Martha’s Vineyard, a picturesque island off the coast of Massachusetts, offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore its rich history and stunning natural beauty through the Martha’s Vineyard Driving & Walking GPS-Guided Audio Tour. Narrated by professional voice artists, this self-guided tour immerses travelers in the island’s captivating past, from the indigenous Wampanoag culture to the development of a unique sign language. With comprehensive routing, offline maps, and hands-free audio playback, the tour provides an engaging and affordable way for visitors to discover the island’s iconic landmarks, including the charming gingerbread houses and the historic 1876 Flying Horses Carousel. But the tour’s true allure lies in the stories it unveils, inviting visitors to uncover the hidden gems that make Martha’s Vineyard a truly remarkable destination.
Key Points
- This self-guided GPS-audio tour of Martha’s Vineyard covers over 13 miles, offering a flexible schedule and more affordable pricing than bus or guided tours.
- The tour features engaging storytelling by professional voice artists, animated videos, offline maps, and hands-free audio playback for a comprehensive experience.
- Key highlights include exploring Wampanoag history, admiring iconic gingerbread houses and the historic Flying Horses Carousel, and discovering the unique sign language history at Inkwell Beach.
- The tour can be started at any time, paused and resumed as desired, and remains valid for 12 months, ensuring flexibility and convenience for travelers.
- Comprehensive route planning and on-demand content ensure that no key attraction is overlooked, providing a well-rounded exploration of Martha’s Vineyard.
Tour Overview
The self-guided GPS-guided audio tour of Martha’s Vineyard covers over 13 miles, highlighting the island’s key attractions in 2-3 hours.
Offering a flexible schedule, the tour can be used on any day and over multiple visits, with a new, extra validity of 1 year.
Unlike bus or guided tours, the audio tour is more affordable as it’s per car, not per person.
Professional voice artists provide engaging storytelling, while animated videos help visualize historical events and landmarks.
Offline maps and location-based audio playback ensure a seamless, hands-free experience.
Visitors can dive deeper into the stories with extra content and explore the comprehensive route without missing a beat.
Featured Stops and Highlights
Along the self-guided tour, visitors can explore the Vineyard Haven township and learn about the Wampanoag tribe’s history and the island’s name origin.
Next, they’ll admire the iconic gingerbread houses and the 1876 Flying Horses Carousel in the charming town of Oak Bluffs.
The tour also takes travelers to Inkwell Beach, where they’ll discover the history of a genetic mutation that led to the development of a unique sign language.
At the Lighthouse Beach, they’ll see the iconic lighthouse originally built almost 200 years ago.
Lastly, the tour leads visitors to the quaint historic district of Edgartown and the placid bay and dramatic beach of South Beach.
Tour Features
Engaging storytelling by professional voice artists brings the tour’s narratives to life, while animated videos help visitors visualize the historical events and landmarks encountered along the way.
The self-guided audio tour utilizes offline maps and hands-free audio playback that’s triggered by location, allowing for a seamless, immersive experience. Travelers can also dive deeper into the stories with extra, on-demand content provided throughout the tour.
Comprehensive routing and stop information ensure no key attraction is overlooked, delivering a truly well-rounded exploration of Martha’s Vineyard.
Practicalities
To begin the self-guided tour, visitors can start at either the Steamship Authority Vineyard Haven Terminal or 1 Seaview Ave, Oak Bluffs.
They’ll need to download the Action Tour Guide app and enter the unique password provided to access the Martha’s Vineyard tour.
The tour is designed to be a driving experience, so visitors should connect their car speakers to enjoy the engaging audio narration.
Along the way, there will be opportunities to park and explore certain landmarks on foot.
The tour is flexible, allowing visitors to start anytime, pause anywhere, and take breaks as needed.
With the tour’s comprehensive route and stops, guests can ensure they don’t miss any of Martha’s Vineyard’s highlights.
Support and Flexibility
The Martha’s Vineyard tour provides all-day support via call, chat, or email, ensuring visitors can get assistance whenever they need it. Travelers also enjoy the flexibility to start the tour anytime, pause it anywhere, and freely take breaks as desired, without the need to rebook if their travel plans change – the tour remains valid for a full year.
