Travel With The Publisher To Martha’s Vineyard For A Special Friends Vacation

Martha’s Vineyard

Travel With The Publisher To

For A Special Friends Vacation

By: Connie Kwan-Wong
Photo Credit: CKW LUXE and Gregg Harrison

The Women of Substance luncheon is always an exciting occasion. Created by Paul-David Atta in 2017, the annual charitable event honors 12 dynamic women who have made a positive impact on Houston. The proceeds from the luncheon go to charitable organizations around the city. In 2024, my dear friend Theresa Chang was one of the women honored. It was my great pleasure, along with my friends Flora Choy and Teresa Reading, to bid on, and win, the live auction trip to Martha’s Vineyard donated by Gregg and Paul-David, in Theresa’s honor.

Only accessible by boat or air, Martha’s Vineyard is an island paradise off the coast of Massachusetts, just south of Cape Cod. Known for its laid-back atmosphere, quaint villages, sandy beaches, fields of wildflowers, famous movie locations, legendary ocean-front vistas, exceptional shopping, fresh seafood, and farm-to-table cuisine, it attracts travelers at all times of the year. We chose to go in September when the summer crowds had lessened, the shadows on the beaches had grown longer, and the temperatures were milder but still warm. Some say it is the perfect time to visit.

Martha’s Vineyard is also where the movie Jaws was filmed. It was used as the fictional Amity Island. Visitors can explore the locations that were used in the movie giving them the opportunity to relive some of its most memorable moments. They can visit South Beach where the shark made its first appearance; walk the streets of Edgartown, which was used for the town scenes; traverse or jump off the American Legion Memorial Bridge, also known as “Jaws Bridge;” and visit Menemsha, where Quint’s shack was located and where the sequence of the final shark attack on the Orca took place.

How We Got There

On September 13, 2025, Theresa, Flora, Teresa, and I flew out of Houston and arrived in Boston in the early afternoon. From there, we were driven to Woods Hole at the southwestern tip of Cape Cod where we took the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. Before doing so, however, we had dinner at the Water Street Kitchen, whose motto is “Food is Love.” Globally inspired and made with seasonal ingredients, the dishes reminded us of some of our favorite home-made meals.

Where We Went

Vineyard Haven
Arriving on Martha’s Vineyard that evening, we continued on to Montaña de Oro at Martha’s Vineyard. The lovely Airbnb in Vineyard Haven, a beautiful port town that boasts a diverse and entertaining Cultural District, belongs to Gregg, who graciously allowed it to be our home during our stay. An oasis in the woods, Montaña de Oro is only four miles from Lambert’s Cove Beach known for its breathtaking views of Vineyard Sound. Our hosts there were both Gregg and Paul-David, who shared some of our most memorable moments with us.

We spent the morning and afternoon of the second day of our visit exploring Vineyard Haven. The Cultural District itself is a walkable mile that runs from the shipyards to the library on Main Street. It includes numerous businesses in the creative industries, ranging from design to wooden boat building, home goods, music, art, and handcrafts. Scattered amongst these is an impressive array of restaurants, unique boutiques, galleries, studios, and clothing design ateliers.

Taking advantage of the excellent restaurants in the area, we had brunch at The Black Dog Tavern, whose covered patio offers a gorgeous view of the harbor. Munching granola, enjoying eggs, and sipping coffee overlooking the water was the perfect way to begin our day.

Also located here is the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, now in the former Marine Hospital. It offers regular events and a variety of exhibits. While we were there, the fiftieth anniversary of Jaws was being celebrated with the exhibit “Jaws at 50: An Island Story.” We had fun exploring the museum and perusing the exhibit, which highlighted the contributions made to the film by local islanders. It also included artifacts like the Ben Gardner head, a life-size shark replica, and interactive displays.

What would a stroll along the water on a warm day be without a quick stop for ice cream? Our chosen spot for the treat was Mad Martha’s, featuring delicious home-made ice cream in a variety of flavors, including catboat crunch, squibby strawberry, and Vineyard vanilla.

