🌲Winter 2024 - Early 2025: Off-Season Activities Guide for Martha's Vineyard

45 year-round activities, places to visit, where to find a crowd + faqs

Nov 19, 2024

If you feel like you’ve read one too many seasonal guides, don’t run… I have some fresh, new picks for you!

Winter on MV is cold but charming. It’s filled with community, and we play a fun game each weekend of “What’s Open? Who’s in town?” Let me share how islanders and visitors can stay busy even when much of the island is closed.

Key

🆓 Free Activities - Pay-What-You-Can or Free
📅 Requires Scheduling - Activities that need prior arrangement or a specific time slot booking.
🎟️ Requires Tickets -Need a purchased ticket or to pay a fee in person to participate.
⭐ Lis's Picks for Locals - special recommendations for locals looking for something new or different.

🌟 Things to Do Year-Round

🌿 Nature + Outdoor Activities

⭐🆓 Beaches - use MVacay’s beach roundup to discover a new beach
- Each winter I have a shortlist outside of the obvious choices - don’t forget about Tashmoo, Lobsterville and Philbin
🆓 MVTrails app - use this mobile app to find a new place to hike, a great directory of hiking and biking trails
🆓 Mytoi Gardens - a Japanese-inspired garden on Chappaquiddick Island, featuring walking paths and a pond
🆓 Island Alpaca - home to over 50 alpacas, offering educational tours and a gift shop
Polly Hill Arboretum - visit this 70-acre living museum of trees and shrubs
📅 Kismet Outfitters - provides guided fly-fishing experiences on Martha's Vineyard, catering to all skill levels
📅 Misty Meadows - hosts equine-assisted learning programs, riding lessons, and therapeutic sessions / also has an indoor setting

⭐ Stillpoint - workshops and events focused on personal growth and community connection
- I’m really looking forward to seeing how they debut in 2025!
⭐🆓 PathwaysARTS - creative programs, including art exhibitions, performances, and discussions
- I have yet to make it to their weekend live music and dancing. Soon!
⭐ Slough Farm - a community-focused farm providing workshops, events, and educational programs
- My mom loves their pottery studio, and I’m determined to make it to a cooking class this winter!
📅 🎟️ Featherstone Arts Classes - art classes and workshops for all ages and skill levels
🎟️ MV Museum - explore the island's history through exhibits and collections
🆓 The Carnegie - cultural center in Edgartown for exhibits and programs celebrating the island's heritage
🆓 Art Galleries - bounce around the art galleries
See a Film or Play - MV is home to a variety of performance venues, each with thoughtful, curated selections. Here are the options:
- ⭐📅🎟️ MV Playhouse - live theater productions
  - I hear the local acting is not to be missed, especially the musicals!
- 🎟️ MV Film Center - independent and international films
- 🎟️ Edgartown Cinemas - mainstream movie screenings

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Educational + Family Friendly

⭐Native Earth Teaching Farm - provides hands-on agricultural experiences, farm tours, and educational workshops for all ages
- I really want to bring the girls - they love animals! Plus they have Indigo Dye classes
⭐🆓 MV Family Center - provides resources and support for families with children aged 0-8, including educational programs and playgroups
MV Ice Arena - offers public skating sessions, hockey programs, and figure skating lessons for all ages
📅 YMCA - features fitness facilities, swimming pools, and youth programs promoting health and wellness
📅 FARM institute - an educational farm providing programs and workshops
🆓 Libraries - all 6 libraries feature programs, talks, concerts, and art exhibits

💪 Stay Active + Connected

📅 ⭐ Escape Room - an interactive puzzle-solving adventure suitable for groups and families
- I keep meaning to try this, would be fun for a double date!
⭐ Workout Classes - pick a new fitness studio to check out
- Boxing at Strong Martha and Spin with Griffin at VFT are on my list!
📅 ⭐ Volunteer - look for opportunities to engage with the community through local organizations and events
- MV Community Services and Island Food Pantry/IGI are on my list!
⭐ Mansion House Sauna and Hot Tub - with the purchase of the health club day pass you have access to tons of amenities
- A sauna and tub on a hot day sounds incredible, and I love that this pass includes access to everything in the Club.
🆓 Play Trivia - check out The Wharf, The Barn, PA Club, The Ritz, or Town MV for Trivia options most nights.
Barn Bowl + Bistro - family-friendly bowling sessions

🍽️ Off-Season Dining and Shopping

🗣️ Where do Locals Hang Out?

Venues Where You Can Find a Crowd

If you’re wondering where you can meet new friends and feel the community spirit - try these spots!

Vineyard Haven

The Attic - Happy Hours
Black Dog and Black Dog Bakery Cafe - Live Music
S+S Kitchenette - Pop-Up Dinners + Live Music

Oak Bluffs

The Barn Bowl + Bistro - Bowling
Dos Mas - Late Night
The Ritz (Long Season) - Late Night
The PA Club - Live Music
Offshore Ale - Food Specials
VFW - Live Music

Edgartown:

The Wharf (Long Season) - Late Night
Newes from America (Long Season) - Happy Hours
Rockfish - Happy Hours
Town MV - Happy Hours

Up-Island:

PathwayARTS - Live Music / West Tisbury

On Martha’s Vineyard, restaurant pop-ups are very popular in the off-season. Guest chefs and cuisines will pop-up, and locals love this tradition! Be sure to follow your favorite dining spots on Instagram or my Weekend Updates to stay informed.

🛍️ Shops Not to Miss

Most shops will remain open Thursday-Sunday from 10-5, though some may be open for more days/hours. The following shops are open at least 10 months out of the year, so they’re solid bets if you’re looking for my personal favorite stores to explore:

Vineyard Haven: Chicken Alley, LeRoux, Green Room, Conrado, Island Vintage, Rainy Day, Bunch of Grapes, CB Stark, Tisbury Toy Box
Oak Bluffs: Craftworks, Basics, Lazy Frog, Black Dog
Edgartown: Past and Presents, Edgartown Books, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines
Up-Island: Alley’s General Store, MV Glassworks

💡Practical Travel Tips

🏨 Hotels Open During the Off-Season

During the off-season, several hotels on Martha's Vineyard remain open, though availability may vary due to occupancy levels. Here are some options:

Vineyard Haven: Mansion House, Nobnocket Boutique Inn, Vineyard Harbor Motel
Oak Bluffs: The Island Inn, The Morgan Hotel
Edgartown: Ashley Inn, The Charlotte Inn, Edgar Hotel, Franklin Hotel, Harbor View Hotel (Note: May have a short seasonal break)

Please note that some establishments may adjust their schedules last minute during the off-season, so it's advisable to check with the hotels directly for the most current information.

🚪Seasonal Closures for Restaurants

Generally, most businesses start to close around mid-October, though many restaurants do stay open throughout the year. Here’s a rough breakdown of restaurant closure patterns:

Approximately 10% remain open year-round
About 50% operate from Memorial Day to Columbus Day
Roughly 20% stay open from Memorial Day to New Year’s Eve
Another 20% stay open but take a short break (3-6 weeks) around January-March