Planning a Guys Getaway on Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is an obvious destination for a family vacation, couples retreat, or a girls getaway, and a weekend with the guys is no exception. The Island is the perfect place for a casual stay, offering all sorts of activities that cater to guys that just want to unwind, relax, and forget about the stresses of life “on the other side.”

Here’s our top three suggestions for planning an unforgettable guys getaway on Martha’s Vineyard.

Golf, golf, and golf some more. ​

Photo: LA Brown

Martha’s Vineyard is home to some of the most impressive greens on the East Coast. President Obama famously golfs Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs as often as possible during his vacations here, along with President Clinton too. Farm Neck’s eighteen holes are situated on over 265 acres, including woodlands, open meadows, salt marshes, and stunning overlooks atop the water's edge. Farm Neck has continually earned a 4 ½ out of 5 star rating in Golf Digest's “Best Places to Play,” and is considered by many to be one of the most coveted golfing experiences in the Northeast, not to mention the Farm Neck Cafe is a destination in itself for foodies of all kinds.

Mink Meadows in Vineyard Haven is another golf lover’s paradise, located in West Chop, the northernmost peninsula of the town of Tisbury. Designed and constructed in 1936, “The Mink”, as it has often known, is a semi-private facility featuring rolling terrain with ocean views and a challenging course that can be played as a nine or eighteen-hole experience. Mink Meadows offers a membership but welcomes non-members, who can make tee times up to two days in advance. The course is open year round, weather permitting, and off-season memberships can be easily obtained at a discounted rate.

The Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown is probably the Island’s most elite walking course situated on 235 preserved acres. The course opened in the summer of 2002 and a new front nine debuted in 2013, with a completely redesigned back nine following in 2015. GOLF Magazine named Vineyard Golf Club the “Best New Private Course” of 2015. The Vineyard Golf Club dining room also enjoys a reputation as one of the best restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard.​

If your group is looking for a more casual course try the Royal & Ancient Chappaquiddick Links on Chappaquiddick Island, or “Chappy” for short. The course is considered a hidden gem, offering a quirky nine-hole green in one of the most wooded, secluded parts of the Island. For an extra Island experience be sure to take the green keeper’s shuttle from the Chappy Ferry to the course. 

Hop aboard a fishing charter or local boat excursion. 

On Martha’s Vineyard fishing is not just a hobby it’s a way of life, and Island waters offer some of the best fishing in New England. Our beautiful, bountiful waters are home to striped bass, bluefish, bonito, false albacore (“albies” for short), scup, sea bass, and fluke. Venture further offshore and you’ll find yellowfin and bluefin tuna, sharks (mako, blue, and thresher), swordfish, marlin, and mahi mahi. For those guys that want to throw a line in the water consider chartering a fishing boat and learning from the local pros. For those that score something big and delicious for dinner, consider hiring one of the Island’s private chefs to cook it up for you.​​

If you’re looking to get extra competitive be sure to visit during the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Tournament. The 73rd “Derby” takes place September 9 to October 13. 

Tour our local breweries.

video by David Welch for Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce | Visit MV

​Let’s be honest, generally speaking most guys getaways likely involve beer at some point. Martha’s Vineyard is home to two outstanding local breweries, Offshore Ale in Oak Bluffs and Bad Martha’s in Edgartown.

Offshore Ale Company is the only brew-pub on-Island, serving award winning small batch craft beer year round since 1997. The brewery offers several varieties from crisp and malty to bold and hoppy, amidst a casual “boathouse-style atmosphere.” Housed in the iconic City Ale and Oyster building (the business’ original name that still decorates the front of the building today), Offshore Ale is located at the corner of Kennebec and Healy avenues in Oak BLuffs. The brew pub has become well-known among locals and visitors alike, a popular gathering place that also offers wood-fired pizza, local seafood, live music and peanut shells littering the floor. Reservations are recommended for brewery tours and happen regularly throughout the week.

Bad Martha’s Farmers Brewery and Tasting Room is located on Main Street in Edgartown amongst the beautiful flowers and greenery of Donaroma's Nursery. Bad Martha’s boasts a 7-barrel brewing system that creates fresh beer daily. Cheese plates, charcuterie, crudité and other snacks are available while you sip, as well as outdoor games, live music and distinctive merchandise. Stop by for a free sample, or a flight paddle from May through October.
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The Island is also home to Washashore Beer, a Vineyard born beer organically brewed in Maine. Look for their colorful taps and cans at Island bars and restaurants, including such creative titles as Boy Meets Girl, Boy Meets Boy and Girl Meets Girl.  
 
Ready to book your trip? Check out our helpful directory of Island lodging options.