Last Updated on April 3, 2024
By Ellen Albanese
When many New Englanders, especially Cape Codders, talk about “the islands,” they aren’t thinking about palm trees and Caribbean steel bands. They’re talking about Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, two storied islands off Cape Cod’s southern coast in Massachusetts.
While they share many allures — great beaches, bicycle-friendly roads and trails, lodgings that run the gamut from luxury hotels to hostels, and restaurants to suit every taste — each island has its own distinctive vibe.
Martha’s Vineyard is a little more laid back, a little more homespun, while Nantucket rocks its reputation as a touch more buttoned-up, a bit more upscale.
Here’s a comparison of Martha’s Vineyard vs. Nantucket, that should help you decide which one to visit should you head to New England for an island getaway.
Getting There
Day-trippers facing the dilemma of Martha’s Vineyard vs. Nantucket take note: Martha’s Vineyard is 7 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, while Nantucket is 30 miles out to sea.
A trip to the Vineyard from Falmouth by ferry takes 30-45 minutes. The traditional ferry to Nantucket from Hyannis, on the other hand, eats up a full 2.5 hours of your day. But if your heart is set on Nantucket in a day, your best bet is a high-speed ferry. The operators are the Steamship Authority or Hy-Line from Hyannis, which will deposit you on the island in an hour.
Where to Play: Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard
On Martha’s Vineyard, wander among the famously ornate “gingerbread cottages” at the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association campground. Ride the Flying Horses, the oldest platform carousel in the U.S. Both attractions are National Historic Landmarks and an easy walk from the ferry landing in Oak Bluffs.
Experience the island’s booming oyster farming industry firsthand with tours by Cottage City Oysters. Also climb the Gay Head Lighthouse atop the clay cliffs in Aquinnah. Located on sacred ground for the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe, this historic lighthouse offers 360-degree views.
By the way, did we mention alpaca? At Island Alpaca Company of Martha’s Vineyard, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the farm. And don’t miss watching the video about these extraordinary animals, and, of course, browse the store filled with alpaca products.
South Beach (Katama Beach) in Edgartown, is a three-mile barrier beach. Accessible by car, bus, and bicycle, it’s also one of the popular strands on the Vineyard.
Whaling put Nantucket on the map, and the Whaling Museum is a must-see. Once you get past the jaw-dropping skeleton of a 46-foot male sperm whale hanging from the ceiling, check out the restored 1847 spermaceti candle factory, the second-order Fresnel lens that originally beamed from Sankaty Head Light, and the extraordinary scrimshaw.
Walk the picture-postcard, cobblestone-paved downtown, admiring the grand homes that once belonged to wealthy whaling captains.
One of the best ways to experience the village of Siasconset (‘Sconset to locals) is on a Sconset Bluff Walk. It winds its way through a small neighborhood of cottages and along a bluff with mansions on one side and ocean views on the other.
Where to Stay: Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard
In the Martha’s Vineyard vs. Nantucket matchup, you’ll also find comfortable lodging on both islands.
Nantucket is known for its luxury lodgings. They include four AAA Four-Diamond properties: the White Elephant, on Nantucket Harbor, close to Children’s Beach and the Brant Point Lighthouse; the Wauwinet, Nantucket’s only Relais & Chateau property; the Nantucket Hotel & Resort, offering suites that sleep up to 15; and Greydon House, a stylish newcomer close to downtown. For less upscale lodging, also consider the many charming bed & breakfasts. They include several former whaling-era mansions updated with modern conveniences.
For elegant lodging on Martha’s Vineyard, consider the AAA Four-Diamond, Relais & Chateaux-listed Charlotte Inn in Edgartown, noted for its lush gardens. But families may prefer the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven or Summercamp in Oak Bluffs. It was designed as a nod to Oak Bluffs’ history as a summer “camp” destination for the Methodist Church. For a more bare-bones experience, Hostelling International operates a hostel in West Tisbury from May to September.
Where to Eat & Drink: Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard
On Martha’s Vineyard, the Black Dog Tavern in Vineyard Haven is a classic. It offers an eclectic, changing menu of local seafood, sandwiches, burgers, and homemade bakery treats.
Nancy’s Restaurant in Oak Bluffs serves fish and seafood a number of ways — baked, fried, blackened, pan-seared. Its most popular item, though, may be the Dirty Banana, the most famous frozen drink on the island. Back Door Donuts in Oak Bluffs may look like a typical bakery during the day. But after sunset people line up at the “back door” to buy fresh-baked doughnuts and other confections until midnight.
For romantic evenings out on Nantucket, it would be hard to beat the AAA Five-Diamond rated Topper’s at the Wauwinet. It showcases seasonally inspired New England cuisine with an emphasis on local produce and seafood. In fact, the locally harvested Retsyo oysters are cultivated just 300 yards away. And its wine list features an impressive 2,000 wines.
The Brotherhood of Thieves is evocative of an 1840s whaling bar. Its menu offers robust hearty sandwiches and burgers, and also a good selection of craft beers on tap. On the eastern side of the island, Millie’s serves five varieties of New Orleans-inspired fish tacos, along with yellow-fin tuna poke, creative salads, and a legendary cocktail, the Madaket Mystery (no spoilers here).
Only on Nantucket
The harsh whaling industry launched a craft of delicate beauty: Nantucket lightship baskets. Today these beautiful, handmade, one-of-a-kind baskets are often fashioned into purses. Even if you can’t spring for these iconic (and expensive) treasures, some basket makers, such as Jerry Brown on Old South Wharf, will let you watch them at work in their studios/shops. The Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum has an impressive collection.
Only on Martha’s Vineyard
Founded in 1989, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Heritage Trail includes 39 locations that celebrate the contributions, history, and culture of African Americans on the Vineyard. Shearer Cottage, the first African American-owned guest house on the island, was listed in the original Green Book, the basis for the Academy Award-winning movie of the same name.
–– Photos courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, unless noted otherwise.
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