Live Your Best Lives
Martha's Vineyard Camp meeting Association (MVCMA) Reviews
4.7
1 of 36 Best Attractions in Oak Bluffs
Reviews
We rented a car and drove around the island. I was disappointed that there really wasn't much to do. However, I did enjoy the gingerbread houses. They were so quaint and charming.
On Martha's Vineyard I was expecting what I found in Edgartown - beautiful and elegant Greek Revival/Federal houses built by well-to-do whaling captains. What was entirely unexpected - and made me very happy we'd decided to stay in Oak Bluffs (at Isabelle's Beach House - yes, go) - was the remarkable and absolutely unique set of 300+ gingerbread cottages built 1860-1910 in a rough multi-tiered circle around the central "square" of the Methodist Camp Meeting. Way, way cool both for the unique architecture and for the social history. After the Aquinnah beach cliffs, this was the most impressive and memorable feature of our trip. Go.
I was able to see what all the hoopla is about and not only is it colorful, but the history is fascinating! A definite must-see for those with children.
Wonderful service with added annual memorial program honoring all souls that have departed in the last year.
Sin patriotic songs and pray a lot and sing hymns
If you enjoy seeing Victorian houses, you will want to walk around this camp ground. We biked around, but I wished we had walked so I could have looked at each house more carefully. Most are beautifully kept and colorfully painted.
Each house is cuter than the next! I could walk around this area for hours looking at these adorable colorful cottages.
This is worth a look. For those familiar with the NJ shore, this is just like Ocean Grove, with lovely houses if many colors instead of tents. You cant really drive through it, but take the walk around the Tabernacle. Pride of ownership and attention to detail shines through in this religious neighborhood.
When we entered the gates a nice man named Ray let us take photos on his porch. The museum had some nice exhibits with period clothing and a few relics of note including a chair President Grant used. The tabernacle was a nice spot to sit for a minute and take in the steel framing and stained glass. Portable toilets are there for use too.
The Tabernacle and campground cottages give visitors a peaceful and serene place to sit and relax take a break and soak in the vibe of Oak Bluffs.
A real plus for architecture buffs, so many packed Victorian cottages side by side. Keep walking beyond the middle, many more cottages and larger Victorian painted ladies through out town as well, including the largest buildings facing the ocean. Geese and skunks are mighty prevalent right now so be watchful as dusk approaches.
Having Uber and very helpful bus transportation, this is very accessible to anybody who will visit the place.
Hi Martha's hostel is a very economical way to spend a night .
A quite not what I expected from the ginger house bread- there are people living in those places and it's very creepy trying to take a photo.
Beach was awesome!
When in Oak Bluffs take an hour to detour through this unique experience. Just steps from Circuit Ave, it’s more than 300 cottages tightly assembled that look like doll houses. Each is decorated differently, it’s quite a sight to see. There’s a small museum set up in one of the cottages so you can see the interior. Very unique. Try to squeeze it in.
This was a beautiful area, and can’t wait for my next visit. This was my first “solo” trip, and I’m glad I wet. I have already booed my next trip there.
Absolutely how I remember it from my childhood! The buildings are well maintained and beautifully done. Prepare to walk your bikes for a part of it, but also prepare to be impressed. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world.
We spent an hour walking around this area looking at all the different decorations on the homes and talking to some of the owners. We took our children back the next day.
We enjoyed walking and seeing sites in this area. Very cool cottages to view and the location is not far from the ferry landing. Where they have a good walkway to use.
The Camp Meeting Association is a wonderful place to take in charming gingerbread architecture. Bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic in the pavillion and shady beautiful flower gardens.
The gingerbread houses are a treat for the eyes! Bring your camera!!!
It’s a historic landmark. It’s one of the major attraction in Martha’s Vineyard. It’s very interesting and I would recommend it.
Definitely worth walking around and see the amazing little cottages each with their own distinct character. Very cool.
In the middle of nowhere we’re 300 gingerbread houses. Each house differs from the next. Well worth the quiet visit. A must see. Very friendly people. Unique!
Very interesting place to stroll and look at the adorable cottages. Each is unique. Only spent about 20 mins there, it doesn’t take long unless you want to look at each and every one
First time at Martha’s Vineyard, September 2022. This was a beautiful area.
Definitely put this on your walking tour of things to do while visiting here.
It's a must to walk through this neighborhood if you are in Oak Bluffs. The houses and the history are so interesting. It's by far the best part of Oak Bluffs.
One of the best highlights of our trip. It's so quaint and peaceful in the campground. The houses are just adorable!
I was excited to see the iconic gingerbread houses of Martha's Vineyard. We were on bikes and totally missed the spray painted verbiage on the ground that read "walk your bike". As we were riding through we were very rudely yelled out by one of the cottage residents. She was so rude and obnoxious that another resident apologized for her grumpiness. It was an honest mistake as most people aren't looking down to the ground when riding. They should really consider more visible signage if its that strict of a rule. This totally ruined are experience, but either way there isn't much to see or do here. We were under the impression more of the houses would be available to tour, but apparently only one is and the rest are all privately owned. It's very charming to see if your right there and have 15 minutes to waste but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. You can get the same idea seeing them from the main street. The gingerbread houses in Cape May, NJ are more exciting.
I took a walk through the Gingerbread Houses during my trip to MV. I felt like I was in a fairytale. You can take as many photos as you want (although residents of these houses don't want you peeking in their windows or going on their doorsteps). Definitely check these out!
you should visit this place, all of the houses are beautiful, great craftsmanship, very picturesque village, the sanctuary and it's stained glass is very beautiful as well, a very peaceful spot to visit
A stroll around the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association makes you want to take out a loan and purchase one of the homes! This is such a cute little outdoor area with lots of shade and the walkpaths to just take in all the cute little homes and talk to the residents or not... a perfect slice of New England.
Talked with a sweet older couple who lived there! Learned about campground. So friendly ; enjoyed it
Park your car and you will be most welcomed as a pedestrian! 300 charming historical cottages that are best appreciated on foot as the roads are narrow (10 mph) with lots of kids on bikes. Park near the Oak Bluffs library if you don't find parking at the harbor. The cottages are all individually owned and each cottage is unique. You can go inside one cottage that has been turned into the cottage museum that's near the tabernacle.
Must see! Visit the Museum to see how the people lived. Beautiful walk through the streets. Or take a guided tour.
This neighborhood is absolutely worth a stroll. We parked nearby and, after traversing the main street full of t-shirt shops and theme-restaurants, founds a cut-though that led to the neighborhood.
The layout is basically concentric circular streets, centered around the original church-pavilion thing (which is closed for renovation). We very much enjoyed a stroll around the interior circle + some of the secondary one. The whole place is composed of Victorian cottages, some expanded to larger, modern standards. There are signs telling you when some/most of them were built (1860s and forward). Many have taken on a more modern vibe, with paint schemes and decor (one had a Wizard of Oz theme, for example). I enjoyed just wandering around and seeing what odd, surprising things greeted me on each new street or 'spoke' between circular streets.
If you go on a sunny day, there are plenty of photogenic cottages (if that is your thing).
Easily worth allocating up to an hour for a nice walk. If they rented these as Airbnb's, I'd definitely consider it.
On a day visit, by car and having sampled the delights of Aquinnah Clay Cliffs and lighthouse, followed by a saunter around Edgartown, I was looking forward to this unique area of Oak Bluffs.
Back in the early 1800’s, the Methodist Church had a camp meeting, with lots of individual small tents surrounding a large central tent.
Wind the clock forward and the central tent is replaced by the Tabernacle, and the small tents by tiny little gingerbread houses.
Your eyes keep lighting on yet another gem, only to be replaced by an even better one down the street.
There are literally hundreds of them and even the surrounding houses seemed to have copied the idea.
The Flying Horses Carousel was next on the agenda, but was unfortunately closed ( no explanation ).
Visited the island with a
Group on may 7.
Nice little town to visit.
Walked the shops and had lunch.
People were amigable and
eager to tell us about the
Place.A local took us around
and showed us sights and
Houses some belonging to
Persons like Comcast company
CEO and Norton the antivirus
Creator.
Just local shops no big
Walmart or Target s
It is kept by locals.
Hope stays simple as is.
I'm so glad that we came to Oak Bluffs to see these painted ladies. A beautiful day and beautiful homes and grounds. A must see.
There are other things to do, and after hearing the history I was unimpressed...Maybe because I've been to Cape May several times, this wasn't a huge surprise
Interesting gingerbread houses to walk around and take a few photos of whilst you are in Oak Bluffs.
Love love love this place. Adorable “tiny” homes. Cool history of the place too! So many avenues & alleys to view the homes & their beautiful landscaping. Definitely a must visit!
The Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association is an historic representation of the rich and proud history of the island of Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts! As the continue to celebrate their anniversary every year, all islanders and island visitors enjoy the festivities!
This group of several cottages is a must-see. The cottages evolved from platform tents pitched in the late 19th century by attendees at a religious retreat.
They are now known primarily for their unique "carpenter gothic" architecture and bright paint colors.
Take a nice stroll around the grounds and be enchanted! A great area to decompress from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the island. The homes are so lovely to look at. Stroll on, but be respectful!
