island tours martha's vineyard

Martha's Vineyard's #1 Tour

With over 1000 more excellent or good reviews than our nearest competitor!

Experience Martha's Vineyard

We offer the best, top rated Island tours. See our reviews on Trip Advisor below.

History abounds, The Whaling Church, Whaling Captain's homes, eclectic boutiques, and restaurants.

Enjoy Up-Island views including the Aquinnah Cliffs, and the Gay Head Ligthouse

Why Tour with us?

Experience Martha's Vineyard with Martha’s Vineyard Tours and Transport — the original and largest local tour company providing vehicles capable of traveling to all the wonderful locations on the island that larger buses are prohibited from traveling. Destinations include tours of historic residences of whaling Captains from days gone by with their beautiful gardens and captivating architecture. Other areas on our route that are inaccessible by bus include two lighthouses and the quaint fishing village of Menemsha.

Read our reviews on Tripadvisor

Martha’s Vineyard 3 or 4 hour Island Tour

This 3 or 4 hour tour will introduce you to our 100 Square mile island by giving you the history both past and present of our 6 unique towns.

Budget Friendly Shared Island Tours (departs from Oak Bluffs)

Ages 10+ • 3 Hour Full Island Tour • Budget Friendly - (Book Online & Save!)

African American Heritage Tour

Experience the rich African American history of Martha’s Vineyard. Your experienced tour guide will talk about the graveyard and the formation of the NAACP on MV, as well as the connection between the Vineyard’s Grace Church and the one in Mississippi.

Our knowledgeable and well versed drivers are here to make your Vineyard experience the best. There are many options for touring our beautiful and historic island in our clean, air conditioned and comfortable 14-passenger touring vans. Find your perfect tour with Experience Martha’s Vineyard Tours. Our fleet is fully insured and we are a State of Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities registered entity. Our local drivers provide an immersive and fully narrated experience of our diverse and historical New England island.

Our Up-Island tours include a stop in Menemsha— a quaint working fishing village, which is located in Chilmark.

Specials & Packages

Check out some of our popular tours below, starting at just $60 per person. Our private tours are available for groups from 6 people, and can accommodate up to 12 people.

Shared Island Tours

Private Tours

4hr Private Jaws Tour

Historic Island Tours of Martha’s Vineyard

Hello friends,

Greetings From Martha’s Vineyard! Our tour guides show you our 6 towns, each with a unique history and feel. See where celebrities stay and stand on the sets of Jaws. Understand why we are all drawn to this magical island!

Relax in our luxurious air-conditioned vans on comfy leather captain chairs as we cruise alongside beautiful beaches and quaint seaside towns with whaling captains’ houses and stone walls framing rolling fields dotted with sheep all the way down to the sea!

Explore the gingerbread cottages, shop the island’s first general store, climb lighthouses, and view the colorful 200’ Clay cliffs!

We are currently offering 3-hour tours and 4-hour tours with a capacity of up to 11 people per tour, perfect for family reunions or other larger gatherings. We like to keep things intimate and allow you to experience Martha’s Vineyard in a more private way so your group will be the only ones on the tour. The island is much bigger than many guests expect so make sure you plan accordingly! Our 3-hour tour offers a complete tour of the island with a wonderful guide that knows all of the best spots and rich history of this special place. Our 4 hour tour includes everything in the 3-hour version but includes a private harborside seafood picnic!* No matter the size of your group, we have the perfect tour to make sure you experience the true Martha’s Vineyard.

*We will stop for a harborside seafood picnic where you can purchase the freshest seafood from Menemsha Fish market and dine on the set of ‘JAWS’!

We pick up customers and drop off friends. We wish you were here!

Greetings From Martha’s Vineyard Tours

We are currently offering 3-hour tours and 4-hour tours with a capacity of up to 11 people per tour, perfect for family reunions or other larger gatherings. We like to keep things intimate and allow you to experience Martha’s Vineyard in a more private way so your group will be the only ones on the tour. The island is much bigger than many guests expect so make sure you plan accordingly! Our 3-hour tour offers a complete tour of the island with a wonderful guide that knows all of the best spots and rich history of this special place. Our 4 hour tour includes everything in the 3-hour version but includes a private harborside seafood picnic!* No matter the size of your group, we have the perfect tour to make sure you experience the true Martha’s Vineyard. 

Kind words from our travelers

Our private tour of Martha’s Vineyard with Craig was incredible! Our family was able to experience Martha’s Vineyard more than we ever had in our past trips. We felt enveloped by the warmth, creativity, and uniqueness throughout the tour – from the spectacular views to the food, and the people.

We searched for the perfect tour to help us explore the island in one day and found it. Craig makes you feel so at home on Martha’s Vineyard. He is local and knows all of the history, stories, and best spots. He was so informative and friendly. My husband and I booked the van so we could have a personal tour. We chose this tour because Craig allowed us to stop at some extra special spots because he knew we loved photography. It was a perfect day and it was topped off with a stop at a local fish market for a great little picnic.

Colleen Greene

My two sisters and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Craig. He was personable, knowledgeable, and very accommodating. We only had a couple of days on the Vineyard and never would have experienced what we did had we not taken the tour. Lunch at the beach with a complimentary bottle of wine was fantastic! Thank you, Craig!

