☔ Things to Do on Martha's Vineyard on a Rainy Day
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 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.
Post last updated May 2026.
Museums + History
Aquinnah Cultural Center
Town: Aquinnah
Cost: Adults $10, seniors $8, children 7–17 $6, children 6 and under free.
Age Range: All ages, but most suited for adults
Hours: Open Tuesday–Sunday from 11am–4pm. The museum is open from June 16–October 21, 2026.
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: $21 per adult; $18 for seniors; $7 for children ages 7–17; free for children 6 and under.
Age Range: All ages, with a dedicated kids area
Hours: Open year-round, Tuesday–Sunday. Current listed hours are 10am–5pm from May 27–October 12, and 10am–4pm from October 14–early May.
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; children ages 3–12 are 50¢; children under 3 are free.
Age Range: All ages, but most suited for adults
Hours: Open in season, 6 days a week. Confirm current museum hours before visiting.
Description: Explore the history of the Camp Meeting Association with a quaint museum shop. More info here
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary’s Nature Center
Town: Edgartown
Cost: Adults $4, seniors 65+ $3, children 2–12 $3.
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Nature Center + Gift Shop open Monday–Friday from 9am–4pm; 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: April + May: Saturdays and Sundays, 11am–4:30pm. Summer hours: June 20–August 28, daily from 10am–9pm.
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; $90 for 90 minutes; $120 for 120 minutes. Up to 6 people per lane; shoe rental included.
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Open Monday–Thursday from 11:30am–10pm, Friday–Saturday from 11:30am–11pm, and Sunday from 11:30am–9pm.
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: Vary by program; check the current schedule before visiting.
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 9am to midnight
Description: Over 75 games to play and prizes to win at this lively arcade. More info here
MV Film Center and Edgartown Cinema
Town: Vineyard Haven and Edgartown
Cost: Variable. MV Film Center standard films are often $12 general admission, $9 members, and $7 children 14 and under; special events and festivals vary. Edgartown Cinema general admission is listed as $12 adult evening, $10 child/senior evening, and $10 matinee.
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Edgartown Cinema showtimes vary by day and season. MV Film Center 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: $29 per person for The Jaws Experience; age 3 and under free. Vineyard Mystery is currently listed at $25.99 per person as a retiring room discount.
Age Range: All ages, more suited for adults
Hours: Open all year by advance reservation. Saturdays only through April; open daily from late June to early September, with extended evening hours Thursday and Saturday.
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: $20 per adult day pass; seniors 65+ $15; children under 13 $15.
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Open 6am–9pm.
Description: Enjoy indoor swimming and fitness options at the Mansion House. Great for staying active. More info here for Mansion House Inn
Martha's Vineyard YMCA
Town: Vineyard Haven
Cost: Adult day pass $25; child/teen $10; young adult $15; older adult $15.
Age Range: All ages
Hours: Open Monday–Friday from 5:30am–9pm, Saturday from 7am–5pm, and Sunday from 8am–2pm.
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: Free to visit the farm; programs and classes vary.
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 is open during staff hours Monday–Friday from 9am–4pm and Saturdays from 9am–noon in the summer. During the off-season, the Katama Barn and farm stand are open Tuesday–Friday from 9am–4pm and Saturday from 9am–noon.
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/donation-based for some programming; paid workshops and events may vary.
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 to visit galleries; classes, workshops, and events vary.
Age Range: All ages, most programming for adults
Hours: Gallery hours are 12–4pm daily during shows. Classes, musical performances, and other events vary by schedule.
Description: Featherstone is a vibrant hub for the arts offering a diverse range of classes, workshops, and exhibitions. More info here.
Rainy-Day Shopping, Crafts + Easy Indoor Stops
ToteAlly Yours Bag Bar
Town: Oak Bluffs
Cost: Varies
Age Range: All ages, especially great for kids, teens, groups, and anyone who likes a hands-on activity
Hours: Seasonal hours vary; check before going.
Description: Customize a tote bag with patches and playful add-ons at this colorful Oak Bluffs studio. It’s a fun indoor stop for a rainy day, especially if you want something creative that doesn’t require a full class or long time commitment. More info here.
Stefanie Wolf
Town: Vineyard Haven
Cost: Variable
Age Range: All ages, especially great for older kids, teens, and adults
Hours: Store hours vary by season; check before going.
Description: Stop into Stefanie Wolf for their charm bar, where you can build a personalized bag charm or jewelry. A good rainy-day option for a quick creative activity without needing to book a formal class. More info here.
Bookstores, Puzzles, Games + Craft Kits
Check Edgartown Books and Bunch of Grapes for new books, children’s books, author talks, and rainy-day browsing.
For an easy rainy-day reset, pick up puzzles, games, sticker books, craft kits, or small activities from local shops like Lazy Frog, Rainy Day, Chicken Alley, or Alley’s. This is especially helpful if you’re staying in a rental house and need something low-key for kids between outings.
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.
Hours, prices, and seasonal openings change often on Martha’s Vineyard, especially on rainy days and during shoulder season. I’ve updated this guide for 2026 where possible, but always check the business or organization’s current website before heading out. Please also check MVacay’s Weekend Updates and Mobile App for additional events and markets that may be indoors. Stay dry!
