How many days for Martha's Vineyard? And Cape Cod in general
 

My plotting for next summer continues...

My dilemma: I have been to Cape Cod before, but spent much of the time in Provincetown with a day trip to Nantucket. I'd like to see more of the Cape and spend a few nights in Martha's Vineyard. But I need to pick and choose wisely, because I also want to spend some time in museums in Boston and there's so much else in New England that I haven't seen!

Loved P-town. Have already been to Truro and the lighthouse, don't need to go again. No interest in spending more time in Hyannis. I could spend a night on Nantucket, but I'm not sure I want to (I remember the daytripper crowds to be pretty intense). Thoughts, anyone? Ackislander especially? How many nights for Martha's Vineyard? I'm assuming I need to bring my car on the ferry? I'm wondering if I'd be better off focusing on just MV this trip. I'd like this portion to be more relaxed than hectic- my best memories from last time were from just being there and enjoying my surroundings

I enjoyed the swimming, biking, and of course eating the most last trip. What other towns do you recommend? I didn't have a car last time so this time I'd like to visit some of the other communities.

One of the things that concerns me: traffic. I know from reading the forums traffic can get really backed up. Would I be able to avoid the worst by, say, driving to Cape Cod on a Wednesday and leaving the following Tuesday? Are there any major events that I should definitely avoid (this is either July or August).

Would appreciate any suggestions or itinerary ideas. Thanks!

Midweek traffic to the cape is not usually bad at all.
Seeing the lighthouse in Truro is not all there is, the National Seahore beaches are wonderful, Well fleet is certainly worth poking around for a day.

The Sandwich Glass Museum is excellent, arguably the best museum on the Cape. The Heritage Museum and Gardens in that town is well worth a visit as well. Nearly every town has a little history museum and a windmill and/ or gristmill to drop on on -- arguably the best are those in Truro and Chatham, which are a little bigger than most.

Besides Ptown, other town centers worth a visit are Wellfleet (cozy feel), Chatham (more upscale feel), and Falmouth (slightly more suburban downtown feel). All have plenty of shops and eateries.

Do a search under my name to find a post or two (couple years old now) for restaurant suggestions throughout the Cape.

Agreed that the Narional Seashore beaches are a must.

I would spend all of the time on Martha's Vineyard, but I'm extremely biased.

I had always stayed in P'town & took day trips to other locations. One year I decided to try Chatham. It was boring, boring, boring!

What traffic concerns you? On the way to the Cape/ the bridges, on the cape or on the Vineyard? Because the Vineyard is jam packed in the summer with traffic. Even more so since the Clintons and Obamas have made it a national intriguing destination. Perhaps the Clintons will return next summer with the grand babies. Understanding that, I would look for a rental for the week on the Vineyard and make reservations for your car at the same time. On the way you could explore a bit of Falmouth/Woods Hole.

I'm not sure if this is still the go to search engine for rentals but worth a look

weneedavacation.com

Traffic on the bridges definitely. On MV, I'll either put up with it or bike. Thanks for the link, but one of the attractions of MV is that there is a HI hostel there, which is part of the reason I am planning so early. I know the hostels on Cape Cod fill up very fast.

We enjoyed taking the short passenger ferry to Chappaquidick (sp?). From there you can walk into the gardens and the park, or take a guided tour.

We went kayaking, with a guide, and it was a lot of fun. Not expensive, either. The water is shallow, teeming with life, and our guide was very interesting. I think it was about 4 hours.

Thanks, tabernash2! That wasn't even on my radar but looks right up my alley.

I worked on the numbers a bit today, and it looks like I probably have 4 nights on the Cape as I don't want to cut into my Boston time.

Options:
1. All 4 on MV (leaning towards this, but wondering how the food, swimming, and biking are here. Will I spend most of my time in the car due to the traffic?)
2. All 4 on Nantucket (I remember really enjoying the biking and the hostel looks nice)
3. All 4 east ham (less likely, but the access to the rail trail makes it tempting)
4. Split stay, 2 east ham, 2 MV. Ideally last choice- I don't like split stays- but perhaps that's best of both worlds?

Thoughts? Alternatives?

This is heresy since I live on Nantucket, but if you have been there and haven't been to the Vineyard, you should go. You will have had a glimpse of both and can go back to either another time.

How long? Well, that depends.

If you mostly want to have a look around, an overnight visit may be enough, maybe two nights. If you want extensive beach time, you will need more.

I love Oak Bluffs for the Methodist cottage colony, I like Edgartown a lot (it reminds me of Nantucket) and Menemsha looks like I thought Maine would look but doesn't. These are connected by open country and farmland, not flat.

If you are looking for beach time, you should know that unlike, say, Florida, where all beaches are public, Massachusetts beaches can be privately owned. On Nantucket, we have the One Big Beach program to allow access to all beaches. Apparently a lot of beaches on the Vineyard are not open to the public.

You have wonderful choices. I would stay in one place, I think. It's easier to relax and not have to think about moving, which takes up a half-day or longer. If you choose Eastham or South Wellfleet, there are convenient places to stay near the rail trail and a couple of good bike rental shops.

The National Seashore is unique and wonderful. One of the best places for a long walk is Great Island on the bay side of Wellfleet. You see only a handful of other people. Wellfleet also has an Audubon Sanctuary. The Park Service sponsors walks. You can opt for a kayak trip to explore in Eastham. And, of course, there are many good restaurant options.

marvelousmouse, my post referred to our stay on Martha's Vineyard, which wasn't exactly clear the way I wrote it. The kayaking was a great way to spend the afternoon.

I suggest you stay 4 nights on MV, if you can get the lodging you want.

We rented bikes and had fun riding on the island. We also took public buses as needed. We did not need a car to get around.

Thanks- yep, I got it, as I had Chappaquiddick down for some reason already- probably Mytoi. Good to know I don't need to drive. I think (because I know how I road trip) that I'll do one night at eastham and 3 nights MV. That way I'll have plenty of time to dawdle;)

Sounds like a plan!

We've only been to MV once, but liked it much more than we expected to. It wasn't very busy when we were there, in August a couple of years ago.

Restaurants can be pricey, but there are small markets and sandwich places, too.

I love Eastham but there's not much there except one amazing beach, some fried fish places, and a miniature golf place. It's kind of a long drive out there in the summer. For what it's worth we vacation in Oak Bluffs or Eastham every summer.