We are planning a first time visit to Cape Cod. We also want to spend some time on Marthas Vineyard. Could someone tell me the very best place to stay on Marthas Vineyard and Cape Cod. Also should we rent a car on Marthas Vineyard? We will have a car on the Cape. Any info will be most appreciated. We are a late middle age couple traveling without kids.

You can take your car out to Martha's Vineyard on the Ferry. If you are staying on the Cape as well, I'd recommend Chatham. Check out the Wequassett Inn, Chatham Bars Inn, and Bradford Inn, to see if one falls into your preference in style and price range. Just do not try to drive on to the Cape Friday afternoon or off of the Cape Sunday afternoon! Have a great vacation.

Re: Car -- you need reservations on the ferry and it's $52. each way to take your own (see website for Martha's Vineyard for phone/website for steamship authority) -- you also can go "stand by" but that often means sitting in a long line over several hours until you get on a ferry, which only run about every hour or LESS.

A lot of people leave their car on the Cape somewhere (can pay for parking at ferry area if there's room) and "walk on" the ferry ($5. each way) and then rent a bike or a moped or a car on the island. We are also late middle-aged and unless you are in top shape, I wouldn't do the bike thing. Moped looks fun but a little hazardous. Don't know about prices for car rental, but worth looking into for the convenience. There are buses, but you have to be very resourceful, and lucky, to make it work for you if you are only there a few days. A lot of people rely on cabs/limos (argh!) to get to places outside of the town where they're staying. Cabbies on the island make $.

Distances on M's V. are longer than you'd think -- from Edgartown on the east to Aquinnah/Gay Head on the west it's more than a half hour. If I were going back, I'd stay in/near Edgartown.

Re: the Cape: The further "out" on the Cape the better. I think Orleans is the best combo of resources and charm, but many people prefer Truro and Wellfleet because they are more "natural" -- but the food/lodging resources are more sparse. A search here on "Cape Cod" will yield great suggestions for specific lodging, restaurants.

The ferries to the island leave from Woods Hole and Hyannis, neither of which are places that are all that pleasant to stay in.

Provincetown is a artist "scene" which is fun to visit and explore but I'm guessing you'll prefer to stay elsewhere.

One hint: getting from town to town on the Cape on a weekend is sometimes much more pleasant on Rte. 28, which meanders, than on Rte. 6, which is supposedly a highway but which chokes up badly, esp. as one approaches Harwich/Orleans.

PS: In case you aren't aware of it and plan on swimming on the Cape: the eastern beaches that face the Atlantic tend to have nice dunes and good surf but the water is rarely warmer than 60-62F - but great sunrises. Beaches on the Cape Cod Bay side (west) will have much calmer, warmer temperatures -- great sunsets.

I really love visiting the Cape and I think you will too. I can't help you with MV, but for a great place to stay on Cape Cod I would recommend a place called the Wood Duck Inn. It's a charming B&B with only three rooms where they bring you breakfast in a basket to your room. It overlooks a cranberry bog that is wonderful to walk around, and the owners could not be more wonderful. It's located in a seaside village called Cataumet, located in Bourne, near the bridge, and it's about a 10-15 minute drive to Falmouth where you would be able to catch a ferry to Martha's Vineyard. I love this area because it really has a country charm feel about it that I don't get where I live. If you call them, tell Dawn and Phil that Tara from South Florida recommended you.
http://woodduckinnbb.com

For two wonderful dinner experiences I would recommend the Coonamessett Inn, in Falmouth (508) 548-2300 for an elegent meal in beautiful surroundings, and the Cape Cod Dinner Train http://capetrain.com

Please feel free to email me directly if I can be of any more help. I'm doing all of the above again in September and I can't wait. To read more about the Wood Duck Inn or the Coonamessett Inn, both are located in "the Upper Cape". here's a website that I find helpful. The Insider's Guide to Cape Cod
http://insiders.com/capecod/

Thank you all for your info. Now I have more questions. How many days should we allow for Marthas Vineyard-Nantucket and how many days will it take to see all of the Cape? Also should we rent a car on MV or rely on the buses or taxis? Thanks for any information.

Miz Dee,

The Martha Vinyard Chamber of Commerce web site is mvy.com and has bus schedule information.

Hi. Why not try one of the islands instead of both? I think you are putting too much stress on yourself trying to see all of The Cape and both islands. It really isn't necessary. Both islands are great. Things in Nantucket tend to be a little more central vs MV where you there a various towns. Both are beautiful.

I love The Cape and know it well. I think the greatest town in Chatham. Really cute downtow area, as well as some very nice places to stay. I think it really is a cut above the rest.