Where to stay in Martha’s Vineyard
Mansion House Inn
9 Main St, Vineyard Haven, MA, 02568
Book a room with a balcony at the Mansion House Inn and you can sit out in the sunshine and gaze out at the beauty of the Vineyard Sound. The suites at this stylish hotel come with large tubs and fireplaces, but even standard rooms are spacious. There’s a day spa on-site too, for some much-needed pampering.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort
31 Dunes Road, Edgartown, MA, 02539
With a playful spirit that imbues everything from the décor to the service, the Winnetu is a wonderful place for family vacations. It’s close to the Edgartown action, but also a respite from it during peak months. In addition to rooms, you can even hire private homes. Outdoors, pools, yoga, tennis courts and seasonal events ensure there’s never a dull moment.
The Sydney
22 Winter St, Edgartown, MA, 02539
One of the island’s best boutique hotels, The Sydney is housed in a lovingly maintained Victorian house, dating back to the late 19th century. Rooms are decorated with understated tones that maximize comfort – expect great linen, flat screen TVs and even four-poster beds.
Best restaurants in Martha’s Vineyard
L’Etoile Restaurant
22 N Water St, Edgartown, MA, 02539
Part of The Sydney Hotel, L’Etoile is an elegant place for a romantic dinner. Chef-owned, there’s local produce woven into the menu, featuring inventive dishes such as chilled oysters with preserved limoncello cream and pomegranate mignonette. A halibut fillet with watercress chimichurri is a choice pick from the entrees.
ArtCliff Diner
39 Beach Rd, Vineyard Haven, MA, 02568
A retro diner, open since 1943, the ArtCliff frequently tops local polls for best breakfast on the The Vineyard. See if they’re right by ordering up stacked pancakes, heavenly almond-crusted French toast and some more ambitious takes on American classics. The burger and grilled cheese are musts at lunch.
Outermost Inn
81 Lighthouse Rd, Aquinnah, MA, 02535
A lovely stroll from Gay Head lighthouse and with soothing views of the Atlantic, the Outermost could serve up most anything and ride on the coattails of the vistas it offers. Happily, it doesn’t do that. Expect beef tartar, lifted by black truffe caper egg yolk vinaigrette, and a squid ink tagliatelle with littleneck clams and their house-made chorizo.
What to do in Martha’s Vineyard
Chappaquiddick
Chappaquiddick Island, MA
This peninsula is technically part of Edgartown but has become famous in its own right. With a tiny population, this is a quiet, serene place, reachable by ferry. Pack a picnic, cycle around the beaches or soak up the sun as you fish. You can take a kayaking tour of the Cape Poge wildlife refuge, found on the island.
Katama Beach
Edgartown, MA, 02539
Close to Edgartown, Katama Beach is a less touristy option that specializes in rugged beauty, with unspoiled vistas of the North Atlantic. There are salt ponds for those that want to swim, while the ocean is peppered with surfers taking advantage of the favorable conditions.
Grange Hall
1067 State Road, Vineyard Haven, MA, 02568
First built as a meeting house in 1859 and the location of the local agricultural fair, Grange Hall has been painstakingly restored to its old glory by the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust. Today it’s home to a fantastic farmer’s market and various annual festivals, while also being a hub for artisan crafts.