Travel to Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is a serene island off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. If you are looking for a place to relax and be surrounded by beauty, great food and (seriously) happy people, you should travel to Martha’s Vineyard. This is a great destination for couples, friends and family. Don’t overlook this East Coast gem- it will be a place you’ll never forget.

Where to Stay

There are three main “down-island” towns to stay in Martha’s Vineyard: Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. Each are unique in their own way and have different perks to attract visitors.

Oak Bluffs is the most populated town on the island. It has a more laid-back vibe than neighboring Edgartown and a lively night life scene. There are beaches galore, making it the perfect destination on the island for families. Oak Bluffs is known for it’s famous gingerbread houses around the town. These unique, vibrant houses started as a 19th century Methodist campground and are now enjoyed as summer homes.

Vineyard Haven (also called Tisbury), is the main port of entry into the island. Vineyard Haven is known for it’s galleries and for the harbor. Something to note- it is not a “wet” town like Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, so if you are looking to hit the town and drink, this is not the place to do it.

Edgartown is my personal favorite down-island town with it’s stunning 1800’s white captain’s houses, cobblestone streets and expansive beaches and harbors. It seems to be the more expensive town to stay in, but it’s for good reason. I would recommend staying here if you are traveling with adults and are looking to pamper yourselves with fine dining, endless shopping and streets straight out of a fairytale. We stayed in Edgartown at The Ashley Inn and I highly recommend it.

Where to Eat

While all the seafood we had on the island was to-die-for, The Terrace (located at the Charlotte Inn in Edgartown) stood out to us above the rest and is a must visit.

Walking into The Terrace had us swooning. The greenery, fountains, antique decor and elegant tablescapes accented each other perfectly. We dined in the garden and savored every minute of the experience.

Chef Patrice Martineau is truly talented. He is originally from France and has an impressive resume with experience in Beverly Hills, Toyoko, London and Manhattan. We enjoyed the Local MV Grey Barn Farm Organic 3 Cheeses to start with- an impressive variety of cheese straight from the island. For our main courses we chose the Nova Scotia Roaster Halibut and the Kvaroy, Norway 100% Sustainable Farm-Raised Roasted Salmon. The halibut filet was so tender and the flavors accented it perfectly. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the maitake mushrooms were the perfect addition. To finish, we had the lemon sorbet and some decaf coffee.

After dinner we browsed the lovely Charlotte Inn and took in the beauty of this elegant 1866 home. Book your reservations to The Terrace online– don’t miss this fine dining experience in Martha’s Vineyard.

What to do

While you will likely come to Martha’s Vineyard to relax- there are many activities to make the most of your stay.

Bike around the island: There are multiple bike rental shops on the island to rent from and wide bike trails that connect each of the down-island towns and the beaches. Our favorite bike path was between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown- you will ride with the ocean on either side of you and are able to hop off and sit on the beach or take a dip in the ocean anytime you want. From Edgartown you can also bike south to windy Katama Beach or north to Vineyard Haven. We booked our bikes through Martha’s Vineyard Bikes and had a great experience.

Visit the Gay Head Cliffs: We weren’t able to make the trip out to the cliffs this time, but they are said to be one of the most beautiful places in Martha’s Vineyard. These cliffs, formed from clay deposits, are stunning and will offer the best sunset on the island.

Spend the day at a beach: There are so many great public beaches on the island to lounge with a book in hand and listen to the waves roll in. Our favorite beach is Joseph Sylvia State Beach (where Jaws was filmed!). This expansive beach is between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. For a fun family friendly beach, check out Oak Bluffs Town Beach. For stunning harbor and lighthouse views, visit Lighthouse Beach in Edgartown.

Shop local: Browse the quaint shops along the streets in Edgartown, Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs to support local artists or boutiques. There is certainly something for everyone ranging from art, to books, to clothes to food.

We hope you enjoy your stay in Martha’s Vineyard. It is a special place that certainly takes you out of the hustle and bustle of every day life to sit back and enjoy the peacefulness of the island. For more Martha’s Vineyard travel information, check out our Instagram IGTV for a Martha’s Vineyard Q&A.

*This post is sponsored by The Terrace but all opinions are our own.*