Menemsha
Gay Head
Edgartown
Oak Bluffs
West Tisbury
Vineyard Haven
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Where Nev worked as a life guard for too long! This beautiful beach stretches for about 3 miles (including Norton Point beach) but the most easily accessible part is the 1 mile stretch along Atlantic drive. This is where you’ll find all the amenities, parking and bus stops. Please note that the beach has been experiencing erosion issues.
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This 2-mile stretch of sandy beach & shallow water has very mild waves. State Beach was a main shooting location in the film "Jaws” and it is very popular for visitors to jump off the Jaws bridge. Accessible by bicycle path and open to all.
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Menemsha Public Beach is located in the heart of the Island's historic fishing village, Menemsha. It is the most iconic place on the island to watch the sunset. Pro tip: tie in Menemsha Hills hike and get food along the harbor.
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Visitors enjoy views of the Gay Head Cliffs from this beach, which includes a convenient drop-off point along Moshup Trail (the actual street name!) for beach gear and then a scenic 10-minute walk along a cleared path from the parking lot. Open to the public, full restrooms at parking lot, and portable restrooms at beach entrance. There is a daily parking fee in summer.
PUBLIC BEACHES
Although there are several public beaches, many are private. You may have beach access through your accommodations. Check availability before heading to the beach.
HIKING + BEACH
Ticks are extremely prevalent on MV. Take precautionary methods, learn tick identification & signs of Lyme disease. Your hike is not complete until you’ve done a tick check!
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Where Nevin proposed! An easy hike through the woods that walks out onto a beautiful little hidden cove looking out over the Vineyard Sound. This trail is meant for hiking and is not a picnic or swimming beach… but that never stopped us before! Here’s how to get there: From State Road, follow Indian Hill Road for 1.75 miles. Turn right onto Obed Daggett Road (near the hilltop) and follow the “Sanctuary” signs.
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Menemsha Hills is a protected nature reserve located in the town of Chilmark. This Preserve is home to the second highest point on the Island (300 feet) and affords the visitor some wonderful views at the vistas overlooking Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands.
To get there, go to 345 North Road, its official address. Along the way, you will come to Trustees Lane and enter there.
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A real hidden gem on the island. This moderate hike is composed of 28 acres with grass meadows, cliffs, and a great beach.
The parking lot is very small so plan accordingly. To get there, go along North Road, until you come to Brickyard Road. Look for the land trust marker and enter on to the unpaved road.
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A great place to dine and indulge in cocktails! There is an upstairs and downstairs bar. Often the start to a night out that ends at The Wharf!
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Full of island charm, every Edgartown night out ends at The Wharf. This dive bar is located at the bottom of Main Street in downtown Edgartown. Some friends know this place a little too well…
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Lively, brick-accented restaurant offering a seafood-focused menu. Turns into a fun place to listen to live music and enjoy a drink!
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People go for the outdoor social ambiance! Nomans is a great option for daytime drinking, lawn games, and/or socializing.
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Where Groomsman Anthony could not handle a hot pepper. Fun place to begin a night out in Oak Bluffs and embodies its name.
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Kind of the best but kind of the worst. Popular island spot that typically has live music!
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A wild card depending on the music for the night. The island’s version of a “club” that either hits just right or misses greatly. Typically the last stop to an OB night out.
BAR SCENE
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Succeeding solely as a take-out ‘counter’, Scottish Bakehouse is a year-round cafe and bakery that offers signature egg sandwiches, fresh baked pastries, sandwiches, salads, soups and locally sourced main dishes.
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One of the couple’s favorite breakfast spots & where Nevin began his first job! We recommend going early because there is limited seating & parking, which can lead to a wait.
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An island classic! Livy’s favorite breakfast is called the “Green Monster” and is perfect for veggie lovers!
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A local hotspot that serves organic, fair trade coffee and espresso drinks, homemade baked goods, and Cape Cod bagels.
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An island staple that will never die!
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This is on the list as a hangover breakfast cure for people looking for something more casual.
BREAKFAST
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Unbelievably good sandwich shop serving breakfast and lunch options alongside coffee and desserts. Order the “Liz Lemon” or “Asparagus Melt” if you know what’s good for you.
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The Bride & Groom will argue that it’s the best pizza on the island! Get adventurous with your toppings.
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Seasonal staple selling locally caught seafood. Famed for steamers, chowder & lobster, all served from the busy take-out window.
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Fish market with the best takeout seafood! The Bride claims it’s the best sushi on island… specifically the Dragon Roll.
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Open waterfront restaurant providing seafood dishes & burgers along with a raw bar & creative cocktails.
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Seafood classics & frozen cocktails for casual harbor-view deck dining or more formal indoor meals. Sushi is a great option here and the Mudslide cocktail is fun too!
