⌚Where to Go While You're Waiting for the Ferry to Martha's Vineyard
If you arrive in Woods Hole early, where can you kill time?
It is always a good idea to arrive early for the Ferry. But what if you’re TOO early?
Whether you have an hour (or more…cancelled ferries! agh!), whether you arrive on foot or with a car - I’ve rounded up some of our family’s favorite options below.
🚶♀️Walking Distance
In case that you are in Woods Hole, here are a few options that are within a ~15 minute walking radius. Please be mindful that if you are in standby, abandoning your car for too long may cause you to miss your spot in line.
🍴Food
Pie in the Sky - this year-round coffee, pastry and lunch spot is the closest option and a crowd favorite. Their popovers, sticky buns and smoothies are fresh and filling as you wait for your ferry. They take phone orders if you’re on your way in, and due to the proximity and quality have become a huge part of many people’s MV commute experience / 1 min walk
Landfall Restaurant (seasonally) - if you find yourself with a few hours, Landfall has seafood and a great view of the harbor. If you’re coming in the off-season and want a sit-down restaurant, try Quohog Republic Leeside Pub / 1 min walk
Coffee Obsession - another cafe with a more relaxed ambiance for sitting for a bit, with exceptional coffee. / 3 min walk
Water Street Kitchen - a more upscale, farm-to-table spot that may require a reservation. But if I find myself planning to arrive to Woods Hole around dinner time, I’ll snag a reservation or squeeze into the bar so I can enjoy a fancy meal here, if you’re a walk-on it’s worth waiting for the next ferry so you can enjoy! / 3 min walk
Woods Hole Market and General Store - a quaint option with lots of specialty items and pantry staples. The deli counter serves soup, salads, and hot/cold sandwiches / 4 min walk
🗺️ Exploring
Woods Hole Waterfront Park - a few blocks from the SSA terminal you’ll find green space, benches and a few sculptures / 4 min walk
Woods Hole Public Library - the lower level of the WHPL has a used book shop open for the public during library hours / 3 min walk
Hours: ~1:00-5:30p / Closed Sundays
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute - The Ocean Science Discovery Center at WHOI has hands-on exhibits, cool models, and videos about ocean exploration and marine life—great for a quick, fun visit in Woods Hole. / 5 min walk
Hours: September - October 26th: Open Monday-Saturday 11am-4pm, Closed Sundays - October 27 - mid-April 2025: CLOSED for the season / Free and open to the public
Woods Hole Science Aquarium - the country's oldest public aquarium! Take yourself on a casual, self-guided tour of ~80 species of marine animals. The free aquarium allows you to see a behind-the-scenes look at operations. It features an outdoor seal enclosure, indoor aquarium and touch-tanks for kiddos. / 9 minute walk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
MBL Stony Beach - a beach within walking distance off Gosnold Rd / 15 min
🚗 Driving Distance ~10-15 minutes
If you have a car, you can get to Nobska Lighthouse and Beach within a few minutes. But if you have more time, Downtown Falmouth is just over 10 minutes away (without traffic) and offers quaint, coastal charm. It is one of the best places to spend a few hours. You can browse stores on Main Street, let kids relax on public playgrounds, or have a leisurely meal at any of the local options.
🍴Food
Añejo Mexican Bistro - Mexican and Tequila bar / 11 min drive
Estia - upscale Greek restaurant / 11 min drive
Pickle Jar Kitchen - breakfast and brunch spot / 11 min drive
Maison Villatte - a great place to grab breakfast croissants / 12 min drive
Cape Cod Bagel - homemade bagels and sandwiches en route / 12 min
Shipwrecked - an American Seafood restaurant on Grand Avenue / 15 min drive
🗺️ Exploring
Nobska Lighthouse - a picturesque view and a great place to catch a sunset. There is a nearby beach too! / 5 min drive.
The Knob - a short nature walk close by, this .8 mile trail is an easy 15 minute out-and-back walk has awesome views of Buzzards Bay / 9 minute drive
Highfield Hall - this beautiful estate and garden is a convenient stop right on the way to the terminal. It is open seasonally from dawn to dusk / 12 minute drive
Main Street Falmouth has plenty of shops to browse
Playgrounds:
Mullen-Hall Playground in downtown Falmouth - features wooden structures, mazes, slides, swings and a nearby carousel / 10 min drive
St Barnabas Church Playground - a church playground open to the public / 9 min drive
If you have an afternoon check-in on MV, you may want to spend the morning exploring Woods Hole and Falmouth before you hop on the ferry. Or, you may be stuck there due to circumstances outside your control. Either way, there’s tons to explore!
✍Quick Hits
Fill Up on Gas - as you might imagine, the price of gas on the island is much higher than on the mainland. Consider routing to a gas station to top off.
Get Groceries - another costly expense is the price of groceries on MV, consider routing to Shaws or another nearby grocery store to stock up on any nonperishables you may want for your trip.
Stay Overnight - If you get stuck in Woods Hole due to cancellations, consider staying at budget-friendly Holiday Inn - they may offer a special rate for cancelled ferries. Otherwise Inn on the Square and Sands of Time Inn are great options.
As always, this list is not exhaustive but my family’s favorites. What is your go-to before-the-ferry spot? Please share in the comments!
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