Is a reasonably-priced vacation to Martha's Vineyard possible?

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<p>According to newspaper reports, the Obama family is staying at a 28-acre Martha’s Vineyard compound called Blue Heron Farm, which costs about $50,000 per week to rent. Is this price indicative of the island in general?</p>

<p>That number is certainly way out of my price range, especially in this economy. Is it possible to take a reasonably priced vacation there? If so, what would that look like cost-wise? Any hotel and restaurant suggestions? Sounds like good people watching opportunities and lots of charm, but I am wondering if those of us with regular incomes can afford such a place.</p>

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<p>Both Nantucket and MV are mostly very expensive. Go off season and see if you like it for itself… A lot of the people who go are old Yankees (not Yankee fans, Yankees) and not all that impressive to look at. There are the usual summer things. Bike rides, quaint towns, sailing, etc. There are 1-2 vineyards, some summer theater. There are some interesting geographical features (bluffs) and some of the communities have interesting history- like the area that has had affluent African Americans (Oak Bluff?) as residents long before the Obamas. Lots of access from New Bedford to the Cape via ferries and hovercrafts, small planes, too. My SIL and BIL rent a tiny place for a week and it cost them 8,000 this year…</p>

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<p>There are a variety of types of accomodation on the island, most of which are affordable to people “with regular incomes”. My guess is that a $20 million property, anywhere, would likely rent in the vicinity of $50,000/wk. It’s nice of the owners, who support the other team, so to speak, to rent to the Obamas and the large number of others who must travel with him.</p>

<p>As for things to do on MV, there’s great hiking, biking, beautiful beaches, wonderful restaurants, some nice shopping, all the things you’d expect for a vacation spot on the coast. The Harborview in Edgartown is very nice, as is the Winnetu, and there are numerous small B&Bs and private home rental options. Harbor Landing, from what I’ve heard, is a less expensive option and right in Vineyard Haven. Be sure to visit the Bunch of Grapes bookstore in Vineyard Haven and also the Black Dog for a meal, and of course, to buy a t-shirt. For a special dinner, try the Lambert’s Cove Inn, great food and service in a beautiful setting.</p>

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<p>We just visited MV for a long weekend in July. We stayed in a wonderful B&B, Captain Flanders House in Chillmark, for $190 a night. That included cookies and lemonade each afternoon, and breakfast each morning. It also included a pass to Lucy Vincent Beach, which is private - the only way you can get on it is to live in the town or stay at one of four B&Bs. It’s supposed to be the prettiest beach on B&B. If you’re the adventurous type, there’s a clothing optional section at the far end, but you can avoid it easily if it offends you. </p>

<p>$190 a night really isn’t bad for a B&B. My mom and I used to take weekend trips throughout New England in the early 90s, and we sometimes paid that much back then!</p>

<p>MV has a wonderful bus system. For not much money, you can buy a three-day pass. It’s possible to take a car on the ferry, but very expensive (>$150, I think) and you have to make reservations months in advance.</p>

<p>I expected a lot of glitz and touristy stuff, but most of the island is quiet and rural. The people are unbelievably friendly. The last time we were there, DH and I were walking our bikes along, carrying heavy backpacks, when a guy in a pickup truck stopped and offered to give us a ride. We accepted, and as we drove along, he pointed out interesting spots, such as the house where David McCullough lives.</p>

<p>There are some very expensive restaurants, but reasonably priced ones, too. You can check them out online in advance, or call them up while you’re there. We ate at a nice place literally at the far western tip of the island. Our table was on an outside deck, right next to the cliffs on the beach. We got to watch a beautiful sunset and eat an excellent meal.</p>

<p>If you WANT cute shops and lots of restaurants, you can visit Edgartown.</p>

<p>I highly recommend a trip there. We’re hoping to go back again before long.</p>

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<p>MODERATOR’S NOTE:</p>

<p>Please keep discussion limited to Martha’s Vineyard only. Posts about Obama will be deleted, and the thread would have to be closed.</p>

