1. Cinema Circus
I love the handcrafted costumes, local food offerings, and creative circus put on by Ringmaster, Rory the Lion, Ellie the Elephant and the entire crew of Cinema Circus. These amazing afternoons are made up of filmmaking, film watching, circus shows, face painting and more. It is a child’s dream and a parent’s (because it’s free!).
The Vineyard has a strict town beach sticker policy during the high season which can be frustrating but Long Point doesn’t require a sticker, which I love. You have the best of both worlds at Long Point – miles of ocean beach, perfect for body surfing and boogie boarding, as well as fresh water ponds for easy swimming and kid friendly fun. When you visit, make sure to go early as the parking lot fills up fast but if you’re willing to walk down the beach you’ll always have plenty of space.
3. Gay Head Cliffs
I may be biased as we were married at the Gay Head Lighthouse but the clay cliffs, lighthouse, and beach are some of the most spectacular sights on the island. The cliffs are layers of bright red, brown, and orange clay. It’s worth taking a ride up-island to check it all out. There are charming shops and food stands for your mid-day snack. Oh and be wary of wandering far down the beach with your grandmother as it is still an active nude beach!
4. West Tisbury Farmers Market
I love kicking off Saturday morning at the farmer’s market then enjoying all of “downtown” West Tisbury has to offer. Some of my favorite treats at the market are fresh squeezed lemonade, popovers from The Kitchen Porch, fresh mango lassi from Mermaid Farm, cold brew iced coffee from Chilmark Coffee, and everything from The Egg Roll Lady. Don’t completely spoil your appetite at the market because you have to walk across the road to 7a Foods for a killer sandwich made with creative local ingredients. Eat it on the porch at Alley’s General Store and then go inside to shop for toys and trinkets.
5. Menemsha
I love bring visitors for an evening picnic at Menemsha beach because is a unique spot that still feels like old New England. Menemsha is a small fishing village with a mix of large commercial fishing boats, small charters, delicious local fish markets, and a few take out seafood and ice cream spots. The biggest attraction is the fact that Menemsha is one of the special spots on the east coast where you can sit and watch the sunset. Crowds flock to the beach and eat fried clams, lobsters, fresh clams, and oysters. My advice is to go early and pack some food (cheese, bread, olives) and a nice bottle of wine. If you want to brave the takeout lines the seafood is delicious. Bring a blanket and take it all in!
6. Flying Horses Carousel
I love the Flying Horses Carousel because I can still recall the thrill of riding it as a little girl. It is the nation’s oldest platform carousel and has been designated as a national landmark. Originally operated as a Coney Island, NY amusement, it was moved to Oak Bluffs in 1884, where it has lived in its red barn, delighting generations of Island residents and visitors ever since. With each rotation around the carousel kids grab a ring from the ring iron – if you catch the brass ring you win a free ride!
Rapid Fire Questions:
// How long have you lived on MV?
2 years year round and 30 summers
// It’s Saturday morning and you’re starving. Where do you go?
Fish cakes and eggs at the Art Cliff Diner.
// It’s Saturday night and you’re bored. Where do you go?
People watching and drink sipping outside on the Oak Bluffs harbor.
// Finally, it’s Sunday and you need to work off yesterday’s food. Where do you go?
Hiking to the beach at Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary.
Check out Sarah’s blog. There’s some amazing food over there. Like this cake for example! And this broccoli pesto has me really intrigued.
Thank you Sarah!!
That Long Point shot is magical. What a gift for her boys to grow up there.
I know. Pretty magical. I feel like it is its own little commune (in a very good way) — especially in the wintertime.
Hi Elizabeth and thanks Bridget! Please please come visit and when you do email me for juicy details!
Aah! I'm British but one of my aunts lived on the Vineyard and I spent all my childhood summers there. I miss it so much. She lived in West Tisbury so the farmer's market brings back memories! And the Flying Horses – catching that brass ring was probably the biggest achievement of my childhood! xox
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