When we tell first-time visitors to leave the car at home, it’s not because we expect them to stay put at our downtown Edgartown hotel. One step off our porch puts you at the center of the action, and walking is our preferred way to get around. Put on your walking shoes (or just your sandals) to explore 10 absolutely essential Martha’s Vineyard attractions within one square mile (read: one easy walk) of Vineyard Square.
Actual Steps from Our Edgartown Hotel
If you can’t see one of these Edgartown staples from our porch, just look the other direction.
1. Chesca’s Restaurant
It’s not uncommon for the aroma of linguine and clams to waft right past our front desk, and we’ll never get tired of bragging about it. Chesca’s has everything we like in a restaurant: spectacular food, an attentive staff, and a comfortable, upscale atmosphere where we always feel welcome.
2. Eisenhauer Gallery
Our next-door neighbors have a taste for large-scale paintings with bright colors. Art enthusiasts and casual onlookers alike leave the Eisenhauer Gallery raving about Carol Bennett’s paintings of swimmers and Michel Brousseau’s work with antique boats and automobiles, just two of the many talented artists represented here.
3. Mikel Hunter Boutique
With 25 years in fashion under his belt, Mikel hand picks funky and artisanal clothing, accessories, and artwork that are responsibly sourced and manufactured. Don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions—he has a keen eye for each customer’s style and loves to chat. This storefront is directly out our back door.
4. Vineyard Vines
At Vineyard Vines, pastel plaid, pink shorts, and big smiles are the name of the game. Find this authority on island attire right across the street from our Edgartown hotel.
5 & 6. Murdick’s Fudge and Mad Martha’s Ice Cream
These sweet neighbors belong together like peanut butter and chocolate. Get your hands on some freshly made fudge at Murdick’s, then stroll over to Mad Martha’s for a specialty sundae like the Oreo Cookie Nookie: Oreo ice cream, hot fudge, marshmallow, and whipped cream topped with a Hershey kiss.
Less Than Half a Mile
These Martha’s Vineyard attractions dot the blocks of downtown. All are within five-or-six-minute walk from Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites.
7. Martha’s Vineyard Museum
The story of Martha’s Vineyard comes to life at this interactive museum. Our island’s whaling history is front-and-center with permanent exhibits that include a replica of a whaling ship’s tryworks and the Fresnel lens originally installed on Gay Head Lighthouse in 1856.
8. Memorial Wharf
When you look out at Edgartown Harbor from our hotel’s fourth-floor veranda, you’re looking directly over the top of Memorial Wharf. Walk down Kelly Street, hang a left onto Dock Street, and then climb the stairs of the wharf’s public waterfront pavilion for a panoramic look at the island of Chappaquiddick and the Martha’s Vineyard shoreline.
Still Under One Mile
Stretch your legs and venture to the edges of downtown, which are still pretty darn close.
9. Lighthouse Beach
The walk up North Water Street to Edgartown Lighthouse is just over half a mile, and with stunning views along the way, it feels even shorter to us. Stately whitewashed colonials give way to tall grasses and sand, with our town’s iconic lighthouse out at the tip of the beach.
10. Bad Martha
Clocking in at .9 miles from our hotel in downtown Edgartown, Bad Martha rewards walkers with refreshing Martha’s Vineyard beer on tap and plenty of seating on the patio and in the tap room. Live music and fierce corn hole competition make this an especially fun afternoon stop.
