3-Night “Jaws at 50” Road-Trip
|0 Comments|by SarahBoston → Martha’s Vineyard → Boston
A 72-hour dose of beach time, film nostalgia and fried-clam bliss for Summer 2025.
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Why take this trip?
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Golden-anniversary buzz – Martha’s Vineyard is celebrating Jaws’ 50th birthday all season with a museum exhibition, pop-up shark talks, drive-in showings and a limited summer run of the stage comedy “The Shark Is Broken.”
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Perfect long-weekend length – Boston sits only about 75 miles from the Woods Hole ferry terminal; add a 45-minute crossing and you’re roaming Edgartown before dark.
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Set-jetting is trending – more than two dozen filming sites are now pinned on apps and visitor maps, making it easy to hop between them in an afternoon.
Trip-at-a-Glance
Details | |
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Total drive | ~160 mi round trip Boston ⇄ Woods Hole, plus ~60 mi on-island |
Ferry | Steamship Authority, Woods Hole ⇄ Vineyard Haven, 45 min |
Best window | 20 June – 7 Sept 2025 (exhibit dates) |
Typical cost for two | Car on weekend ferry ≈ $320 RT • Adult tickets ≈ $42 RT • Gas ≈ $45 |
Day-by-Day Playbook
Friday (after work)
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3:30 p.m. – Leave Boston; budget two hours in Cape traffic.
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6:00 p.m. – Park at the Palmer Avenue ferry lot and ride the free shuttle to Woods Hole.
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7:30 p.m. – Board the ferry with your car (reserve months ahead).
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8:30 p.m. – Arrive in Vineyard Haven, check into an in-town inn or the simple Surfside motel.
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9:30 p.m. – Late lobster roll and a Narragansett at The Net Result—Quint would approve.
Saturday – “Welcome to Amity” Loop
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Edgartown Town Hall – the movie’s “Amity” selectmen steps.
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Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach & the Jaws Bridge – brave the jump, sign the rail.
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Flying Horses Carousel, Oak Bluffs – quick nostalgia stop between scenes.
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Martha’s Vineyard Museum – “Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive” exhibit (storyboards, Bruce’s fiberglass head, conservation corner).
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Afternoon – South Beach (Katama) for waves and volleyball.
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Sunset – Menemsha harbor (Quint’s dock), seafood box from Larsen’s.
Bonus: Certain Saturdays feature a live-orchestra screening or YMCA drive-in of Jaws; grab tickets early.
Sunday – Deep Cuts & Stage Lights
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Bike rentals near the ferry make the 38-mile island loop doable before lunch.
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Drop by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy pop-up for a shark-tracking chat.
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Early dinner of fried clams at Nancy’s in Oak Bluffs.
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7:30 p.m. curtain for “The Shark Is Broken” at the Performing Arts Center (running 5–20 July).
Monday – Farewell & Cape Pit-Stops
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Sunrise walk at the clay cliffs in Aquinnah.
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Catch an early ferry back; sea-breeze coffee on deck doubles as dolphin-watching.
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Quick photo op at Nobska Lighthouse before driving north and beating bridge traffic.
Budget Snapshot (Couple, Long Weekend)
Item | Cost |
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Ferry car (Fri–Mon) | ~$320 |
Passenger tickets | ~$42 |
Gas (220 mi @ 25 mpg) | ~$45 |
Lodging (2 nights mid-range) | ~$540 |
Museum + show tickets | ~$118 |
Food & drinks | ~$250 |
Total | ≈ $1,300 (about $325 pp if four share car + room) |
Practical Tips
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Reserve the ferry car deck early—July weekends fill by spring.
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If car spots sell out, walk on with bikes; the bus network and flat paths reach most filming locations.
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Beat the bridges: leave Boston before 3 p.m. Friday and return by noon Monday.
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The Palmer Avenue lot is the most affordable long-term parking and includes the shuttle.
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Download a film-location app (SetJetters or similar) for geotagged trivia clips.
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Menemsha fish shacks are cash-forward—bring bills.
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Even midsummer evenings can dip into the low 60s on the docks; pack a light windbreaker.
Quick Packing List
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Light shell plus hoodie
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Water sandals for the Jaws Bridge jump
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Polarized sunglasses
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Bike lock and lights
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Portable phone battery
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Reusable tote (plastic bags are banned island-wide)
Ready to Roll?
Reserve that ferry slot, queue the John Williams score, and live out your own “Amity Island” weekend—minus the great-white drama. See you on the dock! 🦈
Check out: Top 10 locations in the United States to celebrate the 4th of July
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