Whale-oil money built this too: the Dr. Daniel Fisher House on Main Street, with its curved Greek Revival portico, white columns and a garden in bloom.
Edgartown, once a major whaling port of Martha's Vineyard, still looks the part, with white-clapboard captains' homes, Greek Revival churches, streets of boutiques and a lighthouse over the harbor. It is the polished end of the island, with the dining to match.
This guide was written and photographed by MV Vacation, from years of walking and filming the town.
From Edgartown it is an easy trip to the rest of the island, including West Tisbury with its farms and conservation trails.
Main Street
Main Street is the center of town, with historic inns, bookstores, boutiques, galleries and cafés. Many of the houses are captains' homes from the 1800s, built with whaling money.
An Edgartown street in early summer: white clapboard, a dogwood in flower, a picket fence and a brick sidewalk.
A short walk from Main Street brings you to the Pagoda Tree on South Water Street, planted in 1837 and said to be one of the oldest of its kind in the country.
Nearby North Water Street is lined with some of the island's most historic waterfront homes, many built by ship captains during the height of the whaling era.
Many visitors pair Edgartown with a trip to Oak Bluffs, known for its colorful gingerbread cottages and lively harbor.
The harbor
Along Edgartown Harbor you can stroll the boardwalk from the yacht club area toward Lighthouse Beach, past boat slips, classic sailboats and open water the whole way.
For live conditions, check our Island Live Webcams.
The Chappy Ferry crosses between Edgartown and Chappaquiddick every few minutes. It is one of the shortest ferry rides in the United States.
The whaleboat and whale-tail memorial beside the wharf, where the Chappy ferry loads.
The Pied Piper tied up at Memorial Wharf on a blue-sky day, the harbor full behind it: the summer passenger boat to Falmouth leaves from here.
A salt marsh on the edge of the village in summer, with the lighthouse and the masts in the harbor just showing between the houses.
Finding Edgartown
Edgartown has the island's most serious restaurants: seafood at the top end, fine dining, and casual tables on the harbor.
Where to eat in Edgartown
08 PLACES
A 
B 
C A: the Atlantic's corner on Main Street at the end of the day; B: sun on the porch at Espresso Love; C: l'étoile lit for the evening.
The essentials in Edgartown
07 STOPSThe cast-iron light at the harbor mouth, with views across to Chappaquiddick.
The 1891 grand hotel across from the lighthouse.
Built in 1672 and the oldest surviving residence on the island; it once stood by Edgartown Great Pond and is now a Vineyard Preservation Trust property at 99 Main Street.
The free town beach around Edgartown Harbor Light, about 15 minutes on foot from Main Street; harbor water with a tidal current, no lifeguards.
Calm, family-friendly, with views toward Chappaquiddick.
A lawn running down to the harbor beside a shingled house, with boats on the moorings beyond.
Where to stay in Edgartown
04 STAYSThe reimagined historic Kelley House, with The Newes from America pub downstairs. Check rates
Rate links in this list may earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Every hotel and inn in town, checked on its own website: our Edgartown lodging guide.
A quiet side street ending at a shingled cottage and its white picket fence, with hydrangeas and a flag on the corner in the foreground.
A quiet lane with the marsh on one side and shingled houses and picket fences on the other.
Know before you go
May–June and September–October bring good weather and lighter crowds.
Restaurant reservations are worth making ahead, especially in July and August.
Biking is often easier than driving; Edgartown is walkable and bike-friendly.
Early morning is the time for lighthouse photos or sunrise at Fuller Street Beach.
Downtown limits are on the signs and enforced; the free Dark Woods Road Park and Ride and the Church Street lot are the easy options. Our parking guide has every lot.
A number 13 VTA bus on Main Street by the Old Whaling Church. The free buses link Edgartown with the other towns and the ferry ports.
For seasonal rules, lighthouse hours, and beach access updates, visit our Martha's Vineyard FAQ.
Getting around Edgartown
Edgartown is easy to walk, with most shops, restaurants and waterfront paths around Main Street and North Water Street. Parking is limited in summer, so biking or using VTA buses is often the easiest way to explore the area. The Chappy Ferry runs all day to Chappaquiddick.
The Dukes County Jail on Main Street, the white clapboard building behind the picket fence, with Cannonball Park a short walk away. The signs at the corner point left for Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven and right for Edgartown center and Chappaquiddick.
The Splendid tied up for the night under a pink and lavender sky, the moorings beyond.
Questions about Edgartown
What makes Edgartown unique?
Its preserved 19th-century architecture, the busy harbor, the lighthouse and a long list of restaurants.
What landmarks should I not miss?
Edgartown Lighthouse, the Whaling Church, the Pagoda Tree, Harbor View Hotel, and the waterfront along North Water Street.
Is Edgartown family-friendly?
Yes. Beaches, lighthouse walks, ice cream shops, and harbor activities keep every age busy.
Edgartown harbor on a sunny day, skiffs on the moorings and houses along the far shore.
For real-time weather and harbor conditions, visit our Island Webcams.
The Record
Fun facts about Edgartown
A white picket fence dressed with small American flags.
Edgartown on film
From Our Lens The old whaling town, in every light. 257 photographs · View the Edgartown gallery
+253 View more island visuals in our full Photo Galleries.
A red vintage car with a stars-and-stripes Edgartown banner on the running board.
More photos: our South Beach gallery.
Keep reading
Four free downloads · 2026 The Beach Guide, the Fall Guide, Where to Stay and What It Really Costs Every beach, the fall season date by date, every town and price band for a stay, and the budget guide: four PDFs, free with the island letter. No spam, one click to leave. See a sample first More of Edgartown on film
Main Street, the harbor and the walk out to the lighthouse.
-
Vineyard Haven to Edgartown Bus Ride, Martha's Vineyard -
Exploring Martha's Vineyard Bike Trails, Edgartown Bike Ride -
Edgartown Lighthouse Martha's Vineyard -
Bicycle Ride Edgartown to Vineyard Haven Martha's Vineyard -
Sprinting Through Edgartown With A Camera: Exploring Main Street And The Lighthouse Hiking Trail -
Rodolfo Lugo Jewels, 7 Winter Street, Edgartown