Martha's Vineyard

An utterly scenic respite tucked away from the furious buzz of the mainland, Martha's Vineyard was an erstwhile whaling town located off the Cape Cod peninsula. Now, its former whaling history is largely sidelined by its image of an idyllic summertime haven, encouraging a constant trickle of celebs, day-tripping visitors, and city slickers between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Despite its visiting summer crowds, Martha's Vineyard's never seems unpleasantly crowded, managing to maintain its genteel veneer and deep-seated charm. With a nifty conservation initiative in place, this windswept island harbors a wealth of local gems, from farm-to-table restaurants to historic inns and locally-owned boutiques. The tree-lined towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs are a mere drive away, where fairy-tale gingerbread cottages, carousels, idyllic fishing piers, and historic lighthouses await.