What Oak Bluffs is like
Oak Bluffs grew from a Methodist camp meeting in the 1800s into a seaside resort, and it has never lost its sense of fun. The Camp Ground’s hundreds of brightly painted gingerbread cottages circle the open-air Tabernacle; down the hill, Circuit Avenue has ice cream, restaurants and late-night life, and Ocean Park looks out over Nantucket Sound.
Oak Bluffs is also a cornerstone of African American summer life in New England, with deep roots around the Inkwell beach and the Highlands.
Who loves Oak Bluffs
- Families with kids (the carousel, ice cream and calm beaches)
- Walking off the ferry and into your vacation
- Nightlife, restaurants and summer events
- Illumination Night and the August fireworks
Things to do in Oak Bluffs
- The Camp Ground (Wesleyan Grove): wander the lanes of gingerbread cottages and the Tabernacle.
- The Flying Horses Carousel, the country’s oldest operating platform carousel. Catch the brass ring.
- Ocean Park and the bandstand, home of the August fireworks.
- East Chop Lighthouse at sunset.
Built in 1876, it is America's oldest platform carousel and still gives rides with the brass ring in season.
Website →The Campground's gingerbread cottages surround the open-air iron Tabernacle; grounds are free to walk and there is a small cottage museum.
Website →Arts campus with galleries, classes and summer events on six acres off Barnes Road.
Website →Semi-private club with an 18-hole course and tennis that takes public tee times, easier to get in spring and fall.
Website →Kayak and paddleboard rentals on State Beach and guided paddling tours.
Website →Oak Bluffs beaches
- Oak Bluffs Town Beach and the Inkwell: calm water along Seaview Avenue, walkable from the ferry, lifeguards in season.
- Joseph Sylvia State Beach: two miles of soft sand and warm, gentle water along Beach Road toward Edgartown, with the famous Big Bridge. Free roadside parking that fills early.
- Eastville Beach: a small, calm beach by the drawbridge with views of the ferries.
All public. Details from Dukes County beach management.
Where to eat in Oak Bluffs
Oak Bluffs harbor institution since 1960, with a snack bar for fried clams and lobster rolls and an upstairs dining room with harbor views.
Website →The island's brewpub on Kennebec Avenue, pouring house-brewed beer alongside wood-fired pizza, burgers and seafood.
Website →Family-run Circuit Avenue restaurant across from the Flying Horses, known for pizza, pasta and its walk-up fried clam counter.
Website →Casual waterfront tavern near the ferry dock serving lobster rolls, fried seafood, raw bar and sushi.
Harborside spot on the Oak Bluffs docks for wings, lobster rolls and oysters from its raw bar.
Chef-driven dinner spot, now on Circuit Avenue, known for creative comfort food.
Website →Busy Circuit Avenue spot for Mexican-style food and drinks from lunch through late night.
Website →Laid-back outdoor restaurant and bar with island rum, casual food and live music.
Website →More island-wide picks in our restaurant guide.
Getting to Oak Bluffs
Seasonal ferries land right in town: the Steamship Authority from Woods Hole, the Island Queen from Falmouth and Hy-Line from Hyannis. See getting here.
Staying in Oak Bluffs
Many of our Oak Bluffs homes are an easy walk or bike ride to town, the beach and the ferry. See our Oak Bluffs vacation rentals.
Questions we hear
When is Illumination Night?
Usually a Wednesday in mid-August. The Camp Ground announces the date close to the night itself, so check locally that week.
What is the Inkwell?
The historic town beach near the end of Circuit Avenue, a gathering place for African American families on the Vineyard for generations.
Updated October 2026. Hours, seasons and rules change: check with each business or town before you go.