Martha's Vineyard Insider's Vacation Guide

According to the Martha's Vineyard Museum, English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold visited the area in 1602. Martha was the name of his mother-in-law and daughter. At the time, and to this day, wild grapevines grow throughout the island. The name was given then to the island by his on-ship journalists, and the name has stuck.

As you can see, Martha's Vineyard is made up of six towns. These towns are all different and have their own scene. For instance, Edgartown town center is more upscale, and has beautiful views of Edgartown Light. On the other side of the island, Vineyard Haven is a dry town (no alcohol), but is one of the most popular with tourists for its Black Dog Cafe. At the other side of the triangle, Aquinnah has spectacular cliffs at the area that used to be called Gay Head.

Gay Head Lighthouse Print (available framed, click to purchase print).

Aquinnah, formerly known as Gay Head, has changed names since 1998, though it is often still referred to by its former name by locals. The town of Aquinnah has a population of approximately 344 and is a Wompanoag tribal center. The town is known for its beautiful clay cliffs along the shoreline, and the often photographed lighthouse at Gay Head.

Edgartown Lighthouse Panoramic Print (click to purchase)

Edgartown Lighthouse is located on a sand spit on the eastern side of Edgartown. It can be easily seen from parts of Edgartown Center if you follow the coastline. The town of Edgartown has small shops and some of Martha's Vineyard's best restaurants. You can also find the ferry to Chappaquiddick Island located in Edgartown Center. The ride across is just a few minutes. Yes, this is the infamous island where the Ted Kennedy incident took place!

The food on Martha's Vineyard ranges from seafood to typical New England style breakfasts. There is a definite emphasis on seafood, caught locally and from abroad. In addition to seafood, there are many ice cream shops on the island like Mad Martha's. Here is a list of Martha's Vineyard restaurants, along with when they're open. Also, here are some of the most well known on the island:

Giordano's Restaurant & Clam
They serve Italian, they serve American, they serve seafood fried (which is their specialty). Try the fried fish sandwich, fried clams, or any type of fried seafood and you won't be disappointed by this Oak Bluffs restaurant.

Black Dog Tavern
The Black Dog is one of Martha's Vineyard's best known restaurants. Trip Advisor now rates the restaurant a little on the weak side, with many customers stating it isn't what it used to be. However, some are still satisfied, and the view from the restaurant hasn't changed... it's still incredible.

Sweet Life Cafe
Located in Oak Bluffs, Sweet Life Cafe was visited by President Barack Obama in 2009. This island favorite has everything from seafood to beef, but expect to pay a bit more for the upscale quality.

Detente Restaurant and Wine Bar
In Edgartown's Nevin Square, you can find the Detente Restaurant and Wine Bar, rated #2 on Trip Advisor for the best restaurants on MV. Contemporary/American style cuisine, you can dine on all three courses and enjoy a great selection of top wines.

Larsen's Fish Market
They bring the lobster fresh off the boat, steam it in the shack, and plunk it on your table. You can't get any better than this, and the view of Menemsha is worth savoring.