Overview
Chilmark is a town on the western ("up-island") part of the island of Martha's Vineyard which includes the fishing village of Menemsha. It is primarily residential, with only a few small commercial areas, including Menemsha and Beetlebung Corner. Chilmark was once home to a large number of deaf people (1 in 25 people was deaf) who developed Martha's Vineyard Sign Language. Today Chilmark has among the highest property values of any Massachusetts town.
4 sights · 8 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Chilmark
Lucy Vincent Beach
Located off of South Rd in Chilmark (listed as Lucy Vincent Rd on some maps, it is a dirt road just before the big bend at Windy Gates Rd), this is a private beach for town residents during the summer. Nudity is allowed …
Menemsha Beach
Public. At the end of Basin Road, just past the docks. Some parking available but gets full on weekends. Pebble bottom, cooler, clearer water than the south beaches. Protected by jetties on either side so waves are minim…
Squibnocket Beach
Private beach for town residents all year long
Martha's Vineyard Film Festival events
The MVFF sponsors an annual March festival and a summer film series, with screenings across Martha's Vineyard
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 24°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Oct. (climate data from nearby Newport)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EWB New Bedford Regional Airport, New Bedford — 25 mi away. Directions
- NPT Newport State Airport, Newport — 31 mi away. Directions
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 44 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Lucy Vincent Beach, Menemsha Beach
- Lunch Larsen's Fish Market
- Afternoon Squibnocket Beach, Martha's Vineyard Film Festival events
- Dinner Menemsha Galley
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
See
See Lucy Vincent Beach
Located off of South Rd in Chilmark (listed as Lucy Vincent Rd on some maps, it is a dirt road just before the big bend at Windy Gates Rd), this is a private beach for town residents during the summer. Nudity is allowed in the area that is more than 1,500 feet from the entrance. It is open to the public during the off-season, October 1 through May 31. Quite popular and scenic as it sits on the border of the eel-grass dune stretches to the east and the beginning of the clay cliffs to the west.
See Menemsha Beach
Public. At the end of Basin Road, just past the docks. Some parking available but gets full on weekends. Pebble bottom, cooler, clearer water than the south beaches. Protected by jetties on either side so waves are minimal. Lifeguards during daytime. Popular sun-set spot towards evening.
Buy
Shop Allen Farm
Expensive hand woven blankets and knitted items made from the farm's own sheep's wool.
Eat
Eat Larsen's Fish Market
Long-time Menemsha fish purveyors. Not actually a restaurant, primarily fresh-caught seafood on ice. They do stuffed quahogs and the like towards the back.
Eat Menemsha Galley
Consistent fast food, burgers, shakes, lobster rolls. Outside ordering at the front window, a couple of picnic tables for seating on the porch around back.
Eat The Bite
Mainly fried seafood & chips, good clams. Just a shack, no indoor seating.
Eat Chilmark General Store
General grocery store with deli counter serving breakfast and lunch sandwiches, baked goods. Porch seating that is the center of the local scene.
Eat Chilmark Tavern
General grocery store with deli counter serving breakfast and lunch sandwiches, baked goods. Porch seating that is the center of the local scene.
- Theo's Restaurant, +1 508 645-3322, 74 North Road.
Sleep
Nearby
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My experience
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