Martha's Vineyard is a picturesque island located off the coast of Massachusetts, USA. April is considered the shoulder season on the island, which means that it is not as crowded as the peak summer months, but there are still plenty of things to do and see. Here are some activities to consider during your visit to Martha's Vineyard in April.

1. Enjoy the Beaches Although swimming is not recommended in April, the beaches of Martha's Vineyard are still beautiful to visit. The island's beaches are known for their serene and peaceful atmosphere, with soft sand, and stunning views of the ocean. You can take a stroll on the beach, collect seashells, and simply enjoy the tranquility of the island.

2. Explore the Nature Preserves Martha's Vineyard has many beautiful nature preserves to explore, including the Long Point Wildlife Refuge and the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest. You can hike the trails, observe the wildlife, and enjoy the stunning views of the island's flora and fauna.

3. Visit the Vineyard Haven Public Library If you're looking for indoor activities, the Vineyard Haven Public Library is a great place to visit. The library hosts a range of events and activities, including book clubs, storytime for kids, and lectures.

4. Take a Bike Tour Biking is a popular way to explore Martha's Vineyard, and there are plenty of bike rental shops on the island. You can rent a bike and take a guided tour of the island's scenic routes, including the famous Martha's Vineyard Bike Path.

5. Visit the Island's Museums and Art Galleries Martha's Vineyard has several museums and art galleries that are worth visiting, including the Martha's Vineyard Museum and the Granary Gallery. These places offer insight into the island's rich history, culture, and art scene.

6. Attend the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival is held every April and is a popular event for film enthusiasts. The festival features independent films, documentaries, and shorts from around the world, as well as panel discussions and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.

7. Take a Culinary Tour Martha's Vineyard is known for its vibrant food scene, and taking a culinary tour of the island is a great way to experience the local cuisine. You can visit local farms, taste artisanal cheeses and chocolates, and sample fresh seafood.

In conclusion, although April is not the peak season for tourism on Martha's Vineyard, there are still many things to do and see on the island. From exploring nature preserves to attending the film festival, the island has something for everyone.

It’s finally coming: summertime on Martha’s Vineyard. The past few months have seen the island slowly starting to open back up, but June is when things kick off for real. Admittedly, June isn’t as stacked with summertime action as July and August tend to be, but there is still tons of fun to be had for vacationers looking to visit in the early days of summer. Let’s jump in and look at what to do on Martha’s Vineyard this June!

 

Take the Kids to a Farm Animal Meet & Greet

The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society is best known for its annual ag fair celebration in late August, but if you’re coming to the island with younger kids in early June then don’t miss an adorable farm animal meet & greet! Taking place on June 4th from 10 am - 1 pm friendly animals big and small will be there and waiting for your visit. While this is great for families, if you’re an animal lover of any age this will be a great start to your day. Learn more about this and other events on the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society’s website.

 

Catch an MV Sharks Game

I’m willing to bet that first-time visitors to Martha’s Vineyard wouldn’t think the island has a thriving summer baseball scene, but believe it or not, it does! The MV Sharks are the island’s own collegiate summer baseball team and their season kicks off in June. If you’re a baseball fan, this is a no-brainer and a perfect early evening activity before hitting the town with your friends or shutting it down for an early night. Learn more about the MV Sharks and their June games here.

 

The Taste of the Vineyard

For many people, the Taste of the Vineyard event is what signals the true beginning of summer on Martha’s Vineyard. The Taste was originally launched as a fundraiser for restoring the famous Flying Horses Carousel,  but this small event has grown to be a huge two-night affair, with many of the island's best restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues appearing on the scene. Tickets are a bit pricey, but if you’re looking to enjoy a night stacked with great food and entertainment then it's worth it! Check out more about the Taste of the Vineyard on their website.

 

FILMUSIC Festival

The MV Film Society is closing out the month of June with a bang by putting on the FILMUSIC Festival from June 23 - 26. The festival will showcase feature films and musical performances that celebrate the convergence of music, culture, and film. The final lineup will be available in the coming weeks, but this is a must-see activity for all of you movie buffs out there. Learn more about the MV Film Society and their other events on their website.

