And Beyond / US / Martha's Vineyard / Menemsha

Up & Simply Away

For those who love Menemsha, they will have no other Martha's Vineyard location.

It's an up-island spot with a laid-back mentality. A good hiding place for the rich & famous. A place known for its simple summertime pleasures. Away from the hustle & bustle of down-island's towns.

Menemsha's harbor is quaint & charming, but not overly so. It's a working harbor. More utilitarian than luxury. Fishing boats rather than yachts. The eating mode is dockside, enjoying raw oysters sitting on crates. Not at a linen-covered table.

The simple pleasures of good food are important here. Fresh oysters at "Larsen's Fish Market." "The Bite" for a carton of fried, whole-bellied clams. And the "Home Port," where the meal "plan" includes chowder, lobster, corn on the cob, dessert & a non-alcoholic drink for a fixed price (reservations a must/bring your own wine).

Nightly entertainment is the sun setting. Everyone comes out to watch it go down. From the beach, the "Home Port" or on the dock, where we saw a big old luxury car parked. Behind the wheel was a young woman. Her "charge" was in the backseat...an elderly bejeweled woman. Watching the sunset, licking ice cream cones.

Most accommodations require a week's stay during the summer. Most regulars rent houses. Most regular celebrities, Like Meg Ryan, rent big ones. Like James Taylor's, privately tucked away at the end of a long lane. Try Tea Lane Associates for rentals.

You can get a room or cabin at the Menemsha Inn Nothing fancy. Like the "Bell Buoy" cabin, with kitchen & fireplace. A 5 minute walk on their trail to the beach. A short bike ride to town. There you'll find the harbor, the "Home Port" & general store. A few shops reside in shingled buildings, like "Menemsha Blues" logo clothing. "Over South" for antiques. And "Up on the Roof" gift shop. There we bought Christian's really good island picture cards & our favorite find, the "The New England Clam Shack Cookbook" by Brooke Dojny (featuring "The Bite").

Menemsha isn't for everyone. It has none of down-island's action & is fairly removed from them. But vacationers don't come here for that anyway.