Martha's Vineyard Towns
The five towns of Martha's Vineyard each have very distinctive personalities. Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven all feature charming main streets with exceptional shopping and dining. The other, more rural towns are popular sites for homeowners looking for a nature setting and seclusion, and are populated by writers, actors, musicians and entrepreneurs, among others.

Getting Here
There are five different points of departure for travel to the Vineyard. All are less than two hours from Boston, four to five hours from New York City by car. There is also an airport on the island. You can connect to flights from Boston, New York and other major airports. You can bring a car to the island, but there are also rental car agencies, moped and bicycle rentals, taxis and an excellent public transportation system. Tour buses depart frequently from all the island's ferry terminals and offer a complete loop of the island.

Travel times from East Coast Hubs to Martha's Vineyard
Boston	2.5 hrs	3 hrs	30 min
New York City	5.5 hrs	7 hrs	1 hr
Philadelphia	8 hrs	11 hrs	1.25 hrs
Washington, D.C.	10 hrs	12.5 hrs	1.5 hrs

Ferry travel times from port cities View All Ferries
Wood's Hole	45 min
Falmouth	35 min
Hyannis	1 hour
New Bedford	1 hour
Quonset Point, RI	1 hr 35 min

The Peak Season on the Vineyard
July and August are the height of the tourist season, with August being the busiest month. Two American holidays, July Fourth and Labor Day (the first Monday in September) bring the biggest weekend crowds. June and September are also popular months for Vineyard travel, as the water is still warm enough for swimming. The rest of the year (considered the off-season months) are wonderful times to explore the island, stroll the beaches, enjoy hiking the numerous wooded trails, and enjoy exceptional dining and shopping. All the inns and hotels offer discounted rates in the spring, fall and winter months. Many of the island restaurants, shops and other businesses are open year-round and there are special events during every season on the island.

Annual Temperatures (Cº)

Where to stay on Martha's Vineyard
Accommodations are numerous and vary from modest to luxurious. There are hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts. Also available for weekly or longer rental are apartments and houses of all sizes. Reservations should be made up to a year in advance if you are thinking of visiting during the busy season, although cancellations make even last-minute travel a possibility. Many visitors plan a day trip, only to decide, once here to book a room for the night. This is not a good plan if you intend to visit in July or August as you probably won't find a vacancy and chances are you will want more than one day to enjoy all the island has to offer.

Beaches and attractions
There are miles and miles of beaches on Martha's Vineyard. Some are on the open ocean and may have surf. Others on the Vineyard Sound and on inlets offer calm waters and are perfect for families with small children. Boating is a popular activity. There are cruises and fishing excursions. You may also rent power boats, sailboats and kayaks. Other options for watersports include jetskiing, windsurfing, waterskiing and parasailing.

Golfing on Martha's Vineyard
The Vineyard is known worldwide for its beautiful golf courses. There are four on the island. There are a number of attractions for children including mini-golf and the famous Flying Horses carousel. The island has four movie theatres, a playhouse and a local dance company. There is live music at many of the island bars, nightclubs and restaurants. There are shops of all kinds including boutiques, gift shops, antique stores and shops featuring island-produced items. Martha's Vineyard is home to numerous art galleries, a pottery studio, a glassworks and a vineyard. Unique gifts in any price range can be found at these spots.

Dining options on Martha's Vineyard
Restaurants range from family friendly to world-class gourmet. There are plenty of grocery and convenience stores, as well as lots of places for take-out sandwiches, etc. It's a good idea to make restaurant reservations in advance especially if you are traveling during the busy season.
For year-round dining options, click here.

Weddings and Events
The Vineyard is a very popular destination for weddings. Ceremonies are held on beaches, in restaurants and in historic homes and private estates that can be rented for parties. June and October are the most popular months for Vineyard weddings and accommodations and sites should be booked well in advance. All the goods and services for a wedding of any size can be found on the island.

Explore New England
For those interested in a tour of Massachusetts, a good trip would include a couple of days in Boston followed by a visit to Martha's Vineyard. Boston is a unique American city that is known for its history and the combination of interesting modern architecture, brownstone buildings and beautiful old churches. It is considered the intellectual hub of the US - home to Harvard University and numerous other colleges and universities, as well as a number of world famous museums.