 

These are just a few great activities awaiting you on Martha’s Vineyard during June. If you need a place to stay for your visit, regardless of the season, take a look at our many rental properties today!

From the fictitious beaches stalked by a certain shark in the classic movie "Jaws",  to the real-life ones covering the island, if there’s one thing Martha’s Vineyard is known for it's the array of incredible beaches that come to life in the summer months. Some folks might think “a beach is a beach” but there is so much variety across the numerous beaches waiting for you on Martha’s Vineyard, and you’ll have a much better time on some beaches depending on what you’re looking for in a visit by the sea. Today we’re going to run down five must-see beaches when you visit Martha’s Vineyard in the summer, so let’s jump in!

 

Oak Bluffs Town Beach

The Oak Bluffs Town Beach is probably the least “picturesque” of the beaches on this list, but it's still better looking than just about any beach on the Jersey Shore! Big waves and amazing views aren’t the reasons you visit this beach - the Oak Bluffs Town Beach shines because of its proximity to downtown. Are the kiddos getting hungry and you didn’t pack a sandwich? You’re a 5-minute walk from a dozen restaurants. Had a few drinks with your friends on a hot day and want to cool off in the ocean? The Oak Bluffs Town Beach is just a short stroll away. 

 

Menemsha Public Beach

Looking for some epic views on your trip to the beach? Well, then you have to visit the Menemsha Public Beach in the afternoon and stay until the sunset! This is the beach where everyone flocks for the perfect skyline view of the sunset. The skies light up many different shades of orange and pink as the sun makes its descent, and you’re close to a handful of good seafood spots in the summer months. The Menemsha Public Beach is a bit out of the way if you’re staying in Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, or Edgartown but if you come on a day with clear skies you won’t regret it!

 

South Beach

South Beach spans a massive amount of the southernmost end of Martha’s Vineyard. This is a big wave beach so bring your boogie board and ride them in! It's best known for attracting a large number of families and group beachgoers with its large waves and volleyball courts. Even though erosion has worn down areas of South Beach, this is the ideal spot if you’re looking to spend a long time at the beach with your family or friends. Unlike the other beaches we talked about above, South Beach is far away from all but one restaurant so make sure to have lunches packed and a cooler full of water before you make the journey.

 

Edgartown Lighthouse Beach

The appeal of this beach is just as much about the journey to get there as it is the experience of relaxing on the beach itself! You’ll enter this beach from the top of a hill with the iconic Edgartown Lighthouse in full view, and take a relaxing walk down some winding sandy paths. After a brief stroll you’ve got a wide open beach beside the lighthouse, perfect for a photo op with your vacation crew.  This is a shallow shore for most times of the day, so the water is very warm and perfect for younger ones to sit and splash in the sand and water.

 

Joseph Sylvia State Beach

If you can only visit one beach on your stay to Martha’s Vineyard, this is the one to see. Spanning the entirety of the gorgeous stretch of beach road that connects Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, State Beach blends South Beach’s expansive feel and “stay all day” vibes with the more relaxed waters of the Oak Bluffs Town Beach that makes the ocean perfect for younger kids to play in (while supervised). There are tons of different areas to setup across State Beach, but the go-to spot is by the Jaws bridge or “second” bridge that was famously featured in the classic horror flick. The bridge has gotten some updates since the time of Jaws and is still a great place to setup for some sun and swimming!

 

That’s our list of five must see beaches on Martha’s Vineyard. When you visit this summer, one of them is sure to be your new favorite! If you’re looking for a place to stay when you visit the island, be sure to check out our rental properties or reach out to us directly on our website.

We can’t believe it's almost May on Martha’s Vineyard! While things don’t start getting crazy on the island until late June when schools break for summer, May is an excellent and warm time to have fun on Martha’s Vineyard before the “official” start of the summer season. So what is there to do on Martha’s Vineyard next month? Let’s take a look at a few great activity options!

