Mulling over some options for a possible Martha's Vineyard vacation and saw some rentals on Chappaquiddick. Is it feasible to rent here and not have a car? We will rent bikes for the week. Is the Chappy too much of a hassle? This would be our first time on MV, so obviously we would want to explore the whole island. We'd cook in most nights, but would likely dine out once or twice and have to utilize the ferry after dark. Was wondering if there are others out there who have done it sans auto. I'm looking at Chappaquiddick because a few of the rentals seem less pricey - most likely because of the ferry issue, no?

Always safer, especially if you want to run for president.

We are not planning to run for office.

I am SO tempted..but I hope someone answers the OP's question.

I think staying out of a car in Chappaquiddick is a VERY prudent decision

I wasn't gonna say it!

Too bad Teddy had a car

Yes, I can see where this post is going, Doh! ...however, I have no plans to rent or stay in the Kennedy compound, but do need to know if anybody has vacationed over there without a car and if it's do-able for a family to manage with just bikes. For the record, there will be no 2 a.m. jaunts on the bikes over any bridges, though we may try to peddle with live lobsters in one of handlebar baskets and a six pack in the other. (I think I may be answering my own question.) - Nancy

Alright, I'll bite.

We went to MV last year and went to Chappaquiddick twice for day trips. Personally I think you'd be making a big mistake staying there without a car. Most rental cottages are on the MV side of the island and all the beaches, nature preserves and points of interest are on the opposite side. If I recall correctly the roads around the areas where most of the cottages are located are hard packed dirt (possibly dirt covered with tar (sorry memory is a bit hazy) and you could ride bikes in that area and back toward the ferry dock.

The problem you'll encounter is all of the "roads" and trails just past the famous "Kennedy Bridge" are all 'loose" sand and simply not suitable for biking (you really need a 4WD vehicle - it was not uncommon to see evidence where vehicles had gotten stuck so you can imagine how difficult biking could be. The distances you'd have to walk to reach the beaches, nature preserves, lighthouses and other points of interest which are quite far from the "bridge" so you'd spend an inordinate amount of time walking to reach any given destination. Also, if the cottage you are renting happens to be one of the very few that are on the "opposite side" of the island you wouldn't be able to reach it by bike, let alone carry lobsters in your handlebar basket.

If I were you, I'd either rent a car or stay on MV and just go to Chappa for a day trip or two.

I think it would be difficult without a car. You'd have to rely on using bikes, which might work ok on Chappy but if you had to go get groceries then it would be near to impossible to ferry them back with just a bike.

No matter where you stay on MV, you're really better off with a car anyway.

Thanks, very helpful! We'll consider other parts of MV. wyatt92, you do think a car is necessary if we rent elsewhere?

You'll definitely need a car if you plan to explore MV - it's a big island - driving from one end to the other can take 30 to 45 minutes - biking much, much longer. many rental cottage are far from the main shopping villages - carrying groceries, etc. will be very difficult on a bike.

If I was going to spend a week again on MV, I would LOVE to stay on Chappy. I love the beaches on Chappy, but would want to be able to bring beach chairs, umbrella - too much for biking. I personally can't imagine doing it without a car.
Perhaps you can have the grocer deliver, but if you get a couple of days of rain, that will put a damper on exploring the island with the added protection of a car. Then again, if the rental is wonderful, you may love hunkering down in the rain and cooking, and reading and watching movies.

Also, I would not want to bike from the ferry to the rental after dark and a nice meal out. Is there a reason you don't want to have a car? If so, you will want to find a rental that is close to the public bus system. A lot of rentals are not.

Why not book a car rental in advance. Use if for the first few days to get the 'lay of the land', make a grocery run, explore the island, etc. and return it early if you find you don't really need it.

It will likely be more expensive to reserve a car at the last minute and availability will be limited.

I saw this post last night, and wondered how quickly the sarcasm/jokes would start flying....right on target

Just when I think I'm going to scrap Chappy, I get that great post by Kealalani. Sounds like we might as well cough up the dough and float the car on over, or at least consider a car rental no matter where we end up staying.

There is a great public bus system for the main part of MV (not Chappy)and I don't see why everyone would need a car to tour the island. We have done it many times by public bus and it was fine and inexpensive. Nothing else on MV is inexpensive including gas and rental cars. I am aware that many people feel "confined" without a car, but it is possible to do MV without one.

nanecam, glad I could help. To take the edge off, look at the rates to bring a car over to nantucket and the Vineyard will look cheap! We rent there.

For years I have visited MV for a couple of nights here and there in Oaks Bluff and Edgartown. When we finally got a place for a week off season in Vineyard Haven, we absolutely fell in love with Chappy. We haven't been back in a few years, but that is the part of the Vineyard that really calls me.

But I wouldn't want to miss an island drive at my own pace and lobster and fried clams and oysters in Menemsha at the Bite and Larsons. And I wouldn't want to miss Chilmark Chocolates - a special needs program. Nor would I want to miss the West Tisbury Farmers/Artist market.

Also note that a lot of rental owners prebook car reservations to coincide with their rental schedule, so they may be available to you. Good luck.