BLUF: A 150+ year old community of historic and colorful cottages with Victorian styling. The neighborhood of Oak Bluffs is home to 318 "gingerbread cottages" - small homes that were built starting around the 1860s to house members of the Methodist church during their summer camps. Fast forward 150+ years and there is an entire community of brightly colored cottages featuring ornate details or "gingerbreading." The houses were purposely built close together and with porches and balconies to encourage a sense of community and conversation. The cottages also often have a double front door to emulate old tents with double flaps. In the summer months one of the cottages is open as a museum and walking tours are available. Year round, there are residents that live in this community and vacationers that rent the whimsical homes. Originally when I heard about the Gingerbread Cottages I had visions of the "Painted Ladies" (Victorian row homes) in San Francisco but the cottages, although also colorful and ornate, fill an entire community. I was mesmerized as I admired the community of little cottages - this is such a neat piece of history! I hope on my next trip to visit the museum or join a walking tour. read more

Nothing to this area. An interesting thing to see. But it's just walking around and looking at houses. Nice to mark off the to do list on MV but not much to it. read more

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When visiting Martha's Vineyard, we stumbled upon this community known as the Gingerbread Houses. It's an adorable circle of homes surrounding an open-air tabernacle and a church. They are quite cute and each one is interesting in its details. We toured one of the houses that is maintained by the MV Camp-Meeting Association. Tom, our tour guide, gave us the history of the MV Camp-Meeting Association, which dates back to 1859. It began as a Methodist camp where attendees would set up "tents." These tents evolved into cottages and are now actual homes. Definitely worth checking out if you're in Oak Bluffs. read more

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This has to be on your list when you visit MV. It's historic, whimsical, picturesque, and outright memorable! read more

Gingerbread Houses - Campgrounds Near Me

When you visit Martha's Vineyard, don't forget to stop by this little nook in the Oak Bluffs area, where there are clusters of fairy tale-like wooden houses! There are 318 of these well-preserved whimsical Victorian cottages that were once Methodist camp meeting places. Known as the 'Gingerbread Houses' or 'Gingerbread Cottages,' you can take as many photos as your heart desires. Owners of their cottages sometime sit out on their porch, and you can converse with them! I just love the colors - the pinks, the purples, the sea greens, and the sky blues - each house is distinct and has its own distinct theme/style. There is also a circular park area in the middle, where they have various community events and get-togethers. Definitely a fun place to check out! +cute colorful cottages! +located off an alley in Oak Bluffs read more

We had read about the houses in a guidebook, but it was great to actually wander around and see them in person. We were part of a tour group and our tour guide made it a point to stop here and encourage us to walk around. Definitely picturesque and colorful. Just be respectful that there are people staying there and don't be too obtrusive. read more

This area is absolutely adorable. You don't want to miss walking around this area. A few of the owners were hanging out on their porch and were lovely people to chat with. These houses are definitely photo worthy. read more

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. read more

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Yes life size lookin, doll house lookin', looks good to eat lookin, Gingerbread houses! When visiting Martha's Vineyard, a lot of New England locals suggest to stroll through the Gingerbread cottages. Considered a historic site, it started back in the 1800's or so when people came camping out in MV as part of the Methodist religious retreat in tents. This evolved into permanently staying in the island under what is known as Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. Each cute house is privately owned and some can even be rented out...think air bnb. Each house has its own unique motifs. If only they'd let you in on the island during post season/winter holidays. It's a nice way to sightsee around the town of Oak bluffs in MV and a big bonus of course, is that it's a free scenic self tour of a village of non edible festive Gingerbread houses! read more

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The Gingerbread Houses is always the highlight of any trip to Oak Bluffs in Martha's Vineyard! The houses are adorable, very tiny with beautiful detail. It looks like a tiny village behind the beach town stores of Oak Bluffs. There are many streets that don't permit cars which allows the locals, tourists and children to walk safely and admire the beauty of these tiny houses. Some of the houses are more painstakingly restored then others, but all remind you of the houses made of gingerbread that are available around Christmas time. Their bright colors and beautiful motifs are a wonder for the eyes! The easiest way to access the Gingerbread Houses is through the entryway by Sharky's Cantina. read more

