Guidebook for Aquinnah
Food Scene
Our neighbor, Juli Vanderhoop built an artisian oven in her driveway and bakes delicious things sold out of her house on the honor system. She always has coffee and baked goods, great for desserts and breakfast. She also does dinners and pizza for take out some nights. Currently she is doing pizza on Thursday nights, Saturday afternoon and Sunday dinners for takeout. You can check out her menu on Instagram or call the bakery at 508-645-2025.
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Orange Peel Bakery
22 State RdOur neighbor, Juli Vanderhoop built an artisian oven in her driveway and bakes delicious things sold out of her house on the honor system. She always has coffee and baked goods, great for desserts and breakfast. She also does dinners and pizza for take out some nights. Currently she is doing pizza on Thursday nights, Saturday afternoon and Sunday dinners for takeout. You can check out her menu on Instagram or call the bakery at 508-645-2025.
The view is amazing and so are the fishcakes and pie. Open noon to 8pm most days May-September. Usually closed Mondays, they sometimes host private events so it's a good idea to call if you want dinner.
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The Aquinnah Shop Restaurant
27 Aquinnah CirThe view is amazing and so are the fishcakes and pie. Open noon to 8pm most days May-September. Usually closed Mondays, they sometimes host private events so it's a good idea to call if you want dinner.
It has beautiful views and is run by a great family. Dinner only, 4 course price fixe. Pricey but worth it for a special night out. Call 508-645-3511 for reservation and prices.
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Outermost Inn
81 Lighthouse RdIt has beautiful views and is run by a great family. Dinner only, 4 course price fixe. Pricey but worth it for a special night out. Call 508-645-3511 for reservation and prices.
Open Mid May- Indigenous People's Day weekend. Dinner only.
Run by the fabulous Jenna Petersiel. Delicious local food prepared well. Try any of the fish dishes or the steak (the best on the island). BYOB- Chilmark is a dry town. Pricey but good.
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Chilmark Tavern
9 State RdOpen Mid May- Indigenous People's Day weekend. Dinner only.
Run by the fabulous Jenna Petersiel. Delicious local food prepared well. Try any of the fish dishes or the steak (the best on the island). BYOB- Chilmark is a dry town. Pricey but good.
This is a new addition to our town this summer. It is located at the Cliffs (first store on the left). They have a good supply of basic groceries, fresh fruit and veggies, prepared sandwiches and cold drinks. A great place to stop on your way to the beach.
The Gay Head Store
33 Aquinnah CircleThis is a new addition to our town this summer. It is located at the Cliffs (first store on the left). They have a good supply of basic groceries, fresh fruit and veggies, prepared sandwiches and cold drinks. A great place to stop on your way to the beach.
Beach
You can access this beach by parking in the town lot at the cliffs ($30 per day), there are also a few 2 hour public parking spots at the bottom of the cliffs. There is a path to walk to the beach from the Vanderhoop homestead at the top of the cliffs and from the parking lot.
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Aquinnah Public Beach
53 Moshup TrailYou can access this beach by parking in the town lot at the cliffs ($30 per day), there are also a few 2 hour public parking spots at the bottom of the cliffs. There is a path to walk to the beach from the Vanderhoop homestead at the top of the cliffs and from the parking lot.
Lobsterville Beach is in a lea so there are usually no waves and it is a long beach so it never feels crowded. It is great for fishing and for kids. There are some public parking spots as well.
Lobsterville Beach
21 Lobsterville RdLobsterville Beach is in a lea so there are usually no waves and it is a long beach so it never feels crowded. It is great for fishing and for kids. There are some public parking spots as well.
There is a little beach here that is good for kids, public parking spots and this is also where the bike ferry leaves from.
West Basin Road
West Basin RoadThere is a little beach here that is good for kids, public parking spots and this is also where the bike ferry leaves from.
This beach is in Chilmark but it is a landbank property so you don't need a pass to park there. It's on North Road in Chilmark, google it because it's easy to miss- there is a post in the driveway marked Land Bank. You park and then it's about a 10 minute walk to the water but it is so worth it. Secluded and lovely.
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Great Rock Bight Preserve
37 Brickyard RdThis beach is in Chilmark but it is a landbank property so you don't need a pass to park there. It's on North Road in Chilmark, google it because it's easy to miss- there is a post in the driveway marked Land Bank. You park and then it's about a 10 minute walk to the water but it is so worth it. Secluded and lovely.
Borgartillaga
Samgöngur
A car is best in this area but..
you can travel by bus (the #5) will stop at the end of our road upon request. It's a 1/4 mi. walk down our road to our house. You can also bike but the roads are narrow and hilly so you need to be a strong biker. There is a bike ferry from West Basin to Menemsha that runs weekends 9am to 5 pm June and September and every day July and August 9am to 5 pm. This is a great way to get to Menemsha and avoid traffic. You don't have to have a bike to use it, you can walk on. Just let them know you are staying in Aquinnah, the price is less.
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Aquinnah is tribal land
Aquinnah is the ancestral home of the Wampanoag Tribe. They are very present in town. All the shops at the Cliffs are run by tribal members and there is a section of town with tribal housing and a community center. The Aquinnah Cultural Center at the Cliffs usually has great exhibits, talks and events throughout the summer. It is worth checking out. The Aquinnah Public Library also has a collection of books about the Wampanoag people.
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Hiking trails
There are many wonderful hiking trails on the Island. I highly recommend downloading the trailsmv app and using it. It lists all the trails on the Island and has a feature that will let you know where you are at any point on the trail. There are some great trails in Aquinnah- The Gay Head Moraine on Lobsterville Rd. and the Eastman trail off of East Pasture Road.
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Watch out for Ticks
MV is one of the hotspots for ticks and tick borne illnesses in the USA. There is tick spray in the room, use it if you are going to be walking on trails or even on the beach. Do a tick check every time you get back at night. Ticks are very small, look for a new "freckle". Remove ticks immediately once you discover them and watch for a bulls eye rash- the tell tale sign of Lyme disease. Lone star tick bites tend to be very itchy. You can use any anti itch cream on them. It is recommended that if you are walking on trails, you wear long pants and tuck your pants into your socks.
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The staffing shortage is real!
The pandemic has changed the Island drastically. There is much less year round housing for workers and locals and ALL businesses are short staffed. This has forced businesses to cut back hours, services or close certain days. These days it is best to call before you go- if you are hoping to go to a particular restaurant, shop etc. Many restaurants are closed on Mondays. Please know that wherever you go on the Island, everyone is working extra hard and doing the job of at least two people. Have patience, be kind and tip well.