Mother’s Day Weekend trip to MV with family. We toured with Craig. He is the best! He arrived at our hotel on time. He’s very knowledgeable about the island. Craig accommodated our request to stop along the tour for shopping and snacks. Lunch was great at the fish market with a bottle of wine along the water. We could hear music playing from one of the boats…Just a fantastic tour with him.

Craig provided a fantastic tour of Martha’s Vineyard for me and my family. He provides a wealth of history and knowledge. As a resident of the island for many years, he was able to provide inside information that most tour guides or tourists would never know. I highly recommend Martha’s Vineyard Tours as an activity for your next vacation to MV.

Thank you Craig.

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​ Edgartown   Tour   Company

Guided tours and activities on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard.

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Tour buses and vans are located at the Steamship Terminals and most other incoming ferries and depart on regularly scheduled times May through October. Private passenger vans are also available for customized group tours, and step-on guides are available for your tour bus.

TOURS BY WATER

​Kayaking tours are a fun way to experience the Island by water. Kayaking tours are available for people of all ages by Island Spirit Kayak, the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, and by the Trustees of Reservations. Visitors may also wish to tour the waters of the Island by charter boat or with any number of great sailboat charters.

SELF GUIDED TOURS

Self-guided walking tours are easier than you think! By using the Island’s super simple and convenient public bus system, Vineyard Transit Authority, you can easily visit the three main port towns of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown. Simply take the #13 bus to and from each of these towns, and you’ll be let off at convenient, in-town locations. From there, you’re able to easily stroll the towns, shop, dine, and check out their points of interest at your own speed. The VTA busses run reliably and frequently, so there’s no need to worry about time! Check out their suggestion of how to see the island in one day using the public transportation. And if you’re not familiar with public transportation or haven’t ever used it, we assure you this couldn’t be easier.​

The African American Heritage Tour is a self-guided tour of sixteen historic sites that reflect the contributions made by people of African descent to the history and culture of Martha's Vineyard.

LIGHTHOUSE TOURS

Three of the five lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard have grounds open to the public and easily accessible: Tours of the East Chop Lighthouse and Edgartown Lighthouse are available through the Martha's Vineyard Museum. Tours of The Gay Head Lighthouse are available through the town of Aquinnah. Cape Poge Lighthouse on the smaller island of Chappaquiddick is available to tour by contacting The Trustees of Reservation, which provides an over-the-sand ride in a 4-wheel vehicle to the lighthouse. One lighthouse, the West Chop Lighthouse, is run by the Coast Guard and isn’t open to the public, though it can be seen during a drive through West Chop, along with some other gorgeous views of the sea!

WALKING TOURS

Edgartown Tour Company offers a variety of walking tours including: Edgartown History Tour- A walking timeline of Martha's Vineyard. This tour focuses on history, architecture, whaling and ecology. And the hugely popular Amity Walking Tour, visit scenes from JAWS and discuss the production and impact of this classic film.

​Enjoy a truly unique Guided Birding Tour with the Island’s own Robert Culbert of Nature Watch, by calling 508-560-5294.

Looking for Whale Watching? We get asked this a lot! Unfortunately there is no whale watching in our waters! Because of the location of Martha’s Vineyard, with the Vineyard Sound as our northeast waterway, the Nantucket Sound as our northwest waterway, and the Elizabethan Islands in the Atlantic Ocean to our south, whales don’t enter our waters. Check out WHALETRAILMA.COM for a complete list of available whale watching locations.