This is definitely a must see while on the Island! So happy we took the time to check out Oak Bluffs & the Camp Meeting/Gingerbread houses! Very cool history and such a pleasant walk around the encampment.
Everyone talks about the gingerbread cottages so you have to visit them. They are quirky, different and in most cases very pretty. It must be quite strange to have people constantly looking into your front room but no one seems to mind. The church is lovely, very peaceful and welcoming, as is the tabernacle. It's a strange but lovely area and well worth the stroll.
Camp grew from tents in 1840s to Posen shacks, to beautiful but rustic wooden masterpieces. Beautiful central tabernacle for weekly sing alongs surrounded by 350 colorful camp Victorian cabins.
You can drive around (and sort of through) the neighborhood of over 300 gingerbread houses painted in a variety of colors and decorated in many fanciful trims. Rather stunning actually.
Adorable cottages with interesting history stop by the museum for a tour from one of the present residents!
Just a short walk from the dock. They are cute and very colorful sitting all next to each other. Some of them could use a little more upkeep than others. Too bad you can’t tour them since people live in them. They are at least very cute to look at.
Loved walking around to see these gingerbread houses! They are all different with different trim and colors! Worth the short walk from the Ferry area!
There is nothing like a vacation to MARTHAS VINEYARD....
You have three towns: OAK BLUFFS
VINEYARD HAVEN, & EDGARTOWN
All three towns are so interesting.
They each have so many interesting places, shops, restaurants, & beaches.....
You will find each is very different, but lots of fun...
I've especially enjoyed staying at SERENDIPITY COTTAGE IN THE CAMPGROUND.
Such a beautiful area of quaint cottages...
& don't forget the Tabernacle with Sunday services & guest pastors.
VINEYARD HAVEN is my personal favorite.
Loads of shops & restaurants & cottages...
Oak BLUFFS is less expensive, but lots of activities & stores.....
Don't forget the WESLEY HOTEL....& Fishing tournaments...
This neighborhood was so disappointing. I love gingerbread houses and Victorian architecture but these are just plain runned down. They really look old and tired, in need of maintenance and refreshing. There were a couple that seemed to be maintained but most had peeling paint, shakes falling off, rotten wood, etc. the whole area really could use some sprucing up. I’m surprised the historical society does not make owners do a better job of keeping them up. I didn’t even waste my time taking any photos. I just said let’s go.
One of my favorite stops on our bus tour. The colorful gingerbread cottages were lovely and the outdoor tabernacle with its stained glass windows was beautiful Loved walking around here and hearing the history from our guide.
Felt like in a movie set with the streets filled with smallish, colorful, and unique cottages. Each one was just a wonder of color and fantasy. Residents see all too happy to entertain questions. It was quiet and peaceful, away from hustle and bustle of Main Street. What a lovely gem
We have been going to the vineyard and staying in a cottage every summer and love staying in the cottage. However- we rented the upstairs apartment of the tabernacle house which belongs to the campground association. There was mold around the sink because the counters in kitchen and one bathroom are wood and not taken care of. There are ants EVERYWHERE. They even crawled into my son’s ear while he was sleeping . The grill burners were broken and the flames shot up 2 feet! And when we told the office they said oh yes we have a brand new grill but just haven’t put it together yet? The toaster would not shut off, no pot holders in the kitchen and the floors were dirty. Our advice is do not stay at the campground association buildings because they don’t take care of them. Oh and we got a letter from them a few months after we stayed asking US if we wanted to give money for renovations they hoped to do! We would give a zero for staying here in this apartment but a 5 star for the cottages. Stay at a cottage not the apartments
We went and hear the choir practice, my grandma used to live on the Campground so for me this is like home. A wonderful place worth a stroll. Idyllic and lovely.
This location is amazing, wonderful history and a nice neighbourhood to stroll around. The houses here are so unique!
We really enjoyed our visit here. This started out as a Methodist 'colony'. later expanding from tents to houses and from Methodist to all-inclusive. The camp meeting 'tent/tabernacle' is still there and a nice church has been added. But the attraction are the 300 or so gingerbread houses. Some of these are absolutely gorgeous. We enjoyed walking around and relished the opportunity to chat with some of the permanent residents. Each one seemed proud of their home and community.
This association is the mother of the one in Ocean Grove NJ having begun about 65 years earlier than Jersey. The architecture of the homes is stunning and colorful. Take in the cottage museum to learn more about the history.
You can't visit Martha's Vineyard and not go see the Gingerbread Cottages of MVCMA in Oak's Bluff. We were there in early May, well before the season, so many of the cottages were being refreshed.
Each cottage is so unique and they are all very well kept. Wander down some of the side streets to really get a taste of what the camp has to offer.
Amazing walk back into time and worth the look. The creative colorful victorian style houses are amazing.Row after row of salmon, mauve, turqouis , red green cottages are eye candy.They are surrounding the tabernacle which has the best acoustics ever. I never tire of looking and see more each time.
My family and I have been coming here for over 30 years.It's a family tradition to come to the community sing on Wednesday night's. So cute and do much fun!
Almost missed these as had been given wrong directions but glad we kept searching. Such pretty quaint little cottages in a lovely setting. Worth a visit.
We stumbled upon the Camp Meeting Association accidentally only to find it well documented in TripAdvisor. A very interesting history surrounds the beautifully maintained and ultimately cute cottages. The area is very peaceful and a perfect place to stroll around. Be sure to check out the museum, they give an excellent history of the Camp society.
Beautiful cottages! Had a blast strolling through the homes and illuminations. Intricate detail in the Gingerbread Houses. Simply beautiful.
Beautiful cottages. Easily walkable. A must see. No charge to walk through. Museum was nothing special but we enjoyed some of the history. Very small. Be sure you read about why these were formed..very interesting.
These little cabins are interesting relics from 100 years ago, but they have not been maintained. Some look like they very overdue for a paint job, but they are fun to see. Do not waste too much time here.
These Carpenter-Gothic gingerbread cottages are just adorable! Once you enter the grounds, it feels like you've fallen into a fairy-tale setting. There are 300+ colorful, unique cottages dating back to the 19th century. They are so much fun to photograph. The gardens surrounding the small yards are well-kept. A must-do while in Oak Bluffs!
These brightly colored houses are so fun, unique and gorgeous. Some are them are available to Airbnb. It's fun to walk around the campground and see all of the houses. There are a lot! They are worth a visit for sure, right in the middle of Oaks Bluff!
Absolutely perfect vacation. Summer Camp is a MUST for families (or just adults) Hawanny, Scott, quanelia, Sammlel, Melissa, Rosen, Richie, and Angela made our trip SO SPECIAL! They focused on our kids, making us adults perfectly relaxed and comfortable and incredibly happy! We’ll never book anywhere else on the island.
We had a guide for a tour of Martha's vineyard. Tour bus of 41 reviewing Methodist church history. Gingerbread galore, pink house, US Grant was here house, local Methodist church Victorian architecture.
Over 300 cottages, all a little different. One cottage is open and the lady was wonderful in explaining the history. Not something to miss.
The cottages and neighborhood, including the tabernacle, reminded us so much of TI Park in the Thousand Islands in NY. Cute neighborhoods, homes with beautiful and distinctive doors, gingerbread woodwork, etc. Brought back fond memories.
A quiet stroll through the campground is a trip back in time and an escape from tourist crowds just a block away. The cute, ornate cottages ( still occupied) exude the sense of an earlier time. The gathering spot hosts concerts, sing alongs and lectures. There is a museum in one of the cottages.
Nice place to walk around and view all the gingerbread style houses. If you are in Oak Bluffs, it’s worth it. But I’m not sure it would be with it if you were staying on the other side of the island.
This camp area provides an amazing backdrop for a family walk. The gingerbread cottages are one of a kind and the residents are friendly and welcoming. Bring your camera and capture this one of a kind MV neighborhood.
Such a magical and charming little place to spend a little time walking around. Loved seeing all the little cottages and learning their history.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when pencilling in the Gingerbread Houses in our schedule but all of my party was struck my the absolutely beautiful little houses, based around a central meeting house. The sheer diversity of colours and designs was a sensory overload and they are categorically a must see if you visit Martha’s Vineyard. Many date back to the mid-1800s and seeing them is truly unique one-off sight that surely is not replicated anywhere else in the world.
If you love history and architecture this is the place for you. Recommend prior to visiting that you read up on why and how these “Cottages” came to be. When you take the walking tour, keep in the back of your mind these “cottages” are all on a land lease which may or may not be renewed for the family who owns the “cottage”. This is a spiritual community and you are walking and taking pictures of families home…so try and be respectful during your visit.
This community, organized as the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, has a rich history that dates from its 1835 founding as a Protestant summer retreat. Our family has owned a cottage here since 1960.
Originally a tented camp site, the cottages developed over time beginning in about the 1860s, (ours in 1869) surrounding the central meeting area in Trinity Park. The large open air Tabernacle standing in Trinity Park today was built in 1879.
The visitor experience can vary from a 15 minute walk to see the “cute little doll houses” to an in depth tour of the rich historical significance of this place. In season, the Association offers docent led tours of the grounds, an annual Cottage Tour, and a small museum located in one of the original cottages. An annual event open to all is the Grand Illumination night held in August.
More history and visitor information at mvcma.org.
