A Weekend Getaway in Martha's Vineyard

New Englanders, rejoice! It's that time of year we all look forward to--Memorial Day weekend a.k.a. the official kick off to summer. Snow is a thing of the past (for the next several months anyway) and now it's time to enjoy the best of what New England has to offer! The island of Martha's Vineyard is one of my favorite places to do just that. While MV is one of those places you could easily spend a week or two in, it is possible to do a short little weekend getaway (carless, even!) if you can't spare the vacation time. Here's my take on the perfect MV weekend:

FRIDAY

4:00p: Shut-down that computer and hop in a cab to Logan. Check-in for your Cape Air flight, put to use that TSA pre-check, and make your way to the gate. If you made it with a few extra minutes to spare or if your flight is delayed, DEFINITELY take the time to have a cocktail. These planes are TINY (you're welcome).

6:00p: Arrive in Martha's Vineyard after a short (or long, depending on if you had that cocktail or not) 45 min scenic ride over Cape Cod. Hop in a cab and head to Edgartown to check into your hotel, Lark Hotel's stylish boutique inn, The Christopher. The decor is just lovely.

6:30p: Drop those weekend bags and head on over to the The Atlantic, just a short walk from your hotel, for happy hour. Grab a spot at the bar and you can have dinner with your martinis.

8:30p: End (or start) your night at the popular watering hole The Wharf. The Sox will be on at the bar up front but head to the bar in the back for the party if that is your thing.

10:00p: Call it a night and tuck into your comfy king sized bed with soft pillows and plush linens. Rest up for a busy but fun day ahead!

SATURDAY

9:00a: Rise and shine! It's time for some coffee and bagels at Espresso Love. So many good options to choose from but you can't go wrong with The Islander (veggie cream cheese, bacon and cucumber).

10:00a: Rent some bikes from Wheel Happy located conveniently next door to your hotel and map out your ride. Make sure you get a picnic basket which will come in handy!

12:00p: Get some exercise and pedal your way out of town to Morning Glory Farm to pick up some provisions for lunch--fresh-grown fruits, veggies, and freshly baked goods. On your way back into town, stop at Black Sheep to pick up some gourmet cheese and meats. Followed by a stop at Vintage MV Wine & Spirits for some wine. Then make your way over to Lighthouse Beach for a picnic with a view.

2:00p: If the weather's nice, enjoy the beach or better yet get on over to South Beach (MV's best beach in my opinion). If there are more clouds than you'd like (it is New England after all), not to fret. Pedal those bikes to nearby Bad Martha Farmers Brewery for some local craft brews. Best get a flight to sample them all!

5:00p: Head back to the hotel for some freshening up for dinner. Don't be afraid to pull out the Vineyard Vines. When in Rome...

6:00p: Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail and oysters at the bar at Alchemy. (Note: this is also an excellent restaurant to dine at too)

7:30p: Sit down to a lovely candlelit dinner at L'Etoile. If it's warm enough, dine in the outdoor terrace under the string lights. It's magical.

9:30p: Finish off the night with an ice cream cone from Mad Martha's. There's always room for dessert!

Doesn't get any more American than that!

The llamas at Ernie Boch's seaside mansion

SUNDAY

9:00a: Back to Espresso Love. It's just that good.

10:00a: If the weather is nice, you can't say no to some sun and some waves at South Beach. Hop on that bike and burn of the previous day's imbibing.

1:00p: Head back to town for some lunch and drinks on the roofdeck at the Seafood Shanty. It's an institution not to be missed. Lobster roll, obvi.

4:00p: Return the bikes, grab your bags and sadly head back to the airport. With a smile of course because you just lived it up all weekend on MV.

Accommodations: The Christopher (24 South Water Street Edgartown); thechristophermv.com