Vineyard Haven

Around Vineyard Haven

Photo: EgorovaSvetlana · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Town and around · Massachusetts · 21k people

Vineyard Haven

Locals say Martha's Vineyard · “The Vineyard”, “The Island”

A world apart, just a ferry ride away.

Lighthouse RedOcean BluePine Green

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Welcome to Martha's Vineyard, where the salt air and sandy paths invite you to slow down. Whether you're here for a season or a lifetime, you'll find a community that loves the water, the harvest, and the simple rhythm of island life.

Clubs for Vineyard Haven

No clubs for Vineyard Haven yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Vineyard Haven. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

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All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Vineyard Haven. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Aquinnah Cliffs Colorful clay cliffs with sweeping ocean views.
  • Edgartown Lighthouse Iconic lighthouse at the entrance to Edgartown Harbor.
  • Gingerbread Cottages Colorful Victorian cottages in Oak Bluffs, a historic district.
  • Menemsha Harbor Working fishing village with sunset views and fresh seafood.
  • Vineyard Haven Harbor Busy harbor with ferries, shops, and waterfront dining.
  • Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary Nature preserve with trails and birdwatching.
  • Outdoors Bike the island
  • Outdoors Kayak around the Vineyard
  • With kids Ride the Flying Horses Carousel
  • With kids Explore the Martha's Vineyard Museum
  • Evenings Catch live music at The Ritz
  • Evenings See a show at the Capawock Theatre
  • Locals love Beaches
  • Locals love Farm stands

Through the year

  • Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Fair August Annual fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
  • Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby September–October Month-long fishing competition with prizes and community spirit.
  • Martha's Vineyard Film Festival July Independent films and discussions in a scenic setting.
  • Martha's Vineyard Food and Wine Festival October Tastings, chef demos, and vineyard events.
  • Oak Bluffs Harbor Festival June Celebration of the harbor with music, food, and boat activities.

Maritime climate with mild, changeable weather. Best time to be out is summer, but spring and fall offer fewer crowds and pleasant temps. Best: Late spring to early fall is ideal, with warm days and cool evenings.

Talk like a local

“down-Island”
The more populated towns: Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown.
“up-Island”
The more rural towns: West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah.
“the Vineyard”
Short for Martha's Vineyard.
“Island time”
A relaxed, unhurried pace of life.

Getaways

  • Nantucket Historic island with cobblestone streets and beaches.
  • Cape Cod Classic seaside towns, dunes, and national seashore.
  • Providence Vibrant city with arts, food, and river walks.
  • Boston History, museums, and urban energy.

Local flavour

Teams

  • Martha's Vineyard Sharks New England Collegiate Baseball League

Also rooting for Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins

Eat and drink

  • Lobster roll Fresh, buttery lobster on a toasted bun
  • Clam chowder Creamy New England-style chowder
  • Fried clams Crispy whole-belly clams
  • Fresh oysters Local oysters from island waters

Where people go

  • Lighthouses Historic lighthouses like Edgartown and Gay Head
  • Beaches Sandy shores and dramatic dunes
  • Gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs Colorful, ornate Victorian houses in the Campground
  • Fishing villages Working harbors and docks
  • Farmlands Rolling fields and farm stands
  • Aquinnah Cliffs Colorful clay cliffs overlooking the ocean

Heritage and traditions

Martha's Vineyard is proud of its tight-knit island community, its deep Wampanoag heritage, and its long tradition as a summer haven for artists, writers, and families, with a laid-back, nature-loving ethos.

This time of year in Vineyard Haven

  • Fishing derby Fall The Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby runs from September to October.

Say it like a local: “Down-island” — The eastern towns of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown.

Festivals

  • Oak Bluffs Illumination Night August Hundreds of paper lanterns light the gingerbread cottages of the Camp Ground.
  • Chilmark Flea Market Summer weekends A beloved outdoor market for local crafts and antiques.
  • Martha's Vineyard Book Festival August Authors and readers gather for talks and signings.
  • Wampanoag Powwow July The Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe hosts a traditional powwow with dance and drumming.
  • Edgartown Regatta July A classic yacht race and social event.
  • Vineyard Artisans Festival Summer weekends Local artisans sell pottery, jewelry, and paintings.

Landmarks with a story

  • Aquinnah Cultural Center Preserves Wampanoag history and culture, located near the Cliffs.
  • Old Whaling Church A Greek Revival church in Edgartown, now a performing arts center.
  • Union Chapel A Victorian chapel in Oak Bluffs, used for community events.
  • The Tabernacle An open-air tabernacle in the Oak Bluffs Camp Ground, site of community gatherings.
  • The Vincent House The oldest house on the island, now part of the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Food traditions

  • Clambakes A traditional New England clambake with steamers, corn, and lobster, often on the beach.
  • Portuguese malasadas Fried dough dusted with sugar, brought by Portuguese immigrants in the fishing community.
  • Linguica and chouriço Portuguese sausages used in soups, stews, and breakfast.
  • Farm-to-table dinners Many restaurants source from local farms, celebrating the island's agricultural heritage.
  • Quahogging and digging for steamers The tradition of digging for quahogs and steamers at low tide, then cooking them up.

Music and arts

  • Wooden boat building The Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway in Vineyard Haven preserves traditional wooden boat craftsmanship.
  • Wampanoag basketry and pottery Traditional crafts passed down through generations, often sold at the Aquinnah Cultural Center.
  • Martha's Vineyard Playhouse A year-round theater presenting classic and contemporary plays.
  • Vineyard Artisans Festival A showcase for local painters, potters, and jewelers.

A little history

  • Thousands of years Wampanoag presence
  • 19th century Whaling era
  • 1830s-1870s Camp Meeting movement
  • Late 19th century African American community
  • 1938 Great Hurricane of 1938

Rivalries

  • Martha's Vineyard vs. Nantucket Friendly rivalry over which island is better.
  • Game day Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
  • Game day Edgartown Regatta
  • Outdoors Clamming at low tide
  • Outdoors Watching the sunrise at South Beach
  • With kids Riding the Flying Horses Carousel
  • With kids Watching fireworks on July 4th

Locals speak with a relaxed New England accent, sometimes dropping r's, and use island-specific terms like 'up-island' and 'down-island' to refer to the western and eastern parts of the island.

Only here

  • The Flying Horses Carousel is the oldest platform carousel in the United States.
  • There are no traffic lights on the island, only blinking lights.
  • Illumination Night, when hundreds of lanterns light the gingerbread cottages, is a unique island tradition.
  • The island's year-round population of about 17,000 swells to over 100,000 in summer.
New here? A few tips
  • Book ferry reservations well in advance, especially in summer.
  • Many businesses close in winter; the island is much quieter.
  • Learn the local terms: up-island and down-island.
  • Biking is a great way to get around, but watch for sandy roads.
  • Support local businesses; the island values its independence.

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Nearby

Every area
NantucketMassachusettsAn island of grey shingles and endless blue.Cape CodMassachusettsWhere every day feels like a vacation.ProvidenceRhode IslandWhere rivers light up and coffee milk flowsBostonMassachusettsWhere every cobblestone has a story.PutnamConnecticutA quiet corner of New England charmNew London–NorwichConnecticutSalt air and shipyard steelWorcesterMassachusettsSeven hills, one heart, and a diner on every corner.HartfordConnecticutWhere the river meets the capital, and the leaves turn gold.

Vineyard Haven, MA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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