Martha's Vineyard (104)Martha's Vineyard is a beautiful Atlantic island off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass. that offers the perfect mix of history, adventure and relaxation for the traveler in search of a vacation retreat.
Explore the island's rocky coastline, rolling farmland, sandy beaches and green parks. From the picturesque Aquinnah Cliffs along the coast to the classic New England town complete with general store and old mill, Martha's Vineyard has a variety of settings for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Experience the abundance of architectural styles across the island—from colonial and classic revival homes to Victorian cottages and gingerbread houses. See the oldest working carousel in the US, located in Oak Bluffs, and one of the largest iron structures in the country, the Methodist Tabernacle. And, visit the Charlotte Inn in Edgartown—a bed-and-breakfast comprised of five buildings dating back to the 1700s that are filled with English and American antiques and a special old world feel.
Martha's Vineyard Facts:
- Martha's Vineyard was named in 1602 by English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold for the island's wild grapes and his infant daughter.
- Martha's Vineyard is 23 miles long, nine miles wide, and has an area of about 100 square miles.
- The island has a resident population of 15,000 and a summer population of about 100,000.
- Martha's Vineyard had an unusually high population of deaf people for almost three centuries. As a result, between the 1600s and 1900s, a tradition arose where everyone on the island — the deaf and those with hearing — used sign language.
- The distinguishing features of Cape Cod houses are centered front doors with one or two windows on either side.
- There are 26 bed-and-breakfasts and four hotels on Martha's Vineyard.
- The cost to ride America's oldest carousel is $1.
- All rooms in the Iroquois Cottage feature custom, stained glass windows and transoms.
- Guest suite rates at the Charlotte Inn range from $250-$525 per night.
Contact Information:
Charlotte Inn
27 S. Summer Street
Edgartown, MA 02539
508-627-4751
Resources:
Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket: An Explorer's Guide, Fourth Edition (Explorer's Guides)
by Kimberly Grant, Kim Grant
Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce
508-693-0085
www.mvy.com
Flying Horses Carousel
Oldest working carousel in the United States.
www.mvpreservation.org
