Two days on Martha's Vineyard -- Any MUST sees?

Rum&aLime · Post by **Rum&aLime** » August 31, 2006 10:35 am

Hey,

My better half and I are going to MV in a couple weeks. I've never been, and always wanted to go after reading all the J.W. Jackson novels. The deal is, I get two days on the island in exchange for spending the next four days in ME with her family, so I want to make them count.

We'll be staying in Edgartown, and are not bringing a car, so nearby stuff would be great. We'd also like to see some of the gingerbread cottages; are most of them in Oak Bluffs?

Thanks for any input!

-Paul

conched · Post by **conched** » August 31, 2006 10:49 am

I always thought Hot Tin Roof would be a good place to go.

It's called OUTERLAND now.

(I see Ben Taylor is there this weekend.)

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » August 31, 2006 11:01 am

The gingerbread cottages are in the campground in Oak Bluffs. I know a guy that owns one of them... There are shuttles that will take you all over the island.

The cliffs at Gay Head are pretty spectacular too....

Check out this site: www.mvy.com

MacPhin · Post by **MacPhin** » August 31, 2006 11:27 am

go to mensha if you like small towns and boats. i saw jimmy there one time. when he is around most likely that's where the boat will be.

in edgartown go to south beach where they filmed some of jaws. afterwards hit mad martha's for ice cream.

definitely go to aquinnah ( oak bluffs) to see the cliffs and lighthouse. there is a good beach there and the mud baths but it's a walk.

there are buses that can take you all around the island. we rented a car for the day and explored. fun!!

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » August 31, 2006 11:49 am

Forgot one thing... You have to hit the Flying Horses in Oak Bluffs... the oldest carousel in the US...

Rum&aLime · Post by **Rum&aLime** » August 31, 2006 12:20 pm

Thanks for the fast responses! I'm really looking forward to this trip.

-Paul

Brown Eyed Girl · Post by **Brown Eyed Girl** » August 31, 2006 12:28 pm

MV is a place I've always wanted to visit and I've read all the JW Jackson books as well! I just wish Philip Craig wrote faster.

Nice to know there is another fan out there. I look forward to hearing about your trip when you get back.

mommar · Post by **mommar** » August 31, 2006 5:26 pm

There is a bridge down there that people love to jump off of.........I think it was the bridge that was in Jaws.

Maybe someone better acquainted with the area can help you out as to where exactly it is.

If you like lighthouses there are 5 of them on the island

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » August 31, 2006 7:08 pm

mommar wrote:There is a bridge down there that people love to jump off of.........I think it was the bridge that was in Jaws.

IIRC, it's the bridge on the main road between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. I hung out on that beach a lot as a kid....

aeroparrot · Post by **aeroparrot** » September 1, 2006 10:27 am

Go to the town formerly known as Gay Head. Can't remember the actual name of it now. Spectacular views.

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » September 1, 2006 2:52 pm

Oh, and there's The Black Dog in Vineyard Haven, get a shirt

Rum&aLime · Post by **Rum&aLime** » September 3, 2006 10:00 am

Thanks for all the great ideas! Two days is nowhere near enough time!

SharkOnLand -- The Infamous Black Dog Shirt will be coming home! The Flying Horses are definitely on our list.

Mommar -- My wife is a lighthouse junkie ( she grew up in Maine, go figure) and is getting into photography, so I'm sure there will be at least a couple lighthouse visits.

We're flying into Logan on Saturday, spending Sat. and Sun. in Boston, then off to Woods Hole for the ferry on Monday morning

One week from tomorrow!

-Paul

Conolulu · Post by **Conolulu** » September 3, 2006 10:07 am

I'm envious! Sept is the BEST time to get away from Florida!

(actually the only time....it's the hottest month)

I used to have a 2nd home on Deer Isle in Stonington...loved Summers up there, for 22 yrs....But y'all talk funny.

Have a wonderful trip and bring us pics ....I'll feel cooler...

mommar · Post by **mommar** » September 3, 2006 10:08 am

Rum&aLime wrote:Thanks for all the great ideas! Two days is nowhere near enough time!

