Aquinnah

When the glaciers passed through millennia ago, they left a striking calling card which later became the westernmost end of the Island: the colorful clay Gay Head Cliffs, one of the most recognizable landmarks on the East Coast and Aquinnah's geological claim to fame. To the southwest is Nomans Land, now a wildlife preserve; to the right are the Elizabeth Islands, which separate Buzzards Bay from Vineyard Sound. The restaurants and shops at the Cliffs are favorites of Islanders and visitors alike. The Gay Head lighthouse is built of red bricks made from the clay of the cliffs, and it is open for sunset tours on summer weekends. Formerly known as Gay Head, the town of Aquinnah is home to the Wampanoag Tribe off Gay Head, descendants of the Island's original inhabitants.

Chilmark

Some will tell you that the Quitsa Pond overlook, on State Road a couple miles west of Beetlebung Corner, is the quintessential Chilmark vista. Others will tell you it's the view from Lucy Vincent, the town beach (parking stickers required), that's the best. Chilmark is a favorite with vacationers who want serene and pastoral vistas. It boasts of the Chilmark Community Center with its wonderful programs for children and adults; of lazy afternoons in one of the rocking chairs on the porch of the Chilmark Store; and of the popular Chilmark Flea Market, held every weekend.

Menemsha

Technically, Menemsha is part of the town of Chilmark, but it's uniquely its own place. For years this quaint fishing village was home to a sizeable swordfishing fleet. Today pleasure craft outnumber the fishing boats, but it's still an active commercial harbor and a great place to soak up some local color. Walk along the dock and get a close-up view of draggers and lobster boats or climb out onto the jetty and do a little fishing. Menemsha's most popular attraction is the sunset. The sun sets over the water, and every evening it draws a crowd.

West Tisbury

West Tisbury is the first up-Island town, and unlike the harbor towns, its focus over the years has been agricultural. With its pasturelands and wooded hills, West Tisbury offers a historical and spiritual retreat. Its charming village includes the First Congregational Church, the old Grange Hall, the Field Gallery, and Alley's General Store. On Saturday morning or Wednesday afternoon in the summer, the Farmers Market is held at the Grange Hall, where you can find everything homemade. The Agricultural Hall, about a mile out of town, is the venue for the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair, held every August.

Public Restrooms:
(*indicates year-round)
Aquinnah: Inside the traffic circle that
leads to and from the cliffs.
Chilmark: At Menemsha Bight across
from Larsen's Fish Market.
*West Tisbury: At town hall.

Postal Services:
Chilmark: 4 State Road at
Beetlebung Corner, 508-645-2535.
Menemsha: Menemsha Market
substation, at the end of North Road.
Open May 28-Aug. 31, 508-645-3501.
West Tisbury: 479 State Road
(next to up-Island Cronig's Market),
508-693-7899.
Alley's General Store, State Road,
508-693-0088

Internet Access:
Aquinnah: Library, State Road,
508-645-2314
Chilmark: Library, Chilmark center,
508-645-3360
West Tisbury: Library, 1042A State
Road (across from Alley's)
508-693-3366

Wi-Fi Access:
West Tisbury:
The Howes House,
Senior center, 1042 State Road
Airport Laundromat,
36 Airport Road
Pharmacy:
West Tisbury: Conroy Apothecary,
459 State Road, 508-693-7070

Police Depts:
Aquinnah: 508-645-2313
Chilmark: 508-645-3310
West Tisbury: 508-693-0020

U.S. Coast Guard:
Station Menemsha: 508-645-2611

Points of Interest

Gay Head Cliffs
The cliffs are a half-mile along a path from the Aquinnah town parking lot. Marking the Island's westernmost point, the colorful clay striations, each representing a distinct geologic era, are the result of glacier activity.

Gay Head Light
It was built in 1799 to warn ships of the shoals known as Devil's Bridge where, in 1884, the City of Columbus ran aground and 122 people drowned. The lighthouse was automated in 1952 and its Fresnel lens donated to the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Menemsha Village
In 1905, Menemsha creek was dredged to form the working fishing basin it is today. Near Dutcher Dock (named for Vineyard journalist Rodney Dutcher), are fish markets, seasonal inns, eateries, shops and a public beach where people gather to watch sunsets.

Beetlebung Corner
Located in Chilmark at the juncture of North, Middle, and South Roads is the site of a beetlebung (tupelo tree) grove. The unusually dense wood was used for beetles (mallets) and bungs (plugs for barrels). The word "beetlebung" was coined on Martha's Vineyard.

West Tisbury Town Center
The agricultural center of the Island, West Tisbury was incorporated in 1892. The town center includes the First Congregational Church, town hall, Alley's general store, the library and Field Gallery, where the dancing fiberglass sculptures of the late Island artist Tom Maley, cavort. Other sites include the Howes House, the community center known 150 years ago as the Travelers Home, and the Grange Hall.

Grange Hall
Built in 1859, it is run by the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust and serves as home to the seasonal Farmers Market, artisans fairs, and other community gatherings.

Old Mill Pond
The area at the junction of Edgartown-West Tisbury Road and State Road was a gristmill in 1760. Today it is sometimes called Swan Pond, named after its seasonal occupants.

The Youth Hostel
On Edgartown Road in West Tisbury, it was built in three weeks in the 1950s. It was the first hostel built in the U.S. that was specifically designed as a hostel. It accomodates budget-minded travelers, individuals, families, and groups.

Agricultural Hall
On Panhandle Road, the "Ag Hall" is the sight for the annual Fair in late August, as well as many other community events, from weddings to art shows to year-round potluck dinners.

Polly Hill Arboretum
Created by the late Polly Hill in 1958, at 809 State Road, it encompassing 20 acres of walking trails and 40 acres of woodland. The arboretum's internationally recognized grounds are open year-round. The Visitor Center is open from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day; tours are at 2 pm during the season.

Christiantown Chapel
Off Indian Hill Road, the original 1659 structure commemorates the site of Thomas Mayhew's first missionary movement to convert native Islanders to Christianity. A sacred graveyard is nearby.