Welcome to the Martha’s Vineyard Tour
Get ready to visit one of the most incredible vacation spots in the USA, a favorite among celebrities and even presidents! Martha’s Vineyard is home to stunning beaches and coastline, picturesque little towns, and plenty of fun—but this tour will also dig beneath the beautiful surface and into the island’s surprising history. Learn about the Wampanoag, the origin of the Vineyard’s famous “gingerbread houses,” and the lost language the island’s residents invented!
About the Tour
Your tour of Martha’s Vineyard begins right off the ferry in Vineyard Haven. As you drive along the coast, you’ll hear about the Wampanoag tribe and how the island got its unusual name. Then it’s time for some historic architecture, starting with the Flying Horses Carousel, which dates back to 1876!
After that, you’ll come to the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs. This one-time community hub is surrounded by startlingly pretty houses nicknamed the “gingerbread houses” for delicate designs and pastel paint jobs. As you learn how all these houses came to be, you’ll have the opportunity to stop by a bit of a museum dedicated to the neighborhood—a perfect place to pick up a souvenir!
Next, you’ll head to Inkwell Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand with an unfortunate history. Then you’ll find out how a genetic mutation resulted in Martha’s Vineyard residents creating their very own form of sign language.
As you continue south, you’ll learn more about how the island fared during the tumultuous times of the American Revolution. Then you’ll see a surprising landmark: the beach where Steven Spielberg filmed an iconic scene from the movie Jaws!
Nature lovers will adore the next stop, the Caroline Tuthill Wildlife Preserve. Home to all manner of flora and fauna, this is a perfect spot to reconnect with the natural world. Next, you’ll reach Lighthouse Beach, home to an iconic lighthouse that was first built almost two hundred years ago! You’ll also pass through Edgartown’s historic district, a quaint little slice of the past.
Then, you’ll hear about the island’s mysterious disappearing deer and the Hurricane of 1938, which devastated local communities. Finally, you’ll arrive at South Beach, offering a placid bay and picturesque beach all in one. Your tour concludes here.
Starting Point: Steamship Authority Vineyard Haven Terminal, 1 Water St, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
Alternate Starting Point: 1 Seaview Ave, Oak Bluffs
Martha's Vineyard Route Map
What You'll See
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Welcome
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Why “Martha's Vineyard”?
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The Wampanoag
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Flying Horses Carousel
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Built for Fun
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How Many People?
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How Big is Martha's Vineyard?
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Tabernacle
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Gingerbread Houses
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Tent City
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Building a Daydream
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Cottage Museum
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Inkwell Beach
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European Settlers
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Deaf Culture
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The American Revolution Rocks Martha's Vineyard
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You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat
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Caroline Tuthill Wildlife Preserve
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A Bounty of Birds & Fabulous Flowers
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The Whaling Industry
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Chappaquiddick Island
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Lighthouse Beach
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Edgartown Historic District
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The Curious Case of the Disappearing Deer
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The Vineyard Becomes a Tourist Hotspot
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The Hurricane of 1938
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South Beach / Conclusion
Preview the Tour
Stop 9: Built for Fun
Stop 14: How Big is Martha's Vineyard
Stop 18: Tent City
Stop 21: Building a Dream
Stop 36: Chappaquiddick Island
Additional Information
What do we do?
Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!
Lifetime Validity
Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.
No Network Needed
The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience.
Not an Entry Ticket
This is not an entry ticket.
16 - 18 Hours
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