Beaches, gingerbread houses, charming towns and a little New England je ne sais quoi
In my workspace, I have a sticker that I can’t see all the time, but only from certain angles. Whenever I catch sight of it, I have to smile. It says: Quit your job, buy a ticket, get a tan, fall in love, never return.
I picked it up on Martha’s Vineyard back in 2010. Throughout my working life, and now that I am retired, it’s not that I ever actually wanted to quit my job; rather, it’s the “je ne sais quoi” atmosphere of both the text and the island that always makes me smile.
The year 2010 is too long ago to write a fresh blog post about it alone. However, this year my daughter and her family are visiting the island, so I asked her to check out my text and let me know if Martha’s Vineyard is still the same or if it has changed a lot. (Well, you never really know with regular visitors like the Clintons and the Obamas around!)
Transportation
We went for a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard, just me and my daughter, who lives in the U.S. We had been spending some time at Cape Cod, from where you can easily take a ferry over. Because it’s an island (one of the largest in the U.S. at about 250 km²), there are no bridges connecting it to the mainland, meaning your only options are a ferry or a plane.
We took the Island Queen ferry service from Falmouth (Cape Cod) to Oak Bluffs (Martha’s Vineyard). I didn’t remember the name of the company at first, but I had a photo from my 2010 trip showing a sign at the departure point that read, “50 years, thank you for sailing with us.” Giving that clue to AI quickly solved the mystery and led me right to them! You can check out their service here.
- Ferry: hy-line cruises https://hylinecruises.com/marthas-vineyard-ferry/ and
- Ferry: the Steamship Autority https://www.steamshipauthority.com/visitors/vineyard
- Plane: https://www.mvy.com/plan/get-here/plane/
Where to stay
The chamber of commerce of Marth’s Vineyard is your tourist office. https://www.mvy.com/ They have a list of places where you can stay. (and otherwise ask Gemini 😉)
What to visit
From the ferry, all you can see are beautiful villas along the waterfront, but that is certainly not all the island has to offer.
We decided to take a bus tour, which turned out to be a great way to get a feel for Martha’s Vineyard.
Towns
There are six towns on the island, each with its own special character. I want to point you to two of my favorites:
- Edgartown: The island’s largest town by area and population, known for its historic whaling captains’ mansions, upscale boutiques, and the beautiful Edgartown Lighthouse — where I found my sticker!
- Oak Bluffs: This is a very special part of Martha’s Vineyard. The Campground began in 1835, when a group of Methodists established an annual summer camp. At first, they stayed in simple canvas tents, but over time these were replaced by tiny wooden cottages, now famous as the island’s iconic gingerbread houses.
And this is where you really want to slow down and look around. The colors, the beautiful woodwork, the little details and, of course, the rocking chairs on the porches make every house feel like a little piece of art.
As someone who loves design, textures and history, I was absolutely delighted. I felt like a kid in a candy store, walking around and taking it all in.
The Beaches
Of course, you cannot visit Martha’s Vineyard without spending some time at one of its beaches. There are plenty to choose from, from wide sandy beaches to quieter spots where you can simply sit and watch the waves.
We visited the waterside and not really a beach, and what I remember most is the feeling of space and the beautiful, natural surroundings. (Also good to see from the ferry). It was the kind of place where you didn’t need much more than a beach, a good book and some time to slow down.
With the help of my daughters actual 2026 information: If you are looking for a beach on Martha’s Vineyard, South Beach and Joseph Sylvia State Beach are two names that often come up. Joseph Sylvia State Beach is also known for the bridge that appeared in the movie Jaws. Apparently, jumping from the bridge has become something of a tradition for visitors looking for a little adventure.
Another beach worth putting on your list is Menemsha Public Beach, which is particularly popular for its beautiful sunsets.
Shopping
Shopping on Martha’s Vineyard was another surprise for me. I remember the shops as small, independent and full of character. There were no big chains taking over the streets, but instead lots of little stores with carefully chosen things, from clothing and jewelry to home accessories, art and souvenirs.
It was 16 years ago, so I can’t tell you exactly what you will find there today. But I do remember enjoying the browsing as much as the buying. There was something lovely about wandering into a shop simply because something in the window caught my eye.
And, as always, I had my eye out for beautiful things for the home.
Bonus Tip; Try the Clam Chowder
One of the things I tried for the first time on Martha’s Vineyard was clam chowder, and I loved it!
When I came home, I wondered if we had something similar in the Netherlands. We don’t really have an exact equivalent, but I did think of a Dutch twist: replace the clams with Zeeland mussels (Zeeuwse mosselen).
Keep it simple and rustic, with pieces of potato and perhaps some bacon or speck, add plenty of cream, and you might just create a little taste of New England with a Dutch touch.
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This last picture of a sign says it all:
Quit your job, buy a ticket, get a tan, fall in love, never return!
Enjoy your visit to Martha’s Vineyard and hopefully, you’ll experience a little of that je ne sais quoi feeling, too!