 Martha's  Vineyard

• Which ferry should I take to get to Martha's Vineyard? There are 5 ferries to get to Martha's Vineyard - depending on where you are traveling from and whether you are taking your car or not. Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard High Speed & Car Ferry | The Steamship Authority - this is the most popular and the only ferry you can take your car on - although you WILL need a reservation - standby can take all day, (some days no standby), Thousands of people are traveling on this ferry - it is best to leave your car in the parking lot in Falmouth and walk on. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOU CANNOT PARK IN WOODSHOLE WHERE THE FERRY IS.... they WILL tow you .... parking is located at two different spots - the closest is approx. 15 min away and they offer a free shuttle back and forth. For Martha's Vineyard Travelers While there is no dockside parking available at our Woods Hole terminal, there are several off-site lots in Falmouth. We encourage you to arrive an hour before your departure time, so you have the time you need to park your car and ride our free shuttle service to the terminal. For your convenience, all shuttle buses have bike racks, capable of accommodating two bikes during daylight hours. A bike shuttle bus is available every day throughout the summer season. Current/real-time parking lot information is readily available by logging onto our mobile website at SteamshipAuthority.com, by calling our parking information line at (508) 457-7275 (PARK) or tuning into 1610 AM on your radio. This ferry ride is 45 minutes to the Vineyard. Island Queen Ferry • Martha's Vineyard Ferry - Second most popular, especially for those staying closer to Falmouth and the parking lot is right next door... makes getting to and from the ferry much easier... The drawback - compared to the Steamship Authority is there are fewer trips available. The trip takes approximately 35 minutes and offers an enclosed lounge or outside decks for passengers to relax and enjoy the scenic views of Vineyard Sound. The ferry is located at 75 Falmouth Heights Rd, Falmouth, MA, 02540 Hy-Line Cruises: Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard High-Speed Ferries (hylinecruises.com) - This ferry is especially convenient for those staying in the lower cape area (Hyannis, Yarmouth, etc). This link is perfect for your many questions: FAQs | Hy-Line Cruises (hylinecruises.com) New York City | New Jersey | Martha's Vineyard Getaway By Seastreak Ferry -- THIS FERRY ALSO HAS YEARROUND SERVICE FROM NEW BEDFORD, MA Seastreak is a leader in revitalizing fast passenger ferry services in the New York metropolitan area. We proudly offer high-speed catamaran services to points in Manhattan, central New Jersey, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and more with a fleet of robust vessels. In addition to commuter services to and from Manhattan and New Jersey, we offer an array of special events, sightseeing cruises and tours, daytrips, and getaways year round. In addition to our New York operations, we operate a seasonal ferry service (May through October) between New Bedford, Massachusetts and the port of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. The Martha’s Vineyard division operates daily service utilizing two high-speed catamaran ferries with capacity of up to 149 passengers. Martha’s Vineyard Fast Ferry – Rhode Island Fast Ferry -- a High-Speed Ferry to Martha's Vineyard, operating between Quonset Point, RI and Oak Bluffs, MV Rhode Island Fast Ferry is a water transportation company that provides ferry services to Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island. The company operates the largest and most luxurious fast ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, which departs from Quonset Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The ferry ride takes approximately 95 minutes and offers stunning views of Narragansett Bay and Vineyard Sound. The company also offers sightseeing cruises, offshore wind support, and lighthouse cruises.
• Can I park at the Steamship Authority? NO!!!! Please be advised that you CAN NOT park in Woodshole at the Steamship Authority.... You WILL be towed.... Please park in one of the Steamship Authority Parking Lots available and take the FREE shuttle to the ferry (and back) Click on this link for directions, phone number and info: Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard High Speed & Car Ferry | The Steamship Authority 286 Palmer Ave - Google Maps
• What if the ferry is diverted to Vineyard Haven because of weather?? Do you pick us up in Vineyard Haven?? No..... All tours leave Oak Bluffs at 1 Seaview Ave If the ferry is diverted, we will know ahead of time and we will delay the tour until 11am... to give time to passengers to make their way to Oak Bluffs via the Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority, Uber, or Taxi It takes approx 10-15 minutes to get to Oak Bluffs (depending on traffic) We will be contacting reservations the night before for a pretrip check in.... we will also be keeping an eye on the weather for such delays or diversions. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
• If we would like to get back to other areas we already toured, what is the best way? Vineyard Transit Authority tip: if getting on and off more than once, buy an all day pass (approx $9), you will save $$$
• If the tour is canceled due to weather, is there a refund? Yes, a partial refund. We have a weather policy put in place to also protect ourselves... IF THE FERRIES ARE RUNNING, WE ARE RUNNING if the ferries are canceled due to the weather, and an alternative date cannot be made then a 50% refund will be made. If HomeGrown Tours cancels due to the weather a FULL refund will be made. example: it may be thundering and lightening and heavy down pours, but the ferry is running: we will not be touring due to the bad weather.... we will then refund fully! we keep a close eye on the weather daily and if bad weather is predicted, we stay in close contact with you to discuss what options you have. all refunds will be made on the 11th of each month
• What is your cancellation policy? 24 hour notice
• How many times do we get off the bus? We have 2 scheduled step offs for dining, restroom, shopping and sightseeing There is another stop we try to make as long as there is availability for parking.... a lil hole in the wall Native American bakery .... very small area, most times available - but alot of times no parking.... and cannot turn around - its always a luck of the draw! keep your fingers crossed.... :) We have several stops along the way to learn more in depth history and photo ops.
• How long are the step off stops and where?? The first step off stop is in Menemsha, Chilmark A quaint lil fishing village 15 minutes The second stop (could be, as described in the other faqs) at the Orange Peel Bakery in Aquinnah 10 minutes The Second (or third) stop is The Gay Head Clay Cliffs and Lighthouse in Aquinnah 30 minutes
• What type of vehicle do we tour in? And is Air Conditioned? We are the only tour company on Martha's Vineyard that has small shuttles Our cute lil shuttles offer a small group of 14 people There are huge windows which are great for sightseeing You can sit in comfy touring chairs without being cramped in small seats Ability to stand and walk around Our shuttles are definitely air conditioned
• What makes you different than the other tour companies? HomeGrown Tours is the only interactive tour company on Martha's Vineyard. HomeGrown Tours is the only Wheelchair Accessible Tour Company on Martha's Vineyard We are the only tour company mostly anywhere that offers a screen at the front of the bus that shows what certain sites looked like in the days or yore AND we have a new digital sound system that will surprise you at the local JAWS sites on tour. We are the only Wheelchair Accessible Tour company! (probably anywhere that I can find.) We have successfully helped make Martha's Vineyard a more accessible place to visit Please contact us to let us know in advance if you need a wheelchair lift - thank you for your attention to this matter. AND WE LOVE TO HAVE FUN..... we share a ton of history, personal stories and so many photos to help you see how we grew as an island and as a community. When you leave us, you will have learned something new and exciting... our stories will make you laugh or maybe cry, but that's what makes us unique and very family oriented.
• Are there private tours? Yes, we offer private tours for those that would rather not do a shared tour with others. We customize YOUR tour to what your desires are and what you would like to do most. Remember: our private tours are very laid back and relaxed. We also go where others don't go.... example: we will take you to the highest point on Martha's Vineyard - peaked hill - used to be a Laran station during the war to watch for boats and planes. Peaked Hill is 350 feet above sea level and overlooks all of Aquinnah.... It's a most beautiful spot.... or we take you on different roads to secret spots so fun to visit Most private tours are at least 4 hours and can be done at whatever time you choose, and we pick you up at your place of residence (hotel, private home, etc.) and drop you off where you choose.
• Do you do other things than just tours? Yes!! We have a clamming gig - clients dig for clams (quahogs) and learn about how to collect (dig)or (rake), keep and cook and eat (some raw) We take photos and videos for your own lil album of clamming fun Kids LOVE this gig We provide the permits and all equipment This event is primarily for those that are staying in residences with cooking facilities... Lets chat.... 7743278192 We do transportation for Weddings, Bachelor/ Bachelorette parties, Bar Crawls, Kids Summer outings, Beach parties and Scavenger hunts.
• Military Discount? Yes, we offer a military discount: You must provide an ID
• Do we a need a ticket to get on?? YES!!!!! you must provide a ticket whether its from your phone or you printed it out.... IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TICKET, YOU CANNOT GET ON.... PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS For those that cannot get the ticket printed or other trouble acquiring it, please contact us immediately and we will help you.

