Overview
Tisbury is a town of 4,800 people (2020) on the island of Martha's Vineyard located in Massachusetts, USA. Tisbury includes the village of Vineyard Haven which is the island's year-round ferry port. You can find many activities, fine dining, and great places to stay on the island. Tisbury is on the north side of the island, closest to Woods Hole, Cape Cod.
2 sights · 5 things to do · 5 places to eat · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Tisbury
West Chop Lighthouse
Constructed in the late 1800s. The light is located in historic Tisbury. The grounds are privately owned and not open to the public. However, the tower and light may be seen from the road.
Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival
Four days filled with the best feature and short films from top-notch festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and Cannes (with a few undiscovered gems thrown in!), great evening events, provocative forums and live world music…
Owen Park
The water and waves there are calm and the beach is mostly sand with pebbles closer to tide. Here you can watch the yachts, sailboats, and historic ships travel in and out of the Harbor, while your kids play on the small…
Mink Meadows Golf Club
Nine holes, semi-private. non-members can make tee times two days in advance.
Martha's Bike Rentals
At Five Corners. A great way to get around to the shops and beaches is by bike.
The Cove - Golf & Grill
An activity for all ages. Kids especially enjoy the water-themed course consisting of frog ponds and waterfalls as well as their 24 foot climbing wall.
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.
- HYA Cape Cod Gateway Airport, Hyannis — 22 mi away. Directions
- EWB New Bedford Regional Airport, New Bedford — 24 mi away. Directions
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 46 mi away (major hub). Directions
There are many ferry services that will get you to the island of Martha's Vineyard. The biggest one is the MV and Nantucket Steamship Authority which leaves from Woods Hole in Cape Cod +1 508-693-9130 You can also use Hyline Cruises which depart from Hyannis in the cape.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $180–$180 a night (typical $190), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$220, mid-range ~$260, comfortable ~$350.
Options are grouped as Hostel, Hotels and motels, Campground in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Owen Park, Mink Meadows Golf Club
- Lunch Art Cliff Diner
- Afternoon The Cove - Golf & Grill, Fishsticks Charters
- Dinner Bobby B's Restaurant & Bakery
Day 2
- Morning West Chop Lighthouse, Martha's Bike Rentals
- Lunch Black Dog Tavern
- Afternoon Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival
- Dinner Lambert's Cove Inn Restaurant
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.
Get in
By ferry
There are many ferry services that will get you to the island of Martha's Vineyard. The biggest one is the MV and Nantucket Steamship Authority which leaves from Woods Hole in Cape Cod +1 508-693-9130 You can also use Hyline Cruises which depart from Hyannis in the cape.
By boat
- Patriot Party Boats offers a low, one way rate to Martha's Vineyard between Falmouth and Oak Bluffs.
- Island Queen is a ferry service offered in Cape Cod Falmouth.
- The MV Quickwater is ferry that leaves from the Fishing Pier in Falmouth.
By plane
You can fly Cape Air to get there by plane. It has daily flights departing from Hyannis and Boston.
By bus
Tisbury is a part of Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority providing buses to other towns on the island during the tourist months.
Get around
Tisbury is a great place to walk or bike around and enjoy shopping and eating.
By taxi
See listings at Martha's Vineyard.
By rental car
- A-A Island Auto Rental, Five Corners, +1 508-696-5300.
By bike or moped
See
- Martha's Vineyard Glassworks, in West Tisbury, +1 508-693-6026. Produces and sells a unique variety of fine quality hand-blown glass while featuring internationally removed artists in the gallery. The public is invited to watch a master craftsmen create beautiful objects in glass.
- Long Point Wildlife Refuge Beach, in West Tisbury. 9AM-5PM daily. Nature trails that lead up from shore through the forest and grassland. The admission fee for adults is $3; children get in free. Parking costs $9 per car.
