I’ve been walking the narrow lanes of the Oak Bluffs Campground for several years now, and they still stop me in my tracks every single time. Over 300 Victorian gingerbread cottages line the streets, each painted in candy colors — hot pink, buttercup yellow, mint green, lavender — with ornate carpenter gothic trim that looks like something straight out of a fairytale. It’s one of the most unique and visually stunning neighborhoods in all of New England, and most people stumble upon it entirely by accident.
Don’t stumble. Go on purpose. Here’s everything you need to know.
A Little History: From Canvas Tents to Candy-Colored Cottages
The gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs trace their roots to the early 19th century, when Methodist worshippers began gathering here in canvas tents for days of prayer, song, and fellowship. Over the following decades, those temporary tents gave way to something more permanent — small, intricately detailed wooden cottages that grew more elaborate and colorful with each passing year.
The architectural style is known as Carpenter Gothic — a 19th-century design trend that blends Gothic Revival details like pointed arches, steep gables, and lacy decorative woodwork with traditional American light-frame construction. The result is unlike anything else in New England: a village of storybook homes that feels simultaneously historic and whimsical.
Today the neighborhood is known as the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association — and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
When to Visit: Best Time to Visit the Gingerbread Cottages
The cottages are open to walk through year-round, but July and August are when they’re at their absolute best — window boxes overflowing with flowers, the lanes buzzing with summer activity, and the historic Tabernacle at the center hosting free concerts and community events throughout the week.
My tip: go in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light and the fewest crowds. Mid-morning in July can get busy — the cottages are well known enough now that they draw real crowds on peak summer days. Early morning in particular is magical — the light hits the painted trim beautifully and you'll often have the lanes nearly to yourself.
Give yourself at least an hour to wander properly. It’s free, itÆs stroller-friendly, and there’s no bad angle for a photograph.
Don’t Miss: Grand Illumination Night
Once a year, usually in mid-August, the Campground hosts Grand Illumination Night — one of the most extraordinary events on Martha’s Vineyard and something I’d put on any island bucket list. Every cottage hangs Japanese paper lanterns from their porches, and at dusk they’re all lit simultaneously. The effect is breathtaking — hundreds of glowing lanterns lining the lanes, the historic Tabernacle lit up at the center, and the whole neighborhood transformed into something that feels genuinely magical.
It’s free, unticketed, and draws visitors from across the island. Arrive early to find a good spot — and bring a camera. This is one of those evenings you won’t forget.
Stay in a Gingerbread Cottage on Martha’s Vineyard
We}re proud to list several of these extraordinary cottages on our site. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family retreat, or simply the most memorable place you’ve ever stayed, an Oak Bluffs gingerbread cottage delivers. Each one offers a unique glimpse into the island’s colorful history — and an unforgettable place to call home for the week.
1) La Bella Sorella—Built in 1868
2) The Cinderella Cottage of Oak Bluffs
3) Renovated Victorian Home—2 Blocks to Beach, Town & Parks
4) The Carousel House in Ocean Park—Featured in NY Times
5) Classic Victorian Beauty Steps to Beach
6) “The Legacy House” - A Historic Beauty near beach & town
7) The “Summer Wind” House - Walk to the Beach!
8) La Sirena, The Mermaid Of Oak Bluffs
9) Fully Renovated Victorian 4 Br /2.5 Baths Steps To Inkwell
10) 8 BR Grand Victorian near Inkwell Beach sleeps 16 people!
11) Beautiful 4 BR/4 BA Modern Victorian: The Mack on Winemack
12) The Tuck at Inkwell/Walk to Oak Bluffs Town Center & Beach