Fun Island Adventures!
Martha’s Vineyard Adventure Ideas!
Overview
Discover all of what makes Martha’s Vineyard so special through a variety of fun “DIY-style” adventures that allow you to explore at your own pace, independently from any tour guides or people outside of your own group, in a budget-friendly manner.
Tailor your itinerary to what you are most interested in, with our list of ideas created specially for your kind of travel.
BY: Jenna @ExploreMVY
PUBLISHED: June 22, 2024
LAST UPDATE: June 22, 2024
PAGE CONTENTS
Click to jump to adventure info:
Active Adventurer
Relaxed Sightseer
Family of Adventurers
Education/History Buff
Active Adventurer
Get those muscles moving while exploring the island! Martha’s Vineyard offers a variety of activities to help you soak in the island’s gorgeous views.
Biking is a great way to get around the island without worrying about renting a car and parking. Also, it’s much faster than walking, so you can get to your next adventure with ease (with a bike adventure in between!). The down-island (Oak Bluffs - Vineyard Haven - Edgartown) routes are more beginner friendly, while the up-island routes (West Tisbury - Chilmark - Aquinnah) are better for the more experienced biker due to narrow roads and slightly more difficult terrain.
Ride your bike over to Wind’s Up in Vineyard Haven or Island Spirit Kayaks at “Little Bridge” in Oak Bluffs to rent out some water gear for the afternoon. Both are safe to get to by bike, as they’re both located next to a bike path. Or, if you’re looking for something a little more high-speed, visit the Oak Bluffs harbor for some jet ski fun at MV Ocean Sports.
If you’re looking for a relaxing hike, download the TrailsMV app, which was created by the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, and easily find the best trails to walk (or run) near you. Or, if you’re more of the road running type, the bike path between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown is a great option if you would rather not worry about traffic. There are also plenty of races that take place on the island during the summer season… see below for races to watch out for!
After a nice long run or bike ride, you might want to cool off by taking a plunge into the island’s refreshing waters. There is no better way to kill two birds with one stone (cooling off AND checking something off your Martha’s Vineyard bucket list) than to jump off the “Jaws Bridge” in Edgartown.
To end your day, you might grab a towel or mat, some water, and relaxing music to do some sunset yoga and stretching. While the “active adventurer” might enjoy zipping around the island doing many things in a short period of time, this is a great way to give your body some well-earned rest while soaking in the island’s beauty. If you need some instruction or prefer a group-led format, Yogi Jay of Wholesome MV has got you covered with an amazing calendar full of classes at fun locations for doing some yoga at an affordable price.
Relaxed Sightseer
For those who prefer a more relaxing way to experience the island, there is plenty of sightseeing to do, while skipping the large tour crowds. Some of the must-see sights to see for yourself include the beautiful Aquinnah cliffs, the historic MVCMA Gingerbread Cottages in Oak Bluffs, and the lighthouses of the island.
If you take VTA Bus Route #5, you’ll head to Aquinnah via South Road. Here, you can overlook the colorful cliffs that were formed by glaciers. Additionally, you can find Gay Head Lighthouse, which is open for the summer season from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
You don’t need a tour guide to explore the over-300 cottages of “Cottage City”, which encircle the Tabernacle in the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. These bright, ornate homes are the result of annual religious camp meetings that started out as tents and were eventually built into a community of summer cottages.
There are five lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard all over the island, so depending on how long your stay is, you might have time for them all or a couple. Either way, visiting the lighthouses of the island is a great way to get in some sightseeing because of the magnificent ocean views that can be seen from each.
East Chop Lighthouse, located in Oak Bluffs, is very easy to get to by walking or biking if you are already in Oak Bluffs or a neighboring town. Just recently renovated, the area is open for visitors to walk right up to the lighthouse or sit on a nearby bench. The VTA bus stops at the beginning of East Chop Drive, and then East Chop Lighthouse is about a 25 minute walk from there.
Edgartown Lighthouse is located at the end of a short path leading to Lighthouse Beach, only a walk away from the shopping area and the Chappy ferries. It is only $5 for entry to the top of the lighthouse during the summer season. The VTA bus stops on Church Street, leaving only a 15 minute walk left for you to go to see this beautiful structure.
West Chop Lighthouse, located in Vineyard Haven, can only be seen from the road, as it is not open to the public. However, it is still nice to see it from afar with a 45 minute walk from Main Street.
Gay Head Lighthouse, as mentioned earlier, is placed near the scenic cliffs of Aquinnah. When you take a look at this structure, you’ll notice that it is the only brick lighthouse on the island!
Cape Poge Lighthouse is not only located on Chappaquiddick, but it is also the hardest lighthouse to see. You’ll need a car and an oversand vehicle permit from the Trustees if you want to visit this one! (If you’re lucky with the timing, anyways… As of the time of publishing this, Cape Poge Lighthouse seems to be NOT open for tours!)
Family of Adventurers
Martha’s Vineyard is a terrific destination for families with kids of all ages. If you’re exploring Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs, be sure to stop by Ryan Family Amusements Arcade for some games and cool prizes. The arcade has a wide variety of games for all ages, including everything from classics to modern virtual reality thrills, so this is a great stop to add to your list.
If you’re stopping at the arcade, you must see the historic Flying Horses Carousel, which is only a couple minute walk down the street. Find the big red barn, which has stood strong as a landmark in Oak Bluffs since 1884. Kids and adults can hop on the hand-carved carousel horses and try their luck on pulling the brass ring for a free ride.
If you and the family need to take a little breather from the crowds of Circuit Avenue, head over to Ocean Park for a family picnic, some sports, or to fly kites. Whether the kids need to get some energy out in an open area or need to relax in the 7 acres of grass, Ocean Park offers great space for either. Here, you’ll also find the gazebo, where bands will play every Sunday evening in the summer season from late May to early October.
For some indoor fun, reserve a lane and head to The Barn Bowl & Bistro for some bowling and a family meal.
If you’re in the Vineyard Haven area, the kids will love seeing the fuzzy, sweet alpacas at Island Alpaca Company. You might even see some crias, or baby alpacas, if you’re lucky!
Education/History Buff
For those looking for an easy way to learn more about the island as they adventure, listen to fascinating insights on a self-guided tour. It’s like a normal tour, but without the strict itinerary and pacing! All you need is a device to listen and watch on as you roam. Click this link for 21 different audio tours for different subjects and locations on the island.
Visiting the Martha’s Vineyard Museum in Vineyard Haven is also a great way to boost your knowledge of the history and culture of the island. The museum is only a short 10 minute walk from the Steamship Authority Port, and is easily bikeable from Oak Bluffs. Even if you don’t have time to visit in person, or if you would like to continue learning from the comfort of your own home, six online exhibitions are currently offered on the museum’s website for viewing.