SharkOnLand -- The Infamous Black Dog Shirt will be coming home! The Flying Horses are definitely on our list.

Mommar -- My wife is a lighthouse junkie ( she grew up in Maine, go figure) and is getting into photography, so I'm sure there will be at least a couple lighthouse visits.

We're flying into Logan on Saturday, spending Sat. and Sun. in Boston, then off to Woods Hole for the ferry on Monday morning

One week from tomorrow!

-Paul

I have directions to them, I will scan them in and PM them to you sometime this week, hopefully this weekend tho. Plus I'm sure people will be able to assist you once you're on the island

NYCPORT · Post by **NYCPORT** » September 3, 2006 10:26 am

Get a car. The islands Public Transportation system isn't great and wil waste a ton of you time.
Make sure to go the Flying Horses.
The easiest light houses to get to are West Chop and East Chop. The other one is the Gay Head light. It's above the cliffs which are also a must see. Gay Head is now called Aquinnah.
You will see the Edgartown Harbor light from where you are staying. Cape Pogue is at the end of Chappaquiddick and you won't get to that one unless you have 4 wheel drive vehicle. Not much to do in Vineyard Haven but shop on Main St. other of course eating at The Black Dog. Brunch is fabulous! They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait.
Finding the gingerbread houses can be a little tough. Walk up Circuit Ave from the Flying Horses and stay on the right side of the street about half way up the street look down the alleys and you will see the start of the houses. If I'm not mistaken the best alley to walk down is right around Sharky's Mexican restaurant.
I could give you tons more but I'll let you PM me for more specific info.

PARROT HEAD MIKE · Post by **PARROT HEAD MIKE** » September 3, 2006 10:35 am

SharkOnLand wrote:Oh, and there's The Black Dog in Vineyard Haven, get a shirt

The Black Dog Tavern ironically doesn't serve alcohol. Buy the shirt but don't eat there, the food isn't that good either and overpriced compared to the other restaurants. Vineyard Haven is dry go to Edgartown.

I would take or rent a car but if not buy shuttle bus pass which is good for the day, it will take you anywhere you want to go for like $6, get a bus schedule.

In Oak Bluffs there is the oldest continuous operated Carousel in the nation, it draws a big crowd

The gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs

Rum&aLime · Post by **Rum&aLime** » September 22, 2006 5:16 pm

Thanks again to everyone for the advice; we had a GREAT time. Already planning a return trip.

A car was definitely useful. We ended up renting a Jeep and driving all over the island. I actually got to use the 4WD (don't tell Budget

) when we found a cool little spot for a short hike in Memensha -- the parking lot to get to the trail was at the end of a rutted, rocky dirt road.

What a beautiful place. And I really LOVE New England in September. I wish we had Autumn in Florida.

-Paul

mommar · Post by **mommar** » September 22, 2006 5:52 pm

Rum&aLime wrote:Thanks again to everyone for the advice; we had a GREAT time. Already planning a return trip.

A car was definitely useful. We ended up renting a Jeep and driving all over the island. I actually got to use the 4WD (don't tell Budget ) when we found a cool little spot for a short hike in Memensha -- the parking lot to get to the trail was at the end of a rutted, rocky dirt road.

What a beautiful place. And I really LOVE New England in September. I wish we had Autumn in Florida.

-Paul

Nice to hear you enjoyed our little corner of the world as much as we enjoy yours

......... Got any pictues to share?

Rum&aLime · Post by **Rum&aLime** » September 22, 2006 8:16 pm

mommar wrote:
Rum&aLime wrote:Thanks again to everyone for the advice; we had a GREAT time. Already planning a return trip.

A car was definitely useful. We ended up renting a Jeep and driving all over the island. I actually got to use the 4WD (don't tell Budget ) when we found a cool little spot for a short hike in Memensha -- the parking lot to get to the trail was at the end of a rutted, rocky dirt road.

What a beautiful place. And I really LOVE New England in September. I wish we had Autumn in Florida.

-Paul
Nice to hear you enjoyed our little corner of the world as much as we enjoy yours ......... Got any pictues to share?

Only a few hundred

. They should be uploaded within a week or so. As soon as my wife gets them organized, I'll be happy to send you a link.