A Travel Price Comparison for Massachusetts Boston vs. Martha's Vineyard for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Boston or Martha's Vineyard?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Boston and Martha's Vineyard. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Boston

Boston is a traditional, classic, and proud city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a peaceful, affluent, and coastal island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Boston and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boston or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Boston than Martha's Vineyard, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Boston is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, christmas markets, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Martha's Vineyard is more popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Boston is well known for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. Also, Boston is famous for The Freedom Trail. Martha's Vineyard is well known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping.

How is Boston different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Martha's Vineyard and Boston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Boston or Martha's Vineyard?

Boston is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Boston has many famous sights for visitors. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Theater?

Boston is a great city for its shows and theatre. However, Martha's Vineyard is not a theatre destination.

Boston offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Martha's Vineyard is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Boston or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Boston and Martha's Vineyard can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Boston makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Martha's Vineyard has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Boston is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Boston has something for everybody. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Music?

Boston is a good destination for its music scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Martha's Vineyard is not a live music destination.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Boston is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Martha's Vineyard for its luxury resorts. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Boston is not a resort destination.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is notable for its beaches. However, Boston is a mediocre city for the beache.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for its Old Town?

Boston is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Martha's Vineyard does not have a historic old town.

Boston offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Martha's Vineyard does not have a historic old town.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Boston is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard offers some nice hiking trails. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Boston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boston or Martha's Vineyard?

Martha's Vineyard is notable for shopping. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Martha's Vineyard is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Christmas?

Boston is a great city for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Martha's Vineyard does not offer Christmas activities.

Boston is a very popular destination during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Martha's Vineyard does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is a great city for visiting Christmas markets. However, Martha's Vineyard does not offer Christmas markets.

The Christmas markets in Boston offer plenty to see during the holidays. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Martha's Vineyard does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Boston is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Boston is very family-friendly. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Martha's Vineyard is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Boston is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Students?

Boston is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Boston is a very popular place to visit for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boston is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its public transit.

Public transit in Boston is top-notch. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

Public transit is generally limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Boston or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Boston is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

Boston is a very easy city to get around on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Boston Worth Visiting? and Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Boston?

How long in Boston or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Boston and Martha's Vineyard. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than in Martha's Vineyard. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Boston, and 1-3 days is enough time in Martha's Vineyard.

Families should spend more time in Boston than Martha's Vineyard. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Boston than Martha's Vineyard. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Boston that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston than Martha's Vineyard if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Boston.

One day in Boston or Martha's Vineyard?

When visiting Boston, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Martha's Vineyard might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Boston or Martha's Vineyard?

When visiting Boston, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Martha's Vineyard is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Boston or Martha's Vineyard?

When visiting Boston, people usually allow for lots of time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Martha's Vineyard. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Boston or Martha's Vineyard?

Boston is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Boston and Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Boston is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boston Expensive? and Is Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Boston or Martha's Vineyard?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Boston or Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Boston as well as Martha's Vineyard. The summer months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

In July, Boston is generally around the same temperature as Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 73°F (23°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In the summer, Boston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard. Boston gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun.

Boston usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Martha's Vineyard. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boston or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Boston this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Boston is around the same temperature as Martha's Vineyard in the autumn. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 54°F (12°C) in October, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. Boston usually receives less sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during autumn. Boston gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Boston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Martha's Vineyard. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Boston or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Boston during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Martha's Vineyard can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Boston. In the winter, Boston is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the winter temperatures in Boston in January average around 29°F (-2°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Boston often gets less sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Boston gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun.

Boston usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Martha's Vineyard. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boston or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Martha's Vineyard. Many visitors come to Boston in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Boston is generally around the same temperature as Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 48°F (9°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Boston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during spring. Boston gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Boston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Martha's Vineyard. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Boston