Martha's Vineyard

[Heidi9771]

DH and I are planning a weekend getaway to the Vineyard and I would be interested in hearing if you have a favorite hotel, recommendations, etc.

Cheers!
Heidi

[Golightly]

I love the Vineyard!

http://www.mvy.com/

Where are you guys interested in staying on the island? What kind of a weekend are you planning? Have you ever been to the island before?

I am most familiar with Edgartown... The ultimate in "preppy" and very beautiful and quaint. You can get there by either taking ferries to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs (the Island Queen) and then getting a cab ride to Edgartown. Or, you can take the Pied Piper from Falmouth, which goes right into Edgartown Harbor. It is also one of the only towns on the Vineyard that's not "dry" meaning you can get alcohol there at restaurants and bars.

http://www.edgartown-ma.us/

If you are looking to splurge I highly recommend the Charlotte Inn. It is on a charming little street just on the edge of town and an easy walk to everything in town and a short shuttle ride to several beaches.

Two girlfriends and I crammed into a small room at the Tuscany Inn in June several years ago to celebrate a birthday... It was a lovely place and we had a great time, a little more affordable too.

There a lots of options on the Vineyard, and I think it would be difficult to go wrong with a B&B in Edgartown. I have only stayed at the Charlotte Inn and Tuscany Inn so I can't personally recommend anywhere else. Lately I've been lucky and get invited to stay with friends.

If it's your first time on the island be sure to bring your own bottle of wine and go to Homeport in Menemsha for dinner. You can either eat at a table inside or grab your grilled bluefish to go and sit at one of their outside tables to watch the sunset. Not only is it gorgeous, but it's a lovely drive (or cab/bus ride) and a nice way to get to see other parts of the island, really different from Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.

Also, if you choose to stay in Edgartown and are looking for a fun watering hole, don't forget the Navigator right next to the Yacht Club. Called the "Instigator" by summer natives, it is always a good time and right across the street from the Wharf, which is also fun. Alchemy is a little tonier and has great espresso martinis.

Hope that helps.
Cheers,

[Bloomwood]

we stayed at the Inn at Blueberry Hill (http://www.blueberryinn.com/) when we were there in August '02. Loved it!

[Heidi9771]

I love the Vineyard!

http://www.mvy.com/

Where are you guys interested in staying on the island? What kind of a weekend are you planning? Have you ever been to the island before?


Golightly, thanks for the great info! We've been to the island before a few times in Edgertown but we were staying with friends, and mostly hit the beaches.

We are planning a weekend with just the two of us...we would like to be close to beaches and at night, to local pubs and decent restaraunts.

I don't mind casual, but I do mind cheesy! That is the type of weekend I am looking for :)

Bloomwood, thanks! I will check that out!

[Sashi]

Tax season will be over and we want a relaxing vacation at the end of April and don't want to spend too much $$. We would most likely drive up (so we have a car) because we live around Philly.

Can the ladies on here offer any suggestions of where to stay, what to do, etc?? I'm not quite sure about it at all, just heard someone mention it and thought I'd look into it.

[laurenc]

i've only been to MV for day trips, so i can't make any hotel recommendations, but i can say -- if the weather is nice and you're both athletic people, bring bikes (or rent bikes). it's a beautiful way to see the island and get some exercise.

have fun!

[Sashi]

Thank you laurenc! I haven't even brought it up yet in conversations and was trying to get a feel.

I guess a lot of people don't want to comment or have never been (can't be saying much), so I appreciate your feedback and suggestion!

[Kingdono]

I have never been to MV but we go to Nantucket. I would call around because April is before the season some things close down on Nantucket I would asume MV is the same. It's could still be cold. Make sure if you want to bring your car over that you make a reservation for the ferry. Sometimes your car doesn't have room on the ferry you wanted to take. You can also fly without an issue from the City. Typically the islands are more expensive then staying on the cape and going over for a day trip. You might get a great deal on a house rental at that time a year. Good luck
Trish

[2 Crazy Pugs]

MV is beautiful, one of my favorite places. An old boyfriend in college had a family house there, so we used to go down all the time. Make sure to call soon to make reservations, the inns (there aren't that many) on the island fill up quickly. There are nice little restaurants all over the island, and you can walk almost anywhere. Also, there is a vineyard on the island "Chicama Vineyards"- go there if you like wine, they do tastings, and tours of the vineyard. Its kind of cool.

I am jealous, I love it there. Once you get on the ferry, it almost feels like you are the only one who exists, and all your troubles you leave behind on the mainland!

[Sal03]

I LOVE Martha's Vineyard. DH and I had the best long weekend there. I agree with the other posters that the weather may be iffy that time of year. The island is divided into different sections. There is the most to do in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven (where the Black Dog) is. I have stayed in Oak Bluffs and VIneyard Haven and would not recommend staying in Vineyard Haven. Oak Bluffs is the most "happening" area with lots of pubs and restaurants and the whole area of houses that look like Gingerbread houses that is fun to walk through. Edgartown is more quaint and quiet with lots of shops and nice B & B's and restaurants. The Sweet Life Cafe in Oak Bluffs is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to! The Daggett House in Edgartown is a nice B & B with delicious breakfasts. We stayed at the Dockside Inn in Oak Bluffs which was more affordable. It was spotless and had nice rooms and very nice people ran it and there were always delicious muffins out in the morning. Not sure if it runs that time of year, but since you don't have a car there, there is a great bus system that runs all over the island which we used a lot or we rented bikes. Hope that helps!

