☔ Things to Do on Martha's Vineyard on a Rainy Day (2024)
☔ Things to Do on Martha's Vineyard on a Rainy Day (2024)
Roundup of activities on MV for a rainy, snowy or cold day - including budget-friendly and family-friendly options
While rain on Martha's Vineyard might disrupt a day at the beach, it also presents an opportunity to experience the island's cultural and historical scenes indoors. I’ve selected a mix of activities for you to explore—ranging from complimentary to ticketed, and suitable for kids or just adults—ideal for an active, rainy day.
Before we jump into the details (hours, links, cost, for each etc), here is an at-a-glance graphic that organizes the options by town.
The below post is organized into 3 main sections - Museums + History, Family Fun and Arts + Culture.
Museums + History
Aquinnah Cultural Center
Town: Aquinnah
Cost: Adults is $5, seniors and children 12 and under are $3.
Age Range: All ages, but most suited for adults
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday from 11am-4pm. The museum is open from June 8 - September 29, 2024.
Description: Learn about the history of the Aquinnah Wampanoag at this insightful cultural center. More info here.
Martha’s Vineyard Museum
Town: Vineyard Haven
Cost: $18 per adult; $15 for seniors; $5 for children ages 6-15; free for children under 6
Age Range: All ages, with a dedicated kids area
Hours: Open year-round, Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-4pm, with extended hours on Tuesdays until 8pm.
Description: Explore the island's history through interactive exhibits and a unique children’s area. Housed in the historic 1895 Marine Hospital. More info here.
The Carnegie Heritage Center
Town: Edgartown
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Age Range: All ages, but most suited for adults
Hours: Open Thursday-Saturday from 11:00am-4:00pm, and always by appointment. Open year-round.
Description: Delve into the island's history in the heart of Edgartown. More info here
MV Camp Meeting Association Cottage Museum + Shop
Town: Oak Bluffs
Cost: $3 per adult
Age Range: All ages, but most suited for adults
Hours: Open from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, Monday - Saturday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, and Sunday from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
Description: Explore the history of the Camp Meeting Association with a quaint museum shop. More info here
Edgartown Fire Museum
Town: Edgartown
Cost: Free (donations appreciated)
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Open annually from May 15th through October 15th, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Special requests for visits can be made during the offseason.
Description: Explore a vast collection of firefighting memorabilia, uniforms, and fire trucks. Retired Captain Richard Kelly offers a personal tour and stories, making it a hit with kids. More info here
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary’s Nature Center
Town: Edgartown
Cost: Adults $4, kids 2-12 $3
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Open year-round, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; trails are accessible daily from dawn to dusk.
Description: Discover local wildlife and ecology indoors at the Discovery Room, which features interactive exhibits, animal displays, and educational materials on the area's natural history. More info here.
Family Fun
Flying Horses Carousel
Town: Oak Bluffs
Cost: Variable
Age Range: All ages, especially great for families
Hours: Spring - Open Saturdays & Sundays 11:00am to 4:30pm. Extended hours start Memorial Day weekend.
Description: Enjoy a classic Vineyard experience with the oldest carousel in the U.S., complete with a mini-arcade. Perfect for a rainy day. More info here
The Libraries (Multiple Locations)
Town: Various
Cost: Free
Age Range: All ages, especially great for families
Hours: vary by location; most libraries are closed Sunday. Specific hours available on each website, but most are open approximately 10a-5p
Description: Island libraries offer robust programming for all ages. Check their calendars for events and activities. More here: Aquinnah Public Library / Chilmark Public Library / Edgartown Public Library / Oak Bluffs Public Library / Vineyard Haven Public Library / West Tisbury Public Library /
Bowling at The Barn Bowl + Bistro
Town: Oak Bluffs
Cost: $60 for 60 minutes
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Open Sunday - Thursday: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm, Friday & Saturday: 11:00 am - 12:00 am.
Description: Offering bowling and a chance to reserve lanes in advance. More info here
Martha’s Vineyard Family Center
Town: Vineyard Haven
Cost: Free
Age Range: Families with children ages 0-8, including prenatal and pre-adoptive families
Hours: Check their website before going for that day’s classes and hours
Description: A hub for family support, the Family Center offers a variety of resources including parent and child activities. More info here.
Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center
Town: West Tisbury
Cost: Varies
Age Range: All ages, with options for kids
Hours: Open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; closed on Sunday.
Description: Misty Meadows provides an indoor arena open to the island horse community for a range of activities. They offer year-round Equine Assisted Learning and other therapeutic programs. More info here
Ryan Amusements
Town: Oak Bluffs
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
Description: Over 75 games to play and prizes to win at this lively arcade. Open daily from 9am to midnight. More info here
MV Film Center and Edgartown Cinema
Town: Vineyard Haven and Edgartown
Cost: Variable
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Edgartown Cinema operates year-round, 7 days a week. MV Film Center's hours vary based on the film schedule and season
Description: Catch year-round cinema options at MV Film Center and current films at Edgartown Cinema. More info here for More info here for MV Film Center.
Pirates Puzzle Escape Room
Town: Edgartown
Cost: Variable
Age Range: All ages, more suited for adults
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Closed on Monday.
Description: Challenge yourself with fun and engaging puzzles in this new escape room experience. Ideal for team-building. More info here
Indoor Pool at Mansion House
Town: Vineyard Haven
Cost: $18 per adult per day at Mansion House; $20 per adult per day at YMCA
Age Range: All ages
Hours: The indoor pool is available for use during the health club's operating hours
Description: Enjoy indoor swimming and fitness options at both the Mansion House. Great for staying active. More info here for Mansion House Inn
Martha's Vineyard YMCA
Town: Vineyard Haven
Cost: $20 for adults, $10 for kids for one day drop-ins
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Open Monday to Friday from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM, Saturday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Description: Day passes to access its gym, fitness classes, and swimming pools. More info here.
Arts and Culture
Art Galleries
Town: Oak Bluffs
Cost: Free
Age Range: All ages, more suited for adults
Description: Discover local photography and artisan crafts within a block’s radius in Downtown Oak Bluffs. Art lovers can stroll along Dukes County Ave even on rainy days. More info here.
FARM Institute
Town: Edgartown
Cost: Variable
Age Range: Family-friendly
Hours: Open to the public to walk the property and visit the animals from sun up to sun down. The Katama Barn hours vary but typically 9a-4p.
Description: Engage with local food and farming through daily programming from local chefs and indoor activities. More info here.
Slough Farm
Town: Edgartown
Cost: Free (donations appreciated)
Age Range: All ages, most programming for adults
Hours: Slough Farm is not open for public drop-ins but welcomes visitors by appointment or for scheduled educational programming and tours.
Description: Slough Farm focuses on sustainable agriculture and community engagement through educational programs and events. It supports local food equity initiatives by integrating farming with cultural and educational exchanges. More info here.
Featherstone Center for the Arts
Town: Oak Bluffs
Cost: Free; donations appreciated
Age Range: All ages, most programming for adults
Hours: Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Description: Featherstone is a vibrant hub for the arts offering a diverse range of classes, workshops, and exhibitions. More info here.
Go Shopping
Town: Island-wide, but stores that are close together are near Main Street of Edgartown, Vineyard Haven or near Circuit Ave in Oak Bluffs
Description: Experience local shops across Martha's Vineyard for unique finds and island specialties.
As always, business hours are subject to change depending on the season, so please check each location before heading there. Please also check MVacay’s Weekend Updates and Mobile App for additional events and markets that may be indoors. Stay dry!
