Long Weekend Late Summer - MV or Portland, ME?
Jul 15, 2019, 11:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
Long Weekend Late Summer - MV or Portland, ME?
Would like to make a quick getaway end of summer with my wife and toddler. We are considering Martha’s Vineyard or Portland Maine. We enjoy good food, strolling in nice areas and just enjoying the local scene. We are flying from the DC area and ideally, we wouldn’t have to rent a car but it’s not a dealbreaker. Thoughts b/w the two? This would be for late August. TIA!
Jul 22, 2019, 11:52 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
I agree. It's also late to be making these arrangements, so it may be the case that the decision will be made for you based on what's available. I would research both, and choose based on the best available option.
Jul 23, 2019, 2:30 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
I'm a big fan of Martha's Vineyard, spent many weekends and longer there, have friends who live there year-round, used to walk* from home to the New Bedford fast ferry, yadda yadda - but in your situation I'd go for Portland if suitable accommodations are available. Everything is more in one place, so better for walking around with a toddler; a lot of the food is right there too; and better air service.
(I hope you don't need this, but we did last year: the Maine Medical Center in Portland is way better than MV Hospital.)
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*"Used to" because we moved 60 miles away, not because I can no longer walk half a mile.
(I hope you don't need this, but we did last year: the Maine Medical Center in Portland is way better than MV Hospital.)
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*"Used to" because we moved 60 miles away, not because I can no longer walk half a mile.
Last edited by Efrem; Jul 25, 2019 at 8:22 am
Jul 24, 2019, 12:54 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BOS
Programs: SPG
Posts: 67
Would like to make a quick getaway end of summer with my wife and toddler. We are considering Martha’s Vineyard or Portland Maine. We enjoy good food, strolling in nice areas and just enjoying the local scene. We are flying from the DC area and ideally, we wouldn’t have to rent a car but it’s not a dealbreaker. Thoughts b/w the two? This would be for late August. TIA!
Jul 29, 2019, 7:50 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
Hmm, interesting. I had the impression that Nantucket had a much slower vibe but maybe I'm misinformed? Portland still beats both in terms of redeemable accomodations. Thanks for the reply, though!
Jul 29, 2019, 8:06 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BOS
Programs: SPG
Posts: 67
Portland is certainly cheaper for accommodations but you also have to navigate the crusty old Mainers who hate tourists and outsiders yet depend on tourism dollars for their income.
Jul 29, 2019, 11:03 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
got it, thanks. Any redemptions availability or is it all airbnb/B&Bs?
Jul 30, 2019, 6:07 am
#9
Join Date: May 2013
Location: AVL
Programs: DL 2MM, Plat; Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 214
Jul 31, 2019, 4:35 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
I would pick Martha's Vineyard, only because I have not been there. PWM is a fun little town to go to for the weekend. I would caution that hotel prices are likely going to be high, though - even on the lower-end chains. My rationale has been if you're going to spend a lot of money, might as well spend a little more and stay somewhere really nice. I would recommend that Press Hotel (Autograph Collection) - fantastic place to stay.
Aug 7, 2019, 2:24 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,955
I'm biased, but I'd go to Portland. Hands down the best food of any of the places mentioned, and your kids will be fine joining you just about anywhere in the Old Port. The peninsula itself is fairly compact and very walkable with strollers.
Aug 12, 2019, 5:45 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Body in the CLE, soul still in New England
Programs: In 2023? Does it matter? SPG/Marriott: Plat; DL: Plat; B6: Mosaic
Posts: 2,979
Interesting mix. MV is going to have more of a cute island vibe, lots of Victorian architecture and hordes of tourists, good food.Much more of a vacation-y vibe...rent a car or shuttle goregous views at every turn. Portland, a bit more brick/stolic architecture (think Georgetown rowhouse), more funky vibe, much more a working port city (than island getaway) that also has a lot of stellar restaurants.
Really depends, IMHO, on the vibe you are looking for. If you can relax in a city, Portland is awesome. Me, I like the island vibe, helps me wind down.
My $.02
Really depends, IMHO, on the vibe you are looking for. If you can relax in a city, Portland is awesome. Me, I like the island vibe, helps me wind down.
My $.02