1. Mad Martha’S Ice Cream
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 693-5883
Address: 8 Union St.
Description: Locals and visitors alike are positively mad for this local ice cream chain. The homemade super-premium ice cream is second to none and comes in two dozen flavors—the Oreo cream is their signature flavor. Make this your last stop before you board the ferry—with a view of Vineyard Haven Harbor this becomes an unparalleled vacation cone. Open seasonally.
2. Bunch Of Grapes Bookstore
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 693-2291
Address: 35 Main St.
Description: This 40-year-old Vineyard landmark has recently moved into new digs across the street from its original location. The modern, bright 3,000-square-foot space is now all on one floor with stock ranging from best-selling fiction and nonfiction to local-interest and children’s books. Count on lots of author book signings during the summer—sometimes as many as 4 a week—after all, everyone wants to be on the Vineyard. Open year-round.
3. Island Real Estate
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (800) 287-4801
Address: 107 Beach Rd. Suite 203
Description: Island Real Estate offers rentals throughout the island. Island Real Estate offers hundreds of properties in a wide spectrum of prices. The six agents can show you every land, home, and condo listing on the island.
4. Martha’S Vineyard Vacation Rentals
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-7711, (800) 556-4225
Address: 107 Beach Rd. Suite 107
Description: The agents at Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rentals personally inspect each of the privately owned homes they offer for rent. Their varied inventory includes vacation homes and waterfront properties in every price range. They can also connect you to bike, boat, linen, and baby-equipment rental services.
5. Zephrus
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-3416
Address: 9 Main St.
Description: The elegant Mansion House Inn operates an equally appealing restaurant, where you can bring your own bottle (Prohibition is still in effect in Vineyard Haven) to enjoy with visionary dishes like calamari bruschetta and honey dill roasted Atlantic salmon. Named for the mythical God of the West Wind, Zephrus also seduces sweet tooths with its decadent dessert offerings (pumpkin mousse parfait, anyone?).
6. Mink Meadows
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-0600
Address: 320 Golf Club Rd.
Description: Mink Meadows is an intimate course with 9 holes and great ocean views. In fact, the views are so awesome that you might not be able to keep you eyes on the ball. The facility also has a pro shop and driving range. Greens fees are $55 for 9 holes, $80 for 18 holes in season.
7. Wind’S Up
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-4252
Address: 199 Beach Rd.
Description: Sailboarders will find the waters around the Vineyard to their liking. Wind’s Up offers lessons and rentals of sailboards, wet suits, body boards, sailboats, surfboards, sea kayaks, and canoes. Ask for a free copy of their brochure listing the best places to catch the wind. Wind’s Up is open until Christmas, reopening in Mar.
8. Island Water Sports
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-7767, (508) 693-5884
Address: 100 Lagoon Pond Rd.
Description: Island Water Sports rents powerboats, sailboats, skiffs, inflatables, dinghies, kayaks, outboard motors, and water skis. They also have fishing rods for rent. Must be 21 to rent a boat.
9. Wind’S Up
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-4252
Address: 199 Beach Rd.
Description: This is the place to go for catamarans, Aqua-Finns, American 14.6 centerboard sloops, sailboards, and boogie boards.
10. Martha’S Vineyard Times
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-6100
Address: 30 Beach Rd.
Description: Started in 1984, the Times is the island’s other newspaper. It comes out on Thurs.
11. Nature Watch
City: Vineyard Haven, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-4908
Address: 455 State Rd., Suite 178
Description: The Vineyard offers a superb opportunity to see a great variety of birds, including as many as 30 species of ducks. Robert Culbert of Nature Watch is among the most experienced birders in the region. He offers a weekly (May through Oct) Saturday morning bird-watching tour suitable for both first-time birders who need instruction on how to use binoculars and seasoned birders who are looking to add new species to their life list. Birding trips typically depart by caravan from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School at 9 a.m. and last 2 1⁄2 hours in the field. Call in advance to confirm tour time or to arrange a private tour.