Marthas Vineyard Tour: Self-Guided Drive

In 1602, a British explorer named Bartholomew Gosnold renamed the island after his daughter Martha and the viney undergrowth found along the coast. The island had previously been known as Noepe, or “land between the streams,” by the indigenous inhabitants of the Wampanoag Native American Tribe.

Martha’s Vineyard , in contrast to several neighbouring locations, is home to a wide variety of beach types, from rock to sandy to marshy. You can also spend time in Martha’s Vineyard’s charming seaside villages. With its proximity to New York City, this area has long been a favourite of the city’s elite.

The island of Martha’s Vineyard can be found off the coast of Massachusetts in the United States. Since it’s the biggest island in the state, visitors flock there to enjoy the sunshine and the laid-back vibe. There are six towns on Martha’s Vineyard: Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury.

The picturesque gingerbread houses and towns, the breathtaking Aquinnah cliffs, the gorgeous beaches, and the scenic roadways make Martha’s Vineyard well worth a day trip. And of course you have our self-guided tour telling you all about the island’s many incredible sights!

The island has had one of the largest deaf communities in the United States for almost two centuries. Deafness was never seen as a handicap by islanders. Instead, the entire island community adopted a sign language they called “Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language” (MVSL). After the American School for the Deaf opened, the use of Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language began to decline.

From late June to early September, Martha’s Vineyard is busiest and warmest. Martha’s Vineyard is nice in spring and fall, and crowds are less. If you want a quieter vacation, consider Martha’s Vineyard from November through May. Visit our blog to learn about the best time to visit Martha’s Vineyard. Average Temperatures throughout the year: December & January: 54-40 F, April & May: 56-65 F ,  July & August: 82-79 F and  September & October   77-63 F    

Barack and Michelle Obama have been going to Martha’s Vineyard since they were in the White House, and they’ve kept doing it after Barack left office. In keeping with the political theme, the Clintons have been a mainstay on Martha’s Vineyard for decades. Hillary has also been known to relax and have a couple of beers at Edgartown’s local bars. Read one of our blog posts for more information.

The island itself is pretty small, so you can definitely take a Martha’s Vineyard tour in a single day .

The island is quite small. It takes roughly 45 minutes to travel across , as it is just about 22 miles long and 9 miles wide.