Get to Know Martha's Vineyard

Say Martha’s Vineyard and the mind jumps to images of pink and blue hydrangea flowers blossoming profusely in front of resplendent summer homes and a population so preppy that an entire brand — Vineyard Vines — was named after the relaxed, just-hopped-off-the-boat style that permeates the entire island. The Vineyard is also notable for its long history of diverse inclusivity in an exclusive setting — a place where former Presidents stand in line for ice cream and where the Wampanoag Tribe have lived continuously for millennia. For many, summering in the Vineyard is a generational tradition, with institutions like the Flying Horses Carousel offering merry-go-round rides since 1884. Martha’s Vineyard is only accessible by boat or plane, with direct connections to Cape Cod, Boston, and New York. The island is divided into six towns: Tisbury, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah, each with its own distinct history.

Nearby Neighborhoods:

Living on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket

Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket have been synonymous with summer for generations, the epitome of a New England escape. The siren call of this region has beckoned to a wide swath of visitors, from day trippers to Presidents, with the promise of relaxed days and nights spent in a magical world of beaches, lighthouses, and shingled cottages both big and small. There’s space for everyone here: Kids ride the same valiant steeds as their grandparents did at the carousel in Oak Bluffs, while boldfaced names, wealthy financiers, and first-time visitors all pile into local clam shacks for deep-fried seafood and just caught lobster. There’s also a significantly smaller population that lives here year-round — these are the residents that pride themselves on knowing all the secret spots when the highways and beaches clear out and the Cape and the islands return to their meditative, foggy, winter selves.