Martha’s Vineyard

Living on the South Shore means Martha’s Vineyard is close enough to be spontaneous.

Many people go for the obvious: Edgartown harbor, Oak Bluffs gingerbread cottages, The beaches. All worth doing. But here are a few of our favorite Vineyard experiences that feel a little different.

Book a Private Alpaca Walk & Talk at Island Alpaca Farm

The private “walk and talk” experience lets you walk an alpaca while learning about the farm and the animals themselves.

Beaches

I love all of the public beaches on the Vineyard; they’re each so different depending on which side of the island you’re on. On the Atlantic side, South Beach, the waves are big, powerful, and scary-fun. But head to the western side of the island, Moshup Beach in Aquinnah, Menemsha, Lucy Vincent, and everything changes. The water is calmer. The cliffs are dramatic. The sunsets fall directly over Vineyard Sound. It feels slower, quieter, almost cinematic.

Pro Tip: Lucy Vincent Beach in Chilmark is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. During the peak summer season, access is limited to Chilmark residents and renters staying in Chilmark who hold a beach permit issued by their landlord.

However, in the off-season, restrictions are relaxed, and non-residents can visit. If you go in late fall or spring, you can experience dramatic cliffs, rolling surf, and wide-open shoreline without the summer permit requirements or crowds.

Lucy Vincent Beach Off Season

Great Rock Bight Preserve

If you want something that feels untouched, head to Great Rock Bight Preserve in Chilmark. It’s a short hike. You’ll walk through coastal woods and then suddenly reach a dramatic overlook of Vineyard Sound. The trail eventually leads down to a small, quiet beach. It feels hidden.

Rent a Jeep

We leave our car on the mainland and rent a Jeep once we arrive. It avoids the hassle of trying to reserve a vehicle spot on the ferry, and it’s nice that it’s not our car getting filled up with sand. Plus, it’s just more fun exploring the island in a Jeep.

Stay

Most of the time we stay at the Harbor View Hotel. We like the location in the heart of Edgartown.

There is so much to do on the Vineyard. These are just a few of the experiences that feel a little less predictable and a little more memorable.