Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard Summer Travel Guide

Summer starting in New England is your sign to visit some of the best preserved relics of American history, with a side of beach. You can even get there on a 30 minute boat ride from the cape towns of Massachusetts!

Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are equally unique in their offerings, and one of the perks is they are so close that if you get bored you can easily hop over to the other. I spent almost two months exploring both of islands and compiled this perfect list of attractions to add to your summer itineraries!

Getting There

There are a few options for getting to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard depending on your budget and level of comfort. Most visitors take a 30 to 45 minute ferry from Hyannis or Woods Hole, which also offer vehicle transport options. There are two main companies and it really depends on how much you want to spend, and if you are bringing a vehicle with you.

Hy-Line Cruise: $90 round trip

Steamship Authority: $45 round trip

There is also a flight option to Martha’s Vineyard, but I would not recommend this option for the average traveler as they can be pretty pricey and honestly seem pretty sketch when you talk to locals. The planes are tiny Cessnas that require weight balancing and only get you to the island a little quicker than the speed boat option, so what is the point?!

Nantucket

Nantucket is one of the most well preserved areas of New England and old American history. The cobblestoned streets and over 300 year old buildings lining the corners reflect many unique characteristics of the kind of people that have traveled to its sandy shores.

History of Nantucket

Nantucket’s fame arose after establishing itself as the ‘whaling capital of the world’, and maintaining that status for 200 years during the 18th and 19th centuries. This tiny sandbar off the coast of Cape Cod developed into an established processing society for whaling products. Ghosts and legends of one of the bloodiest businesses in human history still soak the narrow streets, inspiring many tales including that of Moby Dick.

Accessing Nantucket was often a feat of its own as many shallow sandbars sealed the fate for many whaling vessels coming back to harbor in the winter. Early Nantucketers set their sights on illusive sperm whales in offshore waters which offered incredibly lucrative consumer products, oils, and blubber.

Native inhabitants have lived and accessed the island for thousands of years, and was originally occupied by the Wampanoag tribe whose history gradually intertwined with European and American settlers with the growth of the industry. After the American revolution whalers had developed methods to process whales while out at sea, preventing many Nantucketer’s from ever seeing a whale in person.

In modern times Nantucket is still a historic relic, important to Native American people of the Cape and locals who have had generations raised on the island. The island has developed a network of luxury properties, historical monuments, boutiques, and culinary restaurants. The island boasts a resident population of about 10,000, but experience summer increases to 100,000 with seasonal tourism.

Food of Nantucket

The food on Nantucket is amazing and there are unique options catering to any person’s palate. One of the must try items while your in Nantucket is their seafood, collected right off the Cape.

Stubby’s

• Just a great local joint with typical American food, walking distance to the rest of town. Also a great option when you want a snack to take on the ferry back to the mainland.

Walter’s Deli

Brotherhood of Thieves

Cisco Brewers

Sconset Market

• A perfect bakery in one of the older parts of town, close to the dramatic cliffs of Sconset. Their brownies are a local favorite and they offer many other treats to stock up on before you head back downtown.

Can’t Miss Landmarks of Nantucket

Whaling Museum

Shipwreck and Life Saving Museum

• Hear many stories about how residents saved the crew of ships who crashed off the shores of Nantucket.

Brandt Point Lighthouse

• This is the lighthouse you see when you arrive on Nantucket and one of the same views historic whalers were granted on their return. There is no parking for the lighthouse, as it requires a short walk along the coast or bystreets. However there is a nice beach alongside the lighthouse where may people relax in the afternoon.

Great Point Lighthouse

• Farthest lighthouse from the port town, but situated on the dramatic coast of the island. This lighthouse is near the dunes of Nantucket, Sconset Market, and the Shipwreck and Life Saving Museum. This is a great place to access if you have rented bikes and will take you less than half a day to visit and return to town.

Madaket Beach

• Popular beach for locals and tourists, and one of the best places to watch sunset. White sand and waves you can surf if you rent a board.

Steps Beach

• Nice, secluded beach close to town. Accessible by a 15 minute walk from town and at times feels like you are on your own private beach.

Surfside Beach

• Wide, flat beach great for families and anyone wanting to get in the water. The beach is protected by a sandbar, but in poor conditions can produce large waves that can access the shoreline. This is a great beach to ride bikes to from town, and stop at Cisco Brewers on the way there OR back!

Where to Stay on Nantucket

There are many different places to stay on Nantucket and deciding which side of the island will greatly influence your cost and experience. I recommend staying in town where you have walking access to beaches, restaurants, boutiques, the harbor, and bike rentals so you do not have to rent a car.

White Elephant Hotel

• 5 star beach front property with great amenities. $500-$1,000/night

Jared Coffin House

• classic interior with small rooms, blocks away from the harbor and walking distance to everything intown. $200-$400/night

Cliff Lodge Bed and Breakfast

• Stay in a landmark 1771 established home with small rooms, rustic sailor vibes, and close to town. $100/night

Martha’s Vineyard

History of Martha’s Vineyard

There are NO vineyards on Martha’s Vineyard and Martha Stewart has no relation. Those were two preconceived assumptions I had before I visited the island for the first time, but it was actually named for a vine like plant that covers many of the beaches. There are no wine vineyards or anything to do with that industry on the island.

