Martha's Vineyard is located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts and is only accessible by boat or air. Originally inhabited by the Wampanoag, Martha's Vineyard was known as Noepe, or "land amid the streams". Some believe that the island was inhabited by Vikings and they named it Vineland. Then, the British arrived and the island was named by the British explorer Bartholomew Gosnold, after his daughter, Martha. Martha’s Vineyard is known for being an affluent summer destination with beautiful beaches, historic lighthouses, quaint towns and beautiful painted cliffs. Below are are some amazing places on the island.
Vineyard Haven
There is a ferry that comes into Vineyard Haven. Once I arrived, I was given advise from several locals, that I must eat at The Art Cliff Diner. I don't believe I have every had that huge of servings. It was a yummy breakfast. What a great way to start an adventure.
West Chop Lighthouse
The West Chop Lighthouse was built in 1817, and in 1838 the wooden building was replaced by the present brick structure. In recent times, the small caretaker's cottage at its foot has been occupied by Coast Guard personnel.
Aquinnah Circle Cultural District
The Aquinnah, formerly known as Gay Head, have the epic clay cliffs that were carved by glaciers millions of years ago. The Wampanoag people have lived in Aquinnah for 10,000 years. This is the ancient home of the Aquinnah Wampanoag people as well as a whaling village.
The Cultural Center overlooks the clay cliffs and offers shops and restaurants. The shops include handmade native jewelry, clothing, pottery, and home decor.
Aquinnah Cliffs
The cliffs are a National Historic Landmark and are on the Wampanoag Reservation land. The cliffs are composed of one hundred and fifty feet of sediment from six glaciers including red and white clay, green sands, white quartz, black organic soil, and lignite. The cliffs are so gorgeous and on this beach.
Gay Head Lighthouse
The Gay Head Lighthouse was the first lighthouse constructed on Martha’s Vineyard in 1799. The Gay Head Lighthouse was perilously close to the eroding cliffs so it had to be moved so on August 11th, 2015 it was moved back to its new location. Granite foundation stones found during the excavation for the move were placed in a circle marking the spot where Gay Head Light had stood for 159 years. The circle’s center stone has a rusty ring that is the imprint of the Light’s center column. The red brick lighthouse is lighted every evening after dark throughout the year.
Moshup Beach or Aquinnah Beach
I think this is the most picturesque beach on Martha’s Vineyard. The cliffs and surrounding beach and hill area are gorgeous. The cliffs have red and white clay, green sands, white quartz, and lignite. This is a great location for a fantastic sunset.
Lobsterville Beach
Lobsterville Beach offers a quiet spot to relax as well as two miles of shoreline to walk. The calm waters on the Vineyard Sound make it a nice spot for snorkeling.
Edgartown
The stately white Greek Revival houses and picket fences built by the whaling captains have been carefully maintained. Edgartown is one of New England’s most elegant communities and we really enjoyed exploring this beautiful town. Edgartown was the Island’s first colonial settlement and was founded in 1642.
Edgartown Lighthouse
The original lighthouse was built in 1828, on a small man-made island in the Edgartown harbor. For the first year, the only way to get to the light was by boat, but then later a foot bridge was built so that one can walk to the lighthouse. Later sand was used to filled in the area between the island and the mainland, and the current Edgartown Lighthouse stands on shore.
Oak Bluffs Campground
Oak Bluffs is a colorful and historic town with sandy beaches, pubs, seafood restaurants, eclectic downtown shops and historic cottages. We enjoyed walking around the downtown and had lunch at Coop de Ville where we enjoyed watching soccer on the TV screens and watching boats pass by on the water. The campground is streets tightly packed with brightly painted Gothic Victorian cottages with wedding-cake trim. They date back to the 1860s when the Methodist revivalist people began to lease lots and build houses for summer use.
Circuit Avenue
Eclectic shops and a variety of pubs and restaurants. It's a great area to stroll in, people watch and many shops and restaurants. Circuit Avenue is one of the famous area in Martha's Vineyard.
East Chop Lighthouse
In the mid-1800s, Captain Silas Daggett built a privately owned lighthouse on East Chop. It was funded by local merchants who sailed in the area and by some of the ships passing through. Many, however, refused to pay a fee after they arrived safely in port and this lasted only six years. In 1875, the U.S. government bought the lighthouse and the present cast-iron structure. There was a wedding at the light house when I arrive. How sweet!
Inkwell Beach or Town Beach
Narrow, sandy strip of public beach across from beautiful Victorian homes and Ocean Park. The beach is home to the Polar Bears, the group that swim in the cold waters during the winter months. It was named Inkwell because it always filled with people of color or that it was because many of the town’s prominent people, many of them writers, mingled there.
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
State Beach between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown is a lovely beach with miles of sandy beach and I even got to see the Monarch butterflies.
Menemsha Beach
Menemsha Beach is a working fishing village that is known for the great sunsets. Locals and visitors alike gather around Menemsha Beach to watch the sunset and clap as the sun descends into the horizon.
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