How to Find Hotels in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Located three miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard transforms each summer from a quiet New England island to an upscale vacation spot.

Instructions

Find Accommodations

1. Visit Martha's Vineyard Online (see Resources below) for accommodations information or call the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. Their toll-free number is [phone].

2. Rent a cottage. Located on the upper end of the island, cottages generally have great views of the ocean, rustic charm and all the usual hotel comforts.

3. Stay in a motel. There are a number of them located by the ferry terminals. You'll save a little money and still be within walking distance of restaurants and shopping.

4. Head to one of the island's many inns for the "classic" Martha's Vineyard vacation. Perfect for romantic getaways, they cater to families as well.

About Martha's Vineyard

1. Martha's Vineyard has served as the backdrop for a number of movies, most notably "Jaws." Locals are generally happy to share stories of their experience as an extra.

2. Visit Martha's Vineyard in the autumn. There's beautiful foliage, fall temperatures are generally mild and the island plays host to a number of festivals and workshops.

3. Brush up on island history. Once part of New York, Martha's Vineyard was a major center of the whaling industry in the 19th century. As a resort, it's been a vacation destination for a number of presidents, authors, artists and other celebrities down through the years.

Transportation

1. Get onboard. Martha's Vineyard is an island, so unless you're an Olympic swimmer, you'll probably be taking the ferry. Passenger service is available from Falmouth, Hyannis, New Bedford and Woods Hole in Massachusetts and Quonset, R.I. Woods Hole has the only ferries that carry cars as well as people.

2. Leave your car behind. The Vineyard Transit Authority is a trustworthy system, providing bus service all across the island.

3. Rent a moped. A fun way to explore the island while getting some fresh air, mopeds can be rented at a number of locations.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid a vacation-ruining moped accident--Martha's Vineyard offers safety workshops for riders.