Excellent walk through all of the neat and unique cottages. Enjoyed all the architecture and color schemes. Since its close to the main drag, its a must do. All shaed so that you can escape the heat a little on a hot day.
Unbelievably cute and a must see for Oak Bluffs. It is only a few minutes walk from downtown and you can walk through the area as little or as long as you like. Each one of the little cottage houses is painted differently and almost all are named. My kids were fascinated, as were we. There are ‘You are Here’ maps posted along the walk ways and there are a few sites worth seeing. For example, the Cottage Museum (cost $2 for adults). You can walk through the small cottage and see what the house looks like from the inside along with period furniture, clothes, household goods, etc. A very friendly docent works up front, very eager and happy to answer questions. We enjoyed talking to him and learned quite a bit about the area. There is a small gift shop in the back.
The whole neighborhood is cute and social and fun however the cottage we stayed in was run down and not represented honestly. #30 Trinity Park, Oaks Bluff. Avoid this cottage! The image on the website shows a pink house (probably 20+ yrs ago) but the same house today has chipped blue trim and badly run down inside and outside. The current owner has had the place for over 7 yrs. The worst part would be the safety aspect. The were power cords connecting most devices including all 3 a/c units and the refrigerator. On the 3rd morning , I was making coffe and tried to open the back door for air flow. The door would not unlock from the inside and the key from the outside would not unjam the lock. I have a short video of us trying to unjam and free open the door. Pretty scary if there was a fire. Yes I reported it.
The walk through this neighborhood takes you past many very attractively painted and well-maintained historic wooden houses. They are quite close together and close to the street. It is a fun walk.
Walking the pathways from these quaint homes to other things in the village bring the past back. My wife's favorite was La Vie en Rose. A beautiful quirky example of the local 1800's architecture.
Take a stroll, the gingerbread cottages are fabulous, dating back to the 1880's. Used for a yearly Methodist retreat. Located behind the main street of Oak Bluffs it's a Vineyard you may not have know existed. Originally simple camp houses then grown larger and more ornate. I've seen these cottages list on AirBNB, which would be a trip. If nothing else, Google the photos and I'm sure you'll want to pay a visit.
Walking through the campground, was incredibly peaceful. The many trees made our experience even more enjoyable.
This location ws used by the Methodist church for summer camp meetings starting in 1835. The original test area now has many colorful gingerbread cottages surrounding the iron Tabernacle. There is a small museum that we were not able to visit due to time on our tour.
This is so beautiful and peaceful walking through. Each cottage is unique and amazing. The cottages are all different colors, beautiful trim work, gabled windows, cute little porches, great people watching as you go by, a real neighborhood, and the tabernacle as the centerpiece of this still thriving community. A example of Americana and history. We walked through four times in our two day stay. You wonder how the crafts people designed the woodwork, how original and creative.
Wow, wow, wow.
These Gingerbread Houses are beautiful. There are a little over 300 of the original hoses still in existence. Each one is unique in design, colour scheme, landscaping and decoration.
These houses as set in a mature, tranquil area and there is an abundance of shade even on the sunniest day.
Certainly a must see on any visit to the island.
The houses are cute and all different. It didn’t take us long. We probably could have spent more time, but chose to do other things on the island.
This was fun to walk through the Camp and see all the little gingerbread houses! So Quaint! Almost fairy tale like. All are painted differently with different gingerbread. It would be fun to stay in one. Take a minute and stroll through the neighborhood and enjoy the beauty of the cottages.
It was throwing it down when we visited so we did not see it at it's best although there was no one around so that was good. We had a paddle around and saw some of the cottages in all different colours. Was quiet and barely saw anyone else!
The camp meeting area was the best and most interesting part of our trip. The three hour island tour was awful and my honest review reflected that. The gingerbread houses were really neat and well worth the time
There are a number of beautifully painted vacation cottages here. Many have gothic doors and windows. Some have rounded doors and windows. They are really charming and very much worth visiting.
This entire neighborhood is filled with quaint little New England cottages that are unique to Martha's Vineyard. Very colorful and cozy looking, and all close together. Apparently some of them can be rented out and some have year round residents. One is open as a museum to see inside. The truly are tiny, but it's something you don't see every day and is in my opinion a must see when on Martha's Vineyard. We went with family (including little kids) and friends and everyone had a good time here strolling around and taking pictures. It doesn't really take a long time to see everything here: basically just takes however long it takes you to walk and stop for pics.
Because these gingerbread houses are all over Cape May, maybe for me it was ok..... can walk around till Back Door Donuts open... otherwise if not used a time filler, skip it. Adorable yes... but let's not crazy.
This is a must see when visiting Martha's Vineyard! An amazing large number (over 300) of wooden cottages making a village circling the iron Methodist church "tabernacle". These gingerbread style cottages are found in every amazing color and color combinations. Check this out and don't miss!
It's a beautiful compound of houses, brightly pained, amazing wood work, kids imagination goes wild! 'It's a gingerbread house town, mom' The feeling, people are friendly, gardens are amazing, houses are dreamy here, totally worth getting off the ferry, picking a snack, and walking around this beautiful area, what a memory.
We visited this area in June of last year, before schools were out for the summer. A great time of year to visit if you like to avoid crowds. This camp area is lovely and a peaceful walk around in shade. We sat at the performing space and took in the serenity of the space. The surrounding town was lively and well maintained with many shops and restaurants to experience.
Wow, adorable museum, beautiful church, gingerbread homes what a site to see. Each home is truly something out of a storybook. A lovely place to wander and enjoy the uniqueness that is MV. Take the time and put on your list of things to see in Oak Bluffs.
Inevitably, you hear about the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association sometime during your stay in Oak Bluffs. You’re just as likely to drunkenly stumble into this “tourist attraction” by accident as come here intentionally. Sullen and unfriendly people walk or bike through looking for an escape from the congestion and noise of Circuit Avenue. I suppose it’s good for a quick photo op but if you have children or teens with you they’ll be questioning your judgement and why the hell you brought them here (and they’ll be correct for the first time in their lives). This place certainly looks historic but just visit the oddball museum, pick up a pamphlet or ask several locals on why this place actually is historic and you will get several different answers as well as several different names for this site. The “historic” structures were clearly rebuilt over the years just without the common sense of central air, solar power and the fact that most Americans are taller then 5 feet 2 inches nowadays. I’m not sure what religious cult runs the place but they’re pretty boring as far as cults go and the best thing that could be said about this creepy “attraction” is that they don’t ask for money at the entrance. Theoretically, people actually live here but this is definitely not small-town America. It’s a collection of “No Trespassing” signs with hundreds of empty tiny wood-framed houses and rocking chairs surrounding a small green space and dilapidated pavilion. Locals call these small tastelessly-painted structures Victorian gingerbread cottages; polite visitors call them tiny houses and if you’re from Texas you would call them sheds. At this point, they should just make the whole place a “Haunted Village”, charge admission, place some spooky lighting, dress residents up as ghosts and zombies and ironically it would actually bring some life and character to Oak Bluffs.
Arriving at the Oak Bluffs this is most probably the first thing to do. I was lucky to have a sunny day for this to enjoy the sunshine and camera at the same time. The cloud cover could not give the vibrance of the colors all around. You feel like among the fairytale cottages and the world seems to be in these cottages only. It is normally said that the cottages are without any internet, wifi thus in a way, a place to spend time when you want to be cut off from rest of the world may be want to be in your own world with your own-self.
A guided tour is the preferable option especially for people coming from outside the US. Many famous people have embraced this area and it is also known for people who contributed in different walks of life. The information from the touring guides must be well listened and preferably noted which if not after a day or two one feels that it should have been done.
There is a cottage museum there also with some unique articles and souvenir shop for people interested in shopping. A mug and t-shirt is always the must item at least for me...
A smartphone should be clicked along with a camera in order to save the location with photos which is handy. May not be for such a famous place but the places in the vicinity. Weight of the camera gear is important if you are on a long walk. Good walking shoes are important.
May be on way back there is a Circuit Ave Black Dog General Store near to Oak Bluffs Steamship terminal for some shopping from Black Dog. It is recommended to be there at the end before departing the island so that less weight you will carry on your way back as normally there are more things to buy then you plan. Hoodies is a good option...
Stroll, Stroll, Stroll and view and take all the variations in the different cottages.
I even got a chance to speak to an owner of one of the cottages.
Learned a lot about what the motivations are, and the aspects of seasonally living in a cottage.
The campground is a magical place lined with Victorian style cottages in all sorts of colors. The center park has the pavilion in which Illumination Night is held and this is something everyone should experience at least once in their lives. At other times, there are concerts, tag sales, etc. in the pavilion. Not to be missed on any MV visit! There is parking inside the campground but this is limited especially when an event is going on, so park outside and walk in.
This village of homes is cute for a walk, and we enjoyed strolling through it a couple times, but to really appreciate the community and understand the history you should take the Tuesday or Thursday morning tour. Our tour was led by two folks who lived in the village, and one had been visiting since he was a child. It has an interesting history, and the village is about much more than cute facades on the homes.
