Martha's Vineyard Blog

. . .and we’ll like you back (wink). We’re building the Facebook fan base for our Martha’s Vineyard hotel in 2012 and offering Facebook-only specials and discounts. We will release a new Facebook Friday deal each week – starting this Friday, January 20. These Edgartown hotel discounts and specials will be exclusive to Facebook, so tell all your friends and family to click that “like” button and start saving!

Holiday time was such a busy blur here at our Martha’s Vineyard hotel! It’s hard to believe it is all over and we’re already halfway into January. We just received these great shots from our Christmas in Edgartown party on the Square and we thought we’d share them with you. Virgina Vogt, an aesthetician at Sea Spa Salon, is quite handy with a lens. Thanks for sending us these great photos, Virginia!

Marvelous Christmas in Edgartown cake and cupcakes.

A young reveler enjoys a cupcake in the VIneayrd Square Hotel lobby.

The busy streets during Christmas in Edgartown

Vineyard Square Hotel front porch decked out for the holidays.

As the New Year opens with the stark beauty of Edgartown harbor in the winter and the island-wide promise of spring percolating just below its surface, our Martha’s Vineyard hotel invites you to break through your old habits and enjoy a relaxing – and discounted! – winter getaway with us.

Don't miss Martha's Vineyard's Big Chili Contest on January 28.

Our Edgartown hotel is open this January (for the first time in years!) and to celebrate, we went a little crazy and created a package you can’t refuse. Check out our Hibernation Package here – it’s a heck of a Martha’s Vineyard vacation package deal!

And – just because the quiet season is upon us – it doesn’t mean everything is quiet. The Vineyard will heat up later this month with the annual Big Chili Contest, now in its 26th year. It’s hecka fun and is for a great cause. For off-islanders, tickets will go on sale THIS  Thursday, January 12th at 10am, through the main page of MVOL.com.

For February, we’re planning a month-long celebration for Valentine’s Day. Book a two-night celebration with your sweetie for any dates in February EXCEPT the busy “official” weekend of February 10-12 and we’ll throw in a box of gourmet chocolates and a bottle of wine (red or white). The chocolates are from world-famous Chilmark Chocolates – so you know we love you.

Come embrace winter on the Vineyard at the Square.

Evelyn

For great casual Edgartown dining try upstairs at Alchemy.  You can order from the pub menu or the dinner menu at the back bar area and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere.

Vincent

Snag a couple of chairs and a bottle of wine and walk down to Lighthouse Beach to watch the sunset. Bring a blanket, it gets chilly!

Lane

Everyone can be a kid again on Saturday, September17th. At 4:30, make your way to the Flying Horses in Oak Bluffs and enter the brass ring contest. All age categories. $10 entrance fee at the door. All proceeds benefit the Jena Pothier Flying Horses Scholarship Foundation. All entrants go home with a commemorative brass ring!

Joanne

Take a Magic Carpet ride!  This 56’ wooden yawl is “real sailing” for groups of up to 18 right out of Edgartown harbor http://www.sailmagiccarpet.com/sailmagiccarpet/Ahoy.html

Janice

Come join us again for The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby starting on September 11-October 15^th. Have a wonderful time.

Rob

I went to the Wharf for the for the first time last night to watch the Red Sox and Yankees (Sox WON!) and that some of the best Nachos ever. Simple but sweet.  I ordered it with the chili.  Highly recommended.

Evelyn

For a reasonable water view lunch in Edgartown order the tomato bisque soup at The Atlantic.

The menu doesn’t tell you but it comes with a great grilled cheese sandwich.

For $9.00 you can’t beat it.

Michael

On Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays you can go to Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary for a guided kayak tour of Sengekontacket Pond. (If you can pronounce it correctly I think they should give you a discount!)  It is for everyone 11 years old and up. $40 per person from 9:30-11:30. Gorgeous! (If you can get your 11 year old up before 9:30am…)

Vincent

You’ve seen the signs around town. You know you want to do it. Grab your scarf and goggles, we’re going for a biplane ride.

Lane

Wow, are you ever visiting at the right time! From August 6 through the 13^th, enjoy the Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Festival, “All Things Jazz”, sponsored by the Featherstone Art Center. For event information, call John Lee at 410-205-6585 or go to http:www.mvjazzfest.com.

Joanne

Take a Magic Carpet ride!  This 56’ wooden yawl is “real sailing” for groups of up to 18 right out of Edgartown harbor.

Janice

Wednesday August 17^th is the Grand Illumination Night & Community Sing in Oak Bluffs. The community meets at the Tabernacle for sing at 7:30pm, and the colorful paper lanterns are lit throughout the campground at 8pm. Truly a sight that shouldn’t be missed.