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REAL LIFE DOLL HOUSES. At least, that's how I felt when I viewed these adorable cottages in Oaks Bluff. The houses were mostly built in the 1800s and many stand in its original form today. The houses are mostly colorful...pink, purple, green, blue, etc. We were lucky enough to have stumbled upon on the owners who was able to give some personal history on her house. A must see. read more

Gingerbread Houses - Campgrounds Near Me

The original "tiny house" movement. What began as a Methodist revival campground is now an idyllic collection of colorful Carpenter Gothic houses. It's Christmas in July when you walk around in the height of spring&summer. While one can walk among the houses, centered on the Tabernacle (outdoor worship was a thing in the 19th century), there are cottages for rent- http://www.mvcma.org/cottages-for-rent.html Some are even rentals as low as $1200. There's a cottage open to the public as a museum that's got $3 admission. These colorful houses feel like a fairy tale, with themes like the ocean, lobsters, shrimp, clowns, the Wizard of Oz. Be sure to respect these charming cottages as private residences. The people are friendly. The paths are circular and it's easy to find your way around. It's worth the ferry ride from Woods Hole or Falmouth (Steamship Authority or Island Queen) One can enjoy sunshine, a healthy stroll, and beautiful houses. They're picture perfect. Martha's Vineyard little paradise. A Garden of Eden. read more

Spent the day at Martha's Vineyard today and I just fell in love with this little community. The houses are so cute and each one has its own charm! read more

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The cutest thing I've ever seen. Martha's Vineyard strikes again. These adorable little houses started out as a campground for a Methodist summer camp. As time went on, the tents turned into cottages, and then people started to try to outdo themselves building these little summer houses. They are beautiful little places, and good luck trying to find one to stay in. Most of them have been been passed on from one generation to the next for the last 175 years. Fun to look at though...and I guess the Illumination-where at the last sing-a-long of the season where all the houses light up their houses with Chinese lanterns at one time...it is a glorious sight to behold. read more

Cute stroll through the streets lined with charming houses. We found parking nearby and walked around for 15-20 minutes. You can't drive through the main street where majority of the houses are located. Walking path only, so feel free to bring your dog! Don't forget your camera. Heard the museum was also good to learn about the history of the area, but we didn't get to visit. read more

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These gingerbread houses are very adorable and very fun to watch. Normally for summer, these houses are fill up w/the local or sometimes people just renting them for the week or summer. The people here are very friendly and every look happy. I normally goes thru the houses everyday before going to work, Every summer they have a golden lantern light up and these houses have a lot of tourists coming by to witness it. read more

This little houses are so cute and very fun to see. You will see the different colors and themes these houses have. Very unique part of Oak Bluffs everyone who visits Martha's Vineyard has to check them out. read more

Uniquely Martha's Vineyard, worth the time to walk or bike through. If you can catch Illuminations in August, don't miss it!! Also, every Wednesday during the summer there is a community sing at the Tabernacle. it is free, great for families and a slice of summer life on the island not worth missing! read more

I visited Martha's Vineyard earlier in Oct. These houses were my favorite part of the whole island. They are so quaint, and adorable; it's real life doll houses. These houses are exquisite, and the details are outstanding. There was so much to take in as we walked around this charming neighborhood. I would highly recommend taking a stroll through this neighborhood if you find yourself visiting Martha's Vineyard. read more

I have fond memories of the Gingerbread cottages on Martha's Vineyard. My friend's family owns several and I was able to spend summers there. Spent many warm summer nights as a teenager hanging with friends on their porches talking about our day on the beach. Tip for tourists, "Illumination Night" at end of August is amazing. read more