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Martha's Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard Lingo: To Help You Get Around the Island

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Some handy terms and quick explanations you should know so that you can find your way around the island and sound like an islander…

  1. You are going for a vacation ‘on’ the Vineyard, not ‘in’ or ‘at’ the Vineyard.
  2. ‘Chappy’ is short for Chappaquiddick, not what happens to your lips when you’ve been out in the sun for too long. Chappaquiddick is a small island that lies off the eastern tip of Martha’s Vineyard and is part of Edgartown. You can get to Chappy via a small ferry that holds a couple of cars and a bunch of people and bikes. It’s a great day trip from the Vineyard. Don’t forget to pack a lunch!
  3. 5 Corners is an adventuresome intersection in downtown Vineyard Haven. It is called 5 Corners because there are 5 streets that form the intersection. Move with caution as only 3 of the approaching roads have stop signs and the other 2 have the right of way. Drive slowly, be nice, enjoy this quirky attraction, and you’ll be just fine.
  4. ‘Squibby’ is short for one of the island’s beach treasures, Squibnocket, located in Chilmark as you head towards Aquinnah.
  5. The ‘Flying Horses’ make up the country’s oldest horse carousel. They are beautiful and an island highlight right in downtown Oak Bluffs.
  6. ‘Gay Head’ is now called ‘Aquinnah’ and it is the town at the farthest end from the ferries. It is the home of the Wampanoag Native American tribe and the stunning Aquinnah cliffs.
  7. ‘Quahog’s’ are clams….so Martha’s Vineyard’s quahog chowdah is clam chowdah – only better.
Events, Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs

Village Spotlight: Oak Bluffs

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Once known as “Cottage City”, Oak bluffs is a truly unique resort town on Martha’s Vineyard full of color and character to this day.

Located on the northeast shore of the island, Oak Bluffs offers an historical edge which includes The Flying Horses Carousel – the oldest operating platform carousel In the United States, The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association in the heart of Oak Bluffs which showcases hundreds of painted Victorian “Gingerbread” cottages to be dazzled by, and of course the Tabernacle – the physical and spiritual center of the Campground which was built in 1879 by John W. Hoyt of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Home to the largest marina on the island, the finest golf course, beautiful public beaches, public parks and wildlife galore, Oak Bluffs is your destination of choice for trendy and artsy shopping.  See a movie, enjoy a night on the town with live entertainment and dancing (OB being one of the two “wet” towns on the island that serve alcohol), eat at one of the excellent restaurants or just take a walk down the thrilling Circuit Ave, the town’s main drag.

Several special events emphasize Oak Bluffs personality and take place annually:  Grand Illumination Night in the Campground cottages, the Monster Shark Tournament, and the August Fireman’s Association Fireworks.  At The Grand Illumination, residents of the Campground place ornate Chinese lanterns (some electric, some still lit with just a candle), around each Gingerbread Cottage. The lanterns remain dark until after dusk. At an appointed hour, people gather in the Tabernacle for a sing-along and community gathering. At the end all the lights go out and thousands of Chinese lanterns spring to life in a brilliant cascade of light throughout the campground. The celebration ends after visitors walk through the Campground enjoying the sights and sounds of an event taken straight from the turn of the century and brought to life every year in this quaint town of Oak Bluffs.