Just a 45-minute ferry ride from the mainland, the Vineyard features pristine sandy beaches, golf courses, natural beauty, and more than its fair share of sun-seeking celebrities.
Oak Bluffs’ brightly-painted “gingerbread” cottages began as a nineteenth-century Methodist summer campground; the town’s Flying Horses are the oldest continuously working carousel in America. Vineyard Haven is a picturesque community and the island’s year-round ferry port. Edgartown is an elegant yachting center, its streets still lined with whaling captains’ stately homes; the Old Whaling Church is now a performing arts center. “Up Island” are the rural communities of West Tisbury and Chilmark and the dramatic, color-streaked Aquinnah Cliffs.
When 17th-century British explorer Bartholomew Gosnold discovered the island, replete with wild grapes, he named if for his youngest daughter, Martha.
The island has five lighthouses, all originally built in the 1800s and subsequently replaced, and, in some cases, moved back from the encroaching sea. The Gay Head and East Chop lighthouses are open for sunset tours on a limited schedule.
Plan your transportation to Martha’s Vineyard well in advance, particularly if you plan to take a car since auto reservations are limited. Better yet, go car-free and take advantage of the island’s shuttle buses, taxis, bikeways, and
It's a smooth trip over on the M/V Island Queen, leaving from Falmouth Harbor. or the Steamship Authority leaving from Woods Hole.
*The Steamship Authority is pleased to announce a special travel offer, “Sea Two and Save”, for anyone who wishes to visit both Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard this summer. Round-trip combination tickets to both islands are available for purchase at any Steamship Authority terminal. Customers will enjoy a savings of $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. Tickets must be used within two weeks from the date of issue.
Traditional Ferry Combination Tickets
Hyannis to Nantucket and Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard
Adult Regular Rate: $48.00 Adult Discounted Rate: $38.00
Child Regular Rate: $25.00 Child Discounted Rate: $20.00
High-Speed and Traditional Combination Tickets
*High-Speed Ferry - Hyannis to Nantucket and
Traditional Ferry - Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard
Adult Regular Rate: $80.00 Adult Discounted Rate: $70.00
Child Regular Rate: $41.00 Child Discounted Rate: $36.00
* Call (508) 495-FAST (3278) to book your advance high-speed ferry reservation to Nantucket. Please mention this offer to any reservation agent in order to receive this discounted fare. Tickets are good for travel between June 25, 2010 and September 7, 2010 and must be used within two weeks from the date of issuance. Refunds will be issued on unused tickets by deducting the full fare of the value of transportation provided from the amount originally paid.
Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce
Map of the Regions in Massachusetts |