MOST POPULAR

This is the most popular tour to get an overall feeling of what MV is all about. Experience all the towns, rolling hills with ancient stone walls, beautiful vistas and breathtaking views. Fully narrated.  Please understand that besides our 24 hour cancelation policy, we also have a 50% weather policy to ensure our protection as well...  Thank you for your understanding ....

THE BUS TOUR  $65

Best Rated Martha's Vineyard Bus Tours And Sightseeing Packages

ULTIMATE JAWSOME JAWS TOUR

Sunset Tours

 HomeGrown Tours KidZ

Homegrown's

New  Mascot

SPECIALTY TOURS

Arranged by our team, romantic sunset, all island taster, here for the day, weekend excursion, august showdown.

HomeGrown Tours KidZ

   Sunshine Therapy

   farm to table,    hiking at the neck,    time with the animals,    historical curiosities,     fishing expedition.

HomeGrown Tours is the most unique tour company on Martha's Vineyard. Your tour is not only narrated by a 3rd generation Islander but it is also a hands on learning experience. I pass around items that relate to the Vineyard to get a feel of how we live here, I have a screen that shows what certain sites looked like in the 1800s, I offer cold bottled water and lite snacks and rain ponchos for those wet days. Our bus tours are fun, safe and full of history! Book privately and we go where other tours buses dont go. I treasure Martha's Vineyard and the history and beauty. Book a tour with us and make it the highlight of your vacation. Thank you for letting me show you where I live, you wont be disappointed.

• Transportation

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

One Hour Tour

 Learn  about the down-island towns of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and  Edgartown. See Vineyard Haven's impressive harbor known for the  Steamship Authority Ferries. Experience the unique, brightly colored  gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs, and learn the history of the   campground cottages. You'll see the oldest known working carousel in the  country, and gorgeous beaches. Your van will head to  historical  Edgartown where pristine whaling captain's homes align themselves with  Edgartown harbor. This picture perfect community is filled with rose  covered white picket fences and a show stopping lighthouse that has a  panoramic view of Chappaquiddick island. We'll also show you where  scenes from the movie "Jaws" was filmed.​ Private or Group Tours available.

Two Hour Tour

 This  tour includes everything in the one hour tour and much more. From  Edgartown, you'll venture into the up-island towns of Martha's  Vineyard beginning with West Tisbury. Here you'll see the famous Field  Gallery. Country roads will wind through the town of Chilmark, made  famous during President Obama's vacations. The quaint fishing village of  Menemsha is next on your journey. It's best known for spectacular  sunsets and lobster dinners on the beach. Private or Group Tours available. 

Three Hour FULL ISLAND TOURS

GROUP TOUR AVAILABLE at $55 per person.

 Private Tours also available. Call or e-mail to reserve. Includes  all SIX ISLAND TOWNS  and  will stop to view the breathtaking clay cliffs in Aquinnah, and the  wonderful fishing village in Menemsha.  These are great spots for taking  pictures and visiting gift shops

Custom Tours

 We will gladly offer suggestions to make your tour as unique and  pleasurable as possible. Ideas include visiting Island Glassworks to see  artists create hand-blown glass objects. For animal lovers, you may  want to take a trip to the Island Alpaca Farm. Perhaps shopping in  Edgartown, and a lobster lunch in Menemsha appeals to you.  

 We do take special requests for Jaws tours. Join a guide who was in the movie and see some of the areas where scenes from the movie were filmed.

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A Day on Martha’s Vineyard

About This Tour

Join us for a wonderful day trip to New England’s most popular island getaway! A favorite summer destination of the wealthy and famous, Martha’s Vineyard is definitely a place you must see! On this trip we will take a tour of the entire island, exploring its six towns, and taking you to all the special places. From the fishing village of Menemsha to the beautiful cliffs of Aquinnah to the film settings of JAWS to the gingerbread houses of Oak Bluffs, you are going to love this day on Martha’s Vineyard!

