Tisbury is a town of 4,800 people (2020) on the island of Martha's Vineyard located in Massachusetts, USA. Tisbury includes the village of Vineyard Haven which is the island's year-round ferry port. You can find many activities, fine dining, and great places to stay on the island. Tisbury is on the north side of the island, closest to Woods Hole, Cape Cod.
Get in
By ferry
There are many ferry services that will get you to the island of Martha's Vineyard. The biggest one is the MV and Nantucket Steamship Authority which leaves from Woods Hole in Cape Cod +1 508-693-9130
You can also use Hyline Cruises which depart from Hyannis in the cape.
By boat
- Patriot Party Boats (dead link: January 2023) offers a low, one way rate to Martha's Vineyard between Falmouth and Oak Bluffs.
- Island Queen is a ferry service offered in Cape Cod Falmouth.
- The MV Quickwater is ferry that leaves from the Fishing Pier in Falmouth.
By plane
You can fly Cape Air to get there by plane. It has daily flights departing from Hyannis and Boston.
By bus
Tisbury is a part of Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority providing buses to other towns on the island during the tourist months.
Get around
Tisbury is a great place to walk or bike around and enjoy shopping and eating.
By taxi
See listings at Martha's Vineyard.
By rental car
- A-A Island Auto Rental, Five Corners, +1 508-696-5300.
By bike or moped
- Marthas Bike Rentals, 4 Lagoon Pond Rd, Vineyard Haven, +1 508-693-6593, marthas@marthasvineyardbikes.com. Will pick-up and deliver to any Island location. $15-50 per day depending on the bike.
- Quawk Cycle of Martha's Vineyard, Vineyard Haven, +1 508-693-1188
.
- Vineyard Vehicles Rentals, Beach Rd., Vineyard Haven, +1 508-693-1185
.
- Adventure Rentals, 19 Beach Rd, Vineyard Haven, +1 508-693-1959.
See
- Chicama Vineyards, +1 508-693-0309/+1-888-244-2262. Stoney Hill Road: free tours of the winery are offered from May-Oct: M-Sa 11AM-5PM; Su 1-5PM. Wines can be sampled in the tasting rooms. Wines and specialty foods are offered for sale year around, including holiday wine and food baskets.
- Martha's Vineyard Glassworks, in West Tisbury, +1 508-693-6026. Produces and sells a unique variety of fine quality hand-blown glass while featuring internationally removed artists in the gallery. The public is invited to watch a master craftsmen create beautiful objects in glass.
- Long Point Wildlife Refuge Beach, in West Tisbury. 9AM-5PM daily. Nature trails that lead up from shore through the forest and grassland. The admission fee for adults is $3; children get in free. Parking costs $9 per car.
- Owen Park, Owen Park Way (the beach is just at the foot of Owen Park off Upper Main St), +1 508-696-4220. The water and waves there are calm and the beach is mostly sand with pebbles closer to tide. Here you can watch the yachts, sailboats, and historic ships travel in and out of the Harbor, while your kids play on the small provided playground. On alternating Sundays, the Gazebo in Owen Park hosts the Vineyard Haven concerts for local bands to show off their talent. There are also public bathrooms here.
- West Chop Lighthouse, 41.481944°, -70.603889°. Not open to the public. Constructed in the late 1800s. The light is located in historic Tisbury. The grounds are privately owned and not open to the public. However, the tower and light may be seen from the road.
Do
Tisbury is a great island for watersports and outdoor activities. There are numerous indoor activities as well.
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{{do
| name=Mink Meadows Golf Club | alt= | url=http://www.minkmeadows.com/ (dead link: December 2020) | email=
| address=320 Golf Club Rd | lat= | long= | directions=
| phone =+1 508-693-0600 | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| content=Nine holes, semi-private. non-members can make tee times two days in advance.
}}
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Seastone Papers in West Tisbury. +1 508-693-5786.
A teaching studio for hand paper making, surface design, and book arts where you can explore paper making possibilities. Summer Sessions Only. Call for pricing.
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Nobska Charters, +1 508-642-0363. Rent sailboats, or visit the Black Dog Tavern and charter a sunset cocktail cruise.
