Edgartown Travel Guide

I have had the pleasure of visiting Martha’s Vineyard twice this summer – once for work and once for a family trip. It’s a really special island! To be honest with y’all, I really do love Nantucket so much more but I definitely understand the appeal of Martha’s Vineyard. There are lots of wonderful places to explore, shop, stay, and eat.

There are six towns on Martha’s Vineyard: Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah. I love Edgartown the most (by leaps and bounds)! I’ve spent the most time in Edgartown and always stayed in Edgartown so I’m focusing my Martha’s Vineyard guide on Edgartown. I also never like to make recommendations on places I’m not super familiar with and knowledgeable on, which is why I’m not sharing recs for the other towns. Keep reading to dive into my Edgartown Travel Guide full of lots of inspired places to visit!

Edgartown is beyond picturesque and oh so charming. The town is full of adorable little shops and restaurants making it the perfect place for an afternoon stroll. We saw Meg Ryan and John Mellencamp wandering around town this September, which might have been the best celeb sighting ever (You’ve Got Mail is my favorite rom com!). The New England shingle houses and Greek revival houses around Edgartown offer up major curb appeal. Edgartown is also special because it’s nestled on a harbor and is marked with Edgartown Harbor Light, a gorgeous historic lighthouse. 

P.S. my adorable, huge, soft, cozy beach towel is from Weezie Towels! It comes in four prints.

Edgartown Travel Guide

Where to Stay in Edgartown

Winnetu Oceanside Resort:

We’ve stayed at the Winnetu before and absolutely loved it! It is a super family friendly hotel with a bright nautical style about it. The resort has a great pool, restaurant, and lawn which is perfect for games and catching the sunset. The Winnetu also has a private path to the beach for guests so, while the location isn’t in town, it’s still in a wonderful and beautiful spot. The hotel also has a water taxi that takes guests right into Edgartown!

Harbor View Hotel:

The Harbor View Hotel went through a massive renovation in 2019 so the historic hotel (opened in 1891) now strikes the perfect balance between modern amenities + contemporary comfort and traditional design + historical preservation. In the renovation, the original moldings and doors were preserved and restored to maintain the historic charm of the building. Harbor View boasts beautiful views of Edgartown Harbor Light too!

The Christopher:

The Christopher is a Lark Hotel, which is a hotel brand that I love (I’ve stayed at 76 Main on Nantucket and Whitehall in Camden, Maine). The design and decor of the hotel is bright and breezy. With comfortable rooms and a courtyard just begging to be used on a sunny afternoon, The Christopher is a great option. Lark Hotels also has two other hotel options in Edgartown to check out: The Richard and The Sydney.

The Charlotte Inn:

If you enjoy the finer things and an old world elegance, then consider staying at The Charlotte Inn. It is full of character and is extremely well appointed with art, antiques, and fresh flowers. The common spaces of the inn – sitting rooms and gardens – are reminiscent of what you’d find at an English manor house in the countryside. The terrace restaurant is also absolutely lovely. The location right off Main Street can’t be beat.

Where to Shop in Edgartown

Slate:

A bright and airy women’s clothing boutique full of gorgeous styles from designers like Apiece Apart, Tibi, and SEA NY. The happy yellow and white stripe awning welcomes you in from the street and the clothing does the rest!

Salte:

Salte was founded and curated based on a love for the ocean. So, you know you want to pop-in! The store is a travel-inspired lifestyle shop that carries everything from candles to beauty to home decor to woven tote baskets to personal accessories.

Portobello Road:

A quirky shop full of treasures! Inside Portobello Road, you’ll find books, coffee table books, greeting cards, jewelry, housewares, and gifts collected and sourced from around the world.

Rosebud Kids:

Rosebud is a simply adorable children’s store. It’s full of utterly cute children’s clothing styles that I wish came in my size!

Rosewater Market & Takeaway:

Rosewater is part delicious café and part beautifully sourced market. The market side of the space is the perfect place to shop for Martha’s Vineyard inspired gifts, everyday housewares, kitchen supplies, and seasonal favorites. If this place had a location in Charleston, then I’d visit constantly!

Past & Presents:

I love antiquing in New England. So I always pop into local antique shops wherever I travel. I think Past & Presents is the best antique store in Edgartown. I scooped up a special silver napkin ring here once that I cherish! In addition to antiques, the shop carries some locally made gifts and treasures.