Nicest part of Oak Bluffs as far as we could tell. Very quaint. Took about 10-15 minutes to walk through. Interesting
I really enjoyed the gingerbread cottages. It was raining the day we went however still loved it. Spend time just looking at all the little details that make each house unique yet cohesive to the whole village. Would love to see it spring when all the flowers are out.
Take an afternoon and get lost in the overwhelming amount of 100 year old plus cottages that are located in the center of Oak Bluffs.
Each more interestingly detailed ahrq colorful than the next.
A sight you won't find anywhere else.
fascinating colors and styles on the cottages,the meeting house is fantastic. Residents are very friendly and helpful
Nice place to visit. Very charming homes. They need to have more brochures on the history of the site to make it more educational.
Multi-colored Victorian cottages sit side by side in this historic area. My wife had memories of a visit to this area many years ago when she was very young. She described her memory of one of the houses while we were in one of the Oak Bluffs shops. The person said "Oh, yes. That's right behind our shop." And there it was: a beautiful bright pink and white gingerbread style house exactly the way my wife had described it to me many times. She was delighted to see that it matched her memory. There are many more small, delightfully decorated homes in this area that was founded as a religious retreat many years ago. Well worth the stroll along the small paths past the beautiful houses.
Walking through MVCMA is a must do when visiting MV. All the homes are beautiful and well kept. Make sure to walk down the smaller side streets in the community to see those homes as well. If you don't, you'll miss "The Pink House."
So interesting to see this church history. I visited the office, and was told that they have services here during July & August - I missed that as I was there in Oct.
This is a neat little area and I could easily see us having a place here and sitting on the porch watching everyone else wonder if they join us or move in. The houses are great fun and each one has its own little flare to it, while they appear small some of them are rather large as you have to look to the side and backs of the houses. The neighborhood seemed nice and would be neat to live there, Defiantly worth the visit.
I love walking through this quaint part of town... the houses are so cute... great architecture and beautiful colors...
A 48 hour stop over on Martha’s Vineyard en-route to Nantucket was well worth the extra ferry, even though we had a day of almost constant rain. We took the Peter Pan bus from Boston to Woods Hole to catch the ferry. A must see on MV are the Gingerbread Cottages also known as Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, a collection of tiny colourful cottages dating from 1835.( see photos).Martha’s Vineyard has much to offer over the whole island with its collection of villages with English names interspersed with Native American names. A variety of differing coastlines and small harbours offer the visitor many options of both scenery and eating places.
Wonderful little place - quaint and takes you back in time. The lady who gave us the tour looked and spoke like she had been there forever.
One just need to take a walk around this little encampment and the digital camera's chip will get almost filled with all the colorful fairy-tale like gingerbread houses of all shapes and sizes.
We had a tour guide that presented the camp to us giving us the local's insight of events and life in the camp. Really unique and well worth seeing.
We've been here before but we were driving around to see what might have changed. The community is well maintained and lots of tourists seemed to be enjoying the area.
This is a great place to pass the time and also gain some Island History. The Campground and Tabernacle started as a place for revival meetings in the 19th century. The 'Ginger Bread Cottages' started as tents and were eventually build over and cedar-shingled into gingerbread designs to make attractive individualistically decorated cottages. It has been said the President US Grant visited 'Cottage City' in the 1800s.
What a beautiful place! Make sure you take time to walk through and appreciate it all. Also , go to the museum and gift shop ! The greeter was wonderful -- and he was such a pleasure to speak to . Some of the homes are available to rent -/ and I would do that in a heartbeat !!
This is a cluster of cottages with distinct architecture and purpose in the middle of Oak Bluffs that you cannot drive through. The cottages were origionally built by people who attended the Methodist Revival each summer. The landscaping and decorations are also interesting.
This area was the site of the first religious summer camp in the United States. From 1835 until about 1870 people either slept in tents or in the open air when they came here for religious retreats. Then they started building wooden houses. Today, it is no longer associated with a church. There are over 300 houses on 34 acres of land. The houses are called gingerbread houses because of their decorations. It is a very enjoyable place to walk and enjoy these cute houses. There is no fee to visit this area.
Unique, colorful, adorable tiny cottages. With in walking distance from the ferry. Plenty to see and do in town.
We only had about 45 minutes here on our tour and I could have easily spent another hour. The houses were adorable. Most were not occupied but a few were and the residents were happy to interact with us. I was really glad we got to see these.
This is a must stop in Oak Bluffs. The cottage houses and their gardens are magnificent. The history is most extremely interesting.
If your going to be in oak buffs!! You have to take a second to walk through this little neighborhood!! There nothing like it in the world,just take a moment and enjoy 😊
Took a wonderful walking tour of the Gingerbread Cottages and the Camp Meeting Association Grounds. Our Guide was very knowledgeable and pointed out several of the more historic and colorful cottages along with the history of the Tabernacle and the surrounding area. I also enjoyed a brief visit to the small museum and gift shop This tour is well worth the effort for anyone visiting the Island. I really enjoy the tour and the beauty of the colorful cottage.
Such a cute place to walk around. The houses are all different colors and it looks like you walked into a fairy tale land and just such a sight to see! You can walk around and take pictures all day long!
This was our favorite place on the whole island. The homes are beautiful. Each one with a theme and name. Walk into the church and see a short video on the history. The whole experience was uplifting, peaceful and lovely.
We toured this area that was originally set up as a Methodist camp and now as time went by they had build these lovely little gingerbread houses. Every house in a maybe four block area is of this type, beautifully painted and kept in prestine condition with little gardens and front porches. This is worth a walk especially on a nice day.
Enjoyed walking through and looking at the unique gingerbread houses. Very cute to see! Found out each home is privately owned.
The cottages around the Camp Meeting Association were painted in Easter colors. Each cottage was unique with details. The Camp Meeting place was beautiful with Stained glass windows and the open atmosphere.
These historic gingerbread houses are about a 15 minute walk from the ferry terminal. Although they need some tlc, it was still a pleasure to experience these Victorian gingerbread house. With all the colourful cottages, it was almost like a fantastical candy land. The streets winding revealed more cottages until you the waterfront near the Jewish synagogue. I visited in august on a Martha’s Vineyard tour which gave us free time to explore oak bluffs.
We were expecting much more. The beaches were small. There was not much to do, just couple of streets with couple of restaurants and small shops.
One of the few things you can do easily and without reservation or expense.
If you like old houses and or history, fit in a few of these before or after shopping. You are sure to see something unique.
Of the no cost things to do in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard this is a sure thing that the whole family will enjoy. Great photo ops and it is close to plenty of places to have a meal so you can make half a day out of it. It is best enjoyed walking so park the car or the bikes and enjoy the lovely colorful cottages. You are sure to have a good time and make some memories.
We enjoyed our stroll through the gingerbread houses. Each house had its own charm and individuality. Makes for a great photo op!
Wow the cutest little and big Ginger bread homes in every color and yards to match. Take a tour of the little house tour. See how the tented community started and ended here. A place to take a walk and enjoy the tiny homes.
Treat yourself to a unique experience. Stroll through these colorful cottages located in Oak Bluffs dating back to the mid 1800's.
Next to beaches it's the best thing to see while on the island.
beautiful amazing gingerbread houses. one more beautiful than the next. meticulously maintained right in the center of town easily reached on foot.
Great walking environment. Such beauty in each and every home. Its an honor to visit this community. It is a quite area. Folks visiting should be mindful that people do live here and deserve respect of properties. The unique Gingerbread homes are a treat for the eyes. So many beautiful and colorful combinations. Great for children to view as well. No entrance fee and available year round for strolling.
Walked through here during my visit and felt like we were in another world! Most of the houses are oozing with pride of ownership, bright colors, welcoming porches and beautiful flower gardens. Nice little walk if you're looking for something to do.
This is worth a quick visit. We did not linger as there was a funeral at the church. Very pretty houses and some amazing color combinations. Interesting history.
I could have stayed here all day & just strolled the streets looking at these lovely gingerbread houses. I felt like I was in a storybook. Each one more quaint & charming than the one before. Unfortunately we had other things to see on Martha's Vineyard & so we couldn't stay long. Our visit certainly wasn't long enough!
It's nice to walk around and see the brightly painted gingerbread cottages. This is a very quiet and tranquil area.
This neighbor hood is something from a ferry tale. Really quaint and beautiful cottages and good for a lovely afternoon stroll whilst on vacation here, touring and enjoying the views. A gentle stroll through here takes any stress levels to zero! Loved it! Plenty history here.
Beautiful compact area full of idiosyncratic Gingerbread houses and the Tabernacle. Didn't know what to expect but was blown away by the beauty, and quiet off the tourist streets.
Tons of cute gingerbread houses to see - we spent about an hour driving around early one morning before getting on the ferry back to the mainland - it was the perfect time as there was no traffic. They all have a cute name that matches their 'theme'.
My husband and I walked through MVCMA and enjoyed seeing the variety of gingerbread houses, the colors, the trim and porch decor.
These cottages have drifted a long way from their faith-based history, but worth a visit. The character of each little cottage is whimsical and ornate. You can almost visualize the transformation over the decades from tents to these little Victorian cottages. Worth a bus ride to Oak Bluffs.
Beautiful restored cottages in the Methodist Camp Meeting Grounds. Visit the museum in a small cottage to experience life as it was- $3 per person. You can easily do this in 15-20 minutes. Also walk the tree shaded camp ground area to view the beautiful gingerbread cottages and meeting area.
