Tag Archives: Edgartown

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Why You Should Visit the Edgartown Art Gallery

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Edgartown Art GalleryIf you love art, don’t miss the Edgartown Art Gallery. This gallery, located at 19 South Sumner Street in downtown Edgartown, houses works by dozens of top-notch contemporary artists, as well as a few vintage pieces from the 19th century. You’ll find an assortment of styles here, such as oils, pastels, and watercolors, and represent a menagerie of genres: tranquil landscapes, sporting art (such as equestrian), villages, beach scenes, and flora and fauna.

We encourage you to visit the Edgartown Art Gallery Collection page and view the dozens of works they have on display. Pay particular attention to all the paintings of the beautiful Edgartown Harbor Light.

After the Edgartown Art Gallery

After you’ve finished at the Edgartown Art Gallery, why not walk to the actual lighthouse? The Edgartown Lighthouse is around three-quarters of a mile away, which is a 10-15 minute walk (or a 3-5 minute drive) through the beautiful downtown district. This majestic, 45-foot tall lighthouse stands guard over the Edgartown Harbor, protecting ships from running aground.

The 2016 calendar hasn’t yet been announced, but the 2015 calendar looked like this:

  • Open weekends only (Saturday and Sunday) from May 23rd – June 21st, and Memorial Day, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Open daily June 22nd – September 7th, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and on Fridays in July and August from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Open weekends only from September 12th – October 11th, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • All hours are weather permitting.
  • Admission is $5 for adults, but free for museum members and children under 12.

The 2016 calendar should look similar. Keep an eye on the MVMuseum.org website for more information.

Feeling peckish? Head to one of Edgartown’s wonderful restaurants for delicious food and, perhaps, a glass of wine or cocktail (to rehydrate after all that walking!). We recommend Alchemy Bistro & Bar, located at 71 Main Street. This cozy restaurant features locally-sourced seafood, as well as delicious beef and chicken dishes. Visitors rave about the desserts, as well as the extensive wine selection (a silver medal in Cape Code Life’s Best of Martha’s Vineyard) and prize-winning cocktails (voted the Best Cocktails by Martha’s Vineyard Magazine).

If the weather’s nice, you can sit outside on the back porch and sip your delicious drink in the warm Martha’s Vineyard sunshine, enjoying the cool breeze blowing in off the harbor. Fair warning: those spots fill up fast.

If you’d like to guarantee a spot at Alchemy, we recommend you make reservations, which you can either do via OpenTable on their website, or through calling them at (508)627-9999.

If you’re heading this way, be sure to reserve your accommodations through Sandpiper Rentals. Our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rentals are ideal for relaxing and unwinding in between the myriad great activities you can participate in during your time on the island. We have rental properties located 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. Our homes are all unique, yet they all offer comfortable accommodations and luxurious amenities. Visit our website to check availability and learn about all of our services!

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

Edgartown or Oak Bluffs?

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Edgartown or Oak Bluffs

Edgartown or Oak Bluffs? Visitors to Martha’s Vineyard would do well to visit both, although one may appeal to certain vacationers more than others. Let’s take a look at what these two beautiful towns have to offer.

Edgartown

Edgartown is Martha’s Vineyard’s ‘big city,’ with a population just north of 4,000. The town is famous for South Beach, the Edgartown Lighthouse, and a litany of great shops and restaurants.

South Beach provides visitors the chance to relax and enjoy the quiet, calm, shallow waters. Visitors rave about the clear water, and even its warmth compared to surrounding areas. Don’t miss out on this beautiful and tranquil setting!

The Edgartown Lighthouse marks the entrance to Edgartown Harbor and Katama Bay. This picturesque, 45-foot tall lighthouse is a short walk (10-15 minutes) from downtown Edgartown. Be sure to visit at sunset and capture a dramatic photograph of the lighthouse silhouetted against the harbor.

Looking for fine dining in a cozy setting? Check out Alchemy, located right on Main Street. Let chef Giordano Smiroldo prepare a delicious entree of locally-sourced seafood, or enjoy one of their bar’s fabulous cocktails. Visit their website to see Alchemy’s list of 2015 awards. It’s well worth a visit!

If it’s a cold beer you’re seeking, check out Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery. The brewery offers a variety of beers, from light to dark, and is famous for it’s beautiful outdoor seating.

Martha’s Vineyard sign

These are just a few of the things to do and see in Edgartown. It’s definitely worth the trip!

