Martha's Vineyard

The island's most fabulous fine dining at l'etoile. Expect amazing service and an inventive, seasonally-driven menu. The Pan-Seared Spice Crusted Duck Foie Gras is a "to die for" starter course that sets the tone for things to come.

With an incredible location right on the harbor, this Edgartown staple has it all. A varied menu featuring fresh seafood and USDA prime steaks, outdoor seating, an extensive wine list, a vibrant bar area, and music and dancing in the summer.

A mix of moody lighting, classic Windsor chairs and white tablecloths, this Main Street bistro is sexy and sophisticated. The outstanding wine list features special California finds (the chef grew up in the Bay Area). Your taste buds will thank you if you try the Wok Fired Crispy Calamari. Venture downstairs to the Brick Cellar Bar for a more causal environment.

Ben & Bills has myriad flavors to satisfy every palate, from salted caramel to cake batter to electric-green pistachio. But what really makes them standout is the dense and creamy texture that is reminiscent of superlative gelato. It is also advised that you purchase chocolates to stock your hotel room...just in case.

This Oak Bluffs staple is one of the island's most popular brew pubs and restaurants. Grab a bowl of peanuts and shuck them into the floor like a local. We have a soft spot for the clam chowder and the tuna melt and hop fans will love the Offshore IPA. Don't forget about the lobster roll here, regularly voted one of Martha's Vineyard's best, loaded into a toasted bun and piled high with tender lobster meat tossed in a light coating of mayonnaise.

Described as having “soulful cuisine” and a relaxed atmosphere, this local hot spot is the perfect dinner spot to compliment your laid-back Oak Bluffs getaway. A menu that changes daily offers a selection of local and organic ingredients.

Located at the end of Circuit Avenue in the heart of Oak Bluffs, The Sweet Life is at the center of everything yet provides a tranquil oasis of refined private dining. Seasonal, area-sourced New American fare and an ample wine list pleases Presidents and beach bums with equal aplomb.

This Zagat-rated restaurant offers exceptional bistro fine dining in an intimate atmosphere often with a Mediterranean twist. If the Grilled Octopus appears on the rotating menu, get it.

Killer sandwiches, perfect frothy lattes and great baked goods make this coffee bar a Martha's Vineyard must. You can’t miss choosing the Katama Chicken Sandwich on fresh baked foccacia.  Snag the White Chocolate Heath Bar cookies for dessert. Just sayin'.

Want to feel like a local? Stop at this local fish market and peruse the fresh seafood offerings or daily kitchen specials. Better yet, ask our guest services crew to call ahead to arrange a take-out New England clambake of lobster, clams, corn on the cob, and all the fixin’s.

If you need a scenic view with your seafood, the Lookout is the spot, with its great covered porch overlooking Nantucket Sound. Voted Best Lobster Roll on Martha's Vineyard in 2016, the lobster roll here comes two ways: sautéed in warm butter or tossed with mayo. Either way, it's a large portion of fresh lobster served spilling out of a toasted roll and is sure to satisfy your lobster craving.

You've got to get your lobster roll and fried clam fix in while on vacation, so head to the Seafood Shanty. Request a table upstairs, where you'll take in a bird's eye view of the harbor. The Shanty is conveniently located across the street from the Scoop Shack, so you can end your night on the town with an ice cream cone. Check out their website for current late-night events like live DJs!

One of two breweries on the island, Bad Martha Brewing uses many local and wild-grown ingredients to infuse its wide variety of beers with the spirit of the island. Visit the brewery and tasting room on Upper Main Street in Edgartown for a relaxing afternoon spent enjoying a true taste of Martha's Vineyard. Beers are available in free samples, flights, and by the glass. Find something you like? Fill a growler to take home and enjoy later. A great option when you're looking for live music as well!

+Stop by for everything from a hot latte to fresh and homemade baked goods or custom, special occasion cakes. The highlight? The famous Back Door Donuts served nightly from 7:00 pm-1:00 am.

If you're looking for a family friendly activity or you just want to feel like a kid again, a ride on the Flying Horses Carousel is always a fun activity. Housed in a dark red building near the Steamship Authority Oak Bluffs terminal and a close stroll from Summercamp, it’s the oldest operating platform carousel in America. Reach for the brass ring to win a free ride

Located right outside the front door of Summercamp, the boldly painted, ornately carved cottages were built by Methodist Church campers during the mid 1800’s. Tours of the Campground are offered every Tuesday and Thursday in July and August. The central Tabernacle is on the National Register of Historic Places and is still home to weekly church services and a host of cultural events throughout the summer.

Hit Martha’s Vineyard’s major highlights and learn a lot of island lore on the Martha’s Vineyard Sightseeing bus. The company offers a 2½-hour tour with a ½-hour stop at the Aquinnah Cliffs and Gay Head Lighthouse.

