Why You Should Visit Martha's Vineyard

Whether you are yearning for rest and relaxation or looking for unique places to visit, Martha's Vineyard is the place to be. Heck, with a summer population of 90,000 people, it seems like it's the place to be for everyone! Since it is a very popular place to visit, you should definately book your lodging in advance...months in advance. For a list of locations, see the additional resources external links. Just be aware that since this is such a hot spot to visit, the island can afford to jack up the prices.

You may either take a ferry there, or fly. The island accommodates both modes of transportation. To see the various ferries, schedules, and other information, see the steamship authority link listed at the end of the article. If you just want to know the cost, the ferries currently run at $13 for an adult round trip and $7 for a child's round trip ticket. If flying would better suit you, the additional resources section below has a link to various airports which can fly you to Martha's Vineyard.

What else can you expect to notice from this island? Well, unless you are going to be traveling from the southeast coast of Massachusetts, when you have the option of taking a ferry, you will be taking a plane ride there. In which case you will notice that this island is fairly small, only about 20 miles long and 10 miles wide (about 100 square miles). There are 124.6 miles of tidal shore line. Once you step off of the plane or ferry, you will notice that the climate is relatively mild. The temperature in the summer, like Nantucket, is usually 10 cooler than the mainland. In addition, summer water temperatures reach the upper 60's to low 70's.

Now that you have mentally arrived at the island, what is there to do? MV just has so much to offer its travelers. Being a long time traveler to Martha's Vineyard, I hope to give you some good insight on things you might want to check out.

Beaches: There are 14 public beaches from which to choose from. Though I admit I haven't been to all of them, Joseph Sylvia State Beach is one of my favorites. The beach is nice and sandy, and there is something about the water lapping at your ankles amidst a sandbar that relaxes me very much. The only downside can be the crowds. If you manage to find a good parking spot and secluded section to set up, you are golden.

Flying Horses Carousel: It is the oldest platform operating carousel in the United States. It was built in 1876 by Charles D.F. Dare, and brought to Martha's Vineyard in 1884. What makes this carousel (in Oak Bluffs) unique is that there is a little competition to go along with it. On the inside and outside of the carousel are two arms holding rings. Every time you pass it, you are able to pluck the rings from one of them, depending on which side of the carousel you are sitting. At the end of the ride, the "Golden Ring" is placed into the arms, and whoever snatches it up will receive a free ride. Regular ticket prices are $1.50 per ride, or $8.00 for 10 rides. Again, if you are there during peak tourist season, you might see a long line. Don't fret though, because they do go by quickly. See http://www.mvpreservation.org/carousel.html for more information.

While you are in the area of Oak Bluffs, I also suggest you take a look at the "Gingerbread Cottages". Originally named the "Cottage City" from 1880-1907, Oak Bluffs takes pride in this unique tourist attraction. So much, in fact, that at the end of every August on a Wednesday they have something called Grand Illumination where the quaint cottages are decorated with dimly lit Chinese paper lanterns. While you can wander around the cottage campground, there is a community choir singing and a band playing at the tabernacle. This is the perfect romantic evening you have been waiting for, and the best part is, it's free!

Restaurants: I'm sure most of you have seen those Black Dog shirts that people love to wear. Those are from the most popular restaurant on the island, called "The Black Dog" surprisingly enough. This eatery is located in Vineyard Haven, along with the "Black Dog Bakery". There are also many exquisite seafood restaurants located throughout the island, including "Ocean View", "Seafood Shanty", etc. For more of a selection, see the additional links below. Again, since this is such a big tourist area, they take advantage of it through their menus. Depending on where you go and what you eat, it can get pricey.

Wildlife and trails: Interested in seeing the wildlife on Martha's Vineyard? How about for free? Visit the Felix Wildlife Sanctuary in Vineyard Haven. "This 350-acre sanctuary is home to 100 species of birds, including cormorants and ospreys, and other wildlife. Follow one of the six well-marked trails for views of all the island's ecosystems: marshland, ponds, woods and grasslands" (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g41875 -d105076-Reviews-Felix_Neck_Wildlife_Sanctuary-Viney ard_Haven_Martha_s_Vineyard_Massachusetts.html).
Aquinnah (Gay Head): This is a gorgeous section of the island with breath-taking views of the beaches from various cliffs. Tours are available during certain hours, and only cost $3. Aquinnah also holds a lot of Native American history, being the home to the Wampanoag Indians.

Those are only the highlights of things you can do with the whole family on the island of Martha's Vineyard. For more information to fill up your agenda, visit the following helpful links.