 

Pink and Green Weekend

Even though spring starts in March, anyone in New England will agree that it doesn’t really start feeling warm and outdoorsy until late April/early May. Running from May 6th - 8th, the annual Pink and Green weekend is a collection of activities celebrating all things Spring and Mother’s Day. Whether you’re with your family or traveling solo, you can have a weekend full of local activities including the 5K fun run/walk to the Pink & Green Dog Show, as well as sipping, shopping, and eating your way through downtown Edgartown. Check out more information about the event on the Pink and Green Weekend website.

 

Bird Bingo Safari

Those are three words nobody expected to see put together! This upcoming event on May 14th will give attendees a look at the islands’ unique wildlife with a twist! You’ll grab a bingo board along with the Trustees of Reservations to explore Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge via oversand vehicle. The program starts at the Mytoi Garden parking lot and requires registration in advance so check out the event website today to sign up.

 

Martha's Vineyard Marathon & Half Marathon

Who says you can’t stay in shape on vacation? The Martha’s Vineyard Marathon & Half Marathons take place on May 21st and will not only give you a great dose of cardio but provide an excellent and intimate look at key areas of the island. Both runs kick-off at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, and while they go on different paths both will see you running over the iconic “Jaws” Bridge. You’ll receive goodie bags, professional race photos, and finishers get a t-shirt and medal for their efforts. Register in advance online at the MVM website.

 

Nature as Inspiration Environmental Film Festival

Closing out the month is the island’s own “Nature as Inspiration Environmental Film Festival” which spans May 26th - May 29th and combines environmental films, discussions, and an art exhibit by MVRHS students in the Film Center. Over the course of the event, there will also be films that include a Q&A following their screening with experts, community members, and special guests. You can get your tickets ahead of time on the MV Film Society’s website.

 

This is just the tip of the iceberg for what Martha’s Vineyard offers visitors in May. If you need a place to stay for your visit, regardless of the season, take a look at our many rental properties today!

 

Martha’s Vineyard has so much to do that you might end up finishing your trip with some activities that you didn’t have a chance to get done. With so many different options for visitors to the island, we’re going to run down the essential activities to do on Martha’s Vineyard whether you’re making the trip in summer, fall, winter, or spring. Better yet, if you time things out just right you can do all of these in one day!

 

Visit the Gay Head Cliffs

Perhaps the single most important destination for your trip to Martha’s Vineyard, no visit to the island is complete without seeing the Gay Head Cliffs! The cliffs themselves have been a tourist attraction since the 1800s and are an enchanting blend of multi-colored clay. Wampanoag legend says that the benevolent giant Moshup would throw whales against the cliffs and cook them over his fire to provide the Wampanoag people with food, with the whales' blood staining the cliffs red and Moshup’s fire coloring them black. Visitors are treated to a truly breathtaking view of the cliffs as well as the beach and surrounding ocean beneath them. Make sure to go when it's clear skies for the best picture opportunity!

 

Find Your Favorite Island Beach

Martha's Vineyard is known for its excellent selection of beaches, so you'll need to find your favorite one before you finish your trip. Ultimately, with so many different beaches on the island, your favorite beach is going to depend on what else you’re doing on your vacation. If you’re visiting Martha’s Vineyard in the summer with your family you could fall in love with the Owen Park or Oak Bluffs Town beaches with their close proximity to downtown shopping and dining destinations. If you’re looking to come prepared with food, an umbrella and spend a long time at the beach then Edgartown’s lengthy South Beach might be the place for you. On the other hand, if you’re here in the offseason and aren’t thinking about swimming you might enjoy the more picturesque Lamberts Cove and Great Rock beaches. Regardless of what you’re looking for in a beach, don’t leave the island without picking a favorite.