Rob

This week, it’s short and sweet.  Braised Boneless Shortribs at Letoile.  Enjoy!

CJ

The Agricultural Fair is here!  August 18-21, this is a Vineyard tradition not to be missed! The Ag Fair is celebrating it’s 150^th year, this year.  Tip: Friday night is “wristband night” when you can ride everything for one fee. See you there!

Evelyn

How about some almost “sunrise yoga”?

7:30 a.m. at Bend-in-the-road Beach, just borrow a beach towel from the front desk, walk over or take

the #13 bus. For $15.00 this is a great way to start the day.

Michael

Go jump off a bridge! All the kids are doing it! You know you want to. Go on…I dare ya! I…DOUBLE DOG dare ya! Isn’t it on your bucket list? No…really! Take the #13 bus and make it a beach day. Pack a little cooler full of lunch and juice, tell the bus driver that you are a slave to peer-pressure and please let you off at the Jaws Bridge. The first jump is the hardest…that water seems so very far away…but if all these punk kids can do it…ALLONS Y!!

Kids jumping off the Jaws bridge. Photo by Nicole Freidler.

Lane

Take the family and the picnic basket to one of the prettiest spots on the island and enjoy the best of  Shakespeare.  Performed by the Vineyard Playhouse’s finest, The Comedy of Errors starts at 5 pm every Wednesday through Sunday at the Tisbury Amphitheater on State Road at the Tashmoo Overlook. Tickets are cash only, $15 for adults and $10 for those 18 and under, and can only be purchased there at the box office on the day of the performance. Don’t forget the bug spray, and have a great evening with the Bard!

Joanne

Need an early morning caffeine fix? If the coffee in the lobby just isn’t enough, join me at Espresso Love, just off Main Street for coffee, pastries and all sorts of great stuff! I love the garden tables and the free wifi (I’m the Mayor on Foursquare so I’m fully qualified for this recommendation!!)

Janice

Kids getting tired of the beach?  Hop onto the VTA #1 bus and stop by the Alpaca Farm on Edgartown –Vineyard Haven road for a day full of fun checking out the different animals.  Then stop by the Edgartown Cinema and watch a matinee with the kids.  After the matinee, have dinner at one of our great restaurants in Edgartown.

Rob

Are you here on Thursday night? It’s my favorite night at the hotel because we have live music on the Square between 6 and 8pm.  This week Mike Benjamin and his band will play an acoustic set.  If you haven’t had your fill of music go see them for a full band set at the Atlantic starting at 10pm.  It’s lots of fun. Lots.

CJ

For casual & inexpensive fun, head down to the Oak Bluffs Harbor. It’s a great spot to stroll & check out all of the boats.  While there, take advantage of one of the best food deals on the island at Dinghy Dogs.  This little spot has the best “hot dogs, for hot dog people” with all of the fixings!  It’s small, but easy to spot because the owner is usually sporting a sailor cap and strumming a ukulele in between customers!

Evelyn

Back Door Donuts in Oak Bluffs is a 40 year tradition. After the MV Gourmet Bakery closes for the night they sell fresh baked goods.

Michael

Take the #13 bus to Oak Bluffs and take the young’uns to the Carousel. (If you didn’t bring any young’uns, skip straight to the lunch!) It’s loud and raucous, so to calm everyone down after get lunch from Skinny’s Fat Sandwiches to-go and slip between the shops to the Campground, a quiet little maze of gingerbread cottages surrounding the wrought-iron Tabernacle, the ‘physical and spiritual center of the campground’. There are grassy areas and benches to enjoy your meal. Become one with your sandwich.

What to do with young 'uns on Martha's Vineyard? Take them to the Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs

Vincent

Grab a couple of beach chairs and head on down to South Beach after dark for some serious stargazing! It’s like sitting at the edge of the world, but bring a jacket, because the edge of the world can get drafty at night. Love, Mom.

Lane

No need to fight the crowds at Menemsha for sunset viewing. Pack an evening picnic and take the #13 bus to State Beach and park yourself on the pond side of the street. Same big red sun. No fighting for your patch of sand.

Joanne

Head out to West Tisbury and catch some great photo opportunities at the Field Gallery.  The sculpture garden, featuring a permanent collection by Tom Maley is full of amazing and fun sculptures – you’ll know what I mean when you see them!  There are also 2 indoor galleries with beautiful pieces by a variety of local and international artists.

Janice

Buy a day pass from the visitor center on Church Street and hop onto the #6 bus going over to West Tisbury and transfer to the #5 bus. Stop at the Menemsha beach for a great day! Getting a little hungry and miss lunch time? Don’t worry! Just run over to the Menemsha Fish Market for a great seafood lunch. You won’t regret it! Just remember to bring a few bottles of beer, as it’s a dry town.

