⚓ The Giant Martha's Vineyard Summer *Activities* Guide 2025
50+ things to do for families, groups, first-time visitors or island locals on MV
Summer is just 2 months away, it's time to start planning what you’ll do!
If you've never stepped foot on MV before, this guide gives you the perfect starting point as you plan your visit. For islanders, I guarantee this exhaustive list contains a few gems you haven't tried yet.
The activities are organized by category and tagged so you can quickly find options that match your group size, budget, and interests.
Let's make this your best MV summer yet!
🔹 Key:
🆓 Free
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly
🎉 Good for Groups
📅 Requires Reservation
🌧️ Rainy Day Activities
⭐️ My Top 5 Activities for New Visitors
🌿 Outdoor & Nature Activities
Martha's Vineyard's natural beauty is its biggest attraction! And the bonus is being outdoors is FREE and doesn’t need prior reservations. Here are my top picks:
⭐️🆓🎉 Beaches – State Beach, Inkwell, South Beach
🆓 Hiking & Walking Trails – Sepiessa Point, Polly Hill Arboretum, Mytoi Gardens, Felix Neck
⭐️🆓 Scenic Spots – Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook, Menemsha Sunset, East Chop
🆓 Lighthouse Open Houses – Edgartown, East Chop, Cape Poge (check schedule)
🆓 Walk from OB to Edgartown – A gorgeous oceanfront walk
🆓 Watch the Sunrise at Jaws Bridge or Inkwell Beach
🆓 Watch the Sunset at Menemsha or East Chop
🆓 🎉First Fridays in Vineyard Haven – Music, art, and shopping in town
🆓 🎉Ocean Park Concerts on Sundays – Free live music outdoors
⭐️🆓 Menemsha Fishing Docks – Free to visit, great for seeing a working harbor
📅 Fly-Fishing with Kismet Outfitters – Guided experiences for all skill levels
📅 Jeep Rentals for Beach Driving – Check if Norton Point day passes are open
📅🎉 Paddleboarding & Kayaking – Guided tours or rentals with Island Spirit Kayak
📅🎉🌧️ Mansion House Health Club, Sauna & Hot Tub – Relax with a day pass
🎉 MV Sharks Baseball Game – Local summer league baseball
📅🌧️ Boxing & Spin Classes – Strong Martha Boxing & Vineyard Tennis
Bike Ride on Chappaquiddick Island – Rent a bike in town and take the Chappy Fery over
🎨 Arts, Culture & History
These activities highlight our diverse history, vibrant arts scene, and the stories that make MV so special.
📅 African American Heritage Trail – Guided and self-guided tour options
📅🎉🌧️ Featherstone Center for the Arts – Art workshops, exhibitions
⭐️🆓 Gingerbread Houses Walk – Iconic, colorful cottages in Oak Bluffs
📅🎉 MV Playhouse & Tisbury Amphitheater – Live theater performances
🆓👨👩👧👦🌧️ MV Museum – Rotating exhibits, kid-friendly sections
🌧️Carnegie Heritage Center in Edgartown – Curated exhibits
🆓🌧️ Aquinnah Cultural Center – Indigenous history
📅👨👩👧👦🌧️ See a Play at Tisbury Amphitheater – Shakespeare & children's shows
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Fun
As a mom to two kiddos under four years old, I am ALWAYS looking for the most kid-friendly things to do. I’ve vetted these for you:
⭐️👨👩👧👦 Flying Horses Carousel – The nation’s oldest platform carousel
🆓👨👩👧👦 Edgartown Fire Museum – Open seasonally
📅👨👩👧👦 Misty Meadows Equine Learning – Horse encounters and educational programs
📅👨👩👧👦 Island Alpaca Farm – Meet and learn about alpacas
📅👨👩👧👦 Pirate Ship Adventure – Off the docks in Oak Bluffs
🎉🌧️👨👩👧👦 Barn Bowl + Bistro – Family-friendly bowling and dining
🆓👨👩👧👦 The Fabulists at Tisbury Amphitheater – Free kids' performances in summer
🆓👨👩👧👦 Tide Pooling at Lagoon Pond
🆓🌧️👨👩👧👦 Island Libraries – Play spaces, story hours, kids’ programming
🆓👨👩👧👦 Playground at Niantic Park – One of the best play areas for kids
If you want to learn more about any activity in this guide, use the search bar on MVacay.com to find detailed write-ups for everything from a local perspective.
🎉 Group Activities & Unique Experiences
These group-friendly activities offer unique island experiences that go beyond the typical beach day.
📅🌧️🎉 Escape Room MV – Interactive puzzle-solving adventure
📅🎉 Private Boat Charters – Mad Max Catamaran, Black Dog Tall Ship, Fishing Charters
📅🎉 Permanent Jewelry – Stefanie Wolf & Forever MV bracelet appointments
📅🎉 MV Picnics – Custom luxury picnics at scenic locations
📅🌧️🎉 Vineyard Sound Acapella Show – Weekly performances
📅🎉 Ride a Biplane Over MV – Classic Aviators scenic flights
📅🎉 Oyster Farm Tours – Floating raw bar with Cottage City Oysters
📅 Watch a Movie at the Circuit Arts Drive-In – Great for groups
🍽️ Iconic Food & Drink Experiences
You haven't truly experienced MV until you've tasted these island classics!
🍩 Back Door Donuts – Late-night fresh donut stop. Visit after 7p!
🍹 Donovan’s Dirty Banana – Famous frozen drink on OB Harbor, available in the summer
🦞 Grace Church Lobster Rolls – A must-try, available on Fridays
🛍️ West Tisbury Farmers Market – Local produce, baked goods, artisan products. Wednesday and Saturday mornings
🧀 Grey Barn Cheese & Bakery – Famous for their award-winning cheeses, open year-round
📅🎉 Private Chef Experiences – Book a chef for your group, book in advance
I plan to update this guide each season with new finds and reader suggestions. As a disclaimer, always check each business website for the most up-to-date schedules and availability, as some seasonal attractions have limited hours or require advance reservations.
Ready to keep track of your Martha's Vineyard bucket list on the go? Download the MVacay Bucket List mobile app to check off activities as you complete them and discover personalized recommendations based on your interests.
See you on MV!