The Camp Meeting grounds are a unique piece of the 1890s still alive and vibrant, at least in the days of summer on Martha's Vineyard.
This group of cottages are so unique and colorful. It was an easy walk from the ferry dock to the "campground" and a pleasant walk throughout the housing area. Each cottage is different with a huge array of beautiful colors and details. It's a fun place to take pictures, too.
We visit the camp every time we visit Martha's Vineyard. This year we went through the museum. We learned may interesting things that we didn't know. The lady in the museum had many interesting stories. We especially enjoyed the one about President Grant's experience!! We had our two grandkids (8 and 5 years), they liked reading the map and seeing the houses, but didn't want to go into the museum.
Such a beautiful preserved area. I was visiting a friend on Martha's Vineyard and she brought me to this Camp as part of her generous tour I was struck by the variety. The houses all seem to be minatures of much larger homes. The colors, the gingerbread, the design, the porches, the neighborhood - any one of them could be sold as a blueprint for a home to be built elsewhere. Perfectly functional, manageable size, not quite a tiny home but certainly smaller footprint than many of the houses we have now.
I really also enjoyed that it was right off the main town area so you can watch the world go by from your front porch and walking into town took five minutes. There were no Services when we were there so I can't speak to the nature of the Tabernacle or the church services. But the church was beautiful and I could see people using it year-round. I can only imagine the kind of rousing services that could be held in the Tabernacle. The area is easy to navigate with a wheelchair, scooter, stroller, or bicycle. Definitely one of my top five things to do/see on Martha's Vineyard. I know it helps that our weather was perfect. I don't know what it would be like to stay there, because I was just touring.
We visited this area and were all in awe of the architecture and energy of this "neighborhood". We felt like we were in a time warp! Very cool indeed....
It is great if you want to go where everyone else goes...but be ready for a meh experience...the mussels had smoked sausage in them with the white wine sauce..not a good taste...the chowder was runny and not many clams, the lobster roll was absolutely tasteless...i had to get butter and add salt just to make it have flavor..the beer was good
It's beautiful wholeistically, but no one was around.
It was like a ghost town and I'm not sure why. Maybe this is a good thing?
It would have been nice if some of the shops were open past 4pm.
We loved this walk through fairy land - all of the different houses - the pride that the owners take in their property with the colors and the care - so beautiful and so fun. It took us a hunt to find these - but we did. They are behind the stores on the right side of Circuit Avenue. We found a small cut through between buildings when we stopped at Vineyard Vines - we saw a FedEx driver across the street and he showed us where to go. This short cut will also bring you to the Tabernacle..... It was a great day and all of the pictures you see here are true - don't miss this -
….FOR THIS HAPPY CAMPER, TOURING THE SITE WAS AKIN TO CATCHING THE BOUQUET AT A FUNERAL
Here’s the thing. Some people love old houses – particularly ones which have been preserved/renovated to their condition in the good ol’ days – particularly+ if they are painted in funky colours that can only be matched in many parts of EUROPE. But this frequent traveller is less than whelmed of such things. All of a sudden I was simpatico with those professional travel writers – the ones that visit a place regarded by most as pretty special, but does not wring their bell at all – problem being they have to write a guidebook entry on same. You may say I don’t have to write anything – but to me, TRIPADVISOR readers need ALL the reports, negative or positive.
NEGATIVE is maybe a harsh word. See I didn’t think this precinct was particularly bad. The houses were neat and in good condition, the zone was easy to reach and compact – it’s just that there was no WOW!! for me/ But if restored old housing of a funky character is your thing, you will no doubt think otherwise.
As FERRIS BUEULLER’s never said: “VIVA LA DIFFERENCE”
TIPS:
- this area is very close to the arrival quay** at OAKS BLUFF – simply ask a local for directions. I would not do it as a special trip from elsewhere on the island, but something to knock over either off the ferry on on the way to the ferry (unless staying in OAKS BLUFF itself). 45 minutes will easily cover the whole precinct.
- as a bottom budget traveller (yes, MARTHAS has a hostel**) I eschew paid tours, yet if I was interested in this sort of area I reckon it would be worthwhile paying the extra – the expert commentary on who, what, where, when would be well worthwhile
**TRIPADVISOR has reader review pages on these.
So glad our Broad Meadow B & B host told us about the camp! Well worth the time to go visit the area. Very delightful, colorful, eclectic residential area & easy to walk. Never seen anything like it!
These gingerbread homes are lovely, old cottages that are still enjoyed today. So Quaint! It’s an easy walk as part of seeing the town.
Part of history of the island. Interesting to see and learn about. Great walk! Nice to see all the victorian houses, colors and shapes all in one spot!
A lovely walk thru this little community on a lazy afternoon is a great activity and a must-do. Residents are very friendly and the museum curator is very informative.
The architecture of these houses was so interesting and unique. Would highly recommend a stroll around this area, but if you plan on driving on the island just know parking is sparse or time restricted.
This was the highlight of the trip to Martha's Vineyard. The house are so unique and it is a beautiful area to stroll around. As other reviews state, these are private homes so please respect that the owners don't want you in their homes or on their porches. It is worth spending time wandering up and down the streets admiring the houses.
I loved stepping into this dream of fairyland cottages and the history behind them. A few residents were sitting on their porches and were very open to talking and answering questions. The small cottage museum gave us a glimpse of what the inside of the cottages looked like around 1870. We spent a delightful morning simply looking at the cottages and strolling down the paths, sitting in the Tabernacle and learning about summer life on the island during the revivals.
The "Campground" as we locals call it, is a trip back to an earlier time in Vineyard history. Go on a sunny day and be sure to stop in at the museum next to the Tabernacle.
There are several ways to enter,check a map.
Once in the enclave you can enjoy the shade trees, the walks take you, by the iconic cottages. The combination of colors is worth photos and artists find inspiration here.
Neat colorful little houses right near the waterfront area. Did not tour any but they looked very cool from the outside.
Great place to visit, relax and explore the cottages. Trinity Methodist church is beautiful and inviting. Easy walk with several places to sit and relax.
Absolutely awesome to see this piece of yesteryear. Each gingerbread cottage has it's own unique character. Must do the museum as well.
As a Methodist I was unaware of this camp. Beautiful tabernacle and houses. Great history of our church. Everything will enjoy walking the streets and looking at the lovely homes and churches.
This area has a clear history in the Methodist camp and is still active today. Service on Sunday, song night on Wednesday in the off season. We walked around here 3 times to enjoy the properties, the greenery and the area in general.
The Martha's Vineyard CampMeeting Association (MVCMA) in Oak Bluffs is a magical destination, and like nothing you have ever seen. More than 360 "gingerbread cottages" surround the outdoor Tabernacle structure, originally built for religious retreats. One feels like you've stepped back into the 1860's, viewing beautifully maintained homes and gardens, painted in candy-like colors. Tours are offered throughout the summer months, on Tuesdays and Thursday, or stroll through the shaded campgrounds on foot or bike...cars are tricky on narrow streets. There is a cottage tour held once a year, on a Wednesday in August, to get a peak inside these darling homes. Go to mvcma.org for more info.
I spent a few days in Cape Cod and took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard. The Camp Meeting Association cottages are so quaint. I thoroughly enjoyed walking around and looking at all the bright colored cottages with inviting front porches. It is so wonderful that people let you walk around and take pictures of their houses. I wish I had known that you could stay in a reasonably priced room at Summercamp.
We thoroughly enjoyed walking around the MVCMA! Most residents were gone for the season, but we would love to visit again during the summer to see the lifestyles those families must enjoy. We found the colors and details of the cottages most interesting.
The Camp Meeting Association cottages look like something out of a fairy tale. The neighborhood is composed of hundreds(?) of tiny, historic cottages build before the turn of the last century. There is a wonderful open air church in the center of the development where we listened to a concert on our last day.
During a visit to Martha's Vineyard we visited this National Historic Landmark, the colorful, original gingerbread cottages and one that you can go inside of, that were built on the sites where the original camp meeting tents were first erected. The cottages have been handed down through the original families for generations.
Words can hardly describe the beautiful quirky little cottages that make up the campground. Just take your time and stroll up and down the many streets
One of the highlights of the trip to the island was meandering thru this compound. Be prepared to take photos. This designated area is like a doll house version of Cape May NJ, a famous Victorian seaside resort town. Parking is very limited, so you may need to park outside the compound and walk in if you are not lucky enough to nab a parking space. Be sure to stop in the little museum gift shop for calendars and post cards and greeting cards, etc. Ask about the annual illumination.
Have been to MV 6/7 times in the past 10 years, EVERY time we go we walk thru this cluster of cottages, just to experience a hint of years gone by. Unique doe not begin to describe the scene here, you just have to go and walk, slowly around the "campground"! To be here during MV's "Annual Illumination" festival is to be in heaven, you can't plan for it (they don't announce the dates in advance) you just have to be under the lucky stars in August or September to get the full experience. Even if you miss it, try and do church service there, worth the visit.
Really a must see. The cottages are so colorful. The island is quite easy to get around there is a bus that takes you from place to place.