Martha’s Vineyard has always been a summer colony destination, attracting tourists from all over New England and the world to its sandy beaches. The island continues to be popular on the east coast because of its local boutiques, seafood, and coastal wildlife. Martha’s Vineyard is more diverse than Nantucket and has towering cliffs, beaches, rolling hills, marshlands, grasslands, and wildlife sanctuaries. Celebrities, former presidents, and notable people have made Martha’s Vineyard a summer escape destination for centuries.

Martha’s Vineyard is one of the most expensive summer destinations in New England with limited rental properties that make a competitive market for the hundreds-of-thousands of tourists that flock here in the summer. You read that right, hundreds-of-thousands of people storm the shores every summer. Similar to Nantucket Martha’s Vineyard rose to propriety as whaling established a prosperous economy and supported a local population. As whaling declined in the 19th century the island switched markets to attract tourism and it has maintained that status ever since.

Food of Martha’s Vineyard

The Wharf Pub

A great place to eat on the waterfront in Edgartown. Allegedly this placed hosts plenty of Jaws movie lore for film buffs and plenty of memorabilia.

Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company

If you have reached your capacity of lobster rolls, then consider switching your diet to a base of chowder and visit the OG chowder company in Oak Bluffs.

Alchemy Bistro & Bar

The perfect place for a casual night out while you are in Edgartown. They have live music, good drinks, and locals love it!

Chilmark General Store

Can’t Miss Landmarks of Martha’s Vineyard

Aquinnah Cliffs

The Aquinnah Gay Head Cliffs are a MUST SEE while visiting Martha’s Vineyard. The lookouts offer stunning views of the colorful rocks meeting the ocean. There is a gift store, lighthouse, and short nature walk that steers you along the winding cliffs.

If it is a sunny day take the small trail that goes down next to the small house at the end of the parking lot to the beach at the base of the cliffs. There are also many lush fields you can lay out a picnic blanket to soak in the sun.

Jaws Bridge

Part of the movie Jaws was filmed on Martha’s Vineyard and the named ‘Jaws bridge’ is still a popular spot to visit for locals and tourists. The bridge is the second one you cross heading into Edgartown where the lagoons are on your right and the ocean is on your left. You can jump off the bridge into the water if you are looking for a rush, and there will probably be a group of teenagers also partaking.

Chappaquiddick Island

Near Edgartown lies the small island of Chappaquiddick known for its ecological diversity, salt marshes, grassy meadows, cedar woods, abundance of birds, and other coastal wildlife. Many people visit this island to see the bridge where former Senator Ted Kennedy fatally drove his car off in 1969. The bridge still exists and you can ride your bike or walk across. You will need to take a short, 2 minute, ferry across the small inlet to the island. The ferry leaves off of Dock St., next to Memorial Wharf.

• The ferry costs $6 round trip with a bike and only accepts cash.

Where to Stay on Martha’s Vineyard

I think the two best towns to look for housing in is Oaks Bluff and Edgartown. These are areas where the most activities are happening and both central enough to easily access if you decide not to rent a car.

Hob Knob

• This charming boutique style five star hotel feels like you have finally arrived on Martha’s Vineyard. It is minutes away from the center of Edgartown and stowed away on a side street, giving you peace and quiet any time of day. The breakfast here is so good, and I will definitely be back to visit one day. $400-$500/night

Harbor View Hotel

• Located in Edgartown this 5 star hotel will give you everything you need including views, short walks to town, a pool, and all the amenities the vineyard can provide. $200-$300/night

Narraganset House

• The Narragansets House is a seldom visited hotel tucked away into the Circuit Avenue neighborhood, steps away from the original Vineyard Vines store and plenty of character at every corner. This hotel is run by Jamaicans and expect a very relaxed atmosphere, and local breakfasts cooked for you by the hosts. The hotel is between Oaks Bluff and Edgartown, but close to both of the ferry landings. $175-$500/night

Which island should I choose?

Both Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard offer a myriad of attractions for summer tourists and here I will break down their major differences so you can decide which you would rather visit, especially if you only have a limited time or budget.

Nantucket’s biggest difference to Martha’s Vineyard is there are no private beaches and you will have access to more than 110 miles of pristine coastlines with more than 80 miles of sandy shores. This island is much smaller and less developed than Marth’s Vineyard which is why it is often more overlooked by the hundreds-of-thousands of tourists every year, however that means there are often more sporadic crowding events and more of a chill vibe. The island gave me a much older kind of feel with its rustic buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and local boutiques.

• More beaches
• Less people
• Bike friendly and accessible
• Less to do and fewer boutiques, restaurants, hotels, etc.

Martha’s Vineyard is bigger and more developed than Nantucket, which means you will also have access to many of the more pristine beaches in the Northeastern United States. This island has diverse topography with rolling hills, steep cliffs, harbors, major biking access, and plenty of historic landmarks to explore. Martha’s Vineyard is way more trafficked during peak season and you can expect to barely have room to drive your car with the other 300,000 people visiting.

• Diverse areas to explore and wildlife
• Significantly more people
• Better if you have a car/vehicle, but can still bike most of the island.
• More expensive than Nantucket

I personally favored the more realistic feeling of Nantucket over the more developed and status holding tourists of Martha’s Vineyard.

Disclosure: Some of the links above may be affiliate links where I earn commission, if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use and the income helps me operate my site and travel!

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