A Visitor’s Guide to Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts

Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, doesn’t get as much attention as the more famous towns on Martha’s Vineyard like Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. For many travelers, Vineyard Haven is simply where the ferry arrives. They get in and get out.

But if you skip Vineyard Haven, you’d be making a big mistake. This small town on Martha’s Vineyard, which is technically the town of Tisbury, is a wonderful place to explore, with fabulous shops, restaurant, a museum, and more!

Beyond that, Vineyard Haven has a low-key feel and is home to a friendly year-round population.

For my first trip to Martha’s Vineyard, I spent my trip based in Vineyard Haven at the Nobnocket Boutique Inn and got to learn everything wonderful about this town. Let’s take a look at what makes this place special.

Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts

Vineyard Haven feels more lived-in than Oak Bluffs or Edgartown. This is a town with amenities that locals need year-round, not a place that caters first and foremost to tourists. If I lived in Martha’s Vineyard, I would live in Vineyard Haven, easily.

Vineyard Haven is home to the Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District, a sustainable initiative preserving waterfront industries, like shipbuilding and fishing, as well as the cultural heritage and economic vitality of the waterfront area. As a result, this is a gorgeous, photogenic place to wander for an afternoon.

And I feel like I should mention that there are no actual vineyards in Vineyard Haven, nor are there anywhere on Martha’s Vineyard! (Charlie was shocked to learn this. He thought the island was covered in them!)

Things to Do in Vineyard Haven

There are lots of things to do in Vineyard Haven. Here are a few things to put on your itinerary:

Enjoy Downtown Vineyard Haven

Do you like old-fashioned New England downtowns where you can get everywhere you need on foot? I grew up in one of those towns, and I always enjoy wandering them on my travels. Downtown Vineyard Haven is a wonderful place for a stroll.

Here you’ll find mostly local brands and an absence of chains. Be sure to check out Rainy Day, Off Main, and Beach House, each a gift shop carrying lots of clothing, jewelry, and home treasures.

Bunch of Grapes makes a lovely independent bookstore on the island, Island Music sells musical instruments, and Martha’s Vineyard Made is a…