Martha's Vineyard Summer Bucket List: 9 adventures for 2024

Are you planning your Martha’s Vineyard summer vacation right now? As a frequent visitor with young kids in tow, I like to plan ahead and make the most of our days on the island.

So, for 2024, I’m crafting a Martha’s Vineyard Summer Bucket List filled with new and fun things for the grown-ups as well as my little explorers to experience.

Despite countless previous trips, there are always new and unique things to do in Martha’s Vineyard and endless opportunities to create lasting family memories.

Here’s what we’ll be doing this summer on the island.

child on horseback with trees and sand arena in background

1. Pony Up for Adventure: Taking the Reins on a Horseback Ride

Horseback riding was one of my favorite activities when I was a kid and I’m so glad I got to try it. Memories of exploring scenic trails on a sunny day or the scary thrill of popping over my first jump have stayed with me to this day.

Martha’s Vineyard has several incredible riding schools and it’s the ideal time and place for my little ones to try horseback riding for the first time.

A serene sunset view over a vast ocean, with gradients of orange and blue painting the sky above the rippling water

2. Beach picnic: Enjoy a Menemsha sunset

We’ll join the summer crowds and head to Menemsha for this epic way to end the day. Spread a blanket on the soft sand, let the kids build sandcastles, and watch the sky transform into a canvas of fiery oranges and pinks as the sun dips below the horizon.

Pack a picnic basket with some Grey Barn Farm cheeses, crusty bread and a bottle of wine or enjoy delicious chowder and a lobster roll from Larsens fish market. Fingers crossed for clear-skies and a parking spot!

A young girl in a pink skirt walking on a serene trail surrounded by lush greenery and twisted trees at Huckleberry barrens, Katama

3. Trailblazing: Hiking on Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is a hiker’s haven and there are miles of scenic trails winding through forests, beaches, meadows and preserves. As the kids get older, more trails open up to us and we’re going to explore some new paths this year, by foot and by bike.

We have enjoyed the trails through Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in the past and Huckleberry Barrens is a lovely short, easy one for very young kids. This year, we’ll be using the TrailsMV app to guide us around Cedar Tree Neck Santuary and the Sheriffs Meadow Sanctuary.

We’ll also be visiting Polly Hill Arboretum, a 70-acre public garden filled with rare trees and shrubs from around the globe.

A historic white house adorned with American flags and patriotic bunting, celebrating the Fourth of July in Edgartown, a martha's vineyard summer bucket list event

4. Martha’s Vineyard 4th of July Parade and Fireworks Extravaganza

I am so excited for the Independence Day celebrations on Martha’s Vineyard, one of the most anticipated Martha’s Vineyard festivals in 2024. We’ll be donning our red, white and blues and lining up for the Edgartown 4th of July parade.

This parade features classic cars, antique fire trucks, floats and marching bands. Get ready for big smiles on little faces when they see the armfuls of candy being thrown to the crowd.

In the evening, we’ll watch the spectacular fireworks display over Edgartown Harbor illuminating the lighthouse and Chappy in the distance.

An outdoor goat yoga session in progress with a smiling woman in a plank position while goats roam around and on her. A martha's vineyard summer bucket list item!

5. Finding Zen with Goat Yoga

This unique island experience has been on my Martha’s Vineyard summer bucket list for a while and this year I can’t wait to finally try it! Having zero experience with either yoga or goats, I’m both excited and apprehensive.

Who can resist the chance to hang out with adorable baby goats though? Not me! Classes are at Native Earth Teaching Farm in Chilmark and fill up fast so I’ll be booking early.

Two children, one with braided hair, sitting on a sandy beach with their backs to the camera, gazing out at the calm blue sea

6. Traveling to New Shores: Martha’s Vineyard Beaches

With over 100 miles of coastline, Martha’s Vineyard has no shortage of beaches to visit. It’s always tempting to stick to our favorites, like State Beach or South Beach. However, this year, we’re venturing out of our comfort zone and will be exploring some beaches we don’t visit as often.

High on our list is Long Point beach, West Tisbury. This beach is known for having the ocean on one side and a sheltered pond on the other.