Edgartown Books:

Located right on Main Street in the heart of Edgartown, sits Edgartown Books. It is a wonderful independent bookstore full of every new release, beach read, classic favorite, and Martha’s Vineyard inspired book.

Nell:

A great women’s clothing boutique that carries pretty preppy styles from brands like Sail to Sable, Saint James, and Tanya Taylor.

Chain Stores:

J.McLaughlin and Vineyard Vines are the two musts in Edgartown. Both brands are right at home in the New England nautical lifestyle of Martha’s Vineyard.

Where to Eat in Edgartown

The Covington:

We love eating dinner out at The Covington! The menu is farm to table and serves as much local produce and fish as possible. The whole restaurant is inspired by the landscapes of Martha’s Vineyard. The atmosphere is buzzing so it’s a great spot for a fun date night or a group dinner out with friends.

The Port Hunter:

The Port Hunter is a go-to dinner spot in Edgartown! The restaurant is very lively and has live music most weekend nights so it’s a really fun atmosphere. The menu consists of a raw bar and classics like fish tacos and hanger steak.

The Atlantic:

The Atlantic is located right in town on the water so it is quite touristy but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good! We really like the lunch menu as it serves up quintessential New England seafood and comfort food. P.S. The Atlantic turns into a full blown bar at night after the dinner rush.

Atria:

When you make a reservation at Atria, definitely request a table outside as the grounds and gardens are beautiful! The menu is as seasonal and locally-sourced as possible so it’s a really nice place for a dinner out.

19 Raw Oyster Bar:

If you’re a seafood lover, then head to 19 Raw Oyster Bar. The menu standouts are the delicious oysters and the crudos. The menu also has other seafood favorites like clam chowder, charred octopus, lobster rolls, and salmon. It’s all fantastic.

Rosewater Market & Takeaway:

Rosewater is part delicious café and part beautifully sourced market. The takeaway side of the space is a gourmet food lover’s dream. It serves up fresh baked goods and prepared foods made everyday in-house. Think: Whole Foods prepared foods section but better!

Morning Glory Farm:

I spilled on my love for Morning Glory Farm in this post so you can read more there! In short, it’s a fabulous family-run gourmet market, farmstand, and bakery. Everything is absolutely divine!

Edgartown Meat and Fish Market:

A delicious gourmet market right by State Beach so it’s the perfect place to pick up a beach picnic lunch. It is also a fabulous place to pick up freshly baked bagels in the morning and the freshest seafood and meats to cook at home (great if you rent a house on the island!).

Right Fork Diner:

Located at Katama Airfield, Right Fork Diner is a local favorite. In the peak of summer, expect a wait for breakfast but keep in mind that it is worth it. It’s honestly really fun to watch biplanes soar through the sky while munching on a stack of pancakes or eggs benedict. P.S. lunch is great here too although I love breakfast the most.

Behind the Bookstore:

Behind the Bookstore is nestled right behind Edgartown Books and serves up specialty coffee, artisanal pastries, and a delicious full food menu everyday of the week, all day long (7am – 5pm). Support local small businesses by picking up a new book and reading it outside at Behind the Bookstore with a fresh cup of coffee.

Espresso Love:

Like Behind the Bookstore, Espresso Love, is a yummy coffee shop that also has a large food menu of breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, quiches, baked goods, bowls, and more. The outdoor patio is lovely too.

Ben & Bills:

Head here for fresh in-house made chocolates, peanut brittles, candies, and ice cream.

Mad Martha’s:

Iconic Martha’s Vineyard ice cream with absolutely delicious flavors.

The Scoop Shack:

An adorable ice cream and frozen yogurt shop with the most amazing toppings! You can also scoop up yummy candies here.

Rosewater Wine & Spirits:

A beautiful wine and liquor shop with a fantastic selection of wines. It’s the ultimate dreamy wine shop.

Where to Explore in Edgartown

Visit the beautiful beaches of Edgartown for sun, sand, and the sea. Great Edgartown beaches include State Beach, Katama Beach (a personal favorite to ride bikes out to!), and Lighthouse Beach.

Visit the historic lighthouse, Edgartown Harbor Light, for a piece of Martha’s Vineyard history. It’s also a great photo op.

Rent Bikes at Wheel Happy, Martha’s Vineyard Bike, or Edgartown Bicycles so you can cruise around charming Edgartown and take in all the lovely neighborhoods or bike out to the beach.

I hope you found this guide helpful! If you have the opportunity to visit Martha’s Vineyard, then I hope you have the absolute best time exploring the island!

Photography by Edwin Eversole