Two miles out of town the streets run out at West Chop, where the light still stands over its red-tiled keeper's house and the ferries turn in below.
Plate 01
Vineyard Haven (Tisbury, MA) is the island's main year-round port and its busiest working town. Thousands of travelers arrive daily by Steamship Authority ferry, which makes it the island's front door. Known to the Wampanoag as Nobnocket and later to sailors as Holmes Hole, the town officially adopted the name Vineyard Haven in 1871.
Finding Vineyard Haven
Main Street
Once you step off the ferry, you are already downtown. Main Street is lined with locally owned shops, bookstores, galleries, cafés, and vintage boutiques. It is an easy town to walk: small, real, and all within a few blocks.
A 
B 
C A: Main Street at dusk under the bookstore clock; B: the Steamship boat that runs every day of the year; C: Five Corners, the intersection everyone complains about.
Dining in Vineyard Haven
Vineyard Haven has some of the best food on the island, from casual harborfront seafood to cozy cafés and high-end dinner spots. Tisbury Marketplace adds even more variety with bakeries, specialty groceries, and artisan food producers. There are dessert shops and ice cream stands downtown too.
The Black Dog Tavern, a Vineyard Haven landmark
The town offers boutique inns and family-friendly lodging.
Where to Stay
Where to Stay in Vineyard Haven
04 STAYS
A Steamship Authority ferry at the Vineyard Haven slip with the walk-on crowd waiting on the pier: the island’s year-round front door.
The Essentials
The essentials in Vineyard Haven
05 STOPSIsland history, exhibits, and harbor views.
Explore the locally-owned storefronts along Main Street.
Catch a film at the historic movie house.
Walk or bike out along the harbor to the point.
A scenic coastal ride.
The street clock on Main Street, the landmark everyone uses to meet up in Vineyard Haven.
Vineyard Haven isn't known for large surf beaches, but it offers some of the calmest, most family-friendly shoreline on the island:
The Beaches
Beaches in Vineyard Haven
03 BEACHESKid-friendly, harbor views, and a small playground.
Warm, shallow water, good for families.
A small beach beside the town boat ramp: kayaks, launches and calm pond water more than swimming. Stay clear of the inlet to the Sound.
The beach curving toward West Chop on a still morning: sand, wrack line and Vineyard Sound, nobody in sight.
The Year-Round Town
Unlike some purely seasonal towns, Vineyard Haven operates year-round. Grocery stores, hardware shops, bookstores, coffee shops, and second-hand stores create a lively local rhythm that continues long after summer ends. Tisbury is where much of the island's Brazilian community lives and works year-round, and that, along with the trades, the boatyards and the schools, is what keeps the town open in February.
American Cruise Lines visiting Vineyard Haven
Questions
Questions about Vineyard Haven
What is the best time to visit Vineyard Haven?
Late spring through early fall offers the best weather and open shops.
What landmarks can I visit?
West Chop Lighthouse, Owen Park, the MV Museum, and Veterans Park.
What activities are available?
Shopping, dining, galleries, harbor walks, biking, and family-friendly beaches.
The lawn at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum on the old Marine Hospital hill, with the harbor and the Lagoon spread out below.
The Record
Fun Facts About Vineyard Haven
The last boat is in, the sky goes the color of the sail lofts, and the working harbor turns briefly ornamental.
Vineyard Haven on Film
Vineyard Haven on Foot: Walks and Videos
We've filmed and written up more of Vineyard Haven than any other town. Start with Church Street, then try the State Road walk, Skiff Avenue, an evening beach walk, a full tour around town, the Franklin Street to West Chop run, a sunny-day stroll, or the original full walking tour.
Sunset over Lake Tashmoo in Vineyard Haven
+350 More photos: our Vineyard Haven gallery.
Keep Reading
Keep reading
Four free downloads · 2026 The Beach Guide, the Fall Guide, Where to Stay and What It Really Costs Every beach decoded, the fall season date by date, every town and price band for sleeping over, and the honest budget guide: four PDFs, free with the island letter. No spam, one click to leave. See a sample first More of Vineyard Haven on film
The busiest catalog on the channel, because it is the town we live in.
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