Aquinnah

After a refreshing night in our comfortable house, we embarked on an up-island adventure to Aquinnah, the western-most town on the island, with Gregg. We drove, but it is also possible to book a tour van, which includes guided tours of the town. Surrounded by majestic red-clay cliffs, which can be explored, Aquinnah is breathtaking and like no other place in Massachusetts. It is also the home of the Aquinnah Wampanoags, the original settlers of Martha’s Vineyard. While in its Cultural District, we visited locally owned native shops that support the tribe and walked its beautiful nature trails.

Menemsha

On the way back, we stopped at Menemsha, a historic fishing village with an incredible public beach. We were fortunate to be here just as the sun was going down. Due to its unobstructed west-facing views, its sunsets are spectacular. Fish markets serving fresh fish and cooked meals abound. We visited Larsen’s Fish Market where we picked up lobster dinners, which we savored picnic-style on the beach as the sky turned brilliant shades of orange and gold around us.

Edgartown

After our magical moments on the beach at Menemsha, we spent the next day exploring the charming well-appointed town of Edgartown on the eastern shore. We were fascinated to discover it was originally settled by whaling captains, and that the town center has preserved the architecture of their homes. Some remain private residences, but others are now inns, restaurants, shops, or cafés. One of our favorite stops was the Edgartown Harbor Light, the lighthouse overlooking the town’s harbor. From here, we had magnificent views of Edgartown Harbor, Chappaquiddick, and Cape Cod. We also enjoyed walking the beautiful streets, shopping, and scouting out shooting locations, like Chappy Ferry, South Water Street, Jaws Bridge, Edgartown Town Hall, and Cow Beach, from Jaws.

Edgartown offered us amazing food opportunities as well. We had coffee at Behind the Bookstore, a small café behind Edgartown Books billing itself as having the best coffee on Martha’s Vineyard. As well as coffee, it serves artisanal pastries, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails at its Hemingway Bar. Our stop for lunch was The Seafood Shanty, which was right on the harbor, providing us with more extraordinary seaside views. It offered a cornucopia of fresh fish, seafood, and sushi. For dinner, we chose Atria, with its elegant yet relaxed atmosphere and seasonal menu. Chef Christian Thornton’s unique approach to modern New England seafood-focused cuisine was a delight to experience.

Nantucket

The following day, we took the ferry to Nantucket, a 50-square-mile island 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod. Before doing so, we checked out the “gingerbread houses” of Oak Bluffs, where we would get on the ferry. Straight from a storybook, each of the Victorian cottages has its own vibrant color and design harkening back to the gingerbread house in Hansel and Gretel. We almost expected to see the silhouette of its owner reflected in one of the windows. Though exclusive cottages now, they were constructed in the 1800s by a group of Methodists who held an annual religious retreat here. The architectural design, Carpenter’s Gothic, gives the cottages their storybook appeal.

The ferry crossing to Nantucket took just over an hour. Once we arrived, we settled into our luxurious accommodations at the iconic White Elephant resort where guests have their choice of staying in a room or a suite at the harborside hotel or in one of the pretty cottages. There are also dining options, and we chose to have lunch at Brant Point Grill Deck & Bar. Here we enjoyed fresh seafood while relaxing and looking out at the harbor. The venue’s menu is inspired by regional New England fare and also excels in steaks and handcrafted cocktails and has an exceptional wine cellar.

We highly recommend taking the bus tour around the picturesque island famous for its historic whaling past, plentiful beaches, and sand dunes. Downtown Nantucket boasts delightful architecture, cobblestone streets, quaint shops, fine restaurants, galleries, boutiques, and historic landmarks. Its Whaling Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in the island’s marine history.

Goodbyes and Memories

Our time on Martha’s Vineyard was coming to an end. We spent our last evening with Gregg and Paul-David who generously invited us for dinner. Paul-David is an excellent cook and everything he prepared was amazing. Along with the extraordinary meal, we had many memorable conversations. As a matter of fact, everything about this trip, the product of friendship and charitable giving, was memorable. I will never forget the exquisite sunset in Menemsha and picnicking on the beach surrounded by its glory; enjoying the freshest seafood, including lobster and clam chowder, I have ever had; walking the endless beaches; beholding the imposing cliffs; and visiting the spots where Jaws came alive. The best part of all was doing it with friends. Though it was time to say goodbye, the memories will live on for all of us forever.

Martha’s Vineyard