Category Archives: Things To Do

Get Excited for Taste of the Vineyard

January 28, 2016 Sandpiper Rentals Staff Leave a comment

Do you love good food? What about charitable causes? If you answered ‘yes,’ don’t miss out on this year’s Taste of the Vineyard. The Taste, as it’s also known, is held for two nights every June. This year, 2016, marks the 31st iteration. Starting June 16th, the lawns of the Dr. Daniel Fisher House will host more than 15,000 square feet of tents featuring delicious food and handcrafted beers and wines from more than 90 of Martha’s Vineyard’s finest establishments. Revelers will pick up their complimentary wine glass and buffet tray, then stroll amongst the tasty offerings. After you’ve had your fill, head over to the dance floor, where Jerry Bennett and the Sultans of Swing will provide the tunes.
Two nights after the party, the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust will reconfigure the tents and host a dinner and charity auction for 350 invited guests. These guests will enjoy a preliminary cocktail hour and peruse the items for auction. After the silent auction, they’ll be treated to a delectable dinner, coffee, cordials, and Chilmark chocolates. Dancing, of course, is also on the agenda.
The Taste of the Vineyard is a charity event. All proceeds go to the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. What originally started out (in the mid-80s) as an effort to save the Flying Horses Carousel has transformed into a fundraiser to preserve twenty landmark buildings. The Taste is the organization’s most important fundraiser, and has sold out every year since 1999, so get your tickets early! Attendance is limited to 1,200. Tickets are $150 per person, all of which goes to a fantastic cause. Don’t miss out on Martha’s Vineyard’s most-anticipated event!

To view a complete list of the restaurants and breweries participating, you may do so here.

If you’re on Martha’s Vineyard, you may also wish to view the historic properties the Preservation Trust preserves. You can find a full list below:

Be sure to stop in and check out these fantastic properties. If you’re looking for something truly unique, we highly recommend the Flying Horses Carousel, which we’ve discussed in a previous blog post.

And if you’re heading to Taste of the Vineyard, you’ll need a great accommodation. Our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rentals provide a perfect base for relaxing and unwinding in between all of the great activities you can enjoy during your time on the island. We have rental properties all over Martha’s Vineyard, so you can choose to stay on your favorite part of the island. Whether you want to be right in town or more isolated, we have the perfect rental for you. Visit our website to check availability and learn about all of our services!

Feature, Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs, Things To Do

Why Do You Need to See the Famous Flying Horses of Oak Bluffs?

January 22, 2016 Sandpiper Rentals Staff Leave a comment

Looking for something unique on your Martha’s Vineyard visit? Visit Flying Horses in Oak Bluffs. This carousel – the oldest operating platform carousel in the United States – is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark. If you’re on the island, stop by and check out this unique piece of American history.

History of the Flying Horses

Experts estimate Flying Horses’ construction occurred somewhere around 1876. It originally stood on New York’s Coney Island. In fact, one of the decorative panels includes a stamp which reads “Coney Island #4.”

In 1884, a man named F.O. Gordon, of New York City, purchased the carousel. He relocated it to a town called Cottage City (what we now know as Oak Bluffs), and situated it near the entrance to Oak Bluffs Harbor. In the late 1880s, the town purchased the carousel, uprooted it from its harbor-side location, and shifted it to its current location on Circuit Avenue, which is Oak Bluffs’ main business and entertainment district.

The carousel has changed hands a number of times since then. Ultimately, in 1986, the Martha’s Vineyard Land Trust acquired it and assumed control over its day-to-day functioning. Today, not much has changed; the 1923 Wurlitzer Band Organ plays tunes from the past century, reading the notes from original paper rolls. Children (and adults!) also still have the chance to grab the lucky brass ring and win a free ride.

The carousel operates daily, from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Rides cost a mere $2.50. As previously mentioned, riders who successfully grab the brass ring win a free ride. This is a fun, family-friendly activity, and something you can tell people about for years. Come enjoy this piece of American history!

