Visiting the Vineyard: 5 Things Up-Island You’ve Never Done, but Should

May 5, 2008

Martha’s Vineyard—a common vacation spot. Beautiful beaches, various kinds of seafood, people everywhere…and lots of overpriced shops. The Vineyard is a great place to visit, and there are many things to do. However, most people find themselves amongst the crowds; all doing the same things.

It is common for visitors to hang out “down-island”, as the locals refer to it. Down-island is filled with the usual Vineyard fun; the Flying Horses in Oak Bluffs, South Beach in Edgartown, and the shops in Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. While these are fun things to do; there are other great things on the island that people miss out on. If you’re taking a trip to the Vineyard; make the venture “up-island” and try something different for a change. Here is a list of things that can inspire you.

Visiting Aquinnah

This place is only 30 minutes drive from Vineyard Haven or Edgartown, or 45 minutes from Oak Bluffs. If the drive seems to long, try making a day trip out of it. There is a pay-parking lot on Moshup Trail; you can park there and walk down through the scenic path to the public beach. But remember to stay on the path, as the grass is loaded with ticks!

The beach is along Aquinnah’s famous clay cliffs; red and orange clay naturally formed along the ocean’s edge. You and your family can walk to the cliffs and see them close up. The beach is great. The waves are huge. Surfers can often be found there, so if you like to boogie board, this is the place to come. And be on the lookout for celebrities too: Michael J. Fox and his family are often spotted on the beach, as well as designer Kenneth Cole!

Aquinnah, also known as Gay Head, is also known for its beautiful sunsets. Thus, it is a good idea to go back up to the parking lot around 6 pm. When you walk past the parking lot, you can find public bathrooms and a few shops. Here you can pick up some souvenirs and perhaps grab dinner too.

But be ready for the sunset; there’s a viewing spot where people go to see the cliffs and take pictures. Often times you can see deer running through the grass on top of the cliffs. It is absolutely stunning once the sun begins to set. The reds, purples and oranges fill the sky, over the orange and red cliffs. The bright green grass on the top of the cliffs contrasts itself with the navy blue ocean lying beneath.

While you’re there, make sure to check out the Gay Head Light–if you go on weekend nights you can climb inside the light house. The sunset view from this place is spectacular, plus you’re inside a light house too—how often can you do that?

Homeport Heaven

Another up-island treat that you just can’t miss is the Homeport. The restaurant is in Menemsha, a smaller part of Chilmark. Be advised that it’s known mostly for location, and less for the food. It sits right on the Memensha Sound, which really is a perfect location: the sun sets right on the water in front of the restaurant. Customers can either eat inside, on the deck, or take their meals home. The portions from the Homeport are very large, so be prepared to take some home or share. And FYI, they do taste good the next day!

Before or after dinner, be sure to check out the whole area around the restaurant. Right across the Menemsha Sound is a shipwreck used in the movie Jaws. All along the walk you’ll see huge fishing boats and fish shops with little novelty shops in-between. It’s much less crowded than any “down island” town. However, it does become filled up around sunset very quickly, so get there early!

CCC

If you’re on the island for a longer period of time, you might want to check out the Chilmark Community Center (CCC). Yes, it’s up-island too. It has fun things to do at night for families, such as movie nights, or talent shows put on by the Chilmark camp. And speaking of the Chilmark camp, it’s a great place to send your kids.

The camp is at the CCC and its every weekday from 9 am until 12 pm. They break the kids up into age groups, including a group called playschool for four year olds. Be advised that your children may come home covered in oatmeal one day, and soaked from water fun day the next. The camp is a perfect way to break-up the day, and there’s of course, plenty of time for the beach after camp.

The CCC offers dance classes, aerobics and teen nights too. The dance classes take place in the actual community center; it’s a large room with hardwood floors and walls equipped with a stage.

If you’re really into celebrity sightings, look for Jake Gyllenhaal around the community center. He often goes to the basketball court at the CCC, in the afternoon to play pick up basketball. Sometimes he’s even shirtless, so be prepared.

Choice Chocolates

When you’re in Chilmark checking out the Community Center, make a quick stop at Chilmark Chocolates. If you’re coming from down-island, its just a little further down the road past the Community Center. The chocolates are amazing, as you would guess. But the chocolates are hand made right in front of you. You walk into the tiny, congested, yellow tinged house and on one side there’s a counter, and on the other there’s a plastic wall. If you look through, you can see the employee’s hard at work making the chocolates.

The employees all have disabilities; they use machinery that is adapted to their specific needs. ”We tried to make things as simple as possible -three things to remember about dipping or making clusters,” employee, Mary Beth Grady said, according to the New York Times. ”We tried to relate it to things they already knew, that chocolate was so delicate—like a flower—that you had to touch it with gloves.” At Chilmark Chocolates they are able to have jobs and feel good about doing it. So you can go into the store and feel good about being there. Not to mention that you can pick exactly what chocolates go into your box, or quickly pick up any mixed box.

Farmer’s Market

In West Tisbury, also down-island; you can go to the farmers market. Mostly locals venture to the market. It has everything from photography, paintings and handmade jewelry to honey and sugar snapped peas. It is all grown or made by local people. It’s held at the Old Grange Hall every Wednesday and Saturday. You can walk up and down the isles and look in each booth at the wonderful things they have brought to share. There are tents and colorful exotic flowers, fresh vegetables and yummy treats like homemade raspberry ice. From the isles you can see the playground, which is convenient, since most children’s attention isn’t held very long by the farmer’s market.

About the Author: Caitlin Donahue is a student at Suffolk University in Boston, Ma. She is majoring in Communication Studies and Public Relations. She has spent many summers as a nanny in Martha’s Vineyard for her three cousins.