🚦Ways to Avoid Summer Traffic on Martha's Vineyard

restaurants, outings and more when you're trying to stay out of town but still enjoy MV

Summer traffic on Martha's Vineyard can be a real hassle, making trips into town feel like a chore. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to avoid the gridlock while still taking in all the island's charm. This post focuses alternatives to driving a car directly into the main streets down-island and circling to find parking.

Many island hotels offer complimentary bike rentals

🚲 Bike

The most eco-friendly option of course is to bike or walk. Bring your bike lock, and be sure to avoid any roads without bike paths (re: please skip Barnes Road and Up-Island, I beg you). The following post has locations for renting bikes:

🚴‍♀️ Roundup: Biking on Martha's Vineyard (2023)

🚌 Utilize the Park and Rides

There are two free park and ride lots that are outside of town. During times that parking may be challenging (read: all summer) consider parking and taking the bus in to avoid circling to find a parking spot.

Park and Ride Vineyard Haven

• Located on High Point Lane in Tisbury, MA (make a left-hand turn after Cronigs Market) The Park and Ride lot is a short-term parking lot run in conjunction with the VTA which runs a continuous shuttle bus in between the Park and Ride and the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority terminal. Keep an eye out for Route 10, which loads beyond the regular bus stop.

Park and Ride Edgartown

• Located on Upper Main Street, the park and ride lot is a great hack that allows you to get downtown without the added difficulty of trying to find a parking spot once you get there. It will take you from outside the triangle into the Mahew Lane stop via Route 11.

🚗 Parking Spots Outside of Town

I’ve been gatekeeping my favorite places to park within walking distance to town, because I can usually find a spot and selfishly enjoy the convenience. Most of these locations do have 2-4 hour limits, but if you’re just running a quick errand they might be a safer bet then circling Main Street.

• Vineyard Haven - Owen Park Beach, Veterans Memorial Park

• Oak Bluffs - Washington Park, Waban Park, Niantic Park

• Edgartown - Edgartown Elementary School, Edgartown Library (outside of operating hours)

🅿️Pick a Restaurant Outside of Town

If you’re looking to order online, pick something up, or dine in without the parking congestion of going downtown, I’ve rounded up a great list for you! These options (this isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start) are on the outskirts of town or may be a safer bet for a bite to eat:

Vineyard Haven

• Little House Cafe

• The Model Deli

• Black Dog Bakery Cafe

• John and Sandy’s Fish

• Garde East

• Catboat Coffee

• Beach Road

• You Enjoy My Vegan Food Truck at The Cove

• Pie Chicks

Oak Bluffs

• Barn Bowl & Bistro

• Deon’s at the VFW

• Mo’s

• Nomans (if you are going to go to Nomans the lot is small, but consider using their shuttle that leaves from the OB SSA terminal if you’re staying in town)

• The Food Truck

Edgartown

• Dunes at Winnetu (if you’re already in downtown Edgartown, consider using their free water shuttle)

• Katama Kitchen

• Lucky Hanks

• Morning Glory Farm Food Truck

• The Fish House

• Black Sheep

• Square Rigger

• Atria (park near library)

🧺 MVacay's Picnic Guide: 10 Best Picnic Spots on Martha's Vineyard

Aalia’s is open early and Kennebec spots aren’t too hard to come by at 7a

☀️ Go to Town Earlier - Early Bird Restaurant Options

If you want to enjoy town, consider going super early in the morning for breakfast and a stroll. You’ll have your pick of the parking, and have the calm quiet town to yourself. Here are some options that open at 7a or earlier:

Opens Extra Early (before 7a)

• Mocha Motts Oak Bluffs - 6a

• Black Dog Bakery Cafe - 6a

• Big Dipper - 6a

• Scottish Bakehouse, 6a

• Toccopuro OB + Edg - 6:30a

• Tony’s Market - 6:30a

Opens at 7a

Vineyard Haven

• Waterside Market, 7a

• Art Cliff Diner- 7a

• Catboat Coffee - 7a

Oak Bluffs

• Linda Jean’s - 7a

• Aalia’s - 7a

• Biscuits - 7a

Edgartown

• Edgartown Meat + Fish, 7a

• Espresso Love, 7a

• Rosewater, 7a

• Plane View - 7a

• Behind the Bookstore - 7a

Up-Island

• 7a, 7a

🥑 Where to go to Brunch on Martha's Vineyard (2024)

The Cove is a great way to spend an afternoon, and it has its own parking lot

😎 Activities Outside of Town

There’s more to do than walk around the down-island towns! In all towns you have the option to visit an island library, they have tons of activities for littles or quiet, air-conditioned places to relax with a book. A few other favorites:

Down-Island

• Play Mini-Golf at The Cove

• Tour a Lighthouse - Visit East Chop Lighthouse

• Take a Class - Visit FARM Institute

Up-Island

• Visit an Artisan - Merry Farm Pottery, Glassworks MV, Field Gallery, Granary Gallery, Island Folk Pottery

• Visit A Garden - Polly Hill Arboretum

• Visit A Farm - Native Earth Teaching Farm or Island Alpaca

🚶Go For a Hike

If you want to get out of the hustle of town, go on a remote hike to get a reprieve from the chaos. Here are a few local favorites:

1. Wilfred’s Pond Preserve (VH) - 1.2 miles, pond views

2. Philips Preserve Hike (VH) - 1 mile, pond views

3. Long Point Wildlife Refuge (WT) - Up to 2.5 miles, ocean, and pond views

4. Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (Edg) - Up to 1-4 miles, pond views

5. Tisbury Great Pond Trail (WT)- 1.8 miles, pond views

6. Sheriff’s Meadow Sanctuary (Edg) - 1.5 miles, freshwater and saltwater pond views

🌳 Things to Do Up-Island on Martha's Vineyard - Chilmark, Aquinnah and West Tisbury MA in 2024

Did I miss your business or strategy? Send me a note (info@mvacay.com) or leave a comment below, I’m happy to include your input!

Share your best traffic-avoidant hacks in the comments below: