My fiance and I just booked our honeymoon vacation, and will be spending a day and a half in Hyannis. From the postings that I have seen, Martha's Vineyard does not seem to get too many favorable reviews. We were really hoping to see the island, but if everyone thinks it is uninteresting, we may change the trip a little. We will be there May 23 and 24.

Is there enough to do in the Hyannis/Martha's Vineyard area? Is it worth seeing? Recommendations and suggestions would be a great help!!

Thanks from Minneapolis.

Marthas Vineyard is one of the most beautiful places I can think of. Although it has gotten a little more developed over the past few years, it still maintains its rustic charm, something unusual for an east Coast beach resort. There are several interesting towns on the island, each with its own unique character history and architecture. The scenery is spectacular, however many of the most beautiful beaches are private during the season. The public beaches can get crowded in the summer, but I believe it will still be considered off-season during the time of your visit. I have visited the Vineyard many times and can offer you some more specific info. if interested. Email me!

I often spend an entire summer week or two at Martha's Vineyard. As Tom says, it is very beautiful, and relaxong. There are good restaurants and some fun shops. And I particularly love relaxing at the beach. Even when crowded, South Beach on MV is my favorite beach in the northeast. I think the negative comments you may have read were twofold... MV doesn't have as much to do or see as Newport. There isn't as much sightseeing or history as that. And it can be a little tough to get to for someone visiting Boston.

I'm curious what sort of vacation you are hoping for? Late May is a little early for beach season in New England. On the other hand it can be great bike riding weather. Are you spending more time on the Cape, or is that 1.5 days the whole thing? Are you looking for history, shopping, natural beauty? I would think if thats the only time you have on the Cape, its probably not worth it to take a day trip to MV. If the Vineyard is what you are mainly interested in, then spend the one night there. There's great walking and biking on the Cape Cod National Seashore, and good shopping in Provincetown too. Personally, I would stay out on the far end of the Cape or on Martha's Vineyard before I picked Hyannis.

MV is a great destination in my book. We've gone twice in the fall (when it's starting to clear out) and have found it relaxing and full of the kind of character you don't find in MPLS (which I love to visit in the summer as well).
Some people find MV snobby. The locals see tourists as a double edged sword. Provide income, ruin the ambience when there in large numbers. May is before the crowds hit. Expensive, but the Charlotte Inn is quite a place to stay if you can get one of their premium rooms. Have you considered visiting Nantucket and the Wauwinet? Another great destination, (which some find 'snobby', I find well-kept, discreet and refined).
Let us know what it is you're desirous of.....

Be aware that Hyanis may be the LEAST representative place on the Cape relative to what most of us think when we envision "Cape Cod". It's a fairly commercial and very developed area - not an abundance of natural beauty there. The time of year at which you're planning to be there will make a difference in that the traffic (both tourist and vehicular) will be at a minimum and you'll easily be able to get to and visit other parts of Cape Cod.

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