Visting Menemsha in a van
I’m sure you’ve heard of Martha’s Vineyard and if not, you’ve seen it in the classic movie Jaws. This beautiful island nestled just south of Cape Cod was the scenic setting of the summer film we all know and love. Yet, even though there is an infamous association, the shark attacks actually took place in Cape Cod.
Although a famous summer destination it’s very easy to miss out on all that the island has to offer. It’s been a common mistake of mine to think of just Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven as all you have to see. But this summer’s visit made me realize this island is jam-packed with hidden gems a van dweller like me would love.
Many summers we would visit and stay in Oak Bluffs, but this summer we did things differently and lived like a local. We spent a lot of our time in the beautiful town of West Tisbury. Our friends Brad and Liz run a farm called Radio Farm that is easily going to be your new favorite place to go to when you’re on the island. It’s constantly buzzing with friends coming and going, bees pollinating colorful rows of edible flowers, and if you’re lucky jamming with the best music by Brad.
We spent so much time enjoying everything from the stunning hand-crafted woodwork they make, to sipping coffee with homemade lavender syrup and enjoying summer night parties with what I’d say are the tastiest grilled clams I’ll ever eat.
During the day we’d admire Liz out on the farm begging to come along as she harvested for the farm stand. I’d watch her make hand-made floral bouquets, flower crowns, and hairpieces for local island events. All while we played with our best buddy George, a loveable mastiff puppy I fed way too many treats just because he’s that cute.
In between our time with friends, we would get in the van and try out a new place to work for the day. Chillmark, Lambert’s Cove, Edgartown Harbor, State Beach, Squibnocket, and West Basin all had views and the perfect spots for us to post up for the day. Our favorite by far, was easily Menemsha.
Here we backed the van up to the beach first thing in the morning and settled in for the day. It’s a small nook of a town but if you commit and show up first thing you are golden. We would find at least a few camper vans stopping by throughout the day which is always a great sign.
Work, fish, swim, eat oysters, and watch the sunset. That’s good living. For our work setup, I’d take the back of the van and work from either the cabin table or pull out our sliding table in the “basement” out back and use that for a standing desk. Tommy is usually up in the front cabin with his iMAC rotating between sitting and standing with his modular Lagun mount table.
When hunger hit our favorite place for oysters over there was easily Larsen’s. I also highly suggest their seaweed salad and shrimp spring rolls which I think are easily overlooked to the classic lobster roll.
When Larsen’s is too busy and we have had enough seafood for a while I love to sneak around the corner to Menemsha Galley. A $9 burger and a gluten-free bun option got me sold. (Yes, I said $9, which is shocking given how expensive things can get in a small coastal town.) Especially, with just a walk around the corner to pick it up and the best sunset around just starting by the time you come back to enjoy dinner al fresco with friends.
Tiny but packed with all the amenities, Menemsha had free showers to freshen up after a dip in the ocean too! Seemingly insignificant to most but with a van that has a shower out the back you really appreciate the alternative options.
The best part for us was once we were ready to pack it in for the day we only had a 10-minute drive back to our spot for the night. A little sleep then adventuring all over again the next day.
So when you visit Martha’s Vineyard do it right and get over to West Tisbury and Menemsha, bust save us a parking spot! 😎🤙🌞
