My family has been going to Martha’s Vineyard for week-long summer vacations since I was a kid. The long and arduous seven-hour drive from Philadelphia — plus the ferry — has always felt worth it to us for the magic of the island. We missed the past few years due to the busyness of life, but this summer we made a family vacation happen again — with my girlfriend and my sister’s boyfriend along for the journey this time.

Now that I’m home and back to work, I want to share some of my favorite spots on the island, the places I return to again and again. As a creature of habit from a family full of creatures of habit, we tend to always do the activities and go to the places we know we love, and we’ve built up a solid arsenal over the years of absolute can’t-miss spots on the island.

Bunch of Grapes Bookstore and Edgartown Books
I can’t choose between Bunch of Grapes and Edgartown Books as my favorite bookstore on the island. Each has its own special charm and selections, and I could spend hours in the stacks of either of them, perusing bestsellers and beach reads and spending too much money on books by justifying to myself I’m on vacation. A trip to MV is not complete until I’ve gone to both and preferably bought at least one book at each place. However, one thing that does edge Bunch of Grapes ahead of Edgartown Books is its bookstore cat, Bookmark. The adorable and plump tuxedo can be found lounging around the bookstore in chairs or his bed. When we visited, he was snoozing in a plush armchair in the shop’s front window display, and I had to grab a picture with him.

Mad Martha’s
I have searched the world for ice cream that even holds a candle to the mocha chip flavor from Mad Martha’s, and I have come up empty. No other ice cream brand or shop has been able to replicate its special blend of coffee ice cream with chocolate chips. It’s simply the best, and I am at my happiest with a waffle cone of mocha chip from Mad Martha’s in my hand. An evening on island doesn’t feel right without Mad Martha’s after dinner.

ArtCliff Diner
Hands down the best pancakes on island, ArtCliff Diner in Vineyard Haven is a popular breakfast spot we almost always are sure to hit up. Brena and I went together on our last full day, and my chocolate chip pancakes and oat milk latte hit the spot. The pancakes are the perfect mix of crispy and fluffy that makes for an ideal breakfast experience.

Island Alpaca
My mom is the biggest fan of the alpacas, so we go to visit every year. Island Alpaca is definitely a tourist trap that charges a bit too much for simply observing alpacas, but we will continually fall into it because they are just so cute! They don’t always love petting, but when you can reach out and touch them, their wool is so soft, and they are such gentle creatures. I always feel zen after watching them lying around munching on their hay. They also make the cutest humming noises. It’s an extra special treat when they have a baby! There wasn’t one this year, but there should be by the end of the summer, as one of them is pregnant.

— Hannah Gruen, advertising & events coordinator