In want of a getaway at a vacation spot the place Black pleasure, legacy, and satisfaction are celebrated this summer time? Look no additional than Oak Bluffs.
For generations, this Martha’s Winery enclave has been a treasured summertime retreat for Black households the place seashore days stretch lengthy, traditions run deep, and pleasure strikes freely. From the early 1900s, when Oak Bluffs stood out as one of many few coastal cities that welcomed Black vacationers and owners, to in the present day’s buzzy mixture of legacy owners, visiting celebrities, and first-timers discovering the magic, the city has held onto its attraction whereas increasing its cultural footprint.
It’s appeared in exhibits like “Bel-Air” and Netflix’s “Without end,” had its personal franchise on Bravo’s “Summer season Home,” and impressed a Ralph Lauren marketing campaign. Via all of it, it stays the sort of place the place you may see the Obamas on the seashore within the morning and catch a block social gathering by dusk.
Whether or not you’re in search of a slow-paced getaway by the seashore, a ladies’ journey, or planning a household trip, we break down all the pieces you might want to know, from when to go to, the place to remain, what to do, and extra.
When is the very best time to journey to Oak Bluffs?
Peak season is often throughout summer time, with an actual uptick from mid-July by means of Labor Day, when the island is buzzing with vitality. That’s when the Martha’s Winery African American Movie Competition hits (early to mid-August), and when the seashores are filled with acquainted faces and impromptu porch events. For a quieter vibe, early June and post-Labor Day September can nonetheless provide attractive climate with fewer crowds.
The place do you have to keep?
Oak Bluffs is understood for its picturesque coastal seashore homes and historic gingerbread cottages. Many households e-book their trip properties and cottages as much as a 12 months upfront, whereas others have been handed down for generations. There are additionally a number of boutique inns, just like the historic Oak Bluffs Inn, Summer season Camp Resort, and the Pequot Resort.
What’s there to do?
The island gives loads of easy-living summer time actions. You might kick your day without work with a morning at Inkwell Seaside or take a stroll or bike experience by means of the Campground, a neighborhood with beautiful, vibrant, and colourful preserved Victorian cottages. The African American Heritage Path, the place you may be taught concerning the island’s deep-rooted Black historical past, is a should. Different actions embody looking the artwork galleries in Edgartown and purchasing at Black-owned companies round Circuit Avenue.
For households, the Flying Horses Carousel, which has the bragging rights because the nation’s oldest, is one other island should. The island additionally has kayaking, crusing, and miles of mountaineering trails to find.
Main occasions and weekends
The Martha’s Winery African American Movie Competition, presently underway, is the crown jewel of Black summer time on the island. Based in 2002, the pageant brings filmmakers, celebrities, and storytellers alike from throughout the nation to the island for every week of premieres, talks, and celebration. It additionally entails the legendary White Social gathering.
Different main weekends embody Fourth of July and the Oak Bluffs Fireworks in late August.
Meals and leisure
Foodies can rejoice. The island gives many choices for coastal delicacies, together with Mocha Mott’s for espresso and pastries; Nancy’s, the place locals and celebrities alike prefer to dine for lunch; the Lookout Tavern, with its ocean views; or Again Door Donuts for a midnight snack. Different haunts embody Crimson Cat Kitchen for dinner and the enduring dive bar The Ritz.
