✅ MVacay's Martha's Vineyard Trip Planning Checklist

A reallyyyyy simple checklist for first-time visitors

This checklist breaks down planning your first trip to MV step by step using only MVacay’s guides. No clutter from Pinterest, Google, or outdated saved TikToks.

When you’re ready to book, just sit down with this list, ChatGPT, and plan the best vacay ever.

Let’s do it:

🧳 Big Picture Planning

1. 🚗 Decide How You’ll Get Here
   Fly, drive to Woods Hole, or walk onto a ferry? Figure this out first.
   → How to Get to MV Guide

2. 📅 Check Ferry Availability (if bringing a car)
   Planning to bring a vehicle? Book with Steamship Authority ASAP.
   → Ferry Tips

3. 🏨 Pick Where to Stay
   Choose your town based on vibe: Edgartown = charming, Oak Bluffs = fun, Vineyard Haven = convenient.

   → Where to Stay Guide

4. 🚙 Choose On-Island Transportation
   Will you need to rent a car, rely on bikes, or stick to walking and Uber?
   → How to Get Around MV Guide

🎟️ Plan Activities + Meals

1. 🧺 Book Dining Experiences
   Reserve ahead for farm dinners, cheese tastings, oyster tours, or fine dining options.
   → Local’s Favorite Food, Places to Make Reservations

   🍽️ Check What’s Open (Sept–June):
   → Restaurant Openings Tracker

2. 🎨 Sign Up for Classes or Workshops
   Art, cooking, farming, or seasonal one-offs.
   → Adult Classes Guide

3. 🎣 Plan Outdoor Adventures
   Kayaking, fishing, hiking, and beach time.
   → Beach Guide, Fishing Guide, Hikes

4. 🗺️ Use Itineraries by Town or Theme
   Find recs for rainy days, day trips, and more.
   → Itineraries Page

5. 🎟️ Browse Upcoming Events
   Weekend lineups, festivals, and local happenings.
   → Weekend Update Archive

6. 🐚 Make a Bucket List
   Save your top picks and must-do experiences.
   → MV Bucket List Post

📲 While You Travel

1. 📲 Follow @mvacay on Instagram
   Real-time updates and insider tips.

2. 🔗 Bookmark MVacay.com
   One-click access to events, guides, and new posts.

3. 🌟 Subscribe to the Newsletter
   Get weekly recs, seasonal bucket lists and event roundups in your inbox.
   

💬 Pro Tip: Use ChatGPT to Help Plan Your Itinerary

I have 300+ Guides on MVacay.com and this can feel like a lot. My personal cheat code? Try using a ChatGPT prompt to create a custom itinerary using MVacay.com resources. It's a great way to organize your ideas and get suggestions tailored to your trip.

Here are a few prompt examples to get started:

• “Plan a 3-day Martha’s Vineyard trip June 19-21 using MVacay.com with beach time, good seafood, a farmer’s market, and one unique class or tour each day. We have access to a car.”

• “Create a rainy day itinerary for a couple visiting MV in May using MVacay.com bucket list items. Ask me clarifying questions for which types of attractions I’m interested in. We are staying in Vineyard Haven.”

• “Using MVacay.com, what should I do for one full day in Oak Bluffs without a car?”

• “Make a Martha’s Vineyard itinerary for a bachelorette group that includes live music, shopping, and drinks. Use MVacay.com’s bachelorette guides as a basis and tailor them for late August.”

You can copy and paste one of these into ChatGPT or tweak them to match your group’s interests.

Happy Planning!

-Lis