53 Moshup Trail
Aquinnah, MA 02535
Parking of private vehicles in the Aquinnah town parking lot is limited to about 50 vehicles and costs $35/day. As you can guess, the lot fills quickly on nice summer days! There is also free public parking at the cliffs if you are making a quick stop to check out the view. This parking is limited to a 30 minute time frame and a police officer is on duty throughout the summer to enforce the time limits.
Although facilities are not available on the beaches, there are well maintained public restrooms on the cliffs, as well as places to get food and drinks, and picnic tables. Faith’s Seafood is a popular choice with visitors – serving delicious Aquinnah and clam chowders, and a variety of fresh seafood and sushi along with the usual array of dogs, burgers, and fried tidbits. Across the walkway from Faith’s is another excellent take-out food option, called Dream Catcher. Here you can get, in my humble opinion, the best lobster roll on the island, along with grilled items and soft serve ice cream. There are several boutiques and souvenir shops in this area as well, lining the walkway to the main attraction – the Cliffs of Gay Head. The Cliffs are a National Landmark, and environmentally protected area. It is worth the climb up the hill for a good view of the cliffs – it may be the most breath taking, panoramic view on the entire east coast of the United States.
Driving Directions
The Cliffs of Aquinnah in a 30-40 minute drive from most “down-island” towns (that’s the east or more populated side of the island), or in about an hour via public bus. The Vineyard Transit Authority is the Island’s clean and affordable public bus system, and has service running to The Cliffs hourly throughout the day and evening during the summer, beach season. Schedules for the buses can be found on the VTA website. Printed schedules along with a good map of the entire island can be found in the Martha’s Vineyard Steamship Authority ferry terminals and in the visitor’s centers of Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, and Oak Bluffs.