“Even presidents sneak away to this island paradise. Welcome to Martha’s Vineyard.”
Bartholomew Gosnold named it after his daughter Martha and the wild vines he found in 1602, but the Wampanoag knew it as Noepe, land between the streams, long before gingerbread cottages and celebrity summer homes colored its shores.
Presidents and A-listers flock to Martha’s Vineyard for pristine beaches, quaint towns and coastline that begs for postcard snapshots, but this self-guided tour uncovers deeper stories of Wampanoag roots, a unique island sign language born from genetic destiny and the 1938 hurricane that reshaped paradise. “Things to do on Martha’s Vineyard” blend Jaws filming beaches, carousel history from 1876 and Oak Bluffs’ candy-colored cottages into one irresistible island escape perfect for history buffs and beach dreamers alike.
Martha’s Vineyard Self-Guided Driving Tour transforms your phone into an island storyteller across 13.5 miles with 38 GPS-triggered audio tales, letting you wander Vineyard Haven to South Beach at your own rhythm with hands-free navigation from two starting points.
Pastel gingerbread houses sparkle around Oak Bluffs’ Tabernacle alongside America’s oldest operating Flying Horses Carousel, while Inkwell Beach whispers deaf culture secrets and Jaws’ iconic shark waters crash nearby. Edgartown’s lighthouse glows over historic streets, Caroline Tuthill Wildlife Preserve teems with island flora and fauna, and South Beach offers tranquil bay views where mysterious disappearing deer once roamed.
Island Time Malfunction
Warning: This Martha’s Vineyard drive may cause sudden urges to ditch deadlines, hum show tunes from shark movies and research gingerbread architecture degrees. Side effects include sandy shoes that never fully clean, carousel nostalgia and booking your next ferry before the saltwater dries.
Want all of our tours? Upgrade to Action+:
- An annual $99.99/year subscription offers access to over 230+ tours.
- Unlimited use throughout the year.
- Includes free access to new tours as they are released.
Nearby Tours
Driving
3-4 Hours
60+ Stories
55+ Miles
Walking
4 - 5 hours
40+ stories
3.6 miles
Driving
2-3 Hours
80+ Stories
11+ Miles
Walking
1-2 hours
20+ stories
1+ miles
Walking
1-2 hours
20+ stories
1+ miles
Map Of Martha's Vineyard
Starting Point
You can begin the tour at the suggested starting locations provided below.
The Steamship Authority Vineyard Haven Terminal, 1 Water St, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, USA
Begin from The Steamship Authority Vineyard Haven Terminal, 1 Water St.
How Does It Work?
- Access your tour: Download the Action Tour Guide app and sign in with the same email used for your website purchase. Your tour will appear under My Tours.
- Download your tour: Download it before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
- Start your tour: Open My Tours, select your tour, and tap Start Touring when you reach a starting point.
- Listen your way: Use your phone’s speaker or headphones, or connect to your car’s audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not currently supported, compatibility is in development.
- GPS-triggered audio: Stories play automatically as you reach each location along the route.
- Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day. Tours are valid forever (one year for Action+).
Marthas Vineyard Audio Tour
Things to do on the Tour Include:
-
Welcome to Martha's Vineyard
-
Why "Martha's Vineyard"?
-
The Wampanoag
-
Flying Horses Carousel
-
How Many People?
-
How Big is Martha's Vineyard?
-
Tabernacle
-
Gingerbread Houses
-
Tent City
-
Building a Daydream
-
Cottage Museum
-
Inkwell Beach
-
European Settlers
-
Deaf Culture
-
The American Revolution Rocks the Vineyard
-
You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat
-
Caroline Tuthill Wildlife Preserve
-
The Whaling Industry
-
Chappaquiddick Island
-
Lighthouse Beach
-
Edgartown Historic District
-
The Curious Case of the Disappearing Deer
-
The Vineyard Becomes a Tourist Hotspot
-
The Hurricane of 1938
-
South Beach / Conclusion
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
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.
Explore 230+ Tours
Inclusions and Exclusions
Action Tour Guide app: Download the app to access your purchased tour.
GPS-triggered audio: Stories and directions play automatically as you reach each location.
Tour anytime: Single tours and bundles never expire and can be used anytime. Action+ is an annual subscription that automatically renews each year unless canceled.
Narrated stories: Hear local history, culture, and stories from experienced narrators.
Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day.
Offline access: Download your tour before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
Stories, stops, and directions: Follow the route to key attractions with automatic directions and stories at each location.
Transportation: Transportation, parking fees, and tolls are not included.
Admission: Entry tickets and reservations are not included.
Food and drinks: Meals and drinks are not included.
Rental car: A rental car is not included and may be required for driving tours.
