Also, is the Plymouth and Brockton bus line a good bet to get fromm Logan to Hyannis, or a total drag? I don't want to rent a car if I don't have to.

http://www.p-b.com/index.html

Thank you.

P&B bus line is an excellent alternative to renting a car. My spouse takes the Logan bus to Hyannis regularly and really likes the convenience, comfort & reasonable cost.

I can't speak to the particulars of your MV plan but it certainly sounds doable.

Kit, going to Martha's Vineyard is an excellent idea - crowded with many celebs in August. Have fun.

You should arrive in Oak Bluffs, which is famous for its restored Victorian cottages, but they are not immediately visible from the ferry landing. I would suggest a bus tour to cover the rest of the island, perhaps ending up in Edgartown for a stroll and dinner before getting a taxi or bus back to Oak Bluffs.

You can also fly to the Vineyard from Hyannis, easily: $ vs time.

The P&B bus is terrific, and the drivers know ways around traffic jams that you would never find in a million years. My only ocmplaint is erratic air conditioning from time to time, when you can freeze or swelter, but this is unusual. Bring a bottle of water and some snacks if you are traveling at a busy time. You will need cash to buy a ticket on the bus at Logan.

Thank you all. I will do both -- the bus and the Vineyard. I'll do some more research and post back if I have some more questions. Again, many thanks!

If a tour does not appeal, there is a shuttle bus around the island. You can buy a day pass and get on and off at will. You can also rent a car for the day on the island.

The P&B from Logan is an excellent choice. You will probably have to catch a taxi from the bus station in Hyannis to your hotel. At which one are you staying?

Hate to say it, but there is not much scenic about Hyannis these days.

The link for public transport is

http://www.vineyardtransit.com

Google "martha's vineyard tours" and you will find many links. Some of them are reviewed on Trip Advisor and the reviews are varied so you might want to look at those first.

How long will you be in Hyannis? If you're there for more than just a few days, you'll want to rent a car to explore other areas of the Cape.

MV is a great daytrip. If you're able (and willing), consider renting a bicycle while on Martha's Vineyard. It's really the fastest, most efficient way to get around on M.V.

You will love visiting MV and I would suggest you plan a day there.
Here is a bus schedule for island tours:

http://www.islandbustours.com/Tours.html

http://www.mvy.com/visitor_information/getting_around.aspx

Be prepared for it to be very crowded as that's when everyone wants to visit MV. My daughter and her husband used to take their boat over there from Falmouth and she always said it was crazy there! Do make the trip as u will love the island.

We did the Island Bus Tour once, years ago, and I can't imagine anything more awful. We sat on that hot bus, sitting in traffic for most of the tour, keeping our eyes out for the nearest restroom. It was just awful and made worse by viewing the most beautiful beaches and towns just out of our reach as we bounced along on that bus. Never again. Has the tour changed over the last 8 years or so?

My bus tour experience wasn't good either, but again, it was years ago. We were there in the shoulder season but still felt like we'd wasted most of our day. I don't know if the tours have gotten better, but maybe the shuttle bus is a better idea for a one day visit?

Bus tours all depend on who you get for a driver.

In August, you are likely to be stuck in traffic whatever mode of transportation you use, though a bicycle would be okay for Oak Bluffs to Edgartown-Chappaquidick. But it is a long way, much of it hilly, to Gay Head and Menemsha, the best part of the island (in my humble view).

I will only have the second part of the day available, as I will be in a conference up until lunchtime. I thought I could go for the rest of the day and return to Hyannis on the last ferry back. (My hotel is the Hyannis Conference and Resort Center)

I have vacationed on Nantucket and remember the ferry of daytrippers being offloaded. There were plenty of places the daytrippers could just easily start walking to, and was hoping the same would be true for me and MV. I know MV is bigger, though. I would be able to bike, so maybe I'll look into that. I am so slammed right now I have not even done an ounce of research on what MV has to offer that I'd like to see, sadly. I do know I'll have this one afternoon to go play around so do want to go to the Vineyard and see it, however I do that best. I appreciate all this help. I will need it when I get 45 uninterrupted minutes to dig a little deeper!

There's actually plenty to explore around the ferry landings. There are shops, restaurants, galleries, etc. You'll have plenty to keep you occupied for a few hours.

I can't validate how the bus tours go as we didn't do one. Our son-in-law used to work on MV so he had a friend that loaned us a car for the day and he knew the island so we could tour at our leisure. I do remember how crowded it was as that is prime season to visit there plus in the past years both President Clinton and President Obama have spent vacation time there so all the curiousity seekers were there also. It's a lovely place to visit in the fall season but that doesn't work for everyone.

kit - guess u will have to do what works for you. If you only have the afternoon to visit, then that's what u will do if u really want to go there. If nothing else, take the ferry out there, find a nice bar and enjoy the views! LOL Hope whatever you do is a wonderful thing!

Bowsprit is right -- there's a lot to see in Nantucket located only a short distance from the ferry landing, including lots of shopping and eateries, the Whaling Museum, Jethro Coffin House and Hadwen House (check the tour hours for both, though, as they're not open every day), and Maria Mitchell Association. And in summer, there are buses that run to other parts of the island.

hi bachslunch: I was actually referring to the area around the M.V. ferry landings....

But Nantucket is my first love, for sure.

I'm actually taking the ferry to MV, not Nantucket. Is there lots easily within walking distance of the ferry landing at MV, too? I'll be taking a lunchtime ferry over and coming back in the evening.

(I've spent a lot of time in ACK, just not at MV.)

Oh, nevermind. I understand, Bowsprit. Thanks.

There are attractions, shopping, and eateries in MV at both Oak Bluffs (ferry comes in here) and Edgartown (Hyannis ferries don't come in here), just shopping/eateries at Vineyard Haven. All are well worth exploring, though -- and there are local buses that connect the three towns. If pressed for time, I'd skip Vineyard Haven of the three.