kristinayee

Hello,
I am renting a house on the Vineyard for a long weekend in October - October 12-15, the weekend right after Columbus Day weekend. Do you know whether things will still be open or are a lot of things going to be closed? What will there be to do? We would like to go to a really nice restaurant to celebrate, any thoughts? Something nice, but young. Finally, we'd love to go to a bar after - what do you reccommend? Is there anywhere to go dancing, either with live bands or a DJ? I've heard of the Island House, but is that just for kids?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Kristina

Gozi

You didn't mention where you're renting the house but I can give you some info about Edgartown. Its the nicest of the towns on the Vineyard. There are many unique boutiques to shop at and lots of nice restaurants. Detente and Atria are the nicest and best restaurants to dine at if you're looking for something more formal. The Wharf is a great casual restaurant. Good service and great food. The Wharf is also the best bar to go to for nightlife. Its a sizeable place with a front and back bar. Lots of places will still be open in October. Its after October that they start closing down. Octobers chilly but still nice so South Beach is always good to go out to. If you need food or any other provisions I suggest Katama General Store. Its off Katama Rd going towards South Beach. The main grocery store in town can be quite packed so KGS offers most things that the grocery store does plus they also do home-cooked meals if you'd like to eat in but not cook. There are many different sites in town that are nice to see. Outerland has bands almost every night. The Wharf has bands or DJs every night. Island House isn't the best crowd most nights. Its crowded and hard to get a drink usually. Your better off going to one of the other bars in town.

bobludlow

October is the perfect time to visit Martha's Vineyard. Most of the crowds will have left but nothing will have closed down for winter. Have fun!

escargot

Some things will have closed by then, having closed on Columbus Day weekend but you can still have a wonderful time - some things that will be closed include the Aquinnah restaurant on the cliffs of Gay Head and the little shops leading up to it -
but you can still see the lighthouse and find the trail to walk the beach and see the Clay Cliffs if that interests you -

the Outermost Inne, a great restaurant out there will also be closed for the season -

Atria, an expensive but excellent choice for a special dinner, is open usually until the end of October -

it would be good if you could provide which part of the island you will be staying in - Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, etc and then it would be much easier to provide you with the closest grocery store, restaurants, bars, etc. - although there are always taxis ! - will you be renting a car?

Gozi

For an up-to-date list of all events on the Vineyard go to www.marthasvineyardtickets.com. There are events for everyone from family outings to nightlife.

Ralphie

Most house rentals on MV are weekly, from Saturday to Saturday. You might get an exception to that rule for the long Columbus Day weekend, but check ahead to make sure you aren't being charged for an entire week.

Some stores/shops/restaurants close during this weekend, but plenty should still be open.

escargot

OP hasn't been back since May so I'm thinking we lost her....

but in the event we have not ! It sounded to me like you'd already rented your home, but if not - yes, it is much easier to rent for just a long weekend or less than a week off season and many a fall we have done girls weekends there for 3 or 4 nights.

Even in season, many people are now doing monday to monday or tuesday to tuesday rentals in an effort so the rentors can more easily find car ferry reservations since the turnover days have become so crazy -

many threads here listing bars, etc = again if you want closer to where you are and if you are using public island bus, taxi, renting car, bringing your own, can recommend those closer to you