Martha's Vineyard Overview

Martha’s Vineyard has always been a haven--to Native Americans, to seafarers, and now to guests seeking refuge from a chaotic world who flock to the island's quaint towns, its long strands of beaches, and its pastoral scenery.

Districts

The island of Martha’s Vineyard, 20 miles long and nine miles wide at its greatest width, is bounded by Vineyard Sound, Nantucket Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean. Only five miles off Cape Cod, this very special triangular-shaped island is noted for its varied geological landscape, the individual character of its towns and residents, and its noted visitors, some of whom, charmed by the ambiance, settled permanently.

In the west there are high rolling moors and in the north, a ridge with many boulders, shaped by the melting glacier responsible for the island’s formation some 18,000 years ago. In the middle there are forests and out-wash plains. On the south shore, finger-like ponds push inland. There are four fine harbors on the sides facing Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds. Though the interior remains stable, the shoreline, which has extensive bird and marine life, is being changed gradually by action of the sea, just as it has been throughout the past centuries.

The most enduring factor that has shaped the character of the island has been the sea and the beaches. At first the sea was the highway for trade, commerce and sustenance. It was the primary way early residents earned a living as well as the way they communicated with the outside world. In recent years it has been their source of income as visitors came increasingly to this developing resort area for rest, recreation and renewal. Some of the famous include veteran newsman Walter Cronkite; journalist Mike Wallace; and, of course, the president of the United States, Bill Clinton and family.

Entertainment

From golf to sailing, from art galleries to antique shops, from bicycling to fishing, from bird watching to kayaking, from horseback riding to tennis, from concerts to theater, from regattas to clambakes—all are available. In addition, there are walks in conservation areas, museums and libraries in which to browse, and lectures and programs to attend. Beyond galleries and antique shops, the Vineyard offers plenty of enticing shopping venues, particularly in the towns of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown. The island shopping experience veers toward the unique, artistic and eclectic, a far cry from the usual mall experience.

The real draw of the Vineyard is outside –- the beaches, the salt marshes, the harbors filled with yachts. That said, during the height of the summer season, a lively enough vibe does envelope certain sectors of the Island, Oak Bluffs most notably. After all, even the most devoted beachcomber or sailor likes to top off their day of outdoorsy pursuits with a lovely nightcap overlooking the harbor.

Special summertime events include the annual fundraising auction for Community Services, conducted for years by humorist Art Buchwald; the Oak Bluffs Portuguese Festival; Illumination Night at Oaks Bluffs; and the Agricultural Society Fair and Livestock Show in West Tisbury. And this is only the "tip of the iceberg!" Between fun in the sun during the days, lovely evenings of dining by the harbors, and nights on the town with music and dance, a stay on the Vineyard is sure to be entertaining.

Dining and Drinking

The Vineyard has some 60 restaurants, from elegant to family, light lunches to take out. The elegant establishments, particularly in Edgartown, prefer to have men in jackets and women in dressy pantsuits or dresses. Some require reservations and take payment only by credit card. About 20 eateries offer family fare and welcome children. Some have take-out and will even pack you a lunch for a day of biking or beaching. Always fish is a specialty, though other fare can be ordered.

Many restaurants on the mainland do not allow smoking, but on Martha's Vineyard the rules seem more relaxed. Some restaurants allow smoking in the bar but not in the dining rooms. A few do not allow smoking at all. Most have handicapped access. Also some towns are dry, so no liquor is served, but you can bring your own bottle. In these cases, it is best to inquire in advance. Finally, many restaurants close in the off-season.

Where To Stay

There is a wide variety of places to stay in the Vineyard—from simple to elegant, from bed and breakfasts to historic inns. The more adventurous can stay at campgrounds or hostels. Apartments and cottages can also be rented.

Homes of sea captains and masters of whaling ships abound. Built with money earned on voyages of sometimes three and four years, they are examples of the successes of these efforts. It is said that there are seven types of island homes, from the early Cape-style of the Vincent house to the Federal and Greek Revival-styles in Edgartown. Later Victorian-style cottages of Oak Bluffs and still later shingled-style houses at East Chop and West Chop, and even the practical fishing shacks, portray different manners of living.

Martha's Vineyard by the Numbers

Elevation: 669 ft
Time Zone: GMT -5
Area Code: 901

Average Annual Rainfall: 45 inches
Average Annual Snowfall: 40 inches
Average January Temperature: 27 degrees F
Average July Temperature: 80 degrees F

Population: 15,000
Major Industries: Communications, Information Technology, Finance, Transportation.

Did You Know?

The Wampanoag tribe of American Indians originally inhabited Martha's Vineyard. The Wampanoag called the island "Noepe" which means "amid the waters."

Orientation/Geography

Martha's Vineyard is located just off the coast of Massachusetts and is one of America's premier vacation destinations. It sits near the island Cuttyhunk.


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