We took a day trip to Martha's Vineyard via the ferry. Within a short walking distance of the Oak Bluffs dock we came to the Gingerbread Cottages. This is a fascinating village begun in 1835, with buildings from the 1800s.
For the most part, these attractive houses are well maintained, and are still lived in. The people living there are friendly, and pictures of the exteriors of their homes are permitted. The only cottage that is open to the public is the one that has been converted to the Cottage Museum.
A 90 minute narrated walking tour is available for $12 per adult (kids 12 & under are free).
This is actually a middle class neighborhood. The houses are small and compacted into a small area. The residents were friendly and shared the stories of their houses.
We came over in July from Northern Ireland and had a great time.
A really beautiful area, looking at such beautiful houses.
We spent about half an hour walking around, would highly recommend.
A beautiful collection of quaint and quirky little cottages, each different from the rest. Truly enjoyed our walk through this colorful group of homes. A must see when you visit this island.
lovely area and the homes look so nice and colorful great area to visit clean. Makes you wish that you lived there.
I new of this historic village and it was on our to do list when visiting Martha's Vineyard. We were not disappointed. If you like unique architecture or just enjoying flowers and trees, this stop is a must.
The MVCMA is so much fun to walk around, reading about the history and seeing all the houses lavishly decorated and painted. This is by far a must see on the Vineyard, fascinating to visit!
While in Oak Bluffs, we strolled by the beautiful fairy tale looking "gingerbread houses".
Rows and rows of adorable tiny sized bright colorful houses with beautiful gardens and decore. It is a very peaceful area where you can walk, take photographs or just sit on a bench and take in the beauty.
Iconic Marthas Vineyard tourist stop right here! Houses like these are beautiful and found no where else in the country as they are here!
This little village is right behind the shops and restaurants on the Main Street. Take a walk through, it is worth the short walk.
My second day on the island I took a walk behind our hotel to find out I was right in the middle of the historic MVCA! I enjoyed seeing the different buildings and architecture.
Beautiful, quaint houses. Be sure to visit the museum house for a brief tour. Take your time to enjoy the beautiful flowers and details on the houses.
Go for the illumination and stay for the fireworks, it is special. I did that last year. This year, I visited a week early and it was still special.
This was perhaps the highlight of our day on Martha's Vineyard. There are, as I understand, 318 of these "gingerbread cottages". We spent over an hour walking through the area looking at them, and only wish we could have looked at them all. They are just fascinating to see...each one is different but every one is charming. We were lucky enough to speak with one of the owners...her house has been in the family since it was built in 1860. It is like stepping back in time to walk through the area. The Tabernacle is inspiring. Do not miss this place and its story.
This was SO MUCH more interesting and beautiful to see than I was expecting! Such an interesting history and gorgeous, unique gingerbread cottages... over 300 of them to walk around and view. Absolutely loved it!
A fairy tale place to walk around and imagine the history. Every house has its own character and color. Parking is tough, but we pulled into a small, empty space. The woman who owns it graciously allowed us to leave the car there for 30 minutes. No more! We were back in 25.
What a unique, beautiful place with significant historic background. Everybody will enjoy this. It doesn’t matter what age or background. 5+ stars!
Such a beautiful little community! Take the time to stroll the little alleys and look at all the detail on each cottage. All are unique!
Few small circles of roads, and nice tiny colorful houses. Can be a slow drive or a nice stroll through the area.
As the trees, grass and flowerbeds wake from their winter slumber, the beauty of the campgrounds comes to life. People are opening up their cottages and finding time to talk to the neighbors and the people strolling thru. Everyday seems to make a big difference in how the place looks and feels.
A quaint little enclave with gingerbread Victorian houses and a nice little park in the middle. Worth a walkthrough, but you won’t spend a lot of time here. We did not take a tour - maybe that would have made it worth spending more time there.
Totally unexpected set of 300 plus houses, their size being based on the width of a tent.
Could have run out of storage on my phone as they are so photogenic. All shapes and colours unfortunately some in need of TLC which was a shame. Apparently they aren't "winterised" which means no insulation and therefore freezing during the colder months.
Totally free attraction.
We walked through the area and viewed the different homes. The owners that were out and about were friendly.
You can not take time to stroll the Camp Meeting Assn. residential streets and pavilion area. It is a historical treasure and if on island a must see. It is very familiar to one I have spent much time at in Maine. Enjoy!
What an experience. This is a lovely old fashioned community with a tabernacle in the center. Beautiful to just walk around and see the cottages that started as a tent community. Illumination Night in August is lovely as all the owners have brightly lit lanterns on their porches. The nights with entertainment at the Tabernacle(such as singalongs)are totally enjoyable.
s.
Well kept restored lovely colourful cottages in a very peaceful setting in Methodist Camp Meeting Grounds certainly a sight you must see in Martha's Vineyard
Definitely worth a visit small museum, lovely fun gingernread houses. huge tabernacle and Trinity Methodist chapel
The Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association is truly a unique grouping of small gingerbread homes in a storybook-like setting. This is an absolute must see when visiting Oak Bluffs. I strongly suggest that visitors read about the history of the MVCMA before visiting. It's quite an intriguing story and includes some unusual and interesting facts.
This is a lovely step-back in time to the revival camps of the 19th and earl 20th century. Colorful, well-maintained, and close together, these little gingerbread houses are marvels and a feast for the eyes. (They are not all little either!). Easily accessed from Circuit Avenue, you can roam around and even get lost among the little houses. There's a small gift store as well. Don't miss this- it's a part of Oak Bluffs history and you're not likely to see something like this again.
Highlight of our three night stay in Oak Bluffs. Right around the cornet from the Summercamp hotel. Fascinating story and beautiful houses. Nice to walk in the evening.
The docents were interesting. And the area is fascinating. If you love gingerbread houses this is the place to come.
Get a map from the Info Booth. Ask for specific directions --there are walkways from Circuit Ave. It's very historic, peaceful and charming.
The gingerbread cottages are so cute! There is a lot of horror here, but unfortunately, I didn’t see any placards explaining the history (I read up on the camp beforehand).
Adorable cottage architecture make walking all around this town a must see. The little winding back roads and colorful, fantasy-like cottages were so fun to see. And the huge "Tabernacle" - permanent, outdoor, covered meeting/worship space was so cool.
beautiful cottages in this area are just like a feeling to be in fairyland. My daughter loved the barbie house and all the nice lovely cottages in this place. Must see place in Martha's vineyard.
The gingerbread houses were very picturesque, and it was interesting to see the variety of cabin designs and colors. The area was quite peaceful and restful. One could not park in the vicinity without proper authorization, but we were able to park along the beachfront about one block away and walk over.
My tour cancelled at the last minute (Homegrown Tours). I was unable to gain entry. It looked interesting from the entry gate.
This is a great place to take a leisurely stroll enjoy the wimsey of the cottages done in gingerbread style.
This is a cute community of gingerbread houses. It does not take long to walk through it. Although I enjoyed looking at the houses, I would not consider it the one of the highlights of my visit to Martha's Vineyard.
It’s always fun to walk through the grounds of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp and Meeting Association (MVCMA). We especially enjoyed it this fall with our teenage daughter who took photos of the colorful gingerbread cottages. The MVCMA includes the Tabernacle at the heart of the grounds, and Summercamp, the recently renovated Wesley hotel. The MVCMA is a short distance from the ferry landings in Oaks Bluff. Admission is free to walk through the grounds. The Cottage Museum and Gift shop is open from June through October. Admission is $3.00 for adults and $.50 for kids 3-12 years.
The Gingerbread Campground area is an interesting, picturesque setting in the heart of Oak Bluffs. Originally a religious campground made up of tents, that gradually were replaced by small almost Hobbit sized houses, colorfully painted and festooned with wooden gingerbread decorations. At the center of these 300-400 houses is a huge open Tabernacle where there are meetings and an Illuminations during the summer months.
A respite from the tacky shops in the center of town.
On a beautiful summer morning strolling thru hundreds of these beautifully painted houses was such a vision. the woodwork and carvings and painting. Just adorable, you cant help imagine what life was life. worth the trip for sure
Who knew that such a community even existed in Martha's Vineyard? Its colorful history combined with the colorful homes was a remarkable discovery among the beauty of Martha's Vineyard.
Great place to enjoy a family outing to see all the cute Victorian homes and learn the history of the campground association
lots of walking but worth it, wish i have more time to walk around.
highly recommend walking around and see it
We walked down Circuit Ave and took a path leading into the beautiful grassy area of the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. It was a quiet restful place by the Tabernacle revival meeting house where concerts are still held, surrounded by beautifully ornate gingerbread cottages from 1867. Each cottage is unique and creatively adorned with color. We also toured the Trinity Methodist Church. A delightful area in Oak Bluffs for a stroll.
Finding the Tabernacle and gingerbread houses around the camp grounds was a real delight. We were fortunate enough to meet someone outside of their home. Her family was one of the original gatherers. There are homes for sale now among the 350+ houses. Each distinctive home, some named, offers a glimpse of what it must have been like for worshippers to come in the summer for retreat. A definite highlight of our few hours on the Vineyard.
Photographers dream to have all the colorful Victorian homes to take pictures of as there is every combo imaginable. Lots of gorgeous trees and lots. Of great pics. I would recommend going to the meeting hall to see how Camp meetings were held and the religious significance.