Tour Highlights

• Chappaquiddick
• Cliffs of Aquinnah
• Gay Head Light
• Gingerbread Cottages
• Jaws Bridge
• Menemsha Fishing Village
• Tabernacle at Oak Bluffs

What's Included

• Martha’s Vineyard ferry
• Narrated Tour
• round-trip transportation to and from the ferry, and transportation throughout the day on the Vineyard

If you would like to book this outing, please call 401-886-0733

Or email us at [email protected], at a glance, minimum group size: 20, monday - saturday, available june – september, 7:30am - 8:30pm, tour length: 13 hours, tour reviews, more rhode island experiences.

Autumn in New England

Rhode Island in a Day

Discover Providence

MV Sightseeing

Martha's Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour from Boston

What's included.

Snacks Bottled water maps Discount food card Driver/guide Live commentary on board Hotel pick-up and drop-off Ferry Tickets

Island tour only available as an add-on Food and drinks on the ferry and the island are up to the traveler unless specified otherwise

Please note

No smoking or vaping in vehicles

No pets of any kind

No alcohol consumption on vehicles

Most travelers can participate

Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Exact pickup time will be confirmed one day prior to excursion

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Infants must have car seat per Massachusetts law

A maximum of 28 people per booking

Not wheelchair accessible, very sorry for the inconvenience

Near public transportation

Guest may be asked to meet at a different location other than the hotel listed. This is to ensure smooth and timely departure from Boston

We have a strict 5 minute wait policy. If you miss your assigned pickup time, no refunds will be issued

Reschedules are based on availability

Times may be changed according to traffic and weather conditions

Canceled tours by provider will be 100% refunded or offered a different date/excursion

New England Excursions and its affiliates assume no responsibility for personal items left in our vehicles. It is not always possible to return items to customers. Guest are responsible for all shipping fees if applicable

Cancelation policy is 24 hours from 6:30am of excursion date. A full refund or exchanged date is permitted outside this time. No refunds or rescheduling inside 24 hours

For custom trips, group rates and military discounts, please call 617-706-5284

What to bring

• Classic Room
• Deluxe Room
• Deluxe Suite
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• About the Inn
• Ferry Information
• Calendar of Events

Island Tours

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• Check Availability

Enjoy a historic tour of Martha’s Vineyard with our sister company, Oak Bluffs Land and Wharf Co.

Tour the Island in a new, super comfortable, air conditioned luxury van.

Martha’s Vineyard is a small island with a big history. From its timeless architecture, famous whaling ships and captains, to its pristine beaches and geologic marvels, there is a story behind it all. Our local tour guides, in conjunction with the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, know the history behind all the beauty. Join us for a 2.5 hour narrated tour of all six towns, including a mid-tour stop at the beautiful cliffs of Aquinnah. Tours depart daily from the Dockside Inn.

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Second Acts: Morgen Schroeder

From engineer to cheese connoisseur: Sometimes what you don’t plan becomes the best plan.

“If I can wax poetic about cheese for a second …”

After you study civil engineering in college, and pursue a career in construction in Dallas and commercial real estate in New York, it should come as no surprise to find yourself … running a cheese-tasting business on Martha’s Vineyard. Oh, and also being a partner in a coffee shop specializing in Lebanese food.

Morgen Schroeder didn’t set out to have a second act. She was deep into her first act, having graduated from University of Cincinnati with a degree in civil and environmental engineering, member of Sigma Phi Women’s Honorary society, president of Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering society, having completed an international co-op program in German language immersion and interned with the European Union on the energy balance of the urban water cycle, then going to work in Texas for construction giant Turner on a 500,000-square-foot office/retail project, moving to Ernst & Young’s Construction and Real Estate Advisory Services, then to shared office space pioneer WeWork, and then … the pandemic hit.

Morgen and her fiance, Alex Ficarelli-Danberg, were both in New York (they met playing street hockey), she as a project executive at WeWork, he in grad school at NYU:. “Suddenly, everybody found themselves working from home. Corporate real estate felt like a very weird industry to be in at that time.” The couple had planned to get married on Martha’s Vineyard in September 2020, where Alex’s mom had grown up, and where the family had a lifelong connection. (In fact, his grandfather, Victor Danberg, was the first night watchman of Edgartown.) So Morgen and Alex, like many others, escaped the big city, “thinking that we would just hang out on the Island until things died down, get married …” and then return to Manhattan. 

Like many others, their plans didn’t turn out as planned. They did get married, though in a smaller celebration, but the pandemic didn’t leave, nor did they leave the Island.

Their short respite on the Vineyard turned into a life change: “We wound up seeing all the opportunity there is on Martha’s Vineyard.” Alex, who had worked in nonprofits, bio research, accounting for a pediatric dentistry practice, and HR and operations for a Lebanese food and beverage company, and then gone back to school in organizational development (optimizing the resources of a company, including personnel, to achieve goals), was not yet tied to a job in his new career. So off they went to the Vineyard. 

“When we first arrived on the Island, Alex connected with the Chappaquiddick Wood Co. as a woodworker.” Morgen did odd jobs, and on a day off, visited Grey Barn Farm for a cheese tour and tasting. You might say cheese changed her life (as it evidently did for Grey Barn founders Molly and Eric Glasgow, who went from the corporate world to dairy farming).

“I hearken back to this magical experience at the farm. I was eating this amazing cheese, looking out and seeing the pasture, the cows, the milking parlor, the cheesemaking facility, all happening right there,” Morgen says in a kind of reverie. “If I can wax poetic about cheese for a second, cheese is like the distillation of the land, the dairy animals, as they graze the grass; you really get that taste of place, that terroir that you hear about with wine. That same thing exists with cheese.” 

