Edgartown Lighthouse photo courtesy of M. King on Flickr
Just off the coast of Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard has earned a distinction as the go-to travel destination for the most iconic politicians and celebrities of the last hundred years. It’s with good reason as the island is home to some of New England’s most stunning scenery.
Travel to the island is all about relaxing outdoors, breathing in the fresh ocean air and snapping copious photos of the abundant wildlife and landscape in this island jewel. Here are just a few of our favorite things to do:
Adventure-lovers will appreciate the wide array of sporting opportunities on offer. Among other providers, Island Spirit Kayak offers visitors the chance to see some of the area’s best wildlife, including rare nesting birds, Piping Plovers and Osprey, as well as the island’s rich shellfish beds. Even novice kayakers are welcome, as boat launches are done on a barrier beach that provides easy paddling on the placid waters of Nantucket Sound. Bonus: the famous bridge featured in “Jaws” is also nearby!
For “culture vultures”, don’t miss the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center. This modest theater has been screening the best in classic movies, art house film and independent world cinema for more than ten years. It’s conveniently located off Main Street in Vineyard Haven with plenty of comfortable stadium seats, a modern sound system and, most importantly, a selection of drinks and snacks.
The small town of Aquinnah is worlds away from the more tourist-centric parts of downtown Martha’s Vineyard. With a population of nary more than 300, time seems to stand still here. But it’s the stunning cliffs of Gay Head and Moshup Beach below that draw the crowds, as they are truly a travel photographer’s dream. These brilliantly colored clay formations are among the most unique natural wonders on the whole of the island. For nature lovers, they’re a can’t-miss stop when visiting the island!
Travelers with a sweet tooth won’t want to miss the opportunity to sample the out-of-this-world sweets at Chilmark Chocolates. Lucky visitors are sometimes treated to a glimpse of the onsite chocolatiers producing their unique treats in the backroom. But the best reason for a stop here is their surprisingly reasonable prices, especially given the often stratospheric premium that tourists typically pay for island trinkets.
Perhaps the best part of Martha’s Vineyard is that a visit to the island is all possible on a day trip right from downtown Boston. With the bus and ferry rides to and from the city taken care of, the only thing travelers will need to plan is which attraction to visit first.
- Contributed by Mike Richard
Must-see Attractions in Martha’s Vineyard from Boston Things to Do