This is a continuation from our trip to Cape Cod as follows:

1. Cape Cod Trip Report (Day 1): Crayola Factory
2. Cape Cod Trip Report (Day 1): Purple Cow Creamery and Hampton Inn (Milford, CT)
3. Cape Cod Trip Report (Day 2): Mystic Seaport and Foxwoods Casino
4. Cape Cod Trip Report (Day 2): Mohegan Sun Casino and Holiday Inn (Norwich, CT)
5. Cape Cod Trip Report (Day 3): Spanky’s, Cape Cod Chips, Beer, Hyannis Harbor Hotel, and Palio Pizzeria
6. Cape Cod Trip Report (Day 4): Provincetown and Lobster Pot

On our last full day in Cape Cod, we planned on going over to Martha’s Vineyard. The biggest reason we chose to go on Wednesday was because the weather was finally going to be nice (i.e. above 70 degrees and sunny). We all got up early to get ready and purchase our tickets for the Hy-Line Cruise over to the island. My father-in-law had chosen our hotel, the Hyannis Harbor Hotel, due to its location to the Hy-Line ferry service. Tickets were $80 roundtrip with AAA for my wife and I, both our kids were free. The ferry departed the mainland at 9:35 am.

The ferry was your basic boat with nothing special or accommodating for the hour and a half boat ride. We arrived to the island around 11:15 am. So now what to do. I have to admit that besides booking accommodations and some up-front planning, I made little research into Cape Cod. My goal for this trip was to just relax and enjoy my family. Of course the laid back lifestyle of an island fit right into that itinerary.

110615 Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard

We landed in Oak Bluffs and walked around all the little shops for a while, before making our way to lunch at the Offshore Ale Company. By this point in our trip, our oldest son was miserable with his two-year molars coming in, and it was testing everyone else as well. When we arrived at the restaurant, there were few people there. As we were looking over the menus, my son had a meltdown, so I had to exit the building with my son on my shoulder. Perfectly, across the street was a small hotel with a swing on the front porch. As soon as I sat down with my son laying his head on my shoulder, he was out. Perfect!! I get to swing on a shaded porch with the ocean breeze blowing through the alley, all while holding one of my boys. It was actually peaceful and very enjoyable.

I had told my wife to order me the White Clam Pizza before I left. At some point, my mother-in-law came out to look for me as our food had arrived. I carried my son in and ate my entire meal with him in tow. The pizza was amazing! My only complaint is it could have had more toppings on it; however, we sat at a table right next to the wood fired pizza oven, which was really neat to watch and made it all the more enjoyable to eat. I have no idea what anybody else had since I was not there when everyone ordered or when their food arrived. I also was not able to get any pictures of the meal. What I do know was that for my limited time in the restaurant, the service was terribly slow. My wife and I had taken both boys outside while my in-laws paid, and they said they practically had to beg for someone to take their money to pay for the meal. I enjoyed an excellent meal though and a nice swing with my sleeping boy.

Following the meal, we continued to walk around Oak Bluffs and eventually made our way up to the bus area to ride out to Edgartown. Despite what we thought with tourists being light, the buses were packed, but accommodating. It is always nice when I can ride a bus, carrying our large double stroller, and my wife holding the boys, and nobody gives me any dirty looks or comments. I am liking it here on Martha’s Vineyard.

110615 Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard

We got to Edgartown within what seemed like 10 minutes, and walked around, again just looking at all the local shops. We eventually made our way down to the ocean for a couple of great pictures, and then had some ice cream at Mad Martha’s. By this point, my oldest son was awake and feeling a little better, and as soon as we walked in, he saw the large pickles in a glass jar, and requested one, which I gladly obliged.

110615 Mad Martha's, Martha's Vineyard

Following, we already had to head back to the bus, as we had to back at the ferry by 3:45 pm. This was probably my number one gripe, and I wish I had known the schedule prior to going out to Martha’s Vineyard. It was terribly uneconomic to spend $80 to go out to the island for only a little over 4 hours of time. In addition, we never should have wasted our time with a sit down lunch. There was so much to see and do on the island, and we literally only saw a small glimpse of the opportunities the island held. Looking back on it, I really had wished we would have chosen to spend a night or two on the island alone. Yes I can say we have been to Martha’s Vineyard, but I really do not feel like we got to accurately take in all the island had to offer. What we did see and taste was great, it was just to short of time!

It really is disappointing that because of Hy-Line’s very limited schedule, we pretty much wasted an entire day. If you look out on the schedule, even during the peak times of the summer they only run one ferry service per day on the slow line. Basically, my main point after all of this is research your ferry services available beforehand. Personally, I will not recommend Hy-Line because of their poor schedule and expensive rates. I know they have a company and bottom line to reach too, but they are trying to push everyone to their way more expensive fast service ferry, which just is not economical for a day trip. There are plenty of other ferries in the area with better rates and schedules.