Martha's Vineyard with Kids

This tiny island offers a slew of things to do for the whole family. Whether you want to swim, bike some of the 100 miles of bike paths, or pay homage to the various island sites that appeared in the JAWS movies, the Vineyard can keep the kids and their parents happily entertained endlessly.

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Harbor View Hotel
The Harbor View sits at a quiet end of town, overlooking Edgartown's famed lighthouse, the harbor, and famed Chappaquiddick Island. A sandy trail through the dunes leads to the lighthouse beach. Surrounded by former whaling captain's homes, the historic hotel was built in 1891 and retains an ambience of grandeur. It's the towns top res... More >
The Harbor View sits at a quiet end of town, overlooking Edgartown's famed lighthouse, the harbor, and famed Chappaquiddick Island. A sandy trail through the dunes leads to the lighthouse beach. Surrounded by former whaling captain's homes, the historic hotel was built in 1891 and retains an ambience of grandeur. It's the towns top resort, with golfing and a kids' program (offered Tuesday through Saturday, June through Labor Day) high on the list of reasons the hotel remains popular with well-heeled East Coast and Midwestern families. Rooms range from elegant rooms in the Mayhew Building to a stately three-bedroom suite that occupies the top two floors of the Captain Huxford Cottage.
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South Beach State Park
The Vineyard's most popular beach is also its best one. An easy drive or bus ride (in summer), the sandy South Beach is also known as Katama Beach and is divided into Left Fork and Right Fork. A popular eatery, the Lure Grill, serves up good food, just feet from the beach. If you're eating at the Grill, ask about the free water taxi th... More >
The Vineyard's most popular beach is also its best one. An easy drive or bus ride (in summer), the sandy South Beach is also known as Katama Beach and is divided into Left Fork and Right Fork. A popular eatery, the Lure Grill, serves up good food, just feet from the beach. If you're eating at the Grill, ask about the free water taxi that leaves Edgartown Dock and delivers you to their door.
A popular eatery, the Lure Grill, serves up good food, just feet from the beach.
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The Wharf
The Coogan Family's downtown pub serves up seafood and classic pub fare to a crowd of mostly locals and seasonal hotel and restaurant staff. The sports bar has a decent draft beer selection and is open seven nights a week, year-round.
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Flying Horses Carousel
The famed Flying Horse Carousel, just a few feet from the beach and the crashing waves, has been gently turning since the horses came to the Vineyard in 1876. This is the nation's oldest operating platform carousel and an official National Historic Landmark. The fares haven't risen much in the years ($1.50 a ride) and there are plenty ... More >
The famed Flying Horse Carousel, just a few feet from the beach and the crashing waves, has been gently turning since the horses came to the Vineyard in 1876. This is the nation's oldest operating platform carousel and an official National Historic Landmark. The fares haven't risen much in the years ($1.50 a ride) and there are plenty of other nearby attractions to keep the kids busyfrom video games to popcorn and cotton candy stands.
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Black Dog Restaurants
You've seen the shirts, now it's your chance to sample the cakes, sandwiches, and pastries at the original Black Dog Cafe and Bakery in the heart of the Vineyard's main ferry port, Vineyard Haven. Opened in a former firehouse in 1973, the Cafe started life as a restaurant, but the entrees were eclipsed by the baked goods staff prepared... More >
You've seen the shirts, now it's your chance to sample the cakes, sandwiches, and pastries at the original Black Dog Cafe and Bakery in the heart of the Vineyard's main ferry port, Vineyard Haven. Opened in a former firehouse in 1973, the Cafe started life as a restaurant, but the entrees were eclipsed by the baked goods staff prepared each night after last orders. You don't need a Black Dog shirt to remember this bakeryspend your money on their unforgettable pumpkin-cream cheese muffins and ginger snap delights instead.
Rooms range from elegant rooms in the Mayhew Building to a stately three-bedroom suite that occupies the top two floors of the Captain Huxford Cottage.
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About the Author

Aefa Mulholland
Aefa Mulholland
Travel writer Aefa Mulholland has worked with the B.B.C., Irish national broadcaster R.T.E. and a plethora of print and online publications, including the Irish Times, Miami Herald and Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She has been published or broadcast on four continents. She is currently writing “The Scottish Ambassador”—a book on learning how to become Scottish in Scottish America.
Websitehttp://thescottishambassador.wordpress.com/
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