 

See the Sunset at Menemsha Beach

Have you ever met anyone who doesn’t love a nice sunset? Well, the sunset view at Menemsha Beach is nothing short of legendary. While sunsets anywhere on the island are quite nice, watching the sun slowly descend below the ocean skyline in Menemsha is the perfect way to close out a day on Martha’s Vineyard. The beach around sunset draws a decent crowd and you’ll regularly hear applause when the sun finally sets. Even more so than the Gay Head Cliffs, make sure you’re here on a day with clear skies - it can be pretty disappointing watching the sun slip behind a cloud instead of the ocean skyline.

 

Drive or Bike Beach Road Connecting Oak Bluffs and Edgartown

Another uniquely Martha’s Vineyard style experience, getting up close and personal with this stretch of the island will be unforgettable whether you’re here solo, with your significant other, friends, or family. Beach Road goes on for a while on the island, but the part connecting Edgartown and Oak Bluffs is a thin stretch of road completely surrounded by water on each side. You’ll be treated to one of the best views on the island and even pass by the iconic Jaws Bridge. Also, this entire stretch of Beach Road has a dedicated bike path but be warned that you’re looking at an over two-mile bike ride one way, so you may want to take the cruise in your car if you aren’t up for a longer bike ride!

 

Make the Trip up Circuit Ave Oak Bluffs and See the Gingerbread Houses

Circuit Ave is right in the heart of Oak Bluffs and feels like the “main street” of the entire island, making it an absolute must-see for visitors to Martha’s Vineyard. Circuit Ave has the highest concentration of dining and shopping options on the island ranging from coffee spots like Mocha Motts, the Flying Horses Carousel, plenty of nightlife destinations and you can see it all in just a short stroll. Whatever you’re looking for on Martha’s Vineyard, Circuit Ave is sure to have it. After you’ve explored Circuit Ave a bit, a short detour will take you on a walking tour of the island’s “gingerbread” houses. These brightly colored cottages are all clustered together with an architectural style and colors reminiscent of an old fairy-tale village. While the hundreds of cottages all look similar, there are many unique design and color choices across them as you take a closer look at this signature island destination. Like all of our other activity recommendations, make sure you have space on your phone because you’ll definitely end up with a lot of selfies by the gingerbread houses.

These ideas are all perfect if you’re visiting the island and you’re either short on time or ideas of what to do during your trip. If you’re looking for a place to stay on your upcoming trip to Martha’s Vineyard check out our many rental properties available today. We can’t wait to see you on the island this season!

Spring has sprung on Martha’s Vineyard! The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and the island is starting to look like its iconic summer self. However, even though we’re still a few months away from summertime activities there’s still plenty happening on the island during April. So what is there to do on Martha’s Vineyard next month? Let’s take a look!

 

Exhibit Opening: Wampum - Stories from the Shells of Native America

This upcoming exhibit at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum opens on April 8th and runs through May 8th. The gorgeous purple and white-colored wampum that lucky visitors can find on some of the island’s beaches have a rich cultural significance to the Wampanoag people that have lived in the northeastern US for over 12,000 years! This exhibition is a retelling of history from the indigenous perspective and through a powerful piece of traditional art. It features a one-thousand bead wampum belt made in the style and traditions of the Wampanoag people - a definite must-see for people looking to learn a little more about the history of the island during their stay! Check out more details about the exhibit on the MV Museum website.

 

Spring Into Nature at Felix Neck

A perfect outdoor activity if you have kids ages 5 - 10 joining you on your vacation. Taking place from 4/18 - 4/22 attendees will spend the week exploring different island properties, learning about wildlife, growing food, making crafts, singing songs, listening to stories, and much more. You can register for this event on the Mass Audubon website or by calling 508-627-4850.

 

MVM Nightlife: Island History Trivia Night

Everyone’s done at least one pop culture trivia night, but how well do you know the history of our little island? Taking place on 4/22 at 5:30 PM the Martha’s Vineyard Museum is hosting its first-ever Island history trivia night. This 21+ only event is perfect for repeat visitors who really know the island (or have islander friends that can carry their trivia team). Registration opens on April 1st and each ticket includes two drink vouchers. You can find more information on the MV Museum website.

