Lots of Advice Needed

Hi All, I%26#39;m new to this forum but have used TA%26#39;s Las Vegas on many occasions. I have gotten some really good advice from them and hope you can help me with this trip. Husband has a convention in June in Boston. It ends Wed around noon and we would like to take in Martha%26#39;s Vineyard. We have to be back in Boston Friday evening to fly out so we really want have alot of time. Can we get a good vist in this short of time? If so I need advice on getting to and from - best things to see while there and some suggestions on B%26amp;B or hotel. All info would sure be appreciated

Lots of Advice Needed

Welcome to New England. Yes, you can get in a pretty nice overview visit to Martha%26#39;s Vineyard in a few days. You can get a Plymouth %26amp; Brockton Bus at South Station to Hyannis, MA. Look up the weekday schedule online. Once in Hyannis you can go down to the harbor and hook up with a Ferry to Martha%26#39;s Vineyard (Hyline) which will take you to Oaks Bluff. You can walk off the ferry and there are lots of B%26amp;B%26#39;s, small Inns and restaurants right within walking distance. You should book the accomodations now. They have a narrated island tour that starts at the ferry dock (usually every time a ferry comes in) and takes you all over the island. Oaks Bluff is a fun place to walk around in it%26#39;s own right. Be sure to see the Methodist Camp right in the middle of town -really special. You can also pick up the local bus in town to Edgartown and explore that town at a more leisurely pace if you wish. I believe the island tour does stop there for a short time, though. Now, if you prefer to rent a car, you can drive to Falmouth or Wood%26#39;s Hole. You cannot bring you car on the Falmouth Ferry but you can on the Wood%26#39;s Hole Ferry. check on prices and reservations for the that one. Hope this helps.

Lots of Advice Needed

Another option is to take the Peter Pan bus from Boston South Station to Woods Hole. There you can take the Steamship Authority ferry service over to Martha%26#39;s Vineyard. The bus ride is approx. 1.5hrs and ferry ride 45min. You%26#39;ll dock in either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs, depending on the boat schedule. The towns are just a few miles away, and you can always take a taxi from the ferry terminal if you wish to go to another town for accommodations.

Look back through the most recent posts. Lots of information on what to do in a day on the island has been given recently. If going out for a drink is important to you, stay in Edgartown or Oak Bluffs. These are the only two towns, out of six on the island, that sell alcohol.

As for what to see and do; what are your interests and activity level? The more specific you are, the better information we can give you.

Thanks for the info Knows and druid. From what I have researched so far I feel like we can hit the hilites in our short stay. Looks like now we may not leave until Thursday am from Boston and have to be back Friday evening. I%26#39;m really trying to get my facts together on the easiest way to get to MV from our hotel and then once there it seems we can taxi or walk to accomadations. Then I guess we would just take the ferry back to Boston and taxi to airport. Please feel free to give more hints or comments. Thanks ya%26#39;ll

If you%26#39;re going over for 1 or 2 nights, just be sure to double- and triple-check the bus and ferry schedules so that you don%26#39;t waste a lot of time in transit.

Also, in my opinion, it is easier to go via Woods Hole, because the bus drops you right by the ferry terminal, whereas in Hyannis the bus drops you at the Hyannis Transportation Center, which is a 5-10 minute walk from the docks.

If you want to look up schedules online, the Woods Hole service is on Peter Pan Bus; the Hyannis service is on Plymouth %26amp; Brockton; the Woods Hole-MV ferry is run by the Steamship Authority; and the Hyannis-MV ferry is run by Hy-Line Cruises.

Either way, the bus will leave from South Station in downtown Boston. Depending on where you are staying in Boston, the easiest way to get there will be on foot, on the T (subway), or by taxi.

On the way back, the bus will usually continue on to Logan Airport after making a stop at South Station. (You may be asked to change buses, but generally they continue through.) That way, you%26#39;ll have a one-seat ride from Woods Hole to the airport for your flight home.

Since your time is limited, you may also want to consider flying to the island (and/or back to Logan) on Cape Air, which is more expensive than the bus+fery combination, but will save you some travel time. Flight time is 35-40 minutes.

Thnaks MM, We will be staying at the Marriott by the Convention Center. I see where they have a couple of airports in or near Boston. You mentioned Logan is this the closest to where we will be staying and the easiest to get to and from if we take the fast ferry we have been reading about. All your help is appreciated

Yes, Logan Airport is our main commercial airport. It%26#39;s about 5 miles from the Marriott Copley Place, if that is the hotel you were referring to. It%26#39;s a 15-minute taxi ride or maybe 30-40 minutes by public transportation.

As I mentioned, I think catching the ferry from Woods Hole is your best bet, and this is not usually referred to as the ';fast ferry'; because it does carry vehicles. But the ride is only 45 mins.

In one of your posts you say ';take the ferry back to Boston';. Just making sure that you understand that the ferry from MV doesn%26#39;t go to Boston.

Thanks Senior65 - after getting other helpful advice and seeing your post I now understand the way to and from Boston to MV. I was getting confusted with the buses and the ferrys and this port and that port. But with the help of all of ya%26#39;ll I think I%26#39;ve got it. See what you think of this ---- Renting a car (if we can from hotel) driving to catch the ferry ( I know there is only one that carries cars) having the car to wonder around the island for the day and a half then catch the ferry back Friday drive to the airport in Boston. Am I getting it now? lol Sorry sometimes takes awhile for things to sink in. lol

Note: If you are planning to take a car on any of the ferries, you should book the date well ahead (i.e. now) for summer to insure yourselves one of the limited spaces.

Thanks for the car tip - must get on that right away. There are so many things like this that truly helps in planning a trip.