Martha's Vineyard Travel Resources
Mild summers and ample beaches have helped Martha's Vineyard grow to become a popular vacation spot and home to many summer-only residents.
In addition to beaches and great golf, the island is known for its elaborate social events that are held mainly in residents' homes.
For those who are visiting for a short vacation, the Vineyard offers up plenty of non-resident events and activities as well,
including the Annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby; a chili festival; road races; farmer's markets; agricultural fairs;
two annual film festivals; and the Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament, which is covered on ESPN. The list continues,
as each of the island's five towns hosts multiple events each year. The Fourth of July is one of Martha's Vineyard's
most-celebrated events, with multiple fireworks displays each summer.
If your summer style is relaxation, then
Martha's Vineyard has plenty to offer. Stop at one of the well-known beaches, including South Beach and Lambert's Cove.
At night, check out the Grand Illumination, a historical event where beautiful Vineyard homes are adorned with Japanese lanterns.
You'll also want to bring the kids to ride the Flying Horses Carousel, which is the oldest operational carousel in the country.
And, of course, sample some of the wine made from Martha's Vineyard's local grapes.
Just a seven mile ferry ride from Cape Cod,
Martha's Vineyard is an easily accessible vacation spot. Check out the tourist attractions, enjoy the beautiful beach views, and
relax on your Northeastern island getaway.
Things to do in Martha's Vineyard
Spotlight
Polished Day Spa
15 Main Street Vineyard Haven, Ma 02568
Polished is located downtown Vineyard Haven on Martha’s Vineyard. The Spa offers natural nail care, manicures, pedicures, body treatments and massage. Many of our products are organic and are from all over the world. Our scrubs are made from the finest fruits and vegetables such as Mediterranean Pomegranates, and Hawaiian Coconuts while our bath salts are from the Dead Sea and Pacific Ocean. Please enjoy the aroma of our essential oils, as you slip away in to a dream state of bliss. V...
read morePolished is located downtown Vineyard Haven on Martha’s Vineyard. The Spa offers natural nail care, manicures, pedicures, body treatments and massage. Many of our products are organic and are from all over the world. Our scrubs are made from the finest fruits and vegetables such as Mediterranean Pomegranates, and Hawaiian Coconuts while our bath salts are from the Dead Sea and Pacific Ocean. Please enjoy the aroma of our essential oils, as you slip away in to a dream state of bliss. Visit Polished the next time you are on island! We also offer online booking www.polishedmv.com/book.html and gift certificates www.polishedmv.com/gifts.html
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Spotlight
Martha’s Vineyard Museum
59 School St. Edgartown, MA, 02539
The Martha's Vineyard Museum is dedicated to furthering an interest in, experience of, and appreciation for the history and culture of the Island. Three changing exhibitions accompany the 18th century Cooke family home, 1854 original Fresnel lens from the Gay Head Lighthouse, a carriage shed of vehicles and vessels, replica tryworks, research library, Wampanoag gallery, and interactive kids’ space. Located just two blocks south of Main St. in historic Edgartown, the Museum is open year round,...
read moreThe Martha's Vineyard Museum is dedicated to furthering an interest in, experience of, and appreciation for the history and culture of the Island. Three changing exhibitions accompany the 18th century Cooke family home, 1854 original Fresnel lens from the Gay Head Lighthouse, a carriage shed of vehicles and vessels, replica tryworks, research library, Wampanoag gallery, and interactive kids’ space. Located just two blocks south of Main St. in historic Edgartown, the Museum is open year round, Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for children ages 6-15, and free for children under 6. Public transportation is less than a five-minute walk. Parking is available in a small lot off School St.
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Edgartown Lighthouse
121 North Water St., Edgartown, MA 02539
Major renovations completed in 2007, including installation of a staircase to the lantern room, allowed the Martha’s Vineyard Museum to open the interior of the Edgartown Light to visitors. The lighthouse is open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day on weekends. From mid June to Labor Day, it is open daily. Visit the MV Museum’s website for specific hours. Admission is $5 for adults, and free for children. An adult must accompany any child if they wish to climb to the top. Picnickers are welcom...
read moreMajor renovations completed in 2007, including installation of a staircase to the lantern room, allowed the Martha’s Vineyard Museum to open the interior of the Edgartown Light to visitors. The lighthouse is open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day on weekends. From mid June to Labor Day, it is open daily. Visit the MV Museum’s website for specific hours. Admission is $5 for adults, and free for children. An adult must accompany any child if they wish to climb to the top. Picnickers are welcome. Parking is available, but limited, on North Water Street. The Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) busses drop off on Church Street in Edgartown. It is a 10-15 minute walk to the lighthouse from this location. The lighthouse is also available for private rentals. It is closed in inclement weather.
