Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is an island south of Cape Cod with rolling hills, forests, sandy beaches, and six coastal towns spread across about 100 square miles (260 km²). Each town shows its own streets with wooden houses, small harbors, and boardwalks along the bays.

Wampanoag named the land Noepe before British settlers founded villages for farming, fishing, and whaling in the 1600s. In the 1800s, Methodist communities came for summer gatherings, and tourism began to grow.

The island shows a long arts tradition with many galleries, theaters, and festivals for literature, music, and film during the warm months. Local craftspeople offer their work in small studios spread across the coastal villages, often meeting visitors directly.

Regular ferries connect Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs, while seasonal flights go to the island airport. You can travel between towns by bicycle, bus, or rental car, but roads are often busy in summer.

Oak Bluffs shows a collection of Victorian cottages with carved wooden trim and colorful paint from the Methodist summer camp era in the 1800s. Some cottages stand close together on narrow paths, almost like a small village within a village.

Location: Dukes County

Elevation above the sea: 24 m

Part of: Elizabeth Islands

GPS coordinates: 41.40000,-70.61667

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:31