Martha's Vineyard Journals

Falling in love with the Vineyard

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A July 2004 trip to Martha's Vineyard by SFPhotocraft

News from America Photo - News from America Pub, Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts More Photos
Quote: This was our first trip to Martha's Vineyard. The moment we stepped off the ferry we were hooked. This is summer at its very finest. It wasn't hard, but we had fallen in love with Martha's VIneyard.

Falling in love with the Vineyard

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Overview

Martha's Vineyard Photo - Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
Part of the rush of travel is falling in love with a new place. We all have our old favorites that we keep going back to and discovering. But there is nothing like that feeling as we step off a plane or a train and are in awe. It's the same feeling you have on a great first date. There is nothing like it. That is how I felt about Martha's Vineyard. The name alone leads me to vision some small island that was holding off the rest of the world. A part of the United States, yet a land on to itself. I had my own preconcieved ideas of what I thought this place would be. To be honest many of my notions of this place held true, all for the good. We pi...Read More

Colonial Inn

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Hotel

Colonial Hotel Photo - Colonial Inn, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
While doing my island homework I called the Colonial Inn to verify their rates and size of their rooms. The minute I talked to the woman who answered the phone, I knew this would be the right place for us to stay. She was friendly and eager to share with us information about the hotel and Martha's Vineyard. She gave me the information I needed about the ferry and what to do once we got here. I booked the room. Once you pull into Edgartown harbor on the ferry, call the hotel. They will send a bellman down to the dock to meet the ferry and help you walk the two blocks with your luggage. It was nice to have a friendly face greet us and welcome us to ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 13, 2004

Colonial Inn
38 N Water Street
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
(508) 627-4711

News from America Pub

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Restaurant | "The News from America"

News from America Photo - News from America Pub, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
News from America is one of the oldest pubs on the island. It was built in 1742, before America was even a country. This is an island favorite, as it's always named the best pub on the island year after year in the local’s survey. I have to side with the locals on this one. The first thing you notice when coming into the pub is the smell. It smells of years and years of wood burning in the fireplace, a comforting, cozy smell. The restaurant has a long ceiling and is dark. Small candles glow on each table. You feel like you are in a pub during the 1700s! On each table is a small grouping of condiments. The best one being a jar of hot peppers. The back of the restaurant is a large b...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 26, 2004

News from America Pub
23 Kelly St
Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539
+1 508 627 4397

Seafood Shanty

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Restaurant | "The Seafood Shanty"

Seafood Shanty Photo - Seafood Shanty, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
The Seafood Shanty sits right on the harbor in Edgartown. It's hard not to miss it. It was another rainy night when we slipped in for dinner - we were surprised that we were seated right away without a dinner reservation. The place looks like a typical New England seafood joint. It had dark wood and lots of nautical-themed items hanging from the walls. The main feature here is the wonderful view. The backroom sits right on the water, and the boats bob right outside the window. Edgartown has a busy little marina, and it's fun to watch the comings and goings. It's a great view to have with your dinner. Even without reservations we had a prime window table. The wait staff is all Jam...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 27, 2004

Seafood Shanty
31 Dock St (next To The Memorial Wharf)
Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539
+1 508 627 8622

Among the Flowers Cafe

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Restaurant

Among the Flowers Photo - Among the Flowers Cafe, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
Without question, Among the Flowers Cafe is one of the hot spots on the island. Come here any day at noon and expect a long line with a wait to sit in the pretty flower-filled patio. We walked up expecting a long wait and sure enough the garden tables were about an hour wait. However, if we would sit inside we could be seated right away. It was a no-brainer for us, we grabbed the inside table. The inside is very basic and drab. It looks like our rec room growing up with its pine panelling. I understand why there is no appeal to sit here. It's also a bit busy, as the kitchen is nearby and the busy staff is running in and out. The room is b...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 27, 2004

Among the Flowers Cafe
Mayhew Lane
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
(508) 627-3233

The Edgartown Inn

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Restaurant

Edgartown Inn Photo - The Edgartown Inn, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
This is an old historic inn (built in 1798) that sits in the center of Edgartown, high up on Water Street. This is a true inn, with a main business of filling sleeping rooms. However, they do allow the public to come in and buy breakfast here each morning. We wanted a light breakfast the morning we were leaving for Cape Cod and thought this would be a good choice for us. The inn is delightful; it's full of antiques and typical island furnishings. If you had a grandmother who had a house on Martha's Vineayrd, this would be it. The owner greeted us and was extremely charming. She offered us a delightful table on the back patio. There are also tables inside on the first floor. Okay, so...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 27, 2004

The Edgartown Inn
56 N Water Street
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
(508) 627-4794

Atria

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Restaurant

Atria Photo - Atria, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
If heaven has a restaurant, this must be it. Atria is about as close to perfection as I can imagine. Atria is in an old house, that is located just on the outskirts of Edgartown. It was a perfect summer evening so we decided to walk from the center of town. It took us about 20 minutes. The walk was enjoyable. Atria is in a more residential part of town. When you come to a pretty, white house, you have found Atria. Each room of this house is now a separate dining room. The front wraparound porch seems to be the location everyone desires. The upstairs has private dining rooms for functions and the downstairs is a very happening bar and jazz club. We had the kids, but otherwise we wou...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 27, 2004

Atria
137 Main Street
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
(508) 627-8761

