Day trip to Martha's Vineyard

lburkey21

My FI's birthday is this weekend and I'm thinking about surprising him with a day trip to the Vineyard. I've never been and I think he's only been once so I thought it would be a fun, inexpensive thing to do.

We wouldn't bring our car on the ferry so we'd only be able to explore the port area (Vineyard Haven/Tinsbury). Does anyone have any recommendations for things to do and see, places to eat, etc. in that area?

TIA!

snoangel79

If you can get there for breakfast and go to the Black Dog restaurant, they have pancakes that are insanely good (almost like a super dessert so if you are dieting for the wedding just forget it for the day <:) It's nice to walk around there and go to all the little shops too.

MeaghanandMichael

The Mansion House gives the BEST massages if that is something you are into. It is a dry town though, so if you want to have a few cocktail you should bring your wine/booze with you. They allow you to drink if you bring your own for a small corkage fee.

It depends what you want to do. IMO, Oak Bluffs has way better dining and drink options (plus a small beach, the gingerbread cottage, and a fun carousel) and I know you can take the ferry into there. BUT Vineyard Haven has way better shops and some really cute neighborhoods to walk around.

MeaghanandMichael

ps- it is like a $1.50 to take the public bus between towns and like a $6.00 cab ride. You may be able to do both! Going to Edgartown is more pricey though... like an $18 dollar cab ride.

lburkey21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_day-trip-marthas-vineyard?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:89Discussion:a35d3a80-d93f-4c18-be37-dea14fc29a1ePost:d3529e93-d0a8-4b07-a6e6-129f1ea38d80">Re: Day trip to Martha's Vineyard</a>:
[QUOTE]ps- it is like a $1.50 to take the public bus between towns and like a $6.00 cab ride. You may be able to do both! Going to Edgartown is more pricey though... like an $18 dollar cab ride.
Posted by MeaghanandMichael[/QUOTE]

Maybe we can do both!! This is great info - I didn't even consider being able to do more than one area.

Kit483

We usually bring our bikes so we can swing between Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. Midnight Farm is Carly Simon's shop in Vineyard Haven (like a anthropologie), and the Offshore Ale House in Oak Bluffs has amazing microbrews and french fries.

If you are going to eat in VH, hands down go to breakfast or brunch at the Art Cliff. Amazing and once-in-a-lifetime. The chef also recently opened a food truck on the island. I

CCBelle

Have you looked into bring your car over on the ferry?  It may be worth it as you could drive around and check out much more of the island.  I love Edgartown and Chilmark, but both are those are far from the ferries.

lburkey21

Thanks Ladies!!

I looked into taking the car but it'd be about $140 rountrip just for the car - so I nixed that idea!!

My only concern is - will everything be open? I know this is still technically the off-season and I'd hate for us to get there and then have only 1/2 of the places be open.

MeaghanandMichael

Honestly, a lot of stuff might not be open. My guess is a lot of the resturants might be, but the shops might not have brought in their summer lines yet (and they rarely carry winter lines) BUT I would still go There is just so much awesomeness there. Even just sitting on a bench by the sea is romantic!

CCBelle

Not to completely go off base, but have you considered going to Nantucket for the day?  The ferry drops off right in town and there's so much to do w/out needing a car or taxi.  I'll admit that I'm partial to Nantucket over MV.  I just love it there :-)