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{{do
| name=Martha's Bike Rentals | alt= | url=http://www.marthasvineyardbikes.com/ (dead link: August 2020) | email=
| address= | lat= | long= | directions=
| phone = | tollfree=+1-800-559-0312 | fax=
| hours= | price=
| content=At Five Corners. A great way to get around to the shops and beaches is by bike.
}}
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Island Cove Miniature Golf, 386 State Rd, +1 508-693-2611. open from 10AM to 10PM. An activity for all ages. Kids especially enjoy the water-themed course consisting of frog ponds and waterfalls as well as their 24 foot climbing wall. $8 for children and $9 for adults (web site coupons offer $1 off)
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Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival (September 6-9, 2012), Main Street Theatres, +1 508-696-9369. Four days filled with the best feature and short films from top-notch festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and Cannes (with a few undiscovered gems thrown in!), great evening events, provocative forums and live world music - all within the ‘Walking Festival District’. And don’t forget – Martha’s Vineyard has some of the most beautiful beaches in America.
The recurring theme of the annual Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival is "Other Places"; the festival's purpose is to encourage attendees to think broadly (about how huge the world of film is) and deeply (about the universal concerns and desires that unite all people). About 90% of all film selections are non-US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding through film.
The International Film Festival is produced by the Martha's Vineyard Film Society, a 501 c3 non-profit corporation. Our festival is completely run by volunteers and greatly appreciates your support. $10/$7
Fishing
Fish from the Vineyard Haven Jetty or Eastville Beach.
- {{do
| name=Fishsticks Charters | alt= | url=http://www.cweb5.com/fishsticks/ (dead link: December 2020) | email=
| address= | lat= | long= | directions=
| phone=+1 508-693-0291 or +1 508 951-5288 | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| content= Deep sea fishing.
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Buy
- Black Dog Tavern, +1 508-693-4786. Water Street. The simplistic black dog located on Black Dog merchandise has become iconic and is very popular. A merchandise store is attached to the Black Dog Tavern restaurant.
- The Toy Box, 79 Beach Road (in the Tisbury Market Place), +1 508-693-8182. open year round M-Sa from 10AM-5PM. A good pit stop if you are interested in finding toys and trinkets to remind you of your day on the island. In this shop you will find outdoor toys, beach toys, educational toys, arts and craft supplies.
- C.W. Morgan Antiques, Beach Road, +1 508-693-3622.
- Hellie's Closet, 1 Center Street, +1 508-693-5828.
- Kennedy Studios, 66 Main Street, +1 508-693-3948. Art gallery & custom framing.
- Zackary's Corner, 392 State Street. Children's clothing.
- LeRoux Clothing, 71 Main Street.
- C.B. Stark Jewelers, 26 Main Street, +1 508-693-2284.
- Bunch of Grapes Bookstore Inc., 44 Main Street, +1 508-693-2291. A specialty book store.
- Murdick's Fudge, Union Street and Main Street, +1 508 693-7344. A candy store with homemade fudge.
Eat
- Art Cliff Diner, 39 Beach Rd, +1 508-693-1224. closed on Wednesdays. Take into consideration that you have to get here early (around 8AM, opens at 7AM) to avoid a long wait because it is small and crowded in season. Their pecan pancakes with real rum raisins, French toast (stuffed with almost anything you want), and the sweet potato crepes (all priced at $8-10) are just a few of the locals' favorites, but the menu has a lot of options. Credit cards are accepted.
- Bob's Pizza and Subs, 22 Main St, +1 508-693-8266. open 7 days a week. Offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner and not only serve pizza and subs but have a clam bar and outdoor seating.
- Black Dog Tavern, +1 508-693-9223. M-F 7AM-8PM; Sa Su 7AM-9PM. Beach Street Ext. The famous one of t-shirt fame. Nobody wears it on the island. Main menu items are fresh fish and vegetables, each from local sources. You can bring your own wine or beer.
