Top 5 Things To Do in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Top 5 Things To Do in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
There’s nothing quite like a sunny day spent at Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts! Romanticized as a weekend getaway destination, Martha’s Vineyard is known for perfect summer views. The journey to Martha’s Vineyard is all part of the adventure too, as you’ll need to take a ferry boat to get to the island. Here’s how you can spend a day in Martha’s Vineyard, MA (including our top 5 things!):
1. All Aboard the Ferry!
The ferry ride to Martha’s Vineyard is all part of the adventure! Since this was our very first ferry ride in Massachusetts (we’re used to the ferry boats of Puget Sound!), we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Was it complicated? Would it be confusing? Nope and nope! It was super easy to park the car at the Woods Hole ferry parking lot ($20 for a day pass), take the complimentary shuttle bus to the actual ferry terminal, and purchase round-trip tickets at the Steamship Authority ticket booth via a mobile QR code. Before we knew it, we were scanning ourselves onto the boat, and enjoying the seaside views.
Sure, we had to pack our “patient pants” while waiting for the next shuttle bus and when we were packed like sardines aboard the bus, but the process was honestly all really convenient and easy to figure out as you go! As long as you leave early, you’ll be able to catch one of the morning ferries!
Once aboard the ferry, there’s plenty of seating to choose from! On a sunny day, the views aboard the top deck are unmatched with plenty of seating. You’ll, of course, find me at the top deck towards the bow, but there’s also plenty of shadier options too!
2. Coffee + Local Shopping (Vineyard Haven)
We started our day trip at Vineyard Haven (but you can also catch a ferry that takes you directly to Oak Bluffs!). After walking only 5 minutes from the ferry terminal at Vineyard Haven, we made it to our first stop of the day, Mocha Mott’s - a local coffee shop. With iced coffees in-hand, and a ham and cheese croissant to snack on, we wandered down Main St weaving in and out of different shops. Bookstores, ice cream shops, cafes, souvenir shops, restaurants, and art galleries all lined the street with plenty to see and do!
If you’re like us, you’ll likely walk away with a souvenir sweater (or two…).
3. Lunch at the Sand Bar OR a Sandy Beach Day (Oak Bluffs)
After a quiet and slow morning walking around Vineyard Haven, we decided to make our way towards our second destination of the day, Oak Bluffs. The local bus ($8/passenger for a day pass) took us there in only about 10 minutes!
At this point in the day it was around lunch-time, so the Oak Bluffs area was definitely buzzing with life. For lunch, we decided on the Sand Bar & Grille. While a bit louder than we may have preferred, it had good food, cold drinks, and a great view alongside the Oak Bluffs Harbor. Our chairs were comically sinking into the sand (it was a sand bar after all!), and people-watching was prime at this location, but we enjoyed our time nonetheless! We ordered calamari, nachos, oysters, and fish tacos, alongside our margaritas (and a Bahama Mama for me!).
If you’re after some real sand, sandy beaches await you about a 5-10 minute walk from the Sand Bar & Grille. We weren’t quite equipped to spend the rest of the day swimming, but we definitely dipped our toes in the sand and water! Right next to the Oak Bluffs ferry terminal you’ll find Oak Bluffs Town Beach and Inkwell Beach.
4. Check Out the Gingerbread Houses (Oak Bluffs)
Oak Bluffs is home to an architectural attraction: 300+ “storybook-like” cottages, nicknamed as, “Gingerbread Houses.” Once you see the cottages in-person you’ll definitely understand why they’re now known as the Gingerbread Houses of Oak Bluffs. Built in the 1800s, these Victorian cottages are all found in the same general area, all decorated and painted vibrant colors!
5. Enjoy a Sweet Treat to End the Day (Oak Bluffs)
Maybe I sound like a broken record in these travel guides by now… but after all that walking, don’t we deserve a treat? ;)
While you wait for the next ferry to take you back to Woods Hole, why not enjoy a sweet treat? There are plenty of ice cream shops to choose from along Circuit Avenue, but we went with Mad Martha’s since it was only a short walk away from the Oak Bluffs ferry terminal. I selected a refreshing scoop of mint chocolate ice cream to cool me down from the late afternoon heat, and the rest of our group went with pistachio!
Annnd that’s a wrap!
There’s a lot more to explore in Martha’s Vineyard, MA! As we explore this city more in the future, I’ll be sure to edit this blog post with more recommendations for what to see and eat. For now, these are 5 Things You Can Do for a fantastic day trip to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Make it an adventure worth sharing about!
'Til the next one,
Gen
