🧸 MVacay’s BIG *Family* Guide to Martha’s Vineyard
Your MV family playbook with by town cheat sheets, kid friendly eats, rainy day saves, and ready itineraries
I’m excited to share access to the Big Family Guide with MVacay Paid Subscribers!
If you’re not interested in becoming a paid subscriber, you can also buy the MVacay Family Guide on Etsy for $10.
Traveling to Martha’s Vineyard with kids shouldn’t require 27 browser tabs. Think of this guide like your cool mom BFF who lives on MV giving you a peek into her insider playbook.
This PDF brings together everything I’ve written on MVacay.com over the past 15+ years about visiting the island. I’ve condensed dozens of blog posts, insider tips, and community-sourced recs into this printable, on-the-go resource for easy planning.
🧭 Planning & Logistics
📅 When to Visit: Events to Plan Around (Annual Highlights)
⛴️ How to Get Here & Ferry Wait Tips
🏡 Where to Stay: Kid-Friendly Areas, Rentals, Hotels
🚗 Getting Around with Kids: Car, Ferry, Walkable Towns
🎒 Packing & Food
🎒 Packing Insight
🍽️ Where to Eat with Kids
☀️ Early Openers & Coffee Stops
🎡 Things to Do
🎠 Indoor, Rainy Day, & Winter Activities
🌳 Outdoor Activities & Beaches
🎟️Activities for Teens
💸 Budget-Savers & Free Activities
📋 Sample Itineraries
📸Family Photo Tips
By-Town Cheat Sheet Guides
⛵ Oak Bluffs Family Cheat Sheet
🐟 Edgartown Family Cheat Sheet
⚓️ Vineyard Haven Family Cheat Sheet
🐚 Up-Island (West Tisbury • Chilmark • Aquinnah)
🛟 On-the-Ground Help
🍼 High Chair, Stroller, Crib Tips and Rental Notes
🚑 Emergency & Parent Resources (Urgent Care, Ticks, Babysitters)
✅ Final Checklist: Smoothest Family Trip Possible
Readers Note: There are MVacay.com Guides you can access to all of these topics that have more in depth information (and information for non-families too) but this guide distills just the family friendly links HERE and does not link out to other MVacay Guides.
Use this like a field guide: skim the Planning bits before you book, then flip to Things to Do and Itineraries once you’re here.
⭐️ MVacay’s Top Picks: Throughout this guide, look for the star to spot our personal favorites. These are places and tips we truly recommend from first-hand experience.