She knew, right then, this was the change she needed: “After living off in Zoom-land, I needed to feel connected to the place I was in.” The pandemic made Morgen (and many others) take stock of her path and priorities. “My day-to-day life right now was in corporate real estate, talking about return-to-office strategy, social distancing, the future of work, and all these buzzwords.” She asked herself, “Do I see myself having a career in corporate real estate for the next 30 years, when I’m 60 years old? I don’t think so.” She compared that path with the uncharted one of sensory experiences, tastes, and smells, and connection to the earth and animals. “In 30 years, when I’m 60, do I think I’m still going to be this excited and this curious and this inspired by cheese? Hell, yes.”

With no professional background in food and beverages or hospitality, Morgen set out to create, as she puts it, “a cheese-centric community,” with Cheese 101 classes, cheeseboard workshops, tastings, raclette parties, and takeaway trays. Almost immediately, Alex joined her. 

“Here I was pursuing this career as a cheesemonger, and there he was pursuing this career as a woodworker, and it was like — I’ve got the cheese; you’ve the cutting boards, let’s make it happen.” The Martha’s Vineyard Cheesery was born in 2020, and has been bringing American cheeses from small producers to as many mouths as possible for almost four years.

A couple of years later, similarly inspired by the changes wrought by COVID, she and Alex joined his siblings (Andrew and Meredith), and Meredith’s husband Naji (the Lebanese foodie), in opening Catboat Coffee Co., a year-round coffee and Middle Eastern food enclave in Vineyard Haven. 

But that’s another story of another set of second acts. What it shares with this story is its why. 

Why did Morgen Schroeder think she could just take the leap from civil engineering to cheese? Was it in her blood, as the child of two entrepreneurs? Was it the times, spurred by the pandemic? Or was it something intangible on the Island, something about Martha’s Vineyard? 

“It just felt like everywhere I looked on the Island, people were doing their own thing and were less caught up in climbing the corporate ladder. I think that inspired me to take this chance as well.” People like Heidi Feldman who, after a long career in software, was inspired to start Martha’s Vineyard Sea Salt. And Althea Freeman Miller, an artist, who has set out to nurture other artists, and has now taken her talents to town planning in Vineyard Haven. Morgen says, “There is this hard-to-describe energy on the Island that people have multifaceted professional experiences.” She not only started her business, she wears other hats as well, pursuing ways to get involved in the community: “I volunteer with the First Friday celebrations in Vineyard Haven, coordinating food vendors, and I help do digital marketing and social media for the M.V. Commission’s ‘Climate Action Plan.’” And since Morgen and Alex have one more new venture, a 6-month-old daughter, Aurora, they’re meeting more people who tell similar “I was doing this, and then I came to the Island, and now I’m doing this” stories. 

Four years ago, Morgen was knee-deep, or perhaps Zoom-deep, in real estate, construction, and civil engineering. Today her work is much more civil — enticing people to experience the magic of cheese … and perhaps Lebanese delicacies with their coffee. Could this second act have happened on any Island? Say the island of Manhattan? Or was there something special, magical, on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard?

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Minneapolis musician-turned-writer laurie lindeen of zuzu's petals dies at 62.

When her memoir hit bookstores in 2007, Laurie Lindeen couldn't complain about the reviews or reception, both glowing.

The singer/guitarist in the Twin Cities' pioneering all-female rock band Zuzu's Petals did have one gripe, though: Her life's story was filed on bookshelves among music biographies and not with women's books or general autobiographies.

"It's shelved in between John Lennon and Marilyn Manson," she groaned in a Star Tribune interview at the time. "It's driving me crazy. I go in one store a day and go: `No woman is going to come back here!'"

Seventeen years after the publication of "Petal Pusher: A Rock and Roll Cinderella Story" — and 30 years since the band it was based on packed it in — Lindeen died unexpectedly Monday of a brain aneurysm at age 62, according to friends.

She had moved to Martha's Vineyard, Mass., two years ago and she is said to have visited the beach that day.

Close friend and fellow Minneapolis musician John Eller saw her East Coast move as the last in a steady line of bold moves.

Other gambits on Lindeen's list included becoming an author, a New York Times-published essayist, a college and grammar school writing teacher, a mother, and a wife to a rock star, Replacements frontman Paul Westerberg — all after her own 1990s-era music career with Zuzu's Petals.

"She announced to all of us she was moving to Martha's Vineyard, and we thought, 'How are you going to swing that?'" Eller recounted. "She did it, of course, and loved it."

Lindeen showed similar gumption when she left her native Madison, Wis., for Minneapolis in 1987 with the goal of starting a band. Never mind that she had recently been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and that she and her bandmate, Coleen Elwood, were both music novices.

"She told me: 'All my friends are here, all the best bands are here, you gotta move here,'" recalled Elwood, emphasizing another friend's description of her as "a joyful instigator."

"She was just so fun. How could I not come here to start a band with her?"

Named after the rose petals carried by James Stewart's character in "It's a Wonderful Life," Zuzu's Petals quickly became a fan favorite at venues including the 400 Bar, 7th St. Entry and Uptown Bar & Grill. The trio recorded a debut four-song cassette with help from Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum and Gary Louris of the Jayhawks while Lindeen also worked as a waitress at Al's Breakfast in Dinkytown.

