Martha's Vineyard provides an old-fashioned beach vacation with miles of pristine beaches, clean salty air, lavish beachfront homes, and rolling farmlands. A favorite summer resort for more than a century, its picturesque towns are filled with ice-cream shops, stately sea captain's houses, art galleries, and winding lanes edged with plum trees and blackberry bushes. Bicycles are the best way to get around.
New England's largest island attracts the rich and famous, including movie stars and presidents who travel by private plane, as well as hordes of day-trippers arriving by ferry. Many rental homes and cottages have their own private beaches. One of the best public beaches for families with young children is State Beach, known for its gentle surf and wide expanse of sandy beach. Older kids enjoy the high waves at the public Katama Beach on the island's south shore, where surfboards, kayaks, sailboards, and sailboats can be rented for fun in the sun. In Oak Bluffs, don't neglect to stop by the Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest operating carousel in the country.
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Martha's Vineyard Information
Address: 322 State Rd., Vineyard Haven, MA
Telephone: 508/696-7400
To learn more about family vacation destinations, see:
- Family Vacations: Learn about hundreds of family vacations in destinations all over North America.
- Massachusetts State Guide: Learn about Mobil Travel Guide-rated hotels and restaurants in Massachusetts, as well as other recreational activities.
- Scenic Drives: For those who think that getting there is half the fun, we have compiled more than 100 of the most scenic drives throughout the country.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Sutherland is a widely acknowledged authority on family travel and has published several books on the topic, including Best Family Ski Vacations In North America and Tropical Family Vacations.
