🪣 MVacay's Summer 2024 Bucket List - Activities To Do on Martha's Vineyard
Lis's personal picks for new, fun things to do on MV this summer
If you’re tired of reading “Things to Do on Martha’s Vineyard” lists with the same 20 activities…boy do I have the list for you!
A majority of the items in this list are new things to do in 2024. And many of them are free! I hope it gives you some out of the norm ideas for how to enjoy the beauty of MV in new ways. You know my philosophy - no gatekeeping allowed!
As a reminder, we’ve created a free mobile app MV Bucket List where you can track your bucket list items and find new ones.
🧀 Book a Grey Barn Cheese Tasting
Grey Barn has offered private cheese tastings and farm tours for years, but this summer, they’re selling single tickets so smaller groups can join in. My mom and I attended the communal group in June and loved meeting other islanders and learning about the farm. The portions were generous, and the setting was so quaint and inviting. $60/person / More Info
🍳Take a Cooking Class at FARM Institute
Somehow, FARM Institute always gets the best guest chefs. The cooking class options are so good, but I often forget to sign up early before they sell out. I'm determined to make it to one this summer. The Vineyard Baker bread classes and Seasonal Cooking with Jenny Divivo both sound like a great time. I love an activity that ends in a meal and a new skill! ~$60-75 / More Info
🥾Hike at Sepiessa Point Reservation
Regarded as my mother’s favorite place to hike, this tucked away gem with serene water views is a fun up-island adventure. Sepiessa Point runs along Tiah Cove and leads to Tisbury Great Pond. Free / More Info 🆓
🧵Attend Erica Wilson’s Sip and Stitch
The Nantucket-based Needlepoint company has opened a location at 21 Kelley Street in Edgartown, hosting weekly stitching sessions for new and experienced enthusiasts. I love the idea of relaxing with a refreshment, picking a pattern, and learning a new skill with someone to ask for help. These sessions take place on Tuesdays throughout the summer from 6-7:30 PM, first come, first served, BYOB. Free / More Info 🆓
⛵️Sail on Black Dog Tall Ship
I haven't gone on a Black Dog sail in about 10 years, and I'm definitely due for another! They offer day or sunset cruises and sell individual tickets, which is great. They provide a cheese board, NA drinks (BYOB), and the cruises are 3 hours long. I remember how fun it was to raise the sails with the crew on the Alabama, and the capacity ensured everyone had a space to sit and relax. $100/person / More Info
🎭See a Play at Tisbury Amphitheater
There are a few performance venues that continue to elude me, and the amphitheater is one of them. Tucked away in the forest in Vineyard Haven, this outdoor setting looks like it belongs in Greece. The MV Playhouse manages a solid lineup, featuring a rotation of Shakespeare classics and children's singalongs. $20 / More Info
🎶 Listen to Live Music
Indoors Pick: S+S Kitchenette
I'm always on the lookout for the next fun event hosted by S+S because I love spending time in their gorgeous space. Recently, on a First Friday, I wandered past the live music and snacks through the window and made a mental note to come back. The ambiance is unbeatable, usually with a $10 cover / More Info
Outdoors Pick: Winnetu
MVVYRadio sponsors a weekly free concert at Winnetu, Tuesdays at 6pm. I love this option for its remote setting, stellar lineup and ability to experience a new venue More Info 🆓
🧘 Do Yoga in a Fun Location
The yoga community thrives every summer on MV, with so many pop-ups it's hard to keep track (a full roundup is in my Wellness post below). Some exciting settings I've noted this summer and hope to attend are:
At Grange Hall (Free / M, 8-9a) 🆓
On the Mansion House Roof ($20 / M + F, 7:30a)
In the Tabernacle ($15 / M, W, F, 8a)
In the Garden at Nobnocket ($30 / M, W, F at 9:30a)
On Inkwell Beach (Free, 8a, Daily) 🆓
More awesome wellness options here:
💻 WFH in a Picturesque Setting
First Light Cafe, now managed by Aquila, offers a sprawling, quiet atmosphere. It's perfect for setting up with your laptop to work or, if you're completely off the clock, lounging with a good book. Enjoy a gorgeous view of the lagoon, AC, WiFi, plus option to purchase drinks and snacks from Aquila. The bonus is you don't need to pay museum admission—you can enter through the side door to enjoy the surroundings. Free / More Info 🆓
⚾️ Go to an MV Sharks Game
I've heard that Sharks games are a blast, with old-school concessions and ice cream at low ticket prices. They seem far more manageable and reasonable than taking your kiddo to Fenway. Plus, I love that they have weekday games, perfect for a random Tuesday night when you want to get out of the house but avoid the traffic congestion of going into town. $16 / More Info
🏖Try A New Beach
In my beach roundup last month I added a few oft-forgotten (by me, at least) beaches that are open to the public. Here are a few picks for when you’re tired (how can you get tired of them?) of your local haunt. 🆓 Try going to:
Jetty Beach (Oak Bluffs)
Tashmoo (Vineyard Haven)
Fuller Street Beach (Edgartown)
James Pond Preserve (West Tisbury, reservation required)
East Beach (on Chappy)
More Beach options here:
🎈 Free, Original Ideas to Do With Kids
Go to Aquinnah Playground - this newly constructed playgrounds is a bit of a hike but definitely on our list to check out this summer! 🆓
Attend West Tisbury Farmers Market Story Hour - parents can enjoy browsing the market, then ending under the tree in the back for a free story hour for kids at 10:30 on Wednesdays. 🆓
See The Fabulists at Tisbury Amphitheater - I’ve been dying to bring my 2yo to see this children’s show, which performs Saturdays at 10a in July + August. It’s free too! 🆓
More favorite activities here:
🍽Try a Newly Opened Restaurant
I am always torn in the summertime between trying my old favorites or taking a chance with the new kid on the block. Inevitably, my mom tries them all first and then I go to her favorites.
In case you’re keeping track, here’s a few New Restaurants for 2024: La Strada (VH), 9 Craft Kitchen (VH), El Barco (VH), The Model Deli (VH), Notalot (OB) Midnight Mediterranean (OB), Wicked Burger (Edg), Cozy Corner Cafe (Edg)
More new-to-MV options here too:
⭐️ Bonus Bucket List Picks
If you want even more inspiration, there’s 60 favorites in the Bucket List App below and you can save your favorites to remember them for later.
Go to a Vineyard Sound Concert
Go for a Bike Ride on Chappy
Ride in a Biplane
Take the Bike Ferry in Menemsha
Go to MV Drive-In
See Aquinnah Cultural Center’s new exhibits
Take an art class at Featherstone
Some of my other favorites are in the two posts below:
Thank you so much for putting this together! My friends and I will be on the vineyard for the first time this August. I'm excited to check out some of the recommendations.