Martha's Vineyard

Address:Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Mention Martha's Vineyard and a vision of the rich and famous on their summer retreat quickly comes to mind. While the Vineyard is widely known as a summer colony, it offers plenty of opportunity for fun and relaxation for all ages and budgets. There is so much to see and do in the six towns that make up the Island of Martha's Vineyard, you will want to spend more than one day there.

The towns of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven are the three biggest tourist destinations. All have attractive main streets with exceptional shopping and dining. With shops of all kinds, including boutiques, gift shops, antique stores and island-produced items, you're sure to find something for everyone. There are also numerous art galleries, a pottery studio, a glassworks and a vineyard. With special gifts in any price range at these spots, you won't be lacking goodies to bring home. Enjoy live music at many of the Island's bars, nightclubs and restaurants and eat delicious, fresh food at any restaurant or café on the Island. Food styles range from New England seafood, to French, Caribbean and American cuisine. For quick food there is everything from pizza and deli restaurants to fresh fish and sushi restaurants. There are also a variety of takeout places and convenience and grocery stores.

The kids will have loads of fun too at the various Island attractions. They will laugh with delight while riding the famous Flying Horses Carousel in Oaks Bluff, the oldest carousel in the U.S. Watch the kids celebrate when they get a hole-in-one playing mini-golf at any of the Island's four courses. Best of all is a cruise just for kids aboard the Black Dog Tall ships.

Everyone will love the hundreds of colorful Victorian-style gingerbread cottages located in Oak Bluffs town center. The cottages are adorned with colorful Chinese and Japanese lanterns to highlight the summer season on the campground. It's known as the Grand Illumination and began in Oak Bluffs over a century ago. Don't forget your camera on this part of the trip! There are year-round tours offered as well, and the cottages are even available for rent in the summer, but it isn't cheap: rent starts at $1,000 per week.

All the inns and hotels on the Island offer discounted rates in the spring, autumn and winter months. The accommodations vary from modest to luxurious, with hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts. If you can't get enough and want to stay a week or more, you can rent apartments and houses of all sizes. Don't plan a last minute sleepover on the Vineyard during the very busy months of July and August because you probably won't find a place to stay.

Located off the coast of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard is only accessible by air or sea, so you caneEnjoy a beautiful ferry ride to the island. Travel time to the Island varies by departure point. The Steamship Authority is the only ferry service that allows cars on board. Reservations aren't required but are highly recommended in the summer. Martha's Vineyard Airport is located in the middle of Martha's Vineyard, three miles south of Vineyard Haven. The airport only serves Cape Air and US Airways. Once on the Vineyard, there is very good public transportation, as well as car and bike rentals.

The miles of endless beaches along the Island provide a plethora of activities from power boating, kayaking and windsurfing to parasailing and waterskiing; and sometimes, surfing. If you prefer more calming aqua activities, the quiet waters of Vineyard Sound and the inlets are just what you need and are perfect for families. Unfortunately, not all of the shoreline is public. Some up-island beaches are exclusively for town residents and guests, others are completely off limits. There are also excellent public beaches in Edgartown. Norton's Point, known as South Beach or Katama, is a barrier beach for surf bathing - you can explore Katama Bay on the other side of the dunes. Wasque and Cape Poge on Chappaquiddick are favorite spots for bluefish and bass fishermen. Lighthouse Beach, located off North Water Street near the town center, offers calm water and views of harbor activities. Bend-in-the-Road Beach, part of Joseph Sylvia Beach, has ample parking and is accessible by bicycle trail.

Take a hike through open fields, woods, marshlands and beaches in Felix Neck, located in Vineyard Haven. Tree swallows, wood ducks, barn owls and osprey and other wildlife can be seen on the tour.

Tour lighthouses that are over 150-years-old and still functioning. The East Chop and Gay Head lighthouses offer sunset tours from mid-June to mid-September. Only with the sunset can you fully appreciate the magnificent views of the Island from the lighthouse. You can even climb to the top of the lighthouse!

Edgartown, the Island's first colonial settlement and the Island's major whaling port in the 1800s, will provide you with a chance to step back in time and see Greek Revival Mansions from the 1800s. Edgartown is another stop on your trip where you don't want to forget your camera.