🪣 MVacay's Summer Bucket List 2026
My personal picks for new, fun things to do on MV this summer, and how I'm preparing
Every year around this time, I start making two lists:
The practical prep and logistics I need to do NOW to enjoy summer
My family’s bucket list that includes local traditions, little things I don’t want to forget, and a few new experiences I want to prioritize this year.
Hopefully today’s picks give you a few ideas for your own lists, too!
This is NOT a 101 bucket list for first-time visitors. It’s a list of how I’m preparing for Summer, and things I hope to try for the first time!
📝 My Summer Prep List
📅 Look Through the Events Calendar: Put dates on my calendar that I don’t want to miss, and grab tickets now.
🕷 Tick Prevention Reset: Schedule yard spraying, restock Insect Shield permethrin-treated socks / spray (also available at Green Room), grab more NatPat patches and bug spray (also at Alleys).
🥕 Eating Local: Decide whether we’re committing to a CSA this year, and make a list of pantry staples to supplement that during a big off-island Costco/Aldi haul. We’re leaning towards the Fisherman’s Trust CSF and Ghost Island Farm options.
🏖 Beach Gear Refresh: Replace the sand toys that disappeared, buy more SPF for the kids and myself, towel cover ups, rock painting supplies, upgrade the beach bag situation. On-island options: we love Green Room for Yeti products, Island Outfitters OB for sunscreen, and Alleys for beach toys and insect repellent.
👯♀️ Arrange Summer Visitors: Send everyone who’s visiting us the 2026 Visitors Guide and updated ferry info.
📸 Set a Date for Family Photos: Our photographer books up quickly, so I emailed to arrange a session, and I already bought outfits.
🚲 Locals Prep: Arrange bike tune-ups (size up in helmets too), buy beach stickers, do a cooler cleanout, reorganize the beach bin in the garage, power wash the furniture…all the glamorous seasonal tasks.
🌧 Rainy Day Backup Plans: Restock puzzles, baking supplies, craft kits, sticker books, and save a few indoor activities before we inevitably get three rainy weekends in a row. Chicken Alley, Rainy Day and Bunch of Grapes are great on-island options for these supplies.
🪣 Make a Family Bucket List: Make a big poster with my kiddos’ input of what THEY want to do this summer too!
🌿 Our Family’s Bucket List
🍳 Take a Cooking Class
I love any activity that ends in a meal and a new skill, this year I hope to try a cooking class at Slough Farm (they sell out immediately!) or go back to my favorite FARM Institute teachers.
🧵 Take a Craft Class
MV is fullll of creatives. I’m excited to take a needlepoint class this summer at The Stitchery and a glassblowing class at MV Glassworks. Past summers I’ve enjoyed offerings from Featherstone and library groups.
📚 Go to a Book Talk or Film Screening
I spent my winter reading MV authors Belle Burden and Emma Brodie, so I’m hoping to catch them speaking this summer. The MV Book Festival, MV Black Book Festival, Featherstone, Islanders Write and Edgartown Books have awesome lineups every year too. Another repeat tradition for me is the MVAAFF - I’m eager to see the panel lineup each year.
🎶 Go to More Live Music
The Tabernacle, The Grange, First Fridays, and Vineyard Sound concerts are summer staples. I’m also keeping an eye on Circuit Arts and Inkwell Beach House’s new programming. An updated live music guide is publishing soon as more dates trickle in.
🌸 Do Something Nature-y - Flowers, Hike or Bike
I saw the cutest idea to schedule a flower party at Slip Away Farm. For hiking, I always end up repeating my favorites, but I want to intentionally try at least one I’ve never done before. Squibnocket Pond Reservation (Aquinnah estate of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, aka Red Gate Farm) is on my list, as is the newly opened Mumcheag Creek Preserve on Chappaquiddick with views over Poucha Pond. Speaking of, I can’t wait to do a Chappy bike ride, it’s been a few years!
⛴ On the Water
Can I admit I’ve never taken a day trip to ACK?! I’m planning one this year! This is also the last summer of the Shenandoah in our harbor, so I’m thinking a boat ride is in order (especially with Cottage City’s new boat).
📍 Get Up-Island More Often
Obviously there will be many Menemsha sunsets and Galley ice cream runs, but I need to make a point to go up island more often this summer.
🛍 Shop Local Markets
I love to see the new vendors at the Artisan’s Market, Open Market, Chilmark Flea, farmers markets and roadside stands each year…especially for Father’s Day gifts or host gifts.
👨👩👧👦 Family Summer Traditions
We can’t go a summer without going to a Martha’s Vineyard Sharks Game, doing a Misty Meadows Pony Ride, and riding the Carousel. I think this year we’ll add in the Pirate ship and Ryan’s arcade for the first time.
🆕 New Business Tour
And of course, try all the new restaurants that open up! And support all the businesses in their first year of business. I’m especially excited about Highlands, Jetty Beach House, Bee Blunt and Biscuit by the Sea.
Summer on Martha’s Vineyard doesn’t have to be overplanned to be memorable. But I do think having a few things intentionally planned makes the whole season feel fuller and less rushed!
