking
The Vineyard is fortunate to have two wonderfully maintained refuges for those
wishing to escape off the beaten path for a moment or two. The Trustees of the
Reservations oversee the Long Point and the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuges on the
island, located in West Tisbury and Chappaquiddick, respectively.
Long Point Wildlife Refuge
Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge
15) Morning Glory Farm Stand
A favorite of ours, this farm stand has been owned and operated by the same family
for years, growing much of their produce on their own farms on the island. The
vegetables are fresh, the meat is tender, and the baked goods are sinfully good. Stop
by on a weekend morning and grab a muffin and a coffee before starting out on your
day.
Morning Glory Farm
Address: West Tisbury Rd., Edgartown, MA, USA
Phone: 508/627-9003
16) Clamming
Honestly, I have no clue as to how you would go about clamming on the Island, but
there are countless locals who wade into the ponds and come back with the mussels
for dinner. And, frankly, it just looks like fun! If you're interested, contact one of the bait
and tackle shops listed in the link below and I'm sure that they can steer you in the
right direction. Of course, finding yourself a little seafood shanty that's already done
the hard work and has the little buggers in a nice basket, waiting for you ... that's an
option, too ....
Bait & Tackle Shops
17) Flying Horses Carousel
The carousel in downtown Oak Bluffs is the oldest of its kind in the United States. A
great spot to take the kids and have them play on the horses.
18) Oak Bluffs Gingerbread Houses
After the kids are done with the carousel, stroll over to the old Methodist retreat that
has been converted into hundreds of gaily painted Victorian homes. Resembling the
gumdrop and candied Gingerbread Houses of youth, the splash of color in the middle
of Oak Bluffs is unique and fairy-esque. The houses are not big, and are packed
together on small foundations that used to be the campsite for a large Methodist
retreat on the Island. The tabernacle and meeting area is still used for large
gatherings, arts & crafts shows, and lectures.
19) Horseback Riding
There are two stables on the Island that cater to families. Arrowhead Farms is located
outside of West Tisbury while Red Pony Stables is in Vineyard Haven.