Oak Bluffs

Oak Bluffs stands on the far northeastern corner of Martha’s Vineyard. It’s home to, amongst other things, the world’s oldest platform carousel. The town is also famous for its gingerbread cottage architecture, and its active nightlife.

The Flying Horses Carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. It was originally built sometime between 1876 and 1878, and was purchased by Oak Bluffs in 1889. Stop in and, for just a few dollars, take a ride on a piece of national history!

Oak Bluffs’ gingerbread-house architecture sets it apart from many other destinations throughout America. Stroll through the streets, admiring the unique styling of its many dwellings. Truly, it is a sight to behold!

Oak Bluffs is famous for its active nightlife. Walk around and soak up the festive atmosphere, or engage in some fine dining at some of the town’s many restaurants. You can even visit several local establishments for live music and dancing.

So, will it be Edgartown or Oak Bluffs?  Truly, you can’t go wrong with either setting. Both offer unique experiences in picturesque settings. If you’re looking for relaxation, perhaps head to Edgartown. If you’re looking for a beautiful setting, mixed with an active nightlife, head to Oak Bluffs.

Whether you choose Edgartown or Oak Bluffs, be sure to reserve your accommodations through Sandpiper Rentals. Our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rentals are ideal for relaxing and unwinding in between all of the great activities you can participate in during your time on the island. Our rental properties are located 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. Our homes are all unique, yet they all offer comfortable accommodations and luxurious amenities. Visit our website to check availability and learn about all of our services!

Feature

How to Enjoy the Best of Christmas in Edgartown

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Christmas in EdgartownCome join us this December for Christmas in Edgartown.  This holiday season, enjoy a number of fun, family-friendly activities, including the annual Chowder Contest, a Christmas Parade, the lighting of the Edgartown Lighthouse, an Annual Holiday Gift Show, fine shopping and dining, a number of other holiday-themed events benefiting various charities, and of course our Open House Tour from 11AM-1PM Saturday, December 12.  This year, the festivities begin on Thursday, December 10, and run through Sunday, December 13.  Bring the whole family and soak up the Christmas spirit on beautiful Martha’s Vineyard!

Christmas in Edgartown wouldn’t be complete without the annual Great Chowder Contest.  This year marks the 31st iteration of this delicious tradition.  Last December, more than a dozen teams from a variety of organizations competed to earn the title of Chowder Champion, and this year promises even more savory creations.  The contestants need you, the audience, to sample their offerings and determine the Best Seafood Chowder and Best Quahog Chowder.  They have not announced the exact details for this year, but past years contests have occurred on Saturdays, with $8 tickets benefiting the Red Stocking Fund: an organization dedicated to providing presents to children in economically-disadvantaged families.  Visit the Edgartown Board of Trade website for more details.

The annual Christmas Parade returns to Christmas in Edgartown.  Bring the kids and spend a few hours basking in the Christmas spirit, complete with Santa Claus, fire trucks, and floats!  Don’t miss out on this crowd-pleasing spectacle.  The event is confirmed, but the date and time have not yet been announced.  Stay tuned to the Edgartown Board of Trade website for more details.

Christmas in Edgartown attendees will also have a chance to buy handmade items at the Annual Holiday Gift Show.  This year’s event, which takes place Saturday, December 12 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., features gifts handcrafted one-at-a-time from numerous local artisans (view a complete list here).

The Lighting of the Edgartown Lighthouse occurs every Christmas in Edgartown.  This year’s event, free of charge and open to the public, takes place on Friday, December 11 at 5 p.m.  Come spend your early evening enjoying hot chocolate, live music, and holiday goodies in a gorgeous setting.  At 5:59, join the others in counting down the final seconds until the 6 p.m. lighting ceremony.  Before you attend the ceremony, be sure to read up on the Edgartown Lighthouse’s solemn history.  Afterward, head over to Alchemy and enjoy a fine-dining experience in a cozy atmosphere.

These are just a sampling of the holiday festivities Edgartown is planning.  For more information, please visit the Edgartown Board of Trade’s website.

When you’re making your holiday plans, be sure to reserve your accommodations with Sandpiper Rentals. Our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rentals are ideal for relaxing and unwinding in between all of the great activities you can participate in during your time on the island. Our rental properties are located 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. Our homes are all unique, yet they all offer comfortable accommodations and luxurious amenities. Visit our website to check availability and learn about all of our services.

Photo credit: David Berkowitz / Flickr