Mad Martha's

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Restaurant

Quote:
Mad Martha's has been a part of the island landscape since 1971. It now seems to be part of the Vineyard tradition to take an evening stroll and stop by Mad Martha's for a scoop. You will understand that is as much a part of the Vineyard as wearing a Black Dog T-shirt when you see the lines. Mad Martha's has three island locations, one in Edgartown, another at Oak Bluffs and a third at Vineyard Haven. Each location does a booming business on warm summer nights. Mad Martha's is your typical order-at-the-counter scoop shop. Mostly island teens work behind the counter here and you stand in line and wait your turn to get up to the counter and check out the wide variety of ice creams....Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 27, 2004

Mad Martha's
7 North Water Street
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
(508) 627-8761

Chesca's

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Restaurant

Chesca's Photo - Chesca's, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
Chesca's does not do reservations, and, from the moment they open their door, there is already a line. There is a good reason for the line. Chesca's offers wonderful food, great service, and a clean, pleasant atmosphere at reasonable (by Vineyard standards) prices. You quickly understand the line. Chesca's is in the Colonial Hotel in the middle of town. It has a clean, modern look to it. It reminds me of a stylish beach house you would find in the pages of Coastal Living. The wait isn't painful. You can order a drink from the bar and sit out on the porch in one of the white rocking chairs and watch the world (or at least Martha's Vineyard) go by. It's not a bad way to wait for a tab...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 28, 2004

Chesca's
38 N Water Street
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
(508) 627-1234

Dock Street Coffee Shop

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Restaurant

Dock Street Coffee Shop Photo - Dock Street Coffee Shop, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
The Dock Street Coffee Shop is a small (very small) coffee shop located in downtown Edgartown. When I say small, I mean small. This place is one long counter with stools and that is it. You could lovingly refer to this place as a greasy spoon. The place shares its space with the bike rental shop next door and you have to maneuver a maze of bike rentals to find the front door. Once inside, the place is extremely plain. This is a coffee shop and is about food, not decor. One afternoon, Patrick and I ducked in for lunch. The counter was full and we had to wait a few minutes for two stools to vacate. We ordered two tuna fish sandwiches from the girl behind the counter. The sandw...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 15, 2004

Dock Street Coffee Shop
Dock Street
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
(508) 627-5232

Murdick's Fudge

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Attraction

Murdick's Photo - Murdick's Fudge, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
Murdick's has been here since 1887; it's a bit of an island institution. I have heard about four generations from one family who grew up with Murdick's fudge. It's a piece of the island. Their shop is in Edgartown, and sits pretty much as the heart and center of everything. The shop is a typical, white Vineyard building with large glass windows out front. From the street, you can watch the fudge being made. A small elf that has been here forever stirs a vat of fudge in the front of window. It's the kind of mechanical elves that are in department stores at Christmas and bring back fond childhood memories. It's clean and spotless inside. Large marble tables take up half the room when y...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 28, 2004

Murdick's Fudge
21 North Water St.
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Falmouth Edgartown Ferry

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Attraction | "Falmouth - Edgartown Ferry"

Edgartown Ferry Photo - Falmouth Edgartown Ferry, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
Okay, this is a ferry service, but I am listing it as a boating activity. We enjoyed getting to the island and back home so much that we considered this ferry service to be one of the highlights of our stay on the island. The Falmouth-Edgartown ferry is the only ferry that runs right downtown to Memorial Wharf in downtown Edgartown. It's by far the most convenient way to arrive into Edgartown. The service runs daily all summer and goes on the weekend only from September 10 until October 11th. It then starts up again on May 28th. They do not operate in the winter. Reservations are required for summer weekends and holidays. All other departures you can walk up and pay for. When you arr...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 14, 2004

Falmouth Edgartown Ferry
278 Scranton Ave.
Edgartown/Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Black Dog/Edgartown General Store

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Attraction | "The Black Dog"

Black Dog Photo - Black Dog/Edgartown General Store, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
The legend of the black dog is a true one. There was a black lab who loved his master Robert Douglas and often would set sail with him around the waters of Martha's Vineyard. He was a faithful companion and was known to his master simply as "Black Dog." Then the master built a small tavern in Vineyard Haven that opened in 1971. It was a small place that was to be opened year round, and it served the best chowder and pies on the island. Soon they opened a seperate bakery. The name was Black Dog and the logo was a simple silhouette of the black lab. The tavern was a smash hit, and so was the bakery. In 1979, the tavern started selling a simple t-shirt with the dog logo. It soon beca...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 15, 2004

Black Dog/Edgartown General Store
11 South Summer Street
Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard 02539
508-627-3360

Biking on the Vineyard

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Story/Tip

Martha's Vineyard Photo - Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Quote:
The first morning, we headed right to R.W. Culter to pick up four bikes at 1 Main Street in Edgartown. It was a good outfit recommended by the front desk of our hotel. They had a lot of bikes to choose from. They staff was mostly young college guys who were very helpful at selecting the right bike height for the kids. It wasn't long and we were off peddling around the island. The hardest part of the bike ride on Martha's Vineyard is driving in the towns. We were in Edgartown, and it was a bit of an obstacle course to maneuver around cars and pedestrians. Once outside of the village center, driving was a breeze. Martha's Vineyard (especially around Edgartown) is fairly flat and easy ...Read More