Just five miles off the coast of Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard was purchased in 1602 by Thomas Mayhew for a mere 40 pounds. With its
abundant grapes and  seaside beauty, even then it was a shrewd
investment. Just think if old Tom knew that these days a rented bungalow can cost as much as $30,000 a month on this exclusive island getaway.
The Methodists began taking summer retreats
on the 100 square-mile island around 1835, and by the time the whaling industry had collapsed 40 years later, Martha's Vineyard had become a regular summer resort for thousands of New Englanders.
These days, people in the tens of thousands visit
Martha's Vineyard to bike, sail and eat at some of the best restaurants on the east coast. In spite of heavy traffic on its 11 public beaches, Martha's Vineyard retains much of its primitive
beauty, and is the home and inspiration to a much-ballyhooed arts community.
Travel to the island is by boat or by air only, and most lodging is in the form of
residences or bed-and-breakfasts. Only two of its towns, Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, serve alcohol. And of course, there are the celebrities. The Kennedys, Carly Simon
and James Taylor, Walter Cronkite ... even President Clinton has shown a fondness for the island, visiting twice (once for the wedding of actors Ted Danson and Mary
Steenburgen, a second time to go through the buffet line again).
The other towns include West Tisbury
, Vineyard Haven, Tisbury, Gay Head, Menemsha, and Chilmark.
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