Rob

Late night munchies? Check out Sweet E’s just down the street on South Water.  They have 12 different cupcakes each day.  My favorite so far is the lemon curd filled and the orange creamsicle. They’re open until 10pm so it’s a good stop on the way back to your room..

CJ

For a unique evening out, check out the new Trio Wine Bar at Black Sheep. You can enjoy flights of wine along with their fabulous artisan cheeses and small plates in this chic new spot right around the corner on N. Summer Street.

Evelyn

Walk around the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs and see the Gingerbread Cottages but be sure to look for Eleanor.  She’s well past ninety, a wealth of Vineyard info, and she may even ask you to sign her visitor’s book.  She will be on her porch waiting for you to come by.

Great burger of Martha's Vineyard? Check out the options at the Atlantic!

Michael

Martha’s Vineyard Glassworks in West Tisbury.

I could watch glass blowing all day…but they are only open to watch from 10-5 (and they break for lunch from 12-1. I suppose you could watch them eat lunch but that could turn awkward.)

http://www.mvglassworks.com/about/ and you can click a link on the site to Google directions.

Vincent

I turned thirty this year (you can leave gifts for me at the front desk), and to celebrate, I went on a day sail on one of the Black Dog Tall Ships; the Alabama. You really need to go, and if you do, do the sunset sail. You can bring your own food and drinks on board and have a picnic on the deck of a beautiful sailing ship. http://www.TheBlackDogTallships.com

Lane

Think the Vineyard is all beach and no culture? Head to the Vineyard Playhouse in Vineyard Haven and be pleasantly surprised by this wonderful non-profit professional theater. Now showing through August 6 “Tennessee Williams: Original Acts.” Performances Tuesday through Saturday. Call: 508-696-6300.

http://www.VineyardPlayhouse.com

Joanne

Board the On Time ferry and head to Chappy! Have the Trustees pick you up and take their fantastic tour of the Cape Pogue Lighthouse or their wildlife kayak tour – both are great fun ways to see this more unspoiled area of the Vineyard. http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/cape-cod-islands/cape-pogue.html or call 508-627-3599

Janice

Looking for a great place for seafood look no further than the Square Rigger Restaurant which has the best lobster in town. You can hop onto the #11 Park and Ride from Mayhew Lane at no cost and don’t have to worry about drinking too much for dinner.

Rob

In my opinion – the best place for a burger in town is the bar at the Atlantic.  The burgers are HUGE…they come with a pile of shoestring fries.  If you’re feeling healthy you can have a salad instead.  They have a great wine list, interesting cocktails and talented bar tenders.  Here’s what puts them over the edge…they have BACON as a bar snack.  If you don’t feel like sitting at the bar they have a plethora of outside seating.  Enjoy!  http://www.atlanticmv.com/

CJ

Take everyone out to a ballgame, for some old fashioned fun!  The MV Sharks (our new, collegiate baseball team) have several games each week and it is a very kid friendly, fun atmosphere!  Their field is by the high school in Oak Bluffs. Ask the front desk about tickets.

June 19th – 23rd is Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Week – also known in my house as Joanne Eats A Lot Week!  My husband and I LOVE to eat out on Martha’s Vineyard but budget and schedule conspire to stop us from enjoying the many amazing restaurants the Island has to offer. This week is the Island restaurant community’s gift to us. 
Prix Fixe menus at over a dozen locations offer 3 courses for a little more than the average entrée on Martha’s Vineyard.  Dinner menus range from $25-$45 – a great bargain by any Island dining standards.  When else could we eat 3 courses at L’Etoile or Detente for $45 each? This is the time to get out and dine!!

If you can’t make dinner, there are also several restaurants offering prix fixe lunch options starting at just $10 – you can hardly eat on the mainland for that, never mind in a great restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard!

Right here at Vineyard Square, Chescas is participating in the fun of restaurant week with 3 courses for just $38.  They include their most popular dishes on the prix fixe menu.  In fact, if you have read my post from last year, you’ll know that the Spinach and Goat Cheese salad, the Thai Chili Glazed Salmon (don’t forget to buy a jar of the sauce to recreate this dish at home), and the Snowball dessert are some of my favorites and ALL THREE are options on the restaurant week menu – wooo, hooo!  The problem I have is, do I branch out and try something else? Everyone raves about the Chicken Marsala with the delicious chive mashed potatoes so maybe I should try that? And my father-in-law would be ashamed if I didn’t try the cannoli – what kind of a wife of an Italian would I be if I don’t go for the traditional Italian dessert? Decisions, decisions…

Where will you dine during restaurant week?