Some key benefits of the tour’s support and flexibility include:
- Ability to get help from the tour provider at any time during the day
- Option to start the tour whenever it’s most convenient
- Freedom to take breaks without disrupting the overall experience
- No need to rebook the tour if travel plans are altered, as it’s valid for 12 months
Wampanoag Tribe and Island’s Name
The tour explores the Wampanoag tribe’s rich history and the fascinating origin behind Martha’s Vineyard’s name. Visitors learn that the Wampanoag were the indigenous inhabitants of the island, living there for thousands of years before European settlement. The tour delves into the tribe’s way of life, customs, and language. Interestingly, the island’s name is derived from the Wampanoag word "Noepe," meaning "island in the water."
| Wampanoag History | Wampanoag Culture | Island Name | Tribal Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inhabited Martha’s Vineyard for millennia | Deeply connected to the land and sea | "Noepe" means "island in the water" | Algonquian-based language |
| Skilled hunter-gatherers and farmers | Intricate spiritual beliefs and traditions | Named by European settlers in 1602 | Oral language passed down generations |
| Resisted colonization but faced devastation | Matrilineal society with strong gender roles | Reflects the Wampanoag’s deep ties to the island | Contains unique dialects and vocabulary |
| Descendants continue to live on the island | Preserved through museum exhibits and events |
Gingerbread Houses and Carousel
Charming gingerbread-style cottages and the iconic 1876 Flying Horses Carousel grace the quaint town of Oak Bluffs, captivating visitors with their whimsical Victorian-era architecture and timeless charm.
The carousel’s hand-carved and painted wooden horses transport riders back in time, while the brightly colored, ornate gingerbread houses evoke a storybook-like ambiance.
Visitors can:
- Stroll along the shaded streets, admiring the intricate gingerbread trim and colorful facades
- Ride the historic carousel, one of the oldest operating carousels in the United States
- Explore the shops and galleries within the gingerbread-style buildings
- Imagine the lives of the island’s Victorian-era residents who once called these cottages home
Unique Sign Language History
Nestled on Inkwell Beach, a unique sign language has emerged over generations, born from a genetic mutation that led to a distinct deaf community on Martha’s Vineyard.
This island’s heritage is marked by the Deaf Vineyarders, a group whose ancestry traces back to the 1600s. Due to the founder effect, a high prevalence of congenital deafness arose, driving the development of Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL).
This rich linguistic tradition allowed the Deaf Vineyarders to thrive, creating a tight-knit community where signing was the norm.
Today, though MVSL has faded, its legacy lives on as a testament to the island’s inclusive past and the resilience of its people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Tour Be Used for Multiple People in the Same Car?
Yes, the tour can be used for multiple people in the same car. The tour is designed for one per car, not per person, making it more affordable than bus or guided tours for groups.
Is the Tour Available in Languages Other Than English?
The tour is currently available in English only. While translations into other languages are not mentioned, the company may offer additional language options in the future to cater to a diverse audience. Customers should check for any updates on language availability.
Are There Any Age Restrictions or Requirements for the Tour?
There are generally no age restrictions or requirements for the tour. The tour can be enjoyed by all ages, though parental supervision is recommended for young children. The content and experience are suitable for a wide range of ages.
Is There a Limit on the Number of Times the Tour Can Be Used?
The tour has no limit on the number of times it can be used. According to the knowledge provided, the tour has "new, extra validity for 1 year – can be used multiple times over multiple trips".
Can the Tour Be Done on Foot Without a Car?
The tour can be done on foot without a car. The audio guide provides directions for walking portions in addition to driving, allowing users to experience the highlights of the area through a combination of walking and driving.
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Recap
The Martha’s Vineyard Driving & Walking GPS-Guided Audio Tour offers visitors a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the island’s rich history and iconic landmarks.
With its hands-free audio playback, offline maps, and comprehensive routing, the tour provides a flexible and affordable way to discover the Wampanoag culture, the unique sign language development, and the island’s charming gingerbread houses and 1876 Flying Horses Carousel.