The MV Camp ground is a wonderful place to visit and learn about the old Methodist Church meeting site.
The gingerbread houses are mostly year around houses now and years past they were only summer houses.
How unbelievable, every detail in a fairytale exist in this wonderland. Spring flowers, lush greenery and carpenter gothic, emerge you into a world that is still possible, keeping it real is at its best. It's hard to not get emotional here. Go off season so you can experience this entirely.
Can someone please gift me one of these houses?? Pretty please!!? The Gingerbread Houses were the highlight of my trip to the island. The houses are absolutely beautiful, I could have walked around the neighborhood all day. Even though there are tourists walking around it somehow manages to still have that idyllic, tranquil feeling. It was so peaceful and magical there. I love how all the houses are similar but different and each has their own theme or paint job. I bet it is annoying to have so many people walking around your house but the residents seemed very nice about it.
This was one of the highlights of our trip. We all (including the 3 year old) enjoyed strolling and wandering around the little alleys and walk ways in this community from the 1800s, I wish there were more signs with info about the history, but I looked it up when we came back to the hotel.
The houses are well kept and colorful. My daughter loved all the pink houses of course.
A lot of nice colorful homes. History lesson as well as nice area to shop and enjoy a nice walk.Pretty colors on homes.
What's so special about Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association? 300+ gingerbread cottages that have been in Oak Blufs for 100+ years along with a diverse and vibrant community.
The campsite is behind the bustling streets of Oak Bluffs and is quiet and serene. Each of the cottages are painted and decorated individually with an overall theme. This community traces its roots back to the early 1800s and was originally a place of worship. At the center is a Tabernacle where owners, renters, and visitors can still worship today if they so chose (President Clinton attended a service in 1993).
This is a part of history that you will not want to miss.
Our tour was able to drive around the main part of the town and we could see many different little cabins. What a fun way to see them.
Walking around this adorable place was fun. The homes are decorated with vibrant colors, most having names as cute as the cottages. Takes you back to old times with many people relaxing in rocking chairs on the front porches. Loved it!
Such very photogenic & picturesque cottages, encouraged to paint them vived colours they draw you into looking down all the roads. Must be a nightmare for residents staring in all the time but extremely lovely little area to visit. Only a short walk away from Circuit street which has numerous shops to visit also.
As a 1st visitor to Martha's Vineyard and in my many conversations with returning visitors, this was a highly recommended place to visit as a 1st visitor. I was thoroughly impressed with the history of MVCMA and the Tabernacle.
This is a beautiful and peaceful spot! We totally enjoyed strolling through the camp and viewing the whimsical cottages!
Staying in the Camp for a week, the most often asked question from other visitors was "do people really live here?" It is easy to see why people think this way as not all the tiny cottages, many built in the late 1800s, are occupied all year round. However, all look like they are staged as in an active museum. There are flower boxes and small gardens out front, rockers on the porch and a sense that everyone just left for lunch but would return later in the afternoon.
Owners keep up this appearance of lived in as a matter of pride and because they know that the MVCMA is something special. Some cottages can be rented too.
Such a different place to visit ,every home is different and such a change to modern humdrum architecture, if your visiting Martha’s Vineyard this is a must do stop, the Tabernacle in the Centre is such a delight
Beautiful neighborhood of historic houses. Loved walking around and seeing how each was different- lots of amazing woodwork and bright colors. Magical!
I enjoyed looking at the gingerbread houses and flowers. Didn't really go in the actual MVCMA. It was nice to see all the different houses and enjoyed strolling around.
One of the most beautiful and unusual places that I've ever visited. Walk around the houses and go into the little museum.
My husband thought the gingerbread houses were literally made out of gingerbread! He was pleasantly surprised to see just how cute this little section of the Vineyard is. The houses are just adorable and we were able to see the Camp's 4th of July parade which was just the cutest.
Plan to walk I'd say (you can bike sections of it but other sections make you walk the bikes so it's just as easy to walk in general).
We meandered among the cottages for a good hour and visited the cottage museum and tabernacle to learn more about this unique community and history. So much charm and beautiful gardens!
I’ve only been to the vineyard three times in my life and this is one place I always have to visit! Gingerbread cottages- I love that the islanders don’t mind the tourists walking through!
The actual place was closed, but the area was amazing and very beautiful!! LOVED the 'cute' 'gingerbread' looking houses!
On the ferry from Woods Hole to Oak Bluffs, we met a couple who live in one of the gingerbread houses. They invited us to come visit, and we are so glad we did. The camp, the houses, the people, the history...this is a must see!
No matter how many times I come back to the Vineyard, the campground and gingerbread houses make me the most nostalgic. It is like going back in time. the craft work and quality of the homes is wonderful. The sense of community and the wonderment of what life must be like on the island is inspiring. I absolutely love it here, and if this is your first time, then it is an absolute MUST!
As one of the early housing establishment on the island, this well preserved settlement provides an interesting view of the past. When talking to an owner, we learned that the Association maintains strict rules to keep the small houses within the historical guidelines. However, paint colors do not seem to be much restricted and these mostly ginger bread cottages present a blast of colors. Under large well established shade trees, this village of about 300 homes is a pleasant stroll.
This location has significant assortment of classic gingerbread designed houses constructed around the early 1900's. in early August they feature the Illumination where the houses are decorated with Chinese lanterns and around 9:00 PM they light them and people parade through the walk ways taking in the sights. This is a unique event and one if on the island during that time, shouldn't be missed. A band concert precedes the lighting of the lanterns. We have made many trips to see this event and enjoyed each one.
My sister and I (with my 5-month old puppy) did a day trip to Martha's Vineyard. We took the high speed ferry from Hyannis to Oak Bluffs. We started our day at the "Gingerbread Houses," walking for quite some time. This was a very pleasant walk and we took so many photos of the cute homes. Even after walking around for 2+ more hours at the Gingerbread houses, we still fit in a decent shopping trip downtown, a trip to the Aquinnah Cliffs / Gay Head Lighthouse (took VTA #13 to Edgartown & then #6, which turns into the 5, to Aquinnah), and a trip to Edgartown Lighthouse (near the Harborview Hotel). It was a perfect day-trip before catching the last ferry back to Hyannis.
It was a real treat for people who enjoy history to learn about the campground and see all the variety and love the owners have put into their cottages. It was great to stroll around & we recommend the campground association museum where we spoke to some cottage owners and got a sense for what the place was like a century ago.
Charming, adorable and historical. A great place to roam around too, There is a museum with lots of history, we peeked in but did not take the tour,,,,,to many people in that little house. Sitting in the grass near the Tabernacle was so relaxing....very pleasant!
This is the most delightful area. Total eye candy. All of the houses are painted in different decorative colors. Some are personally owned/occupied but many many are B&B's. We just walked around a little as we had a tight time line so only saw a few, but there are over 400 of these to see. We are already making plans to go back & we want to rent one & just stay @ Martha's Vineyard for our vacation.
Just love walking around the association looking at all the different styles of cottages. Restful walk.
if you are an architectural fan, or into cape cod and islands history, this tour is right up your alley. great building, interesting stories. a short walk from the oak bluffs ferries and dozens of cafes and restaurants.
an easy day-trip from cape cod
It is amazing that the cottages have all been so beautifully preserved and that the owners don't mind being on display 24/7! The museum house is tiny of course - but a must see to appreciate the history of this campground and the present state of affairs. The guide spent an hour chatting with us and answering all of our questions with great pride. A very close knit community with a wonderful history that makes the Tiny house fad seem like yesterday's news. These are the real thing and a joy to visit.
This neighborhood and its beautiful quaint homes and interesting history are just a must see on East Chop. They are often called gingerbread houses and most are beautifully maintained. Owners obviously take pride in their unique community. Take a stroll through and you'll see what I mean. It's a feast for the eyes of color and cuteness.
Those little houses are just adorable!!! So cute and peaceful place. A must see in Oak Bluff. You could walk around and take a thousand pictures
I had a quick run round in 30 minutes before taking the ferry back to the mainland. Could have spent longer.
It grew in roughly concentric circles as a permanent site in the 2nd half of the 19th century from an earlier tented summer religious gathering. Although mainly A frame types, with a Hansel & Gretel gingerbread house look, every house is decorated individually and even eccentrically, paths wind through plenty of trees, shrubs, flowers and green space. Some of the properties seem a bit dilapidated, but perhaps that was to do with it being the end of the season. All rather charming and an interesting, atmospheric, quirky alternative to the pristine houses and gardens in Edgartown, where we had been staying.
Oak Bluffs centre itself seemed a bit down at heel and I’m sure I saw a drugs exchange on my walk back to the ferry- unfortunately Not dissimilar to some of the Faded Victorian seaside resorts in UK. However, nobody bothered me and I was pleased to have taken the chance to see it.
The gingerbread houses is what you think of when you think of Martha's Vineyard. The beautiful Victorian brunch brightly colored gingerbread houses in oak
Bluffs are a must see when on island.
No matter the time of day or day of the year the campground is a pleasure to visit. The colors, flowers, people, never seem the same and are always great. In the summer you can attend the Wednesday night sing along between 8 and 9. The community singing started in 1904 and as been going on ever since.