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Thoughtfully-crafted food-to-go, from scratch-made baked goods, to breakfast & lunch favorites, to a vast selection of hot and cold drinks.
LUNCH
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Delicious fine dining. Reservations required and fairly fancy!
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Seasonal staple selling locally caught seafood. Famed for steamers, chowder & lobster, all served from the busy take-out window. A casual food stop while exploring Menemsha.
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Famous, friendly, and family owned Menemsha Galley, a 75 year old home cookin’ eatery. Unpretentious lobster rolls, chowder, fresh swordfish sandwiches, burgers & Galley fries. Soft serve ice cream for a special treat to take with you as you explore the quaint little Menemsha fishing village & beach. Overall, a casual food stop while exploring Menemsha.
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Yummy Italian food with a nice ambiance! Often a date spot for the Bride and Groom.
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Fish market with the best takeout seafood! The Bride claims it’s the best sushi on island… specifically the Dragon Roll.
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Open waterfront restaurant providing seafood dishes & burgers along with a raw bar & creative cocktails.
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Seafood classics & frozen cocktails for casual harbor-view deck dining or more formal indoor meals. Sushi is a great option here and the Mudslide cocktail is fun too!
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A casual sit down dinner spot that the Wallis family frequents when they cannot decide what to have for dinner. Nevin asserts that the pizza and the Fisherman’s Stew is the bee’s knees.
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Spiffy indoor-outdoor venue for steak & seafood boasting a yacht-club vibe with water views. Great place to enjoy a cocktail with dinner! Please note, this restaurant does not take reservations.
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Where all the islanders go for a good meal and cocktails to begin a night out!
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Oyster bar (+ seafood) and steakhouse that never disappoints! Also the place where the Bride earned her Strawberry Fields nickname after finding the perfect cocktail. Highly recommend!
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Upscale seasonal New American cooking served in the smart dining room, wraparound porch or homey cellar bar. The burgers are expensive but next level!
DINNER
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Tisberry Frozen Yogurt and Smoothies proudly serves non-fat premium frozen yogurt flavored with the finest all-natural purees and sweet toppings! A tasty alternative to ice cream with delicious fresh fruit as an option!
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An island right of passage is to wait in line for an ungodly amount of time for a delicious donut or twelve. Hot fresh apple fritters & donuts.
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Nev & Liv’s favorite ice cream on the Vineyard! The Peanut Butter Chocolate is the best. In-house produced ice cream, candy, and chocolates too.
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Old-fashioned fudge-making techniques that have been passed down through the generations. A tasty treat!
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Ice cream shop featuring many flavors and sundae options, plus candy.
SWEETS
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Enjoy exquisite fine art paintings, drawings of landscapes, still-life compositions, and photo-realism by well-known national, regional & local artists… you might even know one.
Check out father of the Groom, David’s incredible art featured at The Granary Gallery. Bonus points if you buy something!
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Take a trip to the MV Agricultural Hall to enjoy local goodies at the farmer’s market! Usually open 9am to noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but please confirm beforehand.
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Visitors can watch artists create glass objects at this gallery featuring modern and traditional pieces.
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9am to 2pm every Wednesday and Saturday – weather permitting. It is located at 142 North Road. The 50 year old “Flea” has evolved into a market like no other with high quality handmade items from Vineyard artists and craftsmen, antiques, imports, collectables and vintage finds.
I believe the last event of the year is September 7th, but please confirm beforehand.
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Remember to clap when the sun goes down like all the other silly gooses visiting the island for the first time! Check out the local seafood by the harbor and enjoy the sunset.
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Explore Main Street and the many boutiques Vineyard Haven (also called Tisbury) has to offer! Islander favorites include; Green Room, Trust, CB Stark Jewelers, and Claudia’s jewelry.
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You get the point.
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Try your luck at catching the brass ring and winning a free ride on the oldest working carousel in the US, which has been enchanting children and adults for over a hundred years. The 20 hand-carved horses on this official historic landmark have real horsehair manes and tails and they might freak you out!
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Visitors to this farm can view alpacas and llamas, interact with them on guided walks, and buy alpaca-themed gifts.
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Wildlife refuge with trails for hiking, birdwatching, and kayaking, plus a gift shop.
This 350-acre sanctuary is home to 100 species of birds, including cormorants & ospreys, and other wildlife. Follow one of the six well-marked trails for views of all the island's ecosystems: marshland, ponds, woods and grasslands.
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Experience shopping in Downtown Edgartown! Islander favorites include; Claudia’s (where Liv & Nev found their wedding bands), Suka, Vaalbara, and Nell.
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Barrel rolls and loop-de-loops if you're feeling crazy! Katama airfield bi-plane rides.
ACTIVITIES
Lucy Vincent
Oak Bluffs
Menemsha
Chilmark
Edgartown
Aquinnah