Issues → May/June 2009 → Interact → 10 Things to Do → Yankee Recommends: Ten Great Weekends →
Martha's Vineyard, MA, Weekend
by Annie B. Copps
A year-round community thrives on Martha's Vineyard, and its presence keeps the many local businesses going, from bakeries, farms, and restaurants to art galleries, specialty shops, and truly unique shopping and dining experiences. There's no shortage of raw material--whether it's fresh local oysters on the menu to the works of stellar artisans crafting everything from sculpture to photography.
Nor is there a shortage of things to do. The Vineyard offers miles of beaches, whether you're a family with small children or a hearty surfer looking for a good curl. Hop on a bike (bring your own or rent one from one of the many shops) and tour the island by pedal power, or charter a fishing or leisure boat for a different perspective. History buffs can stay busy with boatloads of stories and artifacts from the island's once-booming shipping, fishing, and whaling industries, as well as the long and rich Wampanoag Native American legacy, which is alive and well on the island.
Martha's Vineyard is compact enough that the small-community vibe is real, but it's also big enough to accommodate vacation options for every mood, inclination, and budget. The island is made up of seven distinct towns: West Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, Chilmark, Menemsha, and Aquinnah. You can be close to the center of town or "out in the boonies," with options that include exclusive retreats to family-friendly inns and well-kept campsites.
Yankee picks for Martha's Vineyard. Click on any destination below for a map and more information.
Steamship Authority
The Steamship Authority is the Way to Go to the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Offering several daily, year-round ferry departures from Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard and from Hyannis to Nantucket. Or, take the passenger-only Flying Cloud to Nantucket -- dock-to-dock in just an hour. Visit www.steamshipauthority.com or call 508-477-8600. [DETAILS]
Hy-Line Cruises
The only mid-Cape connection to both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, accommodates bikes, windsurfers, surfboards and canoes. New Hyannis terminal provides the Coffee Table Cafe, the Raw Bar, and the Ships Belle ice cream shop. Hy-Line Cruises also offers Hyannisport harbor cruises, fishing trips, Cape Cod Canal cruises and private charters. [DETAILS]
Cape Air
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Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Martha's Vineyard
Winnetu Oceanside Resort is located at South Beach in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard and offers 50 hotel suites and 80 private townhouse/home rentals. Complimentary activities include children's day program, heated pools, tennis club, fitness facility, fire truck rides, putting green and outdoor life-size chess. Also available: Lure Restaurant with family options, massages, children's evening program, bike rentals and more. Winnetu Oceanside Resort was voted the "#1 Family Resort in the Northeast" by Child Magazine.
[DETAILS]Outermost Inn
True to its name, this seven-room inn sits on 35 acres of grassy dunes. Sparse furniture shows off rich woodwork; the house is owned by members of the famed Taylor singing clan. Double room rates $250-$285, including full breakfast. Lighthouse Rd., Gay Head; 508-645-3511. [DETAILS]
Bradys NESW Bed and Breakfast
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Beach Plum Inn and Restaurant
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Harbor View Hotel
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Black Dog Tavern
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L'etoile
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Mediterranean
Cruise the cuisines of that turquoise sea from the comfort of this waterfront restaurant. Drawing on the culinary traditions of North Africa and Spain to the Levant, the menu blends familiar local ingredients with unique preparations. [DETAILS]
Lure Restaurant
This quietly dazzling place deftly reels you in—it’s the Vineyard’s most stellar all-around dining experience. Owned and operated by the Winnetu Oceanside Resort, from which Lure enjoys its shiny perch, it’s a place where foodies and families are equally happy. In addition to a separate dining area where kids play and a main dining room that’s softly lit and sophisticated, the strength and heart of Lure lies in its menu. Sublime and subtle fish specialties sit alongside mix-and-match fish-and-sauce choices. You could dine here three nights in a row and feel exceptionally satisfied in different ways. [DETAILS]
Oyster Bar
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Allen Farm
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Kara Taylor Fine Art
Massachusetts painter Kara Taylor gave up her farm stand and flower farm this past summer to concentrate fully on her painting and her new gallery, Kara Taylor Fine Art, on Martha’s Vineyard. The 30-year-old artist’s quiet landscapes and bold collages fill the large windows, tempting passersby with her work. When she’s not chatting with customers, she paints in the back. Her works are serene: soft colors of rolling Vineyard farmland and tumbledown fences. Very romantic scenes. [DETAILS]
Once in a Blue Moon
The latest handcrafted works by European jewelry artists are the star attractions here. Their designs complement one-of-a-kind women’s clothing and accessories and select pieces of fine art. [DETAILS]
Beadniks
More than a bead store, Beadniks is an experience. Enter this "Aladdin's cave" and you'll find an awesome selection of beads from across the globe: glass, silver, bone, semiprecious stones, and more. The findings needed to craft your own jewelry are available, and the staff will provide all the support you'll need. It's a great activity for all ages; plus, the store is a block from Main Street, it's air-conditioned, and there's a putting green out back for those who might not be captivated by your creative process. [DETAILS]
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