Martha's Vineyard: GPS-Guided Historical Audio Tour
3.0
23 Ratings
Tisbury
Embark on a GPS-guided historical audio tour of Martha's Vineyard, uncovering the island's surprising history, from the Wampanoag tribe to the origin of the famous 'gingerbread houses'.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Martha’s Vineyard Camp meeting Association (MVCMA) - Your tour of Martha’s Vineyard begins the quaint town of Vineyard Haven on the island’s north coast. Famous for its gorgeous coastline and historic towns, there’s so much to see on this beautiful island! Your tour will take you along the Vineyard’s eastern coast, where all the island’s top attractions can be found.
What's Included
  • Automatic GPS-triggered storytelling for hands-free operation and daily assistance via Call, Chat, or Email.
  • Comprehensive tour package including itinerary, travel tips, professional narration, videos, text, and hidden sights.
  • Offline capable with GPS maps and step-by-step directions without requiring cell signal or Wi-Fi.
  • Private and customizable car tour experience with the flexibility for photo breaks, snacks, and hikes at your own pace.
  • Mobile app with easy download and access using a provided link and password.
  • Flexible scheduling allowing usage anytime and over multiple days without an expiration date.
  • Cost-effective option with a single purchase per vehicle, savings compared to individual tickets or bus tours.
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

Prepare yourself for a trip to one of the most fabulous holiday destinations in America, beloved by stars and presidents alike! Martha’s Vineyard boasts beautiful shorelines and beaches, charismatic small towns, and ample entertainment—but this GPS-led car tour, complete with walking segments, will take you beyond the superficial beauty to uncover the island’s fascinating past. Discover the Wampanoag tribe, the genesis of the Vineyard’s renowned “gingerbread houses,” and the forgotten language created by the island dwellers!

The process is simple: Within half an hour, we’ll send you a unique code and the Action Tour Guide app. Install the app on your mobile device and input the code. Next, download the tour within that app. Upon arrival, head to the Visitor Center to kick off the tour. Follow the tour route and adhere to the designated speed for the optimal experience.

The tour has no expiry date—you can access it from the moment of purchase, indefinitely!

Please note this is not an admission ticket. Be sure to check the opening times before your visit.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
  • How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action’s Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing savings: • Driving Tours: Save money by purchasing a single tour for the entire vehicle, avoiding individual fees per person like on a bus tour. Connect your phone to the car speakers to share the audio. • Walking Tours: While each person typically needs their tour, couples or small groups can share one using split headphones.
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
The Steamship Authority Vineyard Haven Terminal
Water Street
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.0
(23 Ratings)
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G8523lpaliciaw
Oct 1, 2023
Love it - Loved it. It allowed us to stop and restart at our own pace. It was cool to be able to read and listen to what the guide was saying
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tina_b
Aug 14, 2023
Perfect from the car tour!!! - Such a cute little tour to learn the island!!!! Recommend if you want to take the tour in your private car!!!
Review provided by Viator
Vickyp754
Jun 21, 2023
Enjoyed the Martha’s Vineyard tour - Started at the beginning of the Martha’s Vineyard tour in Vineyard Haven and followed the narrative & map the whole way. I drove extra slow through the congested areas and slower than the speed limit elsewhere to ensure we heard the narrative fully before the next one started. I had to pull over a couple times as the new narrative cut off the ends of the prior one. We just hit the back-arrow to relisten & hear the full thing. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. I enjoyed the tour. I learned a few things I hadn’t known before (I’ve been here often, but it’s the first time for my family.) We also enjoyed the Oak Bluffs walking part of the tour! Great tour of eastern MV. Would love a tour of the western half. We’ll be going to those spots today.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bcw1988
Jun 23, 2023
Fun trip - Fun experience to be able to go at our own pace. Didn’t realize there was supposed to be a walking part so we missed that since we chose to go when it was raining out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danielletw438hz
Dec 17, 2023
Okay - The island was beautiful, but hard to see much in December when a lot was closed. Would have been good to know this beforehand.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anandr1982
Aug 3, 2023
Worth the $15 - The audio didn't work via the car's Bluetooth, which was a bummer. So, a passenger had to read all the text. Also, we couldn't find parking at one of the places we were supposed to. The tour design was otherwise good and gave a good flavor of Martha's Vineyard, when we had no previous knowledge. The app was downloaded over wifi and didn't need steady internet after that.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patrycja_l
Nov 10, 2023
Martha's Vineyard - This was not the first time for us to use an app with GPS gide but this one was really poorly designed.
Review provided by Viator
R9336eycolleenr
Sep 11, 2023
NOT AS GOOD AS I EXPECTED - This is not a bad gamble for $15 to give a try. Unfortunately, I gambled and lost. It was confusing to navigate. If you drove too fast between talking points, it cut off its current talking point and switched to the next point without finishing the current one. We did not find this a useful tool to tour the island.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jimbourdon1
Aug 29, 2023
Too bad - Very difficult to use. Could t get it to play on media in car. Didn’t use it at all because it kept fading in and out with cell phone coverage
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brian
Dec 1, 2023
Paid my money but did not receive my guide - I booked this tour online the evening before we travelled with our car to Martha's Vineyard. During the process I was asked to pay, and did so. I then got a confirmation screen which confirmed my booking (it even said "HAPPY TRAVELS, YOU'VE BOOKED A GOOD ONE" and gave me a confirmation number). I took a screenshot of the confirmation. The confirmation said I would receive an email in an hour but it never came. It should have had all the details of how to access an app for our tour I never received any email. I checked all emails, including spam, social, promotions etc. But it never came. As we had booked to bring our car on the ferry to Marthas Vineyard we went ahead without any audioguide. We tried using the help system to no avail. My advice is to never book an audioguide from this company. (And if you are the owner of the company please do not reply to this review like you have fone with others who have complained, by saying the guide never expires and we can use it another time - that's no use. We only had a short period in this area. Also we certainly won't be relying on your system to try a different guide in another country). I want my money back please!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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June 2024
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