Beautiful place to walk and look for little treasures along the way. Dog friendly so be prepared…read morefor some canine interaction.

Great well manicured trails for some easy hiking. We started from the parking lot at Highfield Hall…read moreand hiked to Icehouse Pond. Trails are fairly well marked and maintained. Not exactly a challenging hike but good if you're just looking to get some steps in and enjoy nature. Don't miss the gardens at Highfield Hall as well: beautiful flowers and grounds.

Loved this bike trail! My husband and I did the full 20 miles! 10 miles one-way from North Falmouth…read moreto Woods Hole, packed a lunch and then turned around and headed back. Beautiful scenery, nice flat paved path and a good bit of shade. Lots of free parking at the North Falmouth trail head.

This is a great bike and walking path. Flat and well maintained. It goes all the way to Woods Hall,…read moreand the bike ride is so fun and easy on this path. It is wide enough to pass people who are walking or biking slow safely. It has some nice shady spots and very sunny spots, with great view of the water and or marsh. There is also a little spot where you can see the swans as well. It is usually busy as it is popular by locals and visitors alike. Make sure to announce when you are passing people to make it extra safe!

It's a park in Edgarstown that is dedicated to soldiers of the Civil War. There are cannonball and…read morecannon displays. But nothing else to do.

A park with…read more cannonballs Cannonball Park, also called Memorial Park, was dedicated on July 4th back in 1901 to memorialize the 70 island soldiers that perished in the Civil War. It's on a sliver of land between several major streets in Edgartown and is a place well known but seldom visited. The park is dominated by a huge obelisk with the names of soldiers on it as well as some cool quotes. Several large old cannon are also present as well as several stacks of big, old cannonballs which give the park it's name. Lots of trees and bushes as well as a couple of benches are in the park which makes it a nice little place for a quick rest and reflection before heading on into the center on town. Certainly not a large park, you can walk around it in a few minutes but it's fun to take some time and check out the obelisk and civil war artifacts. A cool little place that helps remember and celebrate the sacrifices made by the people of the island in preserving the nation during a horrible war.

PROS: This park reminds me of a smaller Boston commons park! Landscaping is good, parking is free…read moreand plentiful, and it has a nice view of the water CONS: the fields are riddled with goose droppings so it's not good for field activities OVERALL: as long as you stay on the sidewalks throughout the park you'll be fine

Parking is a nightmare but beyond beautiful walk around! Bring a kite, a blanket to sit on…read moresomething to eat and read and you'll be set for hours!

At the corners of Gay St and Center St and Broad St, this public park is rather small but lush,…read morebeautiful, and abundantly shaded. Benches provide plenty of seating. Bricks line the pathway. Definitely a spot for rest and relaxation among the otherwise busy hustle and hustle of the downtown district.

Very close to the Nantucket Ferry port, this stretch of rock and gravel provides some great views…read moreout into the inlet and the homes that surround it. There is no sand nor anyplace to settle down in. There is though a dedicated public access that the nearby Yacht club maintains, and it is nicely paved in yellow brick to let you know what is public or and what is not. As part of the path, there is a public shower and washroom. We spent a bit of time walking around the access and enjoying the views, while trying to duck the rain as much as possible.

Lighthouse beach is gorgeous at all times of the day but especially at night. I caught the sunset…read morehere with some friends and it was amazing. There is a harbor with boats and a little path leading to the lighthouse with the beach on the other side. So you can chill and watch the boats or walk along the beach. And of course the lighthouse is great to observe. It is right in Edgartown. There is limited parking but just depends on what time you go.

If you are looking for seclusiveness, you've found it. Unlike most overcrowded, tourist hot spots,…read moreLighthouse Beach feels as if you bought a share of this beach and reserved it for yourself and the few others that are here. The water is absolutely beautiful, BLUE, yet clear. The Lighthouse is nothing spectacular itself, but it is bit strange to think there is a lighthouse ON a beach-- which sets it apart. Since it is secluded, you can actually hear the sound and sights of the waves, rather than obnoxious music and chatter at every other beach. it only affirms why so many Europeans come to visit MV, and never leave.

I absolutely love this beach, there's something special about those quiet mornings when the wind…read morewhips across your face and that ice-cold water jolts you awake, sending a shock through your whole body. Although it's been a few years since my last visit, The Inkwell remains close to my heart, a place that calls to me with deep sentiment and powerful history. What drew me to The Inkwell wasn't just its beauty. It was the feeling of stepping into a space where African Americans have gathered for generations--a sanctuary where families and friends could unwind freely and simply belong. The Inkwell got its name because it was the only beach area where African Americans were allowed during segregation. Today, that name carries deep emotional and historical meaning for our community. The Inkwell isn't a massive beach, but it's just large enough to be whatever you need it to be--whether it's lounging in a beach chair with a good book or hosting a beach party with friends. It's a place where families who bought homes generations ago return year after year. Many still spend their summers here, and some live here year-round. It's always been a space to feel at ease, to be yourself, and to be surrounded by a true sense of community. This place taught me what it really means to relax and have fun. Just shorts and a T-shirt, no need to dress up. I came to appreciate how freeing it is to feel accepted without judgment based on appearance. Long walks on the beach and early morning yoga were the highlights of my day. Oh Yeah, if you enjoy exploring nature trails like me, bike riding is another low cost activity that you'd appreciate. Whenever we visited Martha's Vineyard, we'd always stay in Oak Bluffs for a full week, close enough to the water that it felt like the beach was part of our backyard. From there, we explored the island: the fishing village of Menemsha, the harbor town of Vineyard Haven, downtown area Circuit Ave., and of course, the nightlife. I loved it all, the ocean, the sand, the sun warming your skin, the rocks beneath your feet, the boat rides, the fresh seafood (oh my goodness, the lobster!). And the people-watching? Top-tier--especially if you're not local. You'll see such a mix of families, longtime locals and visitors from all over the place. A perfect blend of laid back and POSITIVE VIBES. The world may have changed, but places like The Inkwell still matter, for so many reasons. Pro Tips for Visiting:    *   Getting There: Drive into Woods Hole and take the ferry--it's part of the charm. If you're flying in, rent a car if you can. You'll thank me later. It makes seeing the island much easier and less exhausting.    *   Plan Early: Book your trip months in advance if possible. A week goes by fast! Whether you plan to Netflix and chill the entire time or do a little sightseeing, having flexibility makes all the difference.    *   Recs for Downtown: I'd recommend Nancy's Restaurant, The Oyster Bar, Martha's Vineyard Chowder Company, and Linda Jean's Restaurant. If you like Asian cuisine, Bangkok Cuisine is a fav. Don't miss the clothing and souvenir shops - you'll love browsing around.    *   Arts & Culture: Visit the Cousen Rose Gallery and the Martha's Vineyard Museum for a taste of island culture and history.    *   Must-See Sunset: Head to Menemsha for one of the most breathtaking sunsets you'll ever see. While you're there, stop by Menemsha Fish Market for some of the freshest lobster and seafood around. So to all my fellow beach lovers: go and enjoy yourself, no matter your background. The Inkwell is a place to make memories that last a lifetime. It's warm, welcoming, and filled with soul. I promise--if you love the water, sand, and sunshine, The Inkwell will love you right back in the most unforgettable way. Muah!

Be prepared for lots of rocks and seashells! Definitely bring a beach chair…read more Plenty of lifeguards on duty. Water is shallow for the most part so you can go out pretty far. Also, note the BLUE flag means white shark was spotted. They have yoga on the beach in the mornings and the 7:30a polar bear swim.