Whether it’s during the height of the summer or the low key late fall, it’s great to walk in the Campground of the gingerbread houses. We have been in the little museum too but it was closed when we went this past weekend.
The gingerbread houses were adorable and super unique...ur favorite thing to see/do on our short visit. Totally worth a walk through this cute little community.
We walked all the way from Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs. Somehow we missed taking the bus but once we arrived in Oak Bluffs, we found ourselves walking on the outside of the area where the Gingerbread cottages were located. We had no idea what was inside so when we were having lunch at the harbor and then subsequently visiting a local shop, the owner was a local guide and she mentioned the area to us and what to see. I guess a lot of people take tours of the area and that would have been good, but it was fun to explore on our own. You can't miss this gem. Give yourself plenty of time to browse. She also told us where to catch the bus back to Vineyard Haven to catch the ferry back to the mainland.
Kind of stumbled into this tiny village with an interesting history and these lovely, tiny gingerbread houses. Don't miss the museum in one of the tiny houses where you can get a better overview of how it all began. Unbelievable that some of these cottages have permanent residents. It's a must see!
This experience gave all it was supposed to give! Lovely neighborhood encampment of the gingerbread houses (occupied by real life residents so don't wander into a house no matter how charming it looks lol!!). It was a nice calming walk around the neighborhoods. I would do it again and again. The cottage museum was a great throwback to the old times on the campgrounds. A good use of your time while in Oak Bluffs.
A walk through the camp meeting are provides wonderful, quiet walk through colorful and well kept cottages, many used for over a hundred years at the camp meeting.
Great history, museum is $2/ person, love the cottages so different, nice & shady! On a warm day, behind a old hotel that been nicely renovated!
Easily accessible from the main street, it's just nice to walk around and enjoy the peace and quiet, looks to be an artist community some were painting on their balconies a lot of properties lokked like they needed to be renovated, i've heard of en-suite but en - house, all in all a pleasant distraction from the oujtside world.
The camp meeting association area was fascinating. The gingerbread houses are so charming and unique. The small museum gives you a feel for the actual living spaces.
It doesn't matter that much if you consider visiting the place that grew out of Methodist camp meetings around 1835 with reverence. The peace and quiet of this park-like setting surrounded by gaily painted gingerbread cottages might make you reflect on the audacity of people who sailed over for a summer of tenting and prayer.
These cottages were the highlight of our time in Martha's Vineyard. We really enjoyed the museum and talking to the attendant. Plan accordingly if you are going for the day to make sure you have enough time to explore.
We had heard about the eye-catching architecture of this neighborhood of Oak Bluff and resolved to visit. We visited on our own, not with an organized tour.
Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting association (MVCMA) or “The Campgrounds” did not disappoint. The many compact, brightly-colored gingerbread cottages and their tidy but lush gardens were a feast for the eyes. Even though it was the height or summer we were fortunate in that there were few other visitors looking around and the MVCMA was very peaceful.
The MCVMA began as a annual Methodist prayer camp in 1835 and gradually morphed over the years as temporary nature of the encampment extended from a summer community of family camps turned into permanent structures; there were 570 tents in 1868 and by 1880 these had become 500 cottages. Only 318 cottages remains nowadays. MVCMA was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2005. Likewise the original worship shed built of driftwood around which the tents were originally arrayed in circles became a giant tent to accommodate all their worshipers and this, in turn, was upgraded into a permanent wrought-iron structure known as “The Tabernacle”
It was definitely worth the time spent exploring this unique community.
It's like stepping inside a fairy tale....so charming and quaint. The rows of gingerbread cottages in different colors is magic to the eyes. One of my favorite things to do is walk through the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association and gaze with wonder at the lovely architecture dating back to the late 1800's, (A Methodist camp retreat).
Owning a cottage here is a dream come true. An absolutely marvelous place to live during the summer months.
Was amazed to see so many colorful cottages and meet so many lovely home owners willing to indulge us tourist with questions about the town and homes. Its a must see if you visit the Oaks Bluff area.
No matter where you stay on MV, you must visit this place. I'd recommend 60-90 minutes of walking around. Do it around 10 a.m. in the morning, and then stroll over one street on the main drag and grab lunch and some ice cream. Perfect way to spend a morning.
There are 300+ cottages in this community and ~ 30 residents live here year-round. Most are rented for the summer and brings to life "tiny house nation". The most popular cottage is the Pink House built in 1864. Most have fun names attached to them. The cottage museum offers a "tour" ($2.50/adult and $0.50/child) with Q&A and you can walk around to see what the rooms look like. We were fortunate enough to have a renter of a cottage offer a tour to my girls of their house and they got to pose on the balcony. Most of the residents/renters are friendly and they seem to be more than eager to talk to visitors. Spending an hour there is enough and would recommend stopping by.
Very unique village of tiny, extraordinarily colorful cottages. History is Methodist summer camp evolving from tents to these cabins. They wrap around an amphitheater and church in circles. You can drive around the circle or walk. Cottage museum was not open but we would've gone in there for sure.
I loved walking thru the MV Camp Meeting grounds. All the vibrant colors and homes. It is like going back in time, so peaceful.
We saw these while on MV, and they were a neat little part of our day. We walked around and looked at all the houses; it was interesting how they were all different. You can’t go in them, except for the museum, and it’s $3. Very small museum; it took us all of 10 minutes to see every single thing in it.
It's fun just to walk around to see the Gingerbread houses. And, they have lots of different events in the Tabernacle- we saw an awesome Black Violin concert there!
This is a very unique story. Very neat place to see. The tabernacle is very impressive to think it is stood for so long. The little gingerbread houses are cute and fun to see.
Clearly the Camp Meeting Association "Gingerbread Cottage" homes constitute a major highlight of Oak Bluffs and probably Martha's Vineyard overall. It was great walking among these small, very quaint, often very colorful homes that date back to the latter part of the 19th century. At a time when there are pseudo "town center" developments that try to emulate the slower paced, strong community settings of America's past, it is really enjoyable to see the "real deal" in a large community of hundreds of these really beautiful, small and very quaint homes. The people I met while walking along certainly took pride in their community, and were also very pleasant to talk to.
This "Camp Meeting Association" grouping of homes is an easy walk from the Oak Bluff ferries. And if your travel takes you to Oak Bluffs, you really must see this fascinating community!!
Just thru the entrance from Circuit Ave in Oak Bluffs or behind the "Summer Camp" hotel, you will find the "Gingerbread" homes. An old religious campsite that has been improved over the generations. Take a stroll around the area for unique architecture and visit the open air tabernacle.
Spend some time to marvel at all the variety in the cottages. They are so bright and whimsical. Go off season so you do not have to worry about intruding on people’s homes! I am sure home owners are use to it, but you kight feel more comfortable!
We are on a fall foliage tour and this was a scheduled stop. Very interesting architecture on these little camp cottages. Lovely porches and gardens.
We walked all around the Camp one morning on a dreary day. The homes are lovely and have so much character. They really do look like gingerbread homes that have been decorated with icing. We had no idea the Camp was so extensive. Both the homes and gardens should true pride in ownership.
I love walking in the Camp Meeting area and looking at the cottages. The differing color combinations and the history of the area is notable and interesting. I found out from a resident, there are 300 hundred houses and she said only those residents that occupy 30 of the homes stay On Island all year around. I enjoyed that the number of people was far less than in summer visits. It was fun to wander and look without the crowds and the cars.
We had to see those beautiful, interesting colorful ginger bread houses. It's a short walk from the ferry terminal and well worth a stroll. So much character...so small and cozy...so bright and colorful!
We were on a one day tour of Martha's Vineyard and this was one of the places we drove thru. Unique and beautiful as each cottage must remain as it was originally painted. They aren't insulated so they aren't occupied until summer.
What a great tour we had with our volunteer guide Tim. Very informative and interesting. As we went around Tim had gotten our children involved asking them questions and getting them to point out interesting things on the Gingerbread houses. Well worth your time, and Bill kicked it all off with a great introduction to the history of the campgrounds. A must do!
So the church met there and built cute gingerbread houses. They certainly weren't welcoming with all theirs no trespassing signs and rules and regulations. Walk thru and see the lovely colors and brickbrack. Don't bother with the meeting house, gift shop, or museum.
This was an area with many cute highly decorated exterior homes to see. Wonderful just to walk around - like a gingerbread house neighborhood.
I live in Martha's Vineyard, year round. I love to bring my guests to see the ginger bread houses. They are so unique and are surpassed only by the illumination night celebration on the 3rd Wed night in Aug, Colorful lanterns are set aglow at precisely 9:00 pm. And all the tiny cottages come to life. Don't miss this Oak Bluffs event !!!
Popular Attraction Reviews
One of my favorite little “sightseeing” activities on the Vineyard was going to the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs. My husband and I visited the tiny museum (just one of the little cottages turned into a museum) and heard more about the place from the volunteers working there who themselves both owned a cottage and loved coming here in the summers. I enjoyed meandering around the neighborhood so much that I biked back to Oak Bluffs from Edgartown another day just to spend more time studying the different cottages. We were told that the original owners often had copied the shape of the windows and doors of the churches they went to wherever they came from and thus the wonderful variety. Would love to come back and rent a cottage next summer😊