After Flying Horses

After you’ve finished, head out to enjoy some of Oak Bluffs’ many outdoor attractions. There are a number of beaches in the area, such as Joseph Sylvia State Beach, Oak Bluffs Town Beach, and Inkwell Beach. You could rent a kayak and paddle around Oak Bluffs’ picturesque harbor. Those looking for real adventure could charter a fishing boat and head out for a fun-filled day in the sun.

If the water isn’t your thing, there are a number of terrestrial activities you can enjoy, such as renting a bike to cruise around town. You may also consider trading Flying Horses’ wooden steeds for real horses and go on a beach trail ride.

Whatever your preference, you’re guaranteed to have a great time in beautiful Oak Bluffs!

Every adventure in Oak Bluffs begins with a great accommodation. Our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rentals provide a perfect base for relaxing and unwinding in between all of the great activities you can participate in during your time on the island. We have rental properties all over Martha’s Vineyard, so you can choose to stay on your favorite part of the island. Whether you want to be right in town or more isolated, we have the perfect rental for you. Visit our website to check availability and learn about all of our services!

Edgartown, Feature, Things To Do

Don’t Miss a Visit to the Edgartown Movie Theatre

January 16, 2016 Sandpiper Rentals Staff Leave a comment

The Vineyard is the perfect place to relax and enjoy life. While you’re here, come check out the Edgartown Movie Theatre. This quaint and comfortable theater offers charm and character, all while serving up Hollywood’s latest and greatest movie productions. The theater is housed in traditional Martha’s Vineyard fashion: a white, wooden storefront right on Main Street in downtown Edgartown. The inside is equally understated and beautiful, with wooden ceilings, old-fashioned theater seating, and even an open porch on the top floor with tables and chairs.

In short, you won’t find many theaters like this one! If you’re heading to Martha’s Vineyard, you can check the theater listings courtesy of the Vineyard Gazette. Don’t miss out on a first-run movie in this charming setting.

Before Your Trip to the Edgartown Movie Theatre

You can’t spend the full day at the theater. Well, you could, I suppose — but if you’re on vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, you’ll probably want to do what everyone wants to do: create lasting memories and eat delicious food. Well, good news: you can do both without ever leaving Edgartown.

Edgartown is home to the beautiful Edgartown Lighthouse. The lighthouse, first built on a manmade island in 1828, guards Edgartown’s picturesque harbor. It’s one of five lighthouses which, historically, has protected ships traversing Martha’s Vineyard’s treacherous waters. All five lighthouses (Edgartown, East Chop, West Chop, Gay Head, and Cape Poge) stand on the north side of the island.

The Edgartown Lighthouse stands just off of North Water Street. The Martha’s Vineyard Museum maintains the lighthouse, and offers tours late June through early September. They haven’t released their 2016 calendar yet, but you can use the following link to view their 2015 tour calendar and use it as a reference.

After your short hike to and from the lighthouse, head out for a delicious meal at one of Edgartown’s fine dining establishments. We highly recommend Alchemy: a bistro and bar located on Main Street in downtown Edgartown. Their menu features a wide variety of items, including seafood straight out of the Atlantic, beef dishes, and chicken dishes. They’re also legendary for their wine selection and cocktails. Cape Cod Life gave their wine selection a silver medal, while Martha’s Vineyard magazine deemed their cocktails the best on Martha’s Vineyard!

So, if you’re feeling hungry, check out Alchemy for great food, great wine, and (as voted by readers!) Martha’s Vineyard’s finest cocktails. If the weather’s nice, you can even sit on the back patio and enjoy the fresh sea air.

Everything mentioned in this post adds up to a wonderful afternoon: a walk to the elegant Edgartown Lighthouse, a return to town to enjoy delectable food and drink, and a relaxing movie at the charming Edgartown Movie Theatre.

And if you’re heading this way, you’ll need a great accommodation. Our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rentals provide a perfect base for relaxing and unwinding in between all of the great activities you can participate in during your time on the island. We have rental properties all over Martha’s Vineyard, so you can choose to stay on your favorite part of the island. Whether you want to be right in town or more isolated, we have the perfect rental for you. Visit our website tocheck availability and learn about all of our services!