Ultimate Day Trip Guide to Martha’s Vineyard

The famous summer getaway island off Cape Cod is a great day trip.  The island boasts six charming towns and is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, lighthouses, and delicious food.  A short distance from the mainland makes for an easy to reach day trip destination. The island has a very laid back vibe and lots of ways to get out into nature.    When to visit Martha’s Vineyard   Summer is the most popular time to visit the island.  The island is open and alive with visitors from all over and you can take advantage of everything it has to offer.    We typically choose to travel to Cape Cod as a kickoff to our summer.  Going early June before school is out for the academic year allows us to enjoy the island without the craziness of vacationers swarming to their summer getaways.  The temps are typically mild, and everything is starting to turn green and lush.  The major drawback to going at this time however is that if you are a water person and you want to be in the ocean temps do run a little cold for a casual swim.   Getting to and around Martha’s Vineyard   Martha’s Vineyard is accessible only by boat or air but is an easy island to reach with multiple options for travel.  If you are looking to fly there are a handful of airlines that offer flights to Martha’s Vineyard Airport if that is the direction you would like to go.    The most common way to travel to Martha’s Vineyard and the way we chose was transport by ferry.  With the ferry you have the option of taking your car with you or riding as a passenger and utilizing public transportation once on the island.  There are multiple ferry companies that have routes to and from the island.  You just have to choose what works best for your travel.  The most common is the Steamship Authority that runs year-round from Woods Hole, MA to Vineyard Haven.  Depending on the time of year that you are visiting you may need to book early in advance if you want to bring a car.  During high season the ferries are very popular and will fully book up.    Aboard the ferry.   Once on the island, you can use your personal car if you choose to bring it or you can take advantage of the comprehensive bus system of the Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA).  The VTA provides service to all six of the island towns and the airport.  A day pass is very affordable – it was $8 per adult for unlimited use when we traveled.  You can buy your bus pass online as well as download the free app for real time bus information. The bus stop in Vineyard Haven was located right off the ferry dock so very convenient.    There are taxis and ride sharing services available if you are looking for more flexibility.  If you are looking to rent, there are cars available from multiple vendors or you can rent a bike and see the island in a whole different way.   One-Day Martha’s Vineyard Itinerary   Since we were staying in Sandwich, Mass., for a longer visit to Cape Cod, we made the choice to take the ferry from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven on the Steamship Authority.  Since parking is not available dockside we took advantage of the off-site parking lot in Falmouth and riding the free shuttle to the terminal.    The trip between Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard is only about 45 minutes and gives you an opportunity to see the Cape from the water.  The vessel we took had comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, free wi-fi and an on-board snack bar if you needed something while you rode.   Vineyard Haven Harbor   Vineyard Haven   Vineyard Haven is the main port of entry for the island.  Main street is just a block off the docks and is home to multiple shops, art galleries, and cafes.  A great stop to start out the day.   Cat napping in the window of main street shop!   As mentioned above the VTA bus terminal is right off the ferry dock and is where you can jump on the buses that will take you around the island.  One of the top things on our list to see was the Gay Head Light located in the picturesque Gay Head Cliffs in Aquinnah.  We knew it was going to be the longest trip we took on the bus, so we wanted to make this our starting point.   Up-Island/Gay Head Cliffs   A 45-minute VTA bus ride through the rural western part of the island will get you to the Up-Island Area.  Along the route you get that true feeling of why the island is known for its nature vibe. You will pass through pastures of animals and outdoor areas for hiking.  It all comes to an end at the westernmost tip Gay Head Cliffs in Aquinnah.  The cliffs along the water are a beautiful red, orange and gold clay and sandstone mix that dates back to prehistoric times.  There are multiple viewing areas that give you breathtaking views of the coast, cliffs and light house.    Gay Head Lighthouse and Cliffs   Historic Gay Head Lighthouse stands at the top of the cliffs and is an easy walk from the bus stop.   You can get up close and personal with the lighthouse.   There are a few gift shops you can browse through and some small little cafes to grab a bite to eat while you wait for the bus swing by and pick you up.    If you are looking to hike a little you can walk down to the white sands of Moshup Beach.  Here you can walk along the Gay Head cliffs and take in the large waves that come in from the Vineyard Sound.  A heads up the beach is considered by some as “clothing optional”.    Edgartown/South Beach   Across the island from Up-Island is Edgartown.  Known as an old whaling port it is a beautiful town full of unique shops, art galleries, restaurants and the famous South Beach where “Jaws” took its first victim.              When you think of Martha’s Vineyard this is the town you are thinking of.  The houses are the classic white clapboard style with picket fences out front.  The harbor is charming, and we wish we would have been able to spend more time here to explore.    Running every thirty minutes from downtown is a bus that will take you out to South Beach.  South Beach is a three-mile barrier beach that is on the Atlantic Ocean.  It is quiet and clean and when we visited in early June was peaceful and had very few occupants.  A very walkable beach but it can get breezy.   South Beach   Oak Bluffs   The final stop on the island trip is the seaside town of Oak Bluffs, known for is colorful gingerbread cottages and Victorian homes. The “Campgrounds” which is what the houses are known as was the original meeting grounds for the Methodist spiritual revivals.  There are a total of 300 cottages over a 36-acre span and many are considered historically significant because of their unique style of architecture.  Unfortunately, on our trip a big rainstorm came in as we got into Oak Bluffs so we were unable to see the houses up close.    Oak Bluffs was the first summer resort area of the island and a popular summer destination spot for African Americans. Its eastern coast is lined with miles of beautiful sandy beaches. It has a bustling nightlife and multiple dining options.  We chose to grab a bite to eat here before taking the bus back to Vineyard Haven to catch the last ferry out.   Where to Eat   Martha’s Vineyard has a robust and diverse culinary scene.  There are so many options to choose from and we wish we would have had more time on the island to explore what was available.   The restaurant that made its way to the top of our list was The Barn Bowl and Bistro in Oak Bluffs.  I know what you are thinking, of all the food options on the island a bowling alley is what you chose.   The food was excellent, and the service was top notch.  We snagged a seat at the counter that overlooked the bowling alleys, so we got dinner and a show.  Plastered on the walls are multiple photos of former presidents enjoying a game of bowling.   The Barn Bowl Lanes    The menu is loaded with options, and we decided on the Shrimp and Lobster Pasta and the New England Fish and Chips.  The pasta did not disappoint.  It was stacked with a hearty amount of shrimp and lobster in a creamy mushroom sauce topped with Parmesan cheese and truffle oil.  The fish was battered to a crispy perfection.   Lobster and Shrimp Pasta   After dinner we walked to Back Door Donuts for their night offering of fresh donuts.  The bakery opens for night service from 7 pm-12 am Wednesday-Monday at the backside of the bakery.  Key words to this – the back side of the building.  We made the mistake of going to the front door and almost leaving because we thought it was closed.  A quick walk around to the back parking lot of the building we found the random open door where you can place your order.  On busy summer nights I’m sure it’s easier to find as the line can get long.   Our top picks were the apple fritter, chocolate glazed and the cinnamon sugar.    As I stated above there are so many dining options on the island that if we had had more time, we would have spent multiple days just taking in the food offerings.    Martha’s Vineyard was the perfect one-day getaway.  It made our overall trip to Cape Cod so memorable and one we long to go back to yearly.   Are you planning a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!