After recruiting second drummer Linda Pitmon — who's returning to the Twin Cities this weekend with members of R.E.M. in the Baseball Project — Zuzu's Petals got more serious, hit the road (and Europe) and released two full-length albums for Twin/Tone Records, 1992′s "When No One's Looking" and 1994′s "The Music of Your Life."

"They just ripped," recounted former Pioneer Press and City Pages music scribe Jim Walsh, who later served as a witness at Lindeen and Westerberg's courthouse wedding.

"When you talk about the '90s grunge thing and bands making all that wonderful guitar noise of that era, you have to save a place for Zuzu's Petals."

American Public Media Group operations director Ali Lozoff, who was recruited at age 20 to help manage Zuzu's Petals, remembered the difficulty the band sometimes faced getting gigs despite being on a reputable record label.

"As much as we all loved the other all-female bands in town," Lozoff said, ticking off a list that included Babes in Toyland and Smut, "a lot of clubs still didn't want to book more than one of those bands on a bill."

Zuzu's Petals' successes and foils alongside Lindeen's steadfast feminism were humorously and bluntly covered in "Petal Pusher," a book that Publishers Weekly called "sharp and sensitive, stoned silly and serious, all in the right places." Lindeen wrote the memoir after earning a master's degree in creative writing from the University of Minnesota while also raising her son with Westerberg, Johnny.

"She loved her years in the band," ex-bandmate Pitmon noted, "but when she walked away from it she was very done. And I don't think she regretted it because it allowed her to become a mother and write her memoir, which were the two accomplishments she was most proud of."

One of her best-loved writing pieces was a 2017 essay for the New York Times, "Johnny Goes to College," which tearfully and humorously recounted driving her son to college in Colorado with her "professional rebel" ex-husband.

"At IHOP he ordered pancakes slathered in whipped cream and strawberries," Lindeen wrote of her son. "This kid is clearly too young to be on his own."

Lindeen still performed occasionally onstage, including at the annual David Bowie feline-rescue fundraiser tribute at First Avenue, shows that were co-led by Eller with Lindeen's former sister-in-law, ex-Current DJ Mary Lucia. First Ave posted a tribute to Lindeen on Tuesday calling her "a dominant force in the '80s and '90s female rock movement in Minneapolis."

She mostly focused on teaching in recent years, offering writing and literature lessons at the University of St. Thomas, St. Cloud State University, the Loft Literary Center and grammar schools. She also led writing retreats at Madeline Island in Wisconsin and other locations and worked as a coach-for-hire helping kids write college entrance essays.

One of her most recent writings, titled "My Third Act" and published by the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, detailed her move to Martha's Vineyard with her new partner, Jim Diem.

"After COVID, online teaching, losing my best friend suddenly to heart failure, followed by the decline and deaths of my mother and my best dog," Lindeen wrote, "I decided to take a leap of faith and move toward a meaningful and courageous Act Three of my life."

Said Elwood, "I'd never seen her more happy or more fulfilled. She loved teaching. She loved living on Martha's Vineyard. She had a great boyfriend. That's what makes this so much harder."

Family memorial information has not yet been issued for Lindeen. She is also survived by her father, Lance Lindeen of Northville, Mich., and three siblings, Megan Lindeen of Madison, Hillary Benson of Hilton Head, S.C., and Chris Lindeen of Santa Fe, N.M.

Chris Riemenschneider has been covering the Twin Cities music scene since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out during "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)." The St. Paul native authored the book "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom" and previously worked as a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas.

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Exploring Iconic ‘Jaws’ Filming Locations in Martha’s Vineyard and Beyond

Fifty years ago, film crews swarmed Martha’s Vineyard , laboring to make a 25-foot robotic shark work in the waters. Jaws , released in 1975 and directed by Steven Spielberg, was shot mainly from May through October 1974 in Massachusetts before becoming an iconic summer thriller.

The film portrays a giant great white shark terrorizing the fictional seaside town of Amity during the July 4 holiday weekend. Although Amity is fictional, many places filmed are real and worth visiting for movie buffs. Here’s what you need to know.

Main Filming Spots from the First Jaws Film

The first Jaws movie was predominantly filmed on Martha’s Vineyard . Many locations remain intact and can be explored today.

The Town Center:

The Ferry Launch:

Located in north Edgartown at the end of Daggett Street, the ferry to Chappaquiddick Island appears when Mayor Vaughan (Murray Hamilton) discusses the potential disaster of revealing shark attacks.

Joseph A Sylvia State Beach:

The American Legion Memorial Bridge:

This bridge, located near Sylvia State Beach, shows the shark swimming under it towards a ‘safe’ inlet at Sengekontacket Pond.

Filming Locations for Jaws 2

The sequel was also filmed extensively on Martha’s Vineyard, specifically around Edgartown. Some notable spots include:

Despite these scenes, production setbacks forced some beach scenes to be filmed at Navarre Beach in Florida.

Where Jaws 3 Was Filmed

The third installment relocates to an underwater park in Orlando, Florida’s Sea World. Unlike its predecessors, this movie has no scenes on Martha’s Vineyard.

