What Edgartown is like
Edgartown was the island’s whaling capital, and its historic district still shows it: grand Greek Revival captains’ homes, picket fences, a working harbor full of sailboats, and shops and restaurants along Main and Water Streets. In summer the town is lively but gracious; in the off-season it is one of the prettiest quiet towns in New England.
Edgartown also takes in Katama, home of South Beach, and the island of Chappaquiddick, a two-minute ferry ride across the harbor.
Who loves Edgartown
- Walking to dinner, shops and the harbor from your door
- Families who want both a calm harbor beach and Atlantic surf
- Sailing, the Fourth of July parade and Christmas in Edgartown
- Exploring Chappaquiddick’s wild beaches and gardens
Things to do in Edgartown
- Edgartown Lighthouse at the end of North Water Street, with Lighthouse Beach beside it.
- The historic district: an evening walk along North Water Street past the captains’ houses.
- Chappaquiddick, by the Chappy Ferry: Mytoi’s Japanese garden, Cape Poge and East Beach.
- Felix Neck, the Mass Audubon sanctuary on the way to Vineyard Haven, for easy trails and birding.
Harbor lighthouse at the end of a short walk from North Water Street, cared for by the Martha's Vineyard Museum.
Website →Quiet Japanese-style garden on a pond, cared for by The Trustees.
Website →The short crossing between Edgartown and Chappaquiddick for walkers, bikes and cars.
Website →Mass Audubon sanctuary with about four miles of easy trails through woods, meadows and salt marsh.
Website →Barrier beach of about seven miles with the Cape Poge Lighthouse, reached on foot or by permitted over-sand vehicle.
Website →Trustees beach at the southeast corner of Chappy, popular for surf fishing; swimming can be hazardous due to currents.
Website →Over 5,000 acres in the middle of the island with paved bike paths, trails and a disc golf course.
Website →Upper Main Street bike shop for rentals, e-bikes, sales and repairs.
Website →Edgartown beaches
- South Beach (Katama): three miles of Atlantic surf at the end of the Katama bike path. Free parking; currents can be strong.
- Lighthouse Beach: calm harbor water beside the Edgartown Lighthouse, an easy walk from town.
- Bend in the Road: the Edgartown end of Joseph Sylvia State Beach, on the bike path, with lifeguards in season.
- East Beach and Wasque on Chappaquiddick: wild and beautiful, managed by The Trustees; fee in season, no lifeguards.
Edgartown’s town beaches are open to everyone. Details from the town parks department.
Where to eat in Edgartown
Seasonal New American cooking served in a 19th-century sea captain's house on Upper Main Street, with burgers and cocktails in the brick cellar bar.
Website →Long-running French-inspired restaurant on North Water Street with a seasonal menu built around local produce, shellfish and lamb.
Website →Main Street bistro open since 1999, known for its cocktails and a menu drawn from local farms and waters.
Website →Lively Main Street spot with seafood-focused plates and live music most summer nights.
Website →Intimate restaurant and wine bar in Nevin Square serving American fare with European touches, hand-rolled pasta and a deep wine list.
Website →Harbor-front seafood and steakhouse at the foot of Main Street, open seasonally.
Website →Retro diner on Main Street serving classic breakfast and lunch.
Website →Restaurant inside the Harbor View Hotel with views across the harbor to the Edgartown Lighthouse.
Website →More island-wide picks in our restaurant guide.
Getting to Edgartown
The nearest ferries land in Oak Bluffs (about 15 minutes away) and Vineyard Haven (about 20). In summer, the free park and ride on Upper Main Street with the VTA Route 11 shuttle saves hunting for parking downtown. See getting here.
Staying in Edgartown
Our Edgartown homes range from in-town houses where the car never moves to private retreats in Katama and on Chappaquiddick. See our Edgartown vacation rentals.
Questions we hear
Can you walk around Edgartown without a car?
Yes, if you stay in or near the village. Shops, restaurants, the harbor and Lighthouse Beach are all walkable, and the Katama bike path runs to South Beach.
How do you get to Chappaquiddick?
On the Chappy Ferry from Dock Street in Edgartown. It runs year round, carries cars, bikes and people, and the crossing takes a couple of minutes. Expect a line for cars in summer.
Updated October 2026. Hours, seasons and rules change: check with each business or town before you go.