crabbydeb

My husband and I will be spending a few days in early Sept.in Boston on business and want to extend it into a mini vacation. We've never been to either island. I'd love to hear some advice/pros and cons on both. What's your favorite and WHY?
Thanks!

ellenem

Nantucket is smaller.
Nantucket has only one real town, though there are a number of different "towns," more along the lines of area of settlement.
Nantucket is a longer ferry ride--a few hours.

Martha's Vineyard is bigger.
Martha's Vineyard has more towns, with different atmospheres from which to choose.
Martha's Vineyard has a quick ferry ride--30 minutes?

Some would say choose Nantucket for it's slower, quieter style.
Others would say choose Martha's Vineyard because there is more to do.

It's your call.

massteacher

ellenem is "right on the money". She has described perfectly the difference between the two islands. Either, frankly, would be a good choice, but Martha's Vineyard is closer and does have numerous "flavors". You can actually stay on one island and take a ferry to the other as a day trip. Consider that.

crabbydeb

AH-HA! Now I understand! Sounds like Martha's Vineyard is more to my liking as I live in a s l o w small Chesapeake Bay town. How difficult will it be to get adequate accommmodations at this late date? Any suggestions?

ltt

sorry to sound dumb, but martha's vineyard is more then one island? how many? thanks.

Jon_Eric

I went to Nantucket last year and Marthas Vineyard this year and I liked them both. Until a few weeks ago I only had a day with which to judge the Vineyard, and then Nantucket won hands down. This year with more time on the Vineyard it did give Nantucket a run for its money as a new, special place for me.

Nantucket is truly a trip back to the 1700's and ironically it was poverty that helped preserve it. When whaling went south Nantucket didn't have any money (unlike today) to update to other styles of architecture including Victorian so it remains the timeless treasure it is today. the Vineyard on the other has a tremendous amount of Victorian and Queen Anne architecture.

I agree, the Vineyard does have more variety and different towns and of those towns Edgartown gets my vote. You really have no reason to leave Edgartown once there, but I do recommend going farther afield, but if you have limited time then I definitely recommend Edgartown.

I guess of the two, if I had to pick one, I'd go with Nantucket. Not an easy decision, but Nantucket was just more... special. I felt instantly at home, among friends - we're talking Texas level of friendliness Both are great and you cant go wrong with either.

jd

Nantucket has a fast 1 hr. express ferry which now makes it just as convenient to get there as it is to get to Marthas Vineyard. My vote is for Nantucket.The atmosphere is so nice with the quaint cobblestone streets.Everything is easy to get to, and there are nice shops, restaurants,beaches, and places to stay.

diazkris

We went to Martha's Vineyard this summer. We live outside D.C. There are several travel options. We drove to New Bedford, RI (about 30 min. south of Providence) and took the ferry into Oak Bluffs - about 1 hour 15 min ride - but a nice ride. You can also take a ferry from Woods Hole (on Cape Cod)- a little shorter ferry ride. Either way, you can bring your car on the ferry but I don't think it is worth it. The bus service is excellent. You can get anywhere on a bus. The island was pretty congested with Suburbans and Hummers in July, but it probably gets a little quieter in Sept. You can fly from Boston. Check out Cape Air's website. Round trip seemed to be a little over $200, but you can't beat the time - about 20 min., I believe.

I recommend staying in Edgartown. Very quaint. We took a day trip around the island - each town had it's own "feel" to it, we were glad we stayed in Edgartown. You can walk to everything - shops and restaurants. We stayed at the Ashley Inn on Main st. Very nice quiet inn. Includes full breakfast and tea in the afternoon. Have fun! We can't wait to go back.

crabbydeb

I found mvol.com last night (Martha's Vineyard on-line) and took a look at some of the places to stay. Does Nantucket have the same type of showcase? I like the idea of staying on one island and doing a daytrip to the other. Now I just have to look at Nantucket. I spoke to two of my friends from Boston---one says the Vineyard and the other says Nantucket, *sigh*.

MarieF

Nantucket also has a website, nantucket.net. I live in suburban Boston, and my preference is Nantucket. If you ask people here in the Boston area, you will find strong preferences one way or the other. Both islands are nice, so I would recommend that you visit both (if you can). I prefer Nantucket because it is further away and has retained a "long ago" feeling that I have not experienced on the Vineyard.

massteacher

I think your plan, as I suggested, to visit each island is the best one. I still think stay on the Vineyard because there are several towns to visit. I also agree with another writer that Edgartown is the nicer of all the towns. I would do a day trip to Nantucket, as you are dropped off in Nantucket town, which you can easily tour in one day. There are also tour busses there that meet the ferries. I would not bother with a car in either place.
The Nantucket vs. the Vineyard debate will go on till the end of time. We personally love each, and you should not miss either place. Do the Woods Hole ferry rather than driving up to New Bedford. It takes more driving time; so I don't see the advantage.
New Bedford, by the way, is a whaling capital and is an interesting city, but I wouldn't do that on this trip. The places to explore are endless in this area, but I think a Vineyard-Nantucket vacation will be enough. You won't be "crabby" after four days on the islands.

crabbydeb

The plan is 9/3&4/03 in Boston for business, take the bus (?) to Woods Hole for the ferry to MV. Is there any other way to get to the ferry other than the bus? I know I'd like a horse drawn carriage BUT..... Does anyone know about the Blueberry Hill Inn at Chilmark? See, I'm learning, only one L in Chilmark. The Ashley Inn definitely looked like a winner as well. Edgartown looked good as well as my crabbyspouse wants a fishing charter. I'm really looking forward to this trip with all the enthusiastic advice.

charlesaf3

THere is no other way to get to wood's hole but the bus and private car. The bus is good and fast though.

Blueberry Hill is outstanding in a peaceful/zen way. You would need a car if you were there - its off in the woods.

Of the two islands, I prefer the Vineyard. I actually think Nantucket is more accessible for the short term tourist, though, as it is more compact and its easier to see the good stuff. Most people miss what makes so many of us love the vineyard - the uncongested countryside where tourists don't/can't go.

Nantucket Town is more interesting than any of the Vineyard towns.