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Gay Head Lighthouse
9 Aquinnah Circle, Aquinnah, MA 02535
The Gay Head Lighthouse towers over the famous Gay Head cliffs in Aquinnah. Cared for by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, the lighthouse is open seasonally to the public. The lighthouse is open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day on weekends. From mid June to Labor Day, it is open daily. Visit the MV Museum’s website for specific hours. Admission is $5 for adults, and free for children. An adult must accompany any child if they wish to climb to the top. Picnickers are welcome. Parking is availabl...
read moreThe Gay Head Lighthouse towers over the famous Gay Head cliffs in Aquinnah. Cared for by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, the lighthouse is open seasonally to the public. The lighthouse is open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day on weekends. From mid June to Labor Day, it is open daily. Visit the MV Museum’s website for specific hours. Admission is $5 for adults, and free for children. An adult must accompany any child if they wish to climb to the top. Picnickers are welcome. Parking is available, but limited around the circle. The Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) busses drop off around the circle. The lighthouse is also available for private rentals. It is closed in inclement weather.
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East Chop Lighthouse
229 East Chop Dr., Oak Bluffs, MA 02568
The East Chop Lighthouse marks one end of the entrance to Vineyard Sound. Cared for by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, it is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day on Sunday evenings around sunset. Check the MV Museum’s website for specific hours. Admission is $5 for adults, and free for children. An adult must accompany any child if they wish to climb to the top. Picnickers are welcome. Parking is available, but limited, on East Chop Drive. The Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) busses will stop a...
read moreThe East Chop Lighthouse marks one end of the entrance to Vineyard Sound. Cared for by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, it is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day on Sunday evenings around sunset. Check the MV Museum’s website for specific hours. Admission is $5 for adults, and free for children. An adult must accompany any child if they wish to climb to the top. Picnickers are welcome. Parking is available, but limited, on East Chop Drive. The Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) busses will stop at the intersection of East Chop Drive and New York Avenue, but you must walk up the hill to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is also available for private rentals. It is closed in inclement weather.
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Spotlight
The Yard
PO Box 405, 1 Middle Rd. The Yard, Chilmark, MA 02535
The Yard is a contemporary artist residency, dance and performance center dedicated to choreography and the performing arts. The Company Residency and Bessie Schönberg Individual Choreographers' Residency are the artistic center of The Yard's programming. These 4-week residencies provide artists with housing, work space, stipends, technical and administrative support, artistic mentoring, concert performances of new work and the time and freedom to explore their craft without interruption or o...
read moreThe Yard is a contemporary artist residency, dance and performance center dedicated to choreography and the performing arts. The Company Residency and Bessie Schönberg Individual Choreographers' Residency are the artistic center of The Yard's programming. These 4-week residencies provide artists with housing, work space, stipends, technical and administrative support, artistic mentoring, concert performances of new work and the time and freedom to explore their craft without interruption or outside obligation. The Yard offers community dance classes held during the summer season from June to September Monday thru Friday from 9am - 10:30am. Classes are held in The Yard's open-air barn studio and are taught by The Yard's professionally trained staff as well as visiting guest artists. Our children’s program, Flytime at The Yard: Kids Make Dance, are weeklong choreographic workshops that challenge children through fun, active dance classes building skill and technique.
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Spotlight
The 2012 Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Festival
Oak Bluffs Martha’s Vineyard
The Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Festival “All things Jazz” presents the diversity of jazz in a variety of formal and informal venues, to include live musical performances, art exhibits, book readings and signings, film presentations, and master classes, all while you vacation on the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard. The festival is a fun and engaging experience that presents jazz in a variety of diverse and unique formats. When Jazz goes on vacation it goes to Martha’s Vineyard, the of...
read moreThe Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Festival “All things Jazz” presents the diversity of jazz in a variety of formal and informal venues, to include live musical performances, art exhibits, book readings and signings, film presentations, and master classes, all while you vacation on the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard. The festival is a fun and engaging experience that presents jazz in a variety of diverse and unique formats. When Jazz goes on vacation it goes to Martha’s Vineyard, the official vacation destination of jazz.
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