Setting of Jaws: The Revenge

Returning to New England for its opening scenes, Jaws: The Revenge starts in Martha’s Vineyard ‘s Edgartown before relocating to the Bahamas. A lifeguard was forced to whistle in swimmers after reported sightings of a shark in one of the locations where the movie Jaws was filmed.

Steve Delikson

I cover updates on the latest celebrity gossip, TV show ratings, and interviews with actors and actresses from popular shows. I also do recaps of episodes and predictions for future storylines. My articles are an excellent resource for television fans looking to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in the entertainment industry.

It was a busy week on the Cape and Islands with sporting events and summer fun activities getting underway. From Cape league baseball action to plays, news was being made both outdoors and indoors.

In case you missed it, we've rounded up a showcase of the most read stories the Cape Cod Times website has to offer from the week that was on Cape Cod . This past week, hydrangeas made their beautiful presence felt ahead of an annual event, a longtime Cape Cod fire chief stepped down amid controversy, details were revealed about Vice President Kamala Harris' upcoming Cape visit, and more. Here are the stories you won't want to miss.

This is the year of the hydrangea

This year has turned out to be a good one for hydrangeas , so why not make the most of it and pay a visit to the 10th annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival ? The annual garden celebration boasts an abundance of everything hydrangea fans might wish for, from hydrangea talks, classes, art events and workshops, promotions at area nurseries, book signings, parties and soirees, to popular walking tours that offer a one-time chance to see past the garden gate and stroll through a host of private home gardens across Cape Cod.

One-hundred sensational private gardens ― the most ever — will open their gates to visitors on specified days, all described at the festival website . Each location pairs with a nonprofit that receives 100% of the admission proceeds ($5 per garden per visitor). This year, several local food pantries are among the 30 groups that benefit from the tours.

The 10th annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival runs July 5-14 at venues throughout Cape Cod. Details of all events and garden tours, including dates and times, are online at CapeCodHydrangeaFest.com .

A summer full of hydrangeas: Thousands of blooms, scores of events at 10th Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival

Longtime Provincetown fire chief resigns unexpectedly

Michael Trovato,  Provincetown 's fire chief since 1991, is stepping down a year earlier than he originally planned, following a May meeting with town staff.

Trovato met with Provincetown Town Manager  Alex Morse and Assistant Town Manager Dan Riviello "after both full-time and call/volunteer members of the department contacted me with concerns about the Fire Department," said Morse.

Morse continued: "We did not ask the Chief to resign, nor did we fire him or initiate any disciplinary action against him. In fact, it is the Chief who threatened to resign in that meeting, as he has on numerous occasions in the past when difficult conversations about the department have been had."

Trovato submitted his resignation on June 17, after he was informed that the Select Board would hold an executive session to discuss the personnel issues that had been raised in the department.

For many years, the town had an all-volunteer fire department, which Trovato praised.

According to Morse, "Over the last year, for the first time in history, the town hired 20 full-time Firefighter-EMTs and Firefighter-Paramedics, as part of a long-term plan to supplement the call volunteers and transition to what's called a 'combination department' for Provincetown."

Provincetown fire chief leaves post: 'I sleep with the damn radio': Provincetown fire chief to step down amid controversy

Vice President Kamala Harris expected to attend fundraiser in Provincetown

The upcoming appearance of Vice President Kamala Harris in Provincetown is generating excitement for supporters as a fundraising event 'A Reception with Vice President Kamala Harris' draws near.

The fundraiser will be held at the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum on July 20, at a time to be announced, said co-host and sponsor Bryan Rafanelli .

Tickets start at $150, with the priciest option leaping to $150,000 for a “co-chair” position. While the general admission tickets have sold out, Rafanelli said donations as low as $25 have continued to pour in. All funds raised will benefit the Biden Victory Fund , according to the event's flyer.

In addition to refreshments and live entertainment at the event, guests can also expect to rub elbows with high profile politicians in the region including Gov. Maura Healey and Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu .

Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride , who is widely known as the first transgender state senator in United States history, will also be in attendance, said co-host Alix Ritchie .

Aside from raising money, Rafanelli also hopes the event can urge people to vote locally, and for the presidential race in November.

Rafanelli called Provincetown a “melting pot." There’s no question that people in Provincetown care about the United States, he said. "This is the right time right place to bring the vice president here."

VP Kamala Harris scheduled to attend fundraiser in Provincetown: VP Kamala Harris reception in Provincetown follows Jill Biden in 2023

Annual report shows an increase in homelessness on Cape Cod & Islands

The number of homeless people on Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard has increased since last year to its highest figure in 10 years, according to the annual point-in-time count released in early June.

The total number of homeless increased to 568 people, 141 more than last year.

The point-in-time count, conducted by the Barnstable County Human Services Department , includes people in emergency shelters, transitional housing, motels (if paid for by an agency), on the street, in cars, in abandoned buildings, and in other places not meant for human habitation. The count is categorized by whether people are sheltered or unsheltered, and whether they are adult individuals, part of a family or an unaccompanied youth, under the age of 18.

One notable increase in population was in emergency assistance shelters, which saw an increase of 34 families and 125 individuals. That increase was due, at least in part, to a temporary housing site opened in Yarmouth in response to the statewide need for additional housing , said Daniel Gray, program manager with the Barnstable County Human Services Department.

Cape & Islands experience increase in homelessness: Homelessness reaches new high for Cape, Vineyard and Nantucket in one-night count

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