A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Lancaster for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster?

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 Martha's Vineyard and Lancaster. 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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a picturesque, scenic, and traditional town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Martha's Vineyard and Lancaster: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard. Although Martha's Vineyard and Lancaster are popular destinations, Martha's Vineyard has more sights and attractions for tourists. Martha's Vineyard is very popular for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Lancaster attracts visitors for its museums. Martha's Vineyard is more touristy than Lancaster and is known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. It is also well known for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Lancaster is famous for its history and long running Amish community.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Lancaster?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lancaster is a great town for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Lancaster. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

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

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lancaster is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Lancaster offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find reasonable options in both Martha's Vineyard and Lancaster.

Martha's Vineyard doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Most people don't head to Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Lancaster is not a resort destination.

Martha's Vineyard offers an unforgettable resort vacation. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Lancaster is not a resort destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for the beach. However, Lancaster is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Martha's Vineyard. 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.

Lancaster is not a beach destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

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

If you're looking to go shopping, Martha's Vineyard and Lancaster both offer plenty of great spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. 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.

Lancaster is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster Better for Families?

Lancaster is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lancaster. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Lancaster is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Martha's Vineyard has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Lancaster is a very popular place to visit for couples. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

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

Martha's Vineyard and Lancaster both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

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

Martha's Vineyard is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Lancaster is not known for its walkability.

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

Lancaster is generally not very walkable. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

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

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

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Martha's Vineyard and Lancaster. In our opinion, Martha's Vineyard has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Lancaster. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Martha's Vineyard, and 2-3 days is enough time in Lancaster.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lancaster 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 Lancaster.

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster?

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Martha's Vineyard has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With food and shopping around the destination of Lancaster, there's plenty to do. 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.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With shopping and museums around the picturesque town of Lancaster, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the picturesque destination of Lancaster. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or Lancaster?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Lancaster is a popular choice for travelers. This town 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Martha's Vineyard and Lancaster, we can see that Martha's Vineyard is more expensive. And not only is Lancaster much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lancaster would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lancaster and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard than you might in Lancaster.

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

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

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

Both Lancaster and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lancaster for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Martha's Vineyard is around the same temperature as Lancaster in the summer. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Lancaster fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. Martha's Vineyard usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during summer. Martha's Vineyard gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Martha's Vineyard usually receives less rain than Lancaster. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Lancaster and Martha's Vineyard during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard is cooler than Lancaster. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Lancaster averages at about 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. Martha's Vineyard gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun.

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in October than Lancaster. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and Lancaster. The winter months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lancaster in the winter. The weather in Martha's Vineyard can be very cold. In January, Martha's Vineyard is generally much colder than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 28°F (-2°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually receives more sunshine than Lancaster during winter. Martha's Vineyard gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Lancaster. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as Lancaster. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lancaster for the natural beauty.

Martha's Vineyard is cooler than Lancaster in the spring. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Lancaster fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lancaster. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In the spring, Martha's Vineyard often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Martha's Vineyard gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun.

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in April than Lancaster. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Martha's Vineyard