Discover 6 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Edgartown (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Edgartown Harbor Light, Mad Max Sailing Adventures, and Main Street Diner. Also, be sure to include Martha's Vineyard Museum in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Edgartown (Massachusetts).
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Edgartown Harbor Light
Lighthouse in Edgartown, Massachusetts. Edgartown Harbor Light is a lighthouse located in Edgartown, Massachusetts, United States, where it marks the entrance to Edgartown Harbor and Katama Bay. It is one of five lighthouses on the island of Martha's Vineyard. The first lighthouse, a two-story wooden structure that also served as the keeper's house, was constructed in 1828. It was demolished, and replaced by the current cast-iron tower, in 1939. Originally located on an artificial island 1/4 miles from shore, the lighthouse is now surrounded by a beach formed, since 1939, by sand accumulating around the stone causeway connecting it to the mainland.[1]
Mad Max Sailing Adventures
Sailing, Marina, Dinner, Lunch, Eat and drink, Restaurant, Boat tours, Outdoor activities, Tours
Address: 25 Dock St, 02539-8151 Edgartown
Main Street Diner
City hall
Address: 65 Main St, 02539-8234 Edgartown
Martha's Vineyard Museum
Library, Specialty museum, Museum, History museum
Address: 59 School St, 02539-8215 Edgartown
Mass Audubon Felix Neck
Nature and wildlife, Park, Relax in park
Address: 100 Felix Neck Drive, 02539 Edgartown
Edgartown Village Historic District
The Edgartown Village Historic District is a historic district encompassing the traditional center of Edgartown, Massachusetts, on the island of Martha's Vineyard. The district is roughly bounded by Water St. and Pease's Point Way, and encompasses some 500 acres. The buildings within the district primarily represent the period of Edgartown's growth in the 19th century, featuring the elaborate houses of wealthy ship captains, as well as significant public buildings such as the Dukes County Courthouse and Jail, the Federated Church, and the Whaling Church. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Edgartown was settled after the area was granted in 1641 to Thomas Mayhew, having previously been occupied by the Wampanoag people, and was incorporated in 1671, when Martha's Vineyard was part of New York. Only portions of First Period construction have survived in Edgartown; one example is the Captain D. Fisher House on North Water Street (c. 1704). Most of the 18th century houses that survive are vernacular in their construction methods; the Thomas Cooke House (c. 1765) is a typical Georgian five-bay house with a central chimney.
Edgartown's heyday during the 19th century was roughly during the second quarter of the 19th century, when the whaling industry dominated its economy. As a result, a large portion of its architecture is in the most popular style from that time, the Greek Revival. However, side-hall plans that were typical of this time in other parts of Massachusetts were uncommon here, Most of the buildings from this period were cottages of one and a half stories, with modest styling such as corner pilasters. The Fisher House on Morse Street is probably the most elaborate Greek Revival house in the village. Because of the decline in the whaling industry and the village economy, there are comparatively few Victorian period buildings. Between 1895 and about 1930 a number of summer houses were built, predominantly in Colonial Revival styling.[2]