Explore Edgartown through two very different sides: historic Main Street and its coastal and natural areas. Downtown, you’ll encounter traces of its whaling history; trails, beaches and a summer market offer a different focus. The Chappy Ferry is another way to get around if you plan to visit Chappaquiddick.
Whaling History and Main Street
From the mid- to late 19th century, Edgartown was the center of whaling on Martha’s Vineyard. The Old Whaling Church and the Dr. Daniel Fisher House are a starting point for exploring the historic section of Main Street. The streetscape is also defined by impressive white houses in the Greek Revival and Federal styles. They have been carefully preserved and lovingly restored. Historic landmarks and a preserved streetscape take different forms here.
Edgartown Harbor Light offers visitors spectacular views of Edgartown Harbor, Chappaquiddick and Cape Cod. The view connects the town with its coastal surroundings, while Main Street is its historic focal point.
Trails and Visits to Green Spaces
At Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, four miles of trails wind through woods, meadows, ponds and salt marshes, as well as along shorelines. The trail network therefore takes in several different habitats. At the FARM Institute, visitors can walk through the barn, visit the animals or stroll through the Friendship Garden. There are also two flat trails along the southern pastures, each less than two miles long.
The specific trail information provides a useful basis for comparison: Felix Neck has four miles of trails through varied landscapes, while the FARM Institute has two shorter, flat trails. There, you can also combine a walk with a visit to the animals or garden. The FARM Institute is open to visitors, offering these additional ways to explore alongside its trails.
Beaches and Landscapes Nearby
South Beach is in the Katama area outside downtown Edgartown. This broad, wind-swept beach is clearly distinct from the town’s historic streetscape. Norton Point is a beach in Edgartown where over-sand vehicle travel is permitted. Access rules can change seasonally, so check them before your visit.
Nearby, Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge is on Chappaquiddick Island. Its landscape includes a dune beach with a sandy shoreline, extensive salt marshes, a saltwater pond and a distinctive colony of hardy red cedars. South Beach, Norton Point and Cape Poge therefore represent different coastal features: open space and wind, permitted over-sand vehicle travel, and dunes, marshes, a pond and cedars.
Ferry and Seasonal Tips
The Chappy Ferry connects downtown Edgartown with Chappaquiddick Island year-round. Schedules and fares may change, so check them before traveling if you plan to use the ferry.
The Edgartown Village Market is a summer event: an outdoor market in the heart of the historic downtown, suitable for cyclists and pedestrians. Along with the historic landmarks, it adds a seasonal destination to the options in the town center. To get your bearings in Edgartown, it’s worth considering the downtown area, beaches and trails through different landscapes as distinct highlights.
Discover more destinations: Tisbury, Aquinnah, Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury.
For the broader travel overview: Dukes.