 

Visit Iconic Outdoor Locations While Avoiding the Summer Crowds

While this idea isn’t something specifically happening in April, the spring season is the prime time to get some amazing pictures at signature island locations like the Gay Head Cliffs, Edgartown Lighthouse, or a Menemsha Beach sunset while avoiding the crowds that come in the summer months! While you might need to wear a light jacket in your pictures, you can enjoy these iconic island destinations to the fullest during an April trip.

 

Bike MS: Ride the Vineyard

Biking around Martha’s Vineyard is its own reward, but on April 30th you can do it to help fight MS! The National MS Society is running one of its Bike MS events on the island offering 18, 30, and 60 mile options for a full day of biking. To date, Bike MS cyclists, volunteers, and donors have raised more than $1.3 billion dollars to put a stop MS and restore what's been lost, and you can join in to help the cause on Martha’s Vineyard! If you aren’t up for a bike ride you can still help out by volunteering too. For more information or to register check out the Bike MS website.

Our list above is just the beginning of what Martha’s Vineyard has to offer for spring time visitors. If you’re still considering whether or not you should make the journey to the island during spring check out our recent blog post on the benefits of a spring vacation to MV. If you need a place to stay for your visit, regardless of the season, take a look at our many rental properties today!

While Martha’s Vineyard is known for its beaches and summer time fun, there are plenty of things to do on the island year round! Martha’s Vineyard in the off season let’s you avoid the rush of summer tourists, and offers a very quiet and relaxed setting, as long as you don’t mind swimming in the ocean being off the table. So, what’s happening on the island this March? Let’s take a look at four of our favorite activities happening on the island next month.

 

Felix Neck Winter Vacation Program: Nature Heroes

Kicking off the month of March is a great family-friendly activity if you’re traveling to Martha’s Vineyard with your children. The Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary has been a mainstay on Martha’s Vineyard for decades when it comes to learning about nature on the island. At this event taking place on March 1st, younger kids will be outdoors on a guided session to search for tracks and signs of creatures and learn how different animals survive the winter season on Martha’s Vineyard. Check out the event website for more information on how to sign up. 

 

Puff Pastry for Beginners Class at the FARM Institute

Is there anything better than a hot and fresh puff pastry? As things start to quiet down, on the evening of March 10th in Edgartown, attendees will learn the basics of puff pastry dough in this hands-on class with Melissa Ruttan, head baker at The Grey Barn and Farm. You’ll get all of the details on which ingredients to use and their functions, lamination of the dough, as well as shaping different forms - and of course, there will be a sampling of Grey Barn and Farm pastries for you to taste. Get more information on this event here.

 

Chappaquiddick Winter Beach Safari

Closeout winter 2022 the right way by exploring Chappaquiddick’s only wildlife refuge! Attendees will trek the barrier beach and watch the winter wildlife, and if you’re lucky you could even see the elusive snowy owl. Chappaquiddick is a rarer island destination since it requires taking another small ferry once you’re on the island, but the added tranquility that comes with the off-season on Martha’s Vineyard make this one a can’t miss opportunity. Go to the trustees website for online registration.

 

Science on Screen: The Loneliest Whale

Everyone loves a good thriller or the latest action-packed Marvel movie, but on March 22nd at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center attendees can learn about ocean life on the big screen. There will be a free screening of The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52 which chronicles the quest for the "52 Hertz Whale," which scientists believe has spent its entire life in solitude calling out at a frequency that is different from any other whale. Additionally, before the start of the film marine biologist Aran Mooney from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute will give a presentation entitled “Marine Mammal Hearing: the importance of sound and their sensitivity to noise.” Best of all the whole event is free to attendees as long as they register in advance.

We’ve only scratched the surface of the fun activities waiting for you on Martha’s Vineyard in March. If you’re planning a trip to the island make sure to check out our variety of vacation rentals or reach out to us directly for any questions about the best places to stay on Martha’s Vineyard!