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<p>A friend of mine has a house on the Vineyard that she rents out for $2900/week in high season. I haven’t been there but it’s in the most desirable part of the island.</p>

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<p>Did George Orwell vacation on Martha’s Vineyard?</p>

<p>I am wondering if he was one of the celeb set on the island during his time.</p>

<p>Thank you for the great MV tips, other posters! $8000 a week…still a lot of money. We’re in a business segment that has been hit really hard, but maybe a place like that could be split with a bunch of people. A family a bedroom! :)</p>

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<p>H and I stayed on Martha’s Vineyard well over a decade (or two) ago. It was very nice, with lots of low-key nature oriented opportunities – biking in particular, as I recall. We stayed at B & B/country inn type places but I recall there was also a campground on the island. </p>

<p>I just found a link to the campground.
[Camp</a> at Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground for a delightful Massachusetts Island vacation!](<a href=“http://campmv.com/]Camp”>http://campmv.com/)
"Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground is the only campground on Martha’s Vineyard, and we specialize in making all that the Island offers both accessible and affordable to you and your camping family. Located just one and a half miles from the Vineyard Haven ferry terminal, we offer spacious wooded sites, complete with picnic tables, fireplaces, and hookups to accommodate tents or RVs. We also offer a number of terrific new camping cabin rentals. Other amenities include modern restrooms with hot showers, laundromat, store, recreation hall and playground. "</p>

<p>Food, etc. can be pricey, in part because of the extra expense of getting it there. But it is a special place.</p>

<p>P.S. Those who enjoy Martha’s Vineyard might also like Block Island, RI.</p>

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<p>spidey, take a look at this website [Martha’s</a> Vineyard Vacation Rentals & Real Estate](<a href=“http://www.mvvacationrentals.com%5DMartha’s”>http://www.mvvacationrentals.com) There are a lot of nice homes available at under $2000 for the week all over the island. And if you go after Labor Day (september on the island is beautiful) it is even cheaper.</p>

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<p>When we went years ago, we stayed at a B&B in Oak Bluffs. As far as I’m concerned the MV vacation was the best vacation ever. So relaxing! So much lobster bisque!! Yum!</p>

<p>We drove from Michigan. I remember the final leg of the drive to the ferry. The ferry ride and finally arriving on the island. (Note - make ferry reservations).</p>

<p>My parents and my family stayed at a B&B within walking distance of the main street and a beach. Mom and dad had an air-condidtioned room on the 1st floor. We had a 3 room suite on the 2nd floor with a bathtub that had feet :-D. I think we stayed 5-6 days and the cost was no more $600. (I know we stayed long enough to have to visit a laundramat!) I’m sure the rates have gone up, but it was worth it.</p>

<p>Breakfast was a real breakfast. You could have it either in the eating area or on the long wrap-around enclosed porch. Heh, just remembering it makes me smile and relax. I’m sure I’ll return.</p>

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<p>Regular income person here:</p>

<p>I believe that you can spend as much or as little as you like to vacation on Martha’s Vineyard. If you rent a large home with a full water view or a house up-island on an large piece of property you could pay a fortune but there are a lot of reasonably priced rentals on the island. If renting is not feasible the campground has gotten great reviews from people I know who have used it. </p>

<p>There are some people here with serious money but there are also many, many working families renting houses for one or two week vacations. One of the things I have always loved about the island is its diversity. Each of the little towns has a very distinct personality. </p>

<p>I spent many happy summer vacations at the Jersey Shore as a child but I would not trade Martha’s Vineyard for anything…even in August when the traffic down-island is crazy and there is an influx of media because the POTUS is visiting. </p>

<p>Robyrn2, I don’t know where your family rents but $8000/week for a tiny rental sounds pretty high. The house must have some wonderful extras. I rent a tiny but very well situated place on the water outside of Oak Bluffs for much less. It only has one bathroom but heck, you can’t have everything. ;)</p>

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<p>Spideygirl, what time of the year are you planning to go there? How many people?</p>