Photo: versageek Most New England tourists hit the region’s trend-setting cities or plentiful beaches, bypassing what many locals hold onto as a regular part of their summer lives: the islands that wait just off the coast. The brief northern summer is when these islands, shuttered up tight three seasons of the year, open their doors, set out the lawn furniture, and throw a rope to the ferries bringing in visitors by the hundreds. Here are six New England island locales you’ll want to hop a ferry and see, whether you’re day tripping or settling in for a longer stay. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts Not far off the southern coast of Cape Cod, the Vineyard is 100 square miles of intriguing towns, forested countryside, and postcard beaches. Photo: jlrotner From bustling Oak Bluffs to upscale Edgartown , from the crashing waves of the Atlantic at Katama Beach to the lapping waters on the shores of the tiny fishing village Menemsha , you’ll find each of the island’s six towns has a different personality, and every beach a different atmosphere. A campground and a hostel stand in the woods in the middle of the island, if you don’t feel like staying at one of the many B&Bs or inns. Bike and moped rentals, as well as the extensive shuttle bus system, make exploration of the island super convenient. Don’t forget to take the two-minute ferry trip to the Vineyard’s neighboring island of Chappaquiddick .

Read the original here Living the Island Life in New England