Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce
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Towns of Martha's vineyard

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​Aquinnah
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Chilmark
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Edgartown
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Oak Bluffs
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Vineyard Haven
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West Tisbury
Here's what you need to know:
The Island of Martha’s Vineyard is just 7 miles off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. On less than 100 square miles, you’ll find 6 adorable small towns, each with their own highlights and distinctive personality. ​
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Locals commonly refer to “up-Island” and “down-Island”.  Technically it’s a longitude/latitude thing, but basically when you hear “up-Island” it means the western, more rural towns of West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah.  
“Down-Island” refers to the busy port towns of Tisbury (Vineyard Haven), Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. 
​ If you look at a map, down-Island looks like it should be up-Island, but now we’re back to that longitude/latitude thing. 
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There are villages within the towns.  Sometimes this is confusing.  Like when you take a ferry to the village of Vineyard Haven, but your GPS or map tries to tell you you’re in Tisbury.  And they’re both right. 
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Aquinnah, (pronounced ah-KWIN-ah and means “land under the hill”) located on the far western side of the Island, was known as Gay Head until 1997, when the Wampanoag (pronounced wam-pa-NO-og) Tribe of Aquinnah petitioned to have the name officially changed.  You’ll often hear references to the Gay Head Cliffs and lighthouse, which are both in the town of Aquinnah.
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​Chilmark has a quaint, authentic fishing village called Menemsha (pronounced men-EM-sha).  A must see for all Jaws fans!

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Edgartown includes Katama (pronounced ka-TAY-ma) and Chappaquiddick. There’s one ferry service that travels from Falmouth on Cape Cod to to Edgartown from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

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Oak Bluffs was originally known as Cottage City. Ferries arrive mid-May through mid-October from Woods Hole, Falmouth, Hyannis and New Bedford in Massachusetts, Quonset Point in Rhode Island and New York City and Northern New Jersey.

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​Tisbury has a beautiful harbor village called Vineyard Haven.  Every day of the year ferries come and go from Wood Hole on Cape Cod to Vineyard Haven. ​

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​West Tisbury is the agricultural heartland of the Vineyard. It is home to both the Agricultural & Grange Halls, the historic Alley's General Store and the enchanting sculptures of the Field Gallery.

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​COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Complete Guide to Martha's Vineyard.
​Copyright Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.
​ All Rights Reserved.


P.  508.693.0085  |  800-505-4815 | F. 508.693.7589
 24 Beach Street |  P.O. Box 1698 
 
Vineyard Haven, MA  02568
info@mvy.com | sitemap.
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  • Home
  • Directory
  • StayNOW
  • Deals
  • Events
  • Real Estate
  • Play
    • Farms
    • Agritourism
    • Beaches
    • Biking on MV
    • Birding
    • Fishing on MV
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hiking
    • Lighthouses
    • Shopping
    • Tennis
    • Tours
  • Visit
  • Join
  • More
    • Members
    • Contact Us
    • Vineyard Blog
    • In the News
    • Job Listings
    • Housing List
    • Online Store
    • Travel Guide
    • Island Book
    • About the Chamber
    • Press Room >
      • Press Coverage