Tisbury is a town on Martha’s Vineyard in the state of Massachusetts. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,815 people. There are a few different places to visit in Tisbury. The Felix Neck Sanctuary, Gay Head Lighthouse, and Polly Hill Arboretum are just a few. State Road Restaurant is another place to visit in Tisbury.
Felix Neck Sanctuary
The Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is a 350-acre preserve that is managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. It includes a pond, a salt marsh, and a barrier beach, among other things. It offers trails for hikers, nature programs, and more. It is also home to the famous Gay Head Lighthouse.
A visit to the Felix Neck Sanctuary will be a unique experience, filled with wildlife. The trails are family friendly and include activities like Nature Bingo and nature quests. There are several activities at the Felix Neck throughout the year, including a popular summer camp and Fern and Feather Preschool. Visitors can also view an owl cam.
Visitors with disabilities can participate in guided tours and birding programs. There are also accessible restrooms and a mile-long nature trail. The Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary also offers audio tours, tactile maps, and braille signage. There are also wheelchair-accessible picnic and play areas and wildlife viewing platforms. The sanctuary also offers a one-hour guided tour for visitors with limited mobility.
Aside from protecting valuable habitats for wildlife, the Felix Neck Sanctuary offers beautiful views of the island. You can hike or bike along four miles of trails that cross woodlands, meadows, and salt marsh. The Felix Neck Sanctuary is also popular with birdwatchers, since there are many species that can be spotted here.
Gay Head Lighthouse
Located off Lighthouse Road in Aquinnah, Massachusetts, the Gay Head Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse on the Martha’s Vineyard. It is open to the public and is a great place to get a view of the island’s history. It also serves as a beautiful, educational location for children.
The Gay Head Lighthouse is a national landmark. Originally built in 1799, it was manned by island lighthouse keepers until 1956. The lighthouse offers tours and is also a popular location for weddings. While there, you may want to take a tour of the lighthouse and the cliffs around it.
The Gay Head Lighthouse was restored by the Vineyard Environmental Research Institute (VERI) in 1985. Since its restoration, the light has attracted a number of famous visitors. Barack Obama was the second President of the United States to visit the lighthouse, after Calvin Coolidge. Senator Ted Kennedy and his daughter Caroline Kennedy also made a visit.
The lighthouse is home to a unique history. In 1850, the lighthouse’s wooden tower was considered deteriorating and its position was threatened by the eroding clay cliffs. In 1852, the Federal Lighthouse Board issued a 760-page report recommending that the Gay Head Lighthouse be upgraded with a new first-order illuminating apparatus.
In November 1799, Ebenezer Skiff became the first lighthouse keeper at the site. The lighthouse was lit for the first time on November 18, 1799. Skiff was the first white man to live in the area, which at that time was populated by Wampanoag Indians.
Polly Hill Arboretum
The Polly Hill Arboretum is a 16-hectare natural woodland with 8 ha under cultivation. It is located in West Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. You can reach the property via State Road. The Arboretum is open to the public from May through September.
The Arboretum’s collections include plants from around the world that were carefully nurtured by the late Polly Hill. Her favorite time of year is when the azaleas bloom. They are a wild riot of color. Visiting the Arboretum is a treat for anyone who loves flowers.
A beautiful 70-acre garden, the Arboretum features rare plants, trees, and shrubs from around the world. The collection includes Polly’s famous North Tisbury azaleas. Over eighty different cultivars of azaleas grow in the arboretum. The Arboretum also has a visitor center with a gift shop. The grounds are also a great place for picnics.
If you love flowers, the Polly Hill Arboretum is a must-visit attraction in Tisbury. A former colonial homestead, the property later evolved into a sheep farm and a summer home for the Hill family. In 1958, Polly Hill decided to create a public garden on the property, dedicating it to the study and cultivation of plants and maintaining a serene landscape.
State Road Restaurant
The State Road Restaurant is a modern American restaurant serving local, organic ingredients. It sources many of its ingredients from local farmers, fisherman, and artisans. The ambiance is cozy, the service is impeccable, and the food is prepared with great attention to detail. Reservations are recommended for the dining experience at this Tisbury restaurant.
Chappaquiddick Island
Located on the waters of Edgartown Harbor, Chappaquiddick Island offers visitors the chance to enjoy a quiet getaway surrounded by nature. The island’s Cap Poge Wildlife Refuge is a protected nature area with fourteen miles of trails and beach access. It’s also home to Japanese garde and Mytoi.
Visitors can access the island by ferry, which departs from Edgartown every five minutes. The ferry is dog-friendly and welcomes off-road vehicles. The boat service is inexpensive and runs regularly throughout the day. There is a dock on Dock Street in Edgartown, where passengers board the ferry.
While visiting Chappaquiddick Island, you can also enjoy a round of golf at the Royal and Ancient Chappaquiddick Links. You can rent golf clubs if you don’t have your own. It’s also possible to hike the island’s trails.
The island is undeveloped, so you can enjoy the natural beauty of the area while you’re there. Chappaquiddick Island is particularly good for birdwatching, and you’ll likely spot Egrets and Plovers in their nests. You can also go on a fishing tour or take a tour of the Cape Poge Lighthouse to learn more about natural history.
The island is home to a working farm, which sells and boards alpacas, as well as provides education to visitors. The farm has a self-guided walking tour and educational videos for visitors. Admission is only $5 per person.
The island’s historic past makes Chappaquiddick Island an unforgettable destination for birdwatchers. The Japanese Gardens on Chappaquiddick Island are also a great place to see birdlife. You can also visit the Edgartown Great Pond, which is a perfect place for hiking. While you’re in the area, check out the Menemsha Inn and Cottages, which is located in the quaint fishing village of Menemsha.