Just off the town green, this gentle, shallow beach begins near the Steamship Authority dock and ends at Joseph Sylvia State Beach. 

If you've got an adventurous side, we recommend taking a ride out on the Skipper for an ocean fishing expedition on the protected waters of Vineyard Sound.

Take the six-mile shared use path from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown for some of the best biking on Martha's Vineyard. Winding on a narrow spit between Sengekontacket Pond and the sound, this path offers beautiful water views. Return to Oak Bluffs the way you came or make it a longer loop by using the bike paths that run alongside Edgartown-Vineyard Haven and County Roads.

Whether you're hoping to explore the island on foot or on two wheels, Martha’s Vineyard features miles of trails. Hop on a bike and peddle the 14 miles round-trip along the water to Edgatown. For hiking, trek through the stunning scenery of the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank, Sheriff’s Meadow, or Mass Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.

Located in Vineyard Haven, this seasonal, single screen theater has undergone extensive renovations, all while still maintaining its historical island charm. Stop in for a screening of of blockbusters, classics-in-the-making, engaging documentaries, and local film festival presentations.

This lighthouse is one of few attractions here, built in 1799 to protect mariners from an underwater rocky ledge called Devil's Bridge. The lighthouse was staffed by island lighthouse keepers and their families until 1956 when it was decommissioned. Gay Head is also known for its beaches and scenic cliffs and makes for a nice day trip.

If you're looking to explore Martha's Vineyard from a different angle, consider renting a kayak or paddleboard. Island Spirit also offers guided tours for those looking for a bit more structure.

Calm waters and plenty of sand space make this a gathering spot for many visitors. It’s an easy bike ride from Summercamp. Channel your inner movie buff and join the crowds jumping off “Jaws Bridge.” Search for sea glass along the water line.

A bit further afield, this expansive and sprawling Atlantic Ocean beach is all about volleyball, romping in the tide and summer fun. Be careful in the water as the waves can get large and undertows are common.

Offering daily 2-hour cruises and private charters, Mad Max is a Catamaran built for speed but with passenger comfort in mind. Come see why this sailing adventures is an island must.

For those that enjoy a more traditional sailing experience, a ride on the Magic Carpet is for you. A gorgeous and classic 56’ wooden yawl, it sails daily (in season) from Edgartown's Memorial Wharf.

Given that you are on an island, the most obvious choice when it comes to outdoor activites is to charter a craft from Martha’s Vineyard Leisure Boat Charters. You can customize your own journey, from just sitting back and soaking in the rays to tours of the Gay Head Cliffs, complete with a therapeutic bentonite clay bath.

Picnic in the party scene and waning light of Menemsha Beach at dusk. Impromptu jam sessions, volleyball games, and squealing children add to the atmosphere.

The farm stand of this 65-acre mixed vegetable and fruit farm is more like a local foods market, selling produce and beef grown and raised on the farm. The farm stand is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. on Sundays) and can be very busy. Go first thing to avoid the crowds or sneak in mid-afternoon on nice beach days, when it's quiet.

As the locals say, take the “on time ferry to Chappy” and discover the Mytoi Japanese Gardens. Winding footpaths guide you through a birch walk, camellia dell, stone garden, and hillside garden. A rustic shelter offers a broad view of this garden of exotic and native plantings that encircle a serene pond full of turtles, frogs, and goldfish.

Located in picture-perfect West Tisbury, this horticultural and botanical landmark features trees and shrubs from around the world set among stone walls, meadows, and fields. Developed by legendary horticulturist Polly Hill (1907-2007), the arboretum displays a huge variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Looking for an adventurous and unique way to explore Martha's Vineyard? Fly high above the water and take a kiteboarding lesson with these pros.

A seasonal, single screen theater that's undergone extensive renovations while still maintaining it's historical island charm. Stop in for a screening of of blockbusters, classics-in-the-making, engaging documentaries, and local film festival presentations.

If you're looking for a fun and adventurous way to explore the island, nothing tops renting a Jeep and driving it out onto the beach. Pack up a picnic lunch or grab sandwiches from a local shop downtown and spend the day driving around the island.

Vineyard Haven is a short three miles from Oak Bluffs,  and from there you can ride out to the West Chop Lighthouse via a four-mile loop. Take Beach Road to Vineyard Haven and then head down Main Street out to the lighthouse for a scenic vista. Head back to town on the same road or take Franklin Street to cover some new ground.

With over 40 vendors of on-island farms and craftsman, this farmers' market is worth the 20 minute drive from any of our Edgartown and Oak Bluffs boutique hotels. The market takes place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon and Wednesday mornings in July and August through Columbus Day. In the fall and winter, the market can be found indoors at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury.

Another island classic, we love their motto encouraging individuals to live “life off the leash.” Stop in here to find something for yourself and your four-legged best friend.