MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts’ largest isle is home to pristine beaches, iconic clay cliffs, Oak Bluffs, and some of the smoothest coastal bike paths on either end of the Atlantic. Even though getting there is a bit of a project, this tiny island off Cape Cod is still one of the most sought-after and scenic destinations in New England. It’s still the perfect escape from all those waffle cone/fried clam lines on the pretty peninsula and further proof that beautiful islands, no matter how summer crowd-inducing, always feel wondrously secluded.
Martha’s Vineyard is a charming, lovely place with a great sense of community and diversity. It’s a bigger island than most people think. MV has six towns spread around 100 square miles, each with its own flavor. Among the island’s villages, you’ll find the Vineyard that’s right for you. With stately Greek revival houses which date back to the whaling era of the early 19th century, Edgartown is a seaside village of boutiques and excellent harbor views.
For more of a “beach town,” Oak Bluffs has an arcade, the Flying Horses carousel, plus the “gingerbread” house campgrounds. Vineyard Haven gives visitors a blend of both. For a natural retreat, Chilmark/Aquinnah is the place to get away from it all. The island is far less crowded in the off-season, but the shore is always beautiful. Whenever you visit, leave your car behind! Cabs are plentiful, and they wait for the incoming ferries to help you reach your stopping place. Visitors prefer to explore the island by bike, scooter, or public bus.
Want to feel relaxed? Well, our next island literally has it in its name (kind of)…..