- Lambert's Cove Inn Restaurant, 90 Manaquayak Road, +1 508-693-2298. Vineyard Haven. An elegant dining room that offers a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend an evening. 6-9PM daily in summer; hours vary during the spring and fall; open weekends in winter.
- {{eat
| name=Le Grenier French Restaurant | alt= | url=http://www.legrenierrestaurant.com/ (dead link: December 2020) | email=
| address=96 Upper Main St | lat= | long= | directions=
| phone =+1 508-693-4906 | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| content=Vineyard Haven. Year-round. French cuisine served daily from 5:30PM-10PM.
}}
- Cafe Moxie, 48 Main St, +1 508-693-1484. Open every day 5:30-10PM. Trendy cafe serves good cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. An island favorite.
- Cafe At The Tisbury Inn, Main Street, Vineyard Haven, +1 508-693-3416. Seafood, ribs, etc.
- Changs, 125 State Rd, +1 508-693-8500. Vineyard Haven.
- Golden Dragon, 6 Water St, +1 508-693-7543. Chinese.
- Louis' Tisbury Cafe & Take-Out, State Rd., Vineyard Haven, +1 508-693-3255.
- Stripers, 26 Beach Rd, +1 508-693-8383. Vineyard Haven. Brazilian, casual. Great location at the marina.
- Garia's Bakery & Deli, at Back Alley's, 1045 State Road.
- Sweet E's Cupcakes, Main St. F-Su 11AM to 9PM. Cupcakes.
- Tisberry Frozen Yogurts and Smoothies, Cromwell Lane (next to Riley's Reads, just off Main St., Cromwell Lane is the small road that leads down to Stop and Shop), +1 508-693-1145. open in season 10AM to 10PM. They serve healthy, to-go treats. They have 33+ toppings (including fresh fruit) for their frozen yogurts and smoothies providing a variety to please customers of all ages.
- Zephrus Zeafood and Grille. They serve the Vineyard’s American Cuisine year round either indoors, outdoors, or even for take-out, whatever you prefer. Here you can taste their seasonal dishes or just go simple with a burger and a beer. ( 2 for 1 burgers on Tuesdays!) $17-25
Drink
Tisbury is a dry town. Although alcohol cannot be bought here, most restaurants allow visitors to bring their own.
Sleep
Hostel
Hotels and motels
- Vineyard Harbor Motel, 60 Beach Rd, Vineyard Haven, +1 508-693-3334. On the harbor with private beach. Within walking distance to ferry terminals, restaurants and shops.
- Harbor Landing, +1 508-693-2600, info@harbor-landing.com. Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. 39 units. Near ferry, shops, beach, etc.
- Mansion House at Martha's Vineyard, 9 Main St, Vineyard Haven, +1 508-693-2200, info@mvmansionhouse.com. Air conditioned rooms and suites. Amenities includes free breakfast, access to health club and pool, fireplaces, balconies, DSL and Wifi, Cable TV, refrigerators, four blocks from Woods Hole ferry dock. $199
- Nobnocket Boutique Inn, 60 Mount Aldworth Road, Vineyard Haven (Sa sort walk from Vineyard Haven ferry), 41.4492028°, -70.6046898°, +1 508-696-0859, lux@nobnocket.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Modern design, upscale Bed and Breakfast. Contemporary interior design. 7 rooms, on 1.5 acres above Vineyard Haven harbor. $180-500 2016-12-01
- The Clark House Inn, 20 Edgartown Road, Vineyard Haven, +1 508-693-3226.
- The Crocker House Inn, 12 Crocker Avenue, +1 508-693-1151. Vineyard Haven.
- The Hanover House, 28 Edgartown Road. Vineyard Haven
- High Haven House, 85 Summer Street, +1 508-693-9204. Vineyard Haven.
- Lambert's Cove Inn & Restaurant, 90 Manaquayak Road, +1 508-693-2298. Vineyard Haven.
- The Thorncroft Inn, 460 Main St, +1 508-693-3333. Vineyard Haven
Campground
Go next
Explore elsewhere on Martha's Vineyard such as Aquinnah,
Chilmark, Edgartown, and Oak Bluffs or head for Nantucket or Cape Cod.