If you have mixed ages in your family, this is a great choice as older kids and adults can have fun in the waves while younger ones will enjoy the calmer pond-side waters.

lobster outside restaurant in woods hole

7. Off-Island Odyssey: Exploring Woods Hole

As we normally travel to Martha’s Vineyard via the Steamship Authority ferry, we pass through the Cape Cod town of Woods Hole on every trip to the island. Unfortunately, we’ve never made the time to stop and explore.

So in 2024, we’re going to take a day trip off-island, stroll through the quaint streets and visit the stores and restaurants around the picturesque harbor. Top of our list is a visit to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to learn about ocean science research and exploration.

We’ll also visit the nearby Woods Hole Science Aquarium to find out more about the marine life in our local waters.

A young boy in a green shirt and red shorts walking through a vibrant field of orange marigolds and yellow zinnias with greenhouses in the background

8. Picking Posies in Paradise

In the summer, the island is a garden bursting with wildflowers and vibrant blooms. Last year was our first time to try flower picking and it was such a fun, family activity.

We went to a non-profit educational farm on Martha’s Vineyard called Slough Farm and came away with large bunches of Zinnias, Marigolds and wildflowers in every color. The children loved selecting and cutting their own stems and arranging them into bouquets.

We will definitely do this again in 2024 and will also add the sunflower field at Katama Farm to our Martha’s Vineyard summer bucket list.

The African American Heritage Trail plaque at Martha's Vineyard, honoring Esther, with a scenic view of the harbor and boats in the background

9. Follow the African American Heritage Trail

If you have been to the island before, you have probably noticed bronze descriptive plaques in various locations, especially around the towns of Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.

There are over 30 of these, each one detailing the contributions made by people of African descent to the history of the island. The plaques tell previously undocumented stories and offer a fascinating insight into the African American history of the Vineyard.

I’ll be following the trail this summer to learn more. There are a number of walking and driving tour options ranging from just over an hour to 4 and a half hours if you wish to visit every site on the island.

Bonus summer wishlist activities

We have a long wishlist for future summers so here are a few more activities we’d love to do. I hope they inspire you when planning your trip!

Go for a sunset sail on the Black Dog Tall ships, enjoy a family & friends clambake, take a ride on the Red Baron biplane, pickup up some fresh, local produce from the vendors at the West Tisbury Farmer’s Market and catch a screening of the movie Jaws at the drive-in.

A plate of fresh oysters on a bed of ice, served with lemon slices and three condiments, in a restaurant setting

Places on Martha’s Vineyard we visit every year

While we always try to add new items to our Martha’s Vineyard summer activities, there are just some things that are worth repeating over and over. No trip to MV would be complete without these perennial Martha’s Vineyard summer bucket list favorites:

Visit the Martha’s Vineyard Museum to see new exhibits or to escape a rainy day
Try to catch the brass ring on the Flying Horses Carousel
Rent kayaks and paddle around Sengekontacket or Tisbury Great Pond
Enjoy the natural beauty and breathtaking view from the Aquinnah cliffs
Take a selfie with the fluffy and adorable animals at Island Alpaca
Enjoy outstanding seafood and New England oysters at 19 Raw
Hope on the ferry and explore sites like Cape Poge Lighthouse, Dike Bridge and Mytoi on Chappaquiddick Island.
Eat ALL the ice cream!

Wrapping up: Our Martha’s Vineyard Summer Bucket List for 2024

So there you have it, our diverse wishlist of summer activities, from beach picnics to goat yoga! I look forward to embracing the spirit of exploration this year and trying out something new.

What’s on your Martha’s Vineyard Bucket List this year? Share or ask for ideas over in our MV Travel Tips group on Facebook. Wishing you a summer filled with sun, sand, and endless memories of exploring Martha’s Vineyard!

FAQs on Martha’s Vineyard Summer Bucket List Activities

Is Martha’s Vineyard crowded in the summer?

Yes! Expect vibrant crowds, especially in July and August. While this brings a lively atmosphere, it can also mean packed beaches, booked-up accommodations, and busier ferry lines

What are the best months to go to Martha’s Vineyard?

June to September are the best months on Martha’s Vineyard as that’s when most attractions and restaurants are open, the weather is the most pleasant and it’s when most of the key island events take place.

What is cool about Martha’s Vineyard?

Beyond the stunning beaches, Martha’s Vineyard boasts charming towns, natural beauty, delicious seafood, rich maritime history and a vibrant arts scene

Martha’s Vineyard Summer Bucket List: 9 adventures for 2024