See Owen Park
The water and waves there are calm and the beach is mostly sand with pebbles closer to tide. Here you can watch the yachts, sailboats, and historic ships travel in and out of the Harbor, while your kids play on the small provided playground. On alternating Sundays, the Gazebo in Owen Park hosts the Vineyard Haven concerts for local bands to show off their talent. There are also public bathrooms here.
See West Chop Lighthouse
Constructed in the late 1800s. The light is located in historic Tisbury. The grounds are privately owned and not open to the public. However, the tower and light may be seen from the road.
Do
Tisbury is a great island for watersports and outdoor activities. There are numerous indoor activities as well.
- Seastone Papers in West Tisbury. +1 508-693-5786. A teaching studio for hand paper making, surface design, and book arts where you can explore paper making possibilities. Summer Sessions Only. Call for pricing.
Do Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival (September 6-9, 2012)
Four days filled with the best feature and short films from top-notch festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and Cannes (with a few undiscovered gems thrown in!), great evening events, provocative forums and live world music - all within the ‘Walking Festival District’. And don’t forget – Martha’s Vineyard has some of the most beautiful beaches in America. The recurring theme of the annual Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival is "Other Places"; the festival's purpose is to encourage attendees to think broadly (about how huge the world of film is) and deeply (about the universal concerns and desires that unite all people). About 90% of all film selections are non-US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding through film. The International Film Festival is produced by the Martha's Vineyard Film Society, a 501 c3 non-profit corporation. Our festival is completely run by volunteers and greatly appreciates your support.
Fishing
Fish from the Vineyard Haven Jetty or Eastville Beach.
Buy
Shop Black Dog Tavern
Water Street. The simplistic black dog located on Black Dog merchandise has become iconic and is very popular. A merchandise store is attached to the Black Dog Tavern restaurant.
Shop The Toy Box
A good pit stop if you are interested in finding toys and trinkets to remind you of your day on the island. In this shop you will find outdoor toys, beach toys, educational toys, arts and craft supplies.
Shop C.B. Stark Jewelers
- Murdick's Fudge, Union Street and Main Street, +1 508 693-7344. A candy store with homemade fudge.
Eat
Eat Art Cliff Diner
Take into consideration that you have to get here early (around 8AM, opens at 7AM) to avoid a long wait because it is small and crowded in season. Their pecan pancakes with real rum raisins, French toast (stuffed with almost anything you want), and the sweet potato crepes (all priced at $8-10) are just a few of the locals' favorites, but the menu has a lot of options. Credit cards are accepted.
Eat Bobby B's Restaurant & Bakery
Offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner and not only serve pizza and subs but have a clam bar and outdoor seating.
Eat Black Dog Tavern
Beach Street Ext. The famous one of t-shirt fame. Nobody wears it on the island. Main menu items are fresh fish and vegetables, each from local sources. You can bring your own wine or beer.
Eat Lambert's Cove Inn Restaurant
Vineyard Haven. An elegant dining room that offers a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend an evening. 6-9PM daily in summer; hours vary during the spring and fall; open weekends in winter.
Eat Tisberry Cafe: Frozen Yogurt, Smoothies and Superfood Bowls
They serve healthy, to-go treats. Toppings (including fresh fruit) for their frozen yogurts and smoothies providing a variety to please customers of all ages.
Drink
Tisbury is a dry town. Although alcohol cannot be bought here, most restaurants allow visitors to bring their own.
Sleep
Hostel
Hotels and motels
Campground
Go next
Explore elsewhere on Martha's Vineyard such as Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, and Oak Bluffs or head for Nantucket or Cape Cod.
Nearby
Oak Bluffs
City / town · 42 listings · 2 mi away
Woods Hole
City / town · 19 listings · 6 mi away
West Tisbury
City / town · 16 listings · 6 mi away
Falmouth
City / town · 43 listings · 7 mi away
Edgartown
City / town · 32 listings · 7 mi away
Chilmark
City / town · 17 listings · 11 mi away
Aquinnah
City / town · 12 listings · 13 mi away
Cotuit
City / town · 6 listings · 14 mi away
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