[Sashi]

You all are a big help! Now I'm considering doing it during the summer instead of April because of your suggestions. I don't want to miss out on the good stuff because of the weather.

I was wondering if any of you know some websites or places I could look up via the internet to do some research. They have a website, MV that is but I feel lost not knowing where anything is. I'm horrible with research on the internet!

Thanks again guys........GREAT HELP!

[vancouvergirl]

i can emphasis that the island is completely different from winter season to summer season. it is a packed, happening, fun fun fun place starting around memorial day when the people arrive and the shops open up again. it is a beautiful, remote, quite island during the off season. a magical time to be there but don't expect all the stores and restaurants to be in full swing or even open. i have been a few times in the late fall or early spring and enjoyed exploring the island in peace.

if you go during the summer, stop by the Norton Farm on the vineyard haven-edgartown road for the best fresh veggies, fruits and flowers.

before you go it would be interesting to learn about the history of the island. i always find it amazing that at one point everyone on the island knew sign language due to the high population of Deaf people.

have a great time!

[lightview]

I decided to create a new thread since this got lost at the end of my old thread (previous thread: Local Honeymoon trip - East Coast).

Based upon your suggestions and further research we decided to go to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. We made hotel reservations for our honeymoon in June. We are staying at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard and at the Union Street Inn in Nantucket.

The next step: as it is the first time either of us have been there, we could use suggestions about things to do and places to go on each island. We are not big "beachy" people but like to stroll or bike around. In addition, we definitely love to go out to eat (and drink ...). Any suggestions?

[sabine_11]

I don't know anything about Martha's Vineyard, but I spend some time in Nantucket every year. It is my absolute favorite place in the world! Some of my favorite places off the top of my head:

1. Dinner at the Summer House. The food is incredible and there are some tables on the porch outside which allow you to experience the landscaping which is stunning and the breathtaking view. This is one of the more expensive restaurants I have eaten at on Nantucket but I thought it was worth it.
2. Cisco Beach is beautiful. I know you said you are not a beach person, but this is a great place for a walk on the beach. It is a bit more secluded and does not tend to be as crowded as some of the other more centrally located beaches. This beach around 4pm is absolute heaven.
3. Cisco Brewery - On your way home from Cisco Beach, stop off at the Brewery. This is essentially a barn on the side of the rode and some seating outside. You can do a beer or vodka tasting for something like $5 a glass with a number of options. They also sell full sized drinks that you could buy and drink outside. This is only open from late afternoon to somewhere around 6-7. It is a perfect way to top off a bike ride or a beach walk. Dress code is very casual (some people still in beachware)

There is a good bit of night life with some of the standards being the Straight Wharf (try a Gumba Smash ?), Chicken Box (a dive that usually has some good live bands), the Boarding House (lots of outdoor seating for beautiful people watching). There are tons of other bars and great restaurants ranging from places the beautiful people go to local establishments which are frequented by the servers. The downtown area has great shopping, jewelry stores and impressive galleries.

Enjoy your time there and congratulations!

[mom_to_zoe]

My family also spends time in Nantucket every summer. It is my favorite place in the whole world.

You absolutely must have lunch at Something Natural off Cliff Road. It is this amazing sandwich shop with a nice garden for picnicking. Try the Portguese bread (a Nantucket specialty) and their awesome cookies. Cliff Road is a great spot for a bike ride because you can admire all the multi-million dollar houses. Rent bikes from Young's bike shop. For baked goods, the Nantucket Bake Shop on Orange Street is awesome.

One day, drive out to Sconset to poke around. It is a cute little village on the other side of the island from Nantucket town and the houses are really sweet. There are a few (but only a few) places to grab lunch there.

In town, we like to eat at the Brotherhood, Arno's and the Even Keel, but we have a small child, so we tend to pick family-friendly places. For romance and fine dining, try The Pearl (the hot spot) or American Seasons. 21 Federal is the classic nice restaurant. It's been there since I starting going to the island in 1976! Le Languedoc has been around that long too.

I know you said that you are not a beach person, but that is a big part of what Nantucket is about. We love Dionis Beach. Jetties is close to town and might be more convenient for you.

For history, definitely check out the Whaling Museum and the Maria Mitchell house. Maria (pronounced Mariah) was an early first woman astronomer and Nantucket native. (The book "Ahab's Wife" has a lot of Nantucket history in the context of its fictional tale. I think it is a terrible book, myself, but I know other people who really liked it.) Also, the Old Mill and the Oldest House. The Antheneam in town is a very interesting sight, as are some of the churches in town.

The shopping in town is great, but very high-end. Window-shopping is always free though! Check out Murray's for authentic Nantucket Red clothing.

Have a great trip!

[kimthebride]

**Bump**

I have a new Martha's Vineyard question: How about bringing kids there?

DH's parents booked a week on the island before we got pg with #2, so now we're headed to a house there for a week with a 2yo (who naps from 12-3pm) and a 3 month old.
- Any tips?
- Which double stroller (side-by-side or front-to-back) would work best for getting around?
- Anything for my toddler to do, other than the beach?

TIA!!!