New England, Martha's Vineyard Island, Edgartown, Katama, small towns, beaches, swimming, fishing, boating, sailing, water sports, seafood, whale watching, golfing, shopping,
A playground for Hollywood and Washington elites, Martha's Vineyard is to the nouveau riche as neighboring Nantucket is to old-money Yankees and New Yorkers. Just seven miles off the Massachusetts mainland, this 180-square-mile, triangle-shaped island is also more accessible than its sister island—a 45-minute ferry ride from the Cape Cod village of Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven. Of the island's six towns, the centers of visitor activity are Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven. Edgartown, a quaint jumble of bars, boutiques, restaurants, and inns in historic sea captains' homes, occupies the island's southeastern corner. Just to the north, Oak Bluffs is the center of nightlife and where you'll find the gaily painted gingerbread houses of the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association—one of the island's top photo ops. Vineyard Haven, at the northern tip of the island, is the main port of entry, and with its chichi shops and dining, is the most genteel of the towns. To the west, West Tisbury is a community of working farms and rolling hills. Chilmark, in the southwestern corner, is where the richest of the rich spend their summers (you might catch a glimpse of their sprawling summer homes—or at least the tennis courts or servants' quarters—from State Road), and includes the picturesque commercial port of Menemsha. And even farther southwest, the highlight of Aquinnah is its dramatic clay cliffs and prime sunsets; it's also the home of the native Gay Head Wampanoag tribe.
Other Activities: South Beach
Possibly Martha’s Vineyard’s most popular and well-known beach. Three miles of barrier beach on the South Shore at the end of Katama Road. Surf on one side, protected salt-pond on the other. Open to all. Vehicles with permits allowed on marked trails. Lifeguards as well as restrooms and changing facilities. Free Parking area can accommodate about 130 vehicles. Close to bike path and served by VTA bus from Church Street bus terminal, downtown Edgartown.
Mytoi Japanese Gardens
Experience an intimate Japanese style garden characterized by natural serenity. Footpaths leading past a birch walk, camellia dell, stone garden, and hillside garden as wells a .5 mile trail through a pitch pine forest leading to the salt marshes of Poucha Pond. The entrance to the Salt Marsh Trail is located across the street from the Mytoi Garden. These trails offer easy walking and beautiful scenery. Just under a 3 mile bike ride from the 'on-time ferry' (Chappaquiddick Ferry) leaving from Edgartown. Limited parking; free to all; public restrooms.
Golf: Farm Neck GC, 18 holes over 6,807 yards with a par of 72 (Public) Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 (508) 693-3057
Mink Meadows GC, 9 holes over 3,045 yards with a par of 35 (Public) Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 (508) 693-0600
Vineyard Golf Club, 18 holes over 7,012 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity) Edgartown, MA 02539 (508) 627-8930
Edgartown GC, 18 holes over 2,847 yards with a par of 36 (Private Equity) Edgartown, MA 02539 (508) 627-5343
