Best Things to Do in Martha's Vineyard, MA With Kids
Martha's Vineyard is ferry-only, so the boat is the biggest line item before you do anything else. Once there, the best family days are biking Edgartown's harbor village, the Aquinnah Cliffs and lighthouse at the island's west end, Oak Bluffs' gingerbread cottages and the historic Flying Horses Carousel, a swim at Joseph Sylvia State Beach, and a sunset visit to Menemsha's working fishing village. Most businesses run seasonally, so plan around a May–October window.
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1Area photo: Alex Wilcox Cheek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Edgartown Bike Path & Harbor Village
A flat paved bike path connects Edgartown to Oak Bluffs and South Beach, and the harbor village itself — white-picket captains' houses, ice cream shops, a small lighthouse at the harbor mouth — is entirely walkable.
Watch out: Bike shops sell out of kid sizes and trailers by midmorning in July and August — reserve ahead. Roads through town center are shared with cars, so keep younger riders on the dedicated path sections.
2Area photo: Alex Wilcox Cheek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Aquinnah Cliffs & Gay Head Lighthouse
Red-clay cliffs on Wampanoag tribal land, a National Historic Landmark, with the working 1856 Gay Head Lighthouse open for climbing in season — the best sunset spot on the island.
Watch out: Do not climb down the clay cliffs themselves — they're protected, unstable, and it's active tribal land; view from the overlook and designated beach access only. It's the far west end of the island, count on 45+ minutes of driving from Edgartown or Oak Bluffs.
3Area photo: Alex Wilcox Cheek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Oak Bluffs Gingerbread Cottages & Flying Horses Carousel
Over 300 candy-colored Victorian cottages packed into a walkable historic campground district, plus the Flying Horses Carousel — a real 1876 antique platform carousel, the oldest continuously operating one in the US.
Watch out: The carousel is small and lines form fast after ferry arrivals. The gingerbread cottages are private homes — admire from the street, don't walk onto porches or lawns.
4Area photo: Alex Wilcox Cheek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Joseph Sylvia State Beach
Two miles of calm, warm-for-New-England, shallow Nantucket Sound water right along the Edgartown-to-Oak-Bluffs bike path — the easiest, safest swim beach on the island for young kids, with roadside parking the whole length.
Watch out: No lifeguards along most of the stretch, so supervise swimmers directly. Little natural shade — bring your own umbrella or tent.
5Area photo: Alex Wilcox Cheek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Menemsha Fishing Village Sunset
A genuine working harbor with fishing boats and a public beach right at the jetty, widely considered one of the best sunset spots on the East Coast — free, low-key, and no ticket required.
Watch out: Parking is limited and fills by early evening in July and August. It's a 30+ minute drive from the main ferry towns, so plan it as its own outing rather than a quick stop on the way to something else.
Frequently asked
Do we need to bring a car to Martha's Vineyard?
You don't need one for Edgartown and Oak Bluffs — bikes and the island's shuttle bus cover that ground fine. You'll want a car (or a taxi/shuttle plan) for Aquinnah and Menemsha at the far ends of the island. Vehicle ferry reservations sell out first and cost the most, so decide early whether you actually need one.
What's the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard with kids?
Late June through early September for full restaurant and attraction hours and warm swimming. Late May and September are quieter and cheaper but some businesses run reduced hours; winter, most of the island shuts down.
How much should we budget for a long weekend on Martha's Vineyard?
The ferry (with a vehicle reservation) for a family in summer often runs $300-500+ round trip alone. Budget another $300-500 for the activities above, plus lodging, which is expensive island-wide in peak season.
Is Martha's Vineyard good for young kids or better for older ones?
Both, but differently — Joseph Sylvia State Beach and the Edgartown bike path are easy with toddlers, while Aquinnah and Menemsha (more driving, less structure) suit older kids better.
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