I have received so many questions on Instagram about our trip to Martha’s Vineyard (here’s my Vineyard packing list in case you’re planning a trip of your own and a roundup of what I wore during our vaca). I tried to answer a lot on DMs and in posts, but I figured I’d do a big roundup of Martha’s Vineyard activities and restaurant recs on the blog to keep it all in one place for easy reference. I had been to the Vineyard once before on a boat trip, but it was a quick stopover at the end of the summer season, and I didn’t get much of a feel for the island, so having the chance to spend a whole week there was such a treat. Martha’s Vineyard is bigger than I realized, with a few different towns so I only felt like I only just started to crack the nut, so I’ll need to update this post next time we go back — and I definitely would love to go back. It’s truly a special place to visit and such a great place for a family vacation.
We went with another family who has young kids and rented a house, which I highly recommend. There are cute little inns and hotels where you can certainly stay if you’re doing just a few days or a couple’s trip. We did a mix of going out to eat and making food at home, which worked out great with kids. Going out to eat more than once in a day with a bunch of kids is not for the faint of heart, so it was a nice to mix it up. We stayed at a house with a pool, so we could wake up and eat and swim without shlepping around, which is so helpful when you have multiple families and a lot of young kids and gear. The kids were like fishes in the pool and it made down time and nap time so much better. We spent a lot of time at the pool, but also squeezed in some fun adventures and explored lots of restaurants and ice cream shops. Obviously, this was our first time and I’m not expert yet (Julia of Lemon Stripes, one of my fave bloggers, has been going to the Vineyard for a long time and is a great resource for planning a trip there), but I am sharing the Martha’s Vineyard activities, restaurants and spots we loved as first-timers with kiddos. Hopefully, it helps you plan your trip.
Where to Eat
As I mentioned, we alternated between cooking at our place and going out to eat. We did a lot of grilling and making pancakes and eggs at home, but discovered some great local spots that are worth making reservations at if you’re coming to town. I will say that most of the dinner spots we visited weren’t necessarily very kid-friendly — would be great for a couples weekend or adults-only dinner too if you can get a sitter. But all were super accommodating of our kids and we didn’t have any issue. We also went early bird special style at like 5/5:30pm, which helped, but in general, we found everywhere we went to be very accommodating towards families.
Rosewater Market in Edgartown: We mostly ate breakfast at home but stopped by here for muffins and coffee one morning. They also have egg sandwiches, lunch foods, etc. It was a total scene, so prepare for lines, but the pastries were great, and we would have definitely returned for breakfast or lunch if we had stayed longer. This would be a great stop to pick up food on the way to some of the Martha’s Vineyard activities.
Espresso Love in Edgartown: This was a recommendation and a popular local coffee spot. They do bagels, egg sandwiches/wraps, muffins, parfaits etc. We walked here for breakfast one day and it had a cute little outdoor area to grab a table and eat.
Among the Flowers Cafe in Edgartown: I picked up smoothies here for the kids one day for a snack during an afternoon walk and then returned for lunch on our last day before we headed to the airport. I had a delicious salad, the kids and Andrew had yummy sandwiches, and we all shared a French toast dish that was the day’s special and it was amazing. This was a great quickie spot for breakfast and lunch in town. There was a crazy long line but it moved pretty fast and I didn’t have to wait that long for our food. They also have some outdoor seating but it’s first come first serve, and tends to get crowded, but it’s not far from the water, so you could grab a bench with a view or pick up sandwiches and take the ferry to Chappy Beach for a picnic lunch.
Behind the Bookstore: This is such a cute spot for coffee or a drink and some avocado toast or a light lunch/breakfast. I know you’re intrigued by this description so I’ll let you discover it for yourself. Totally worth it.
Fishbones in Oak Bluffs: We came here after our Pirates Adventure and it’s a great outdoor spot to go with kids. It’s a casual, bar-like atmosphere with outdoor/indoor tables and a patio area that we basically took over. The food was great and we could be loud and make a mess without judgement while overlooking the boats in the harbor.
Red Cat Kitchen in Oak Bluffs: This spot is a small restaurant with amazing food and such a cool vibe. I think it would have been better sans kids (or our kids that night), but they were super accommodating and the food and drinks were delicious. We visited the merry-go-round and arcade before for a fun night.
Lamberts Cove Inn & Restaurant: A great option that’s a bit of a drive but came highly recommended from someone who spends a lot of time on the Vineyard.
Pick Up Food after at Larsens: We did this for Charlotte’s birthday and it was so great. There’s a long line so definitely order ahead and go early. We got tons of fresh food for pick up — lobsters, mussels, stuffed clams, clam chowder, seaweed salad, halibut. It was all delicious. We made our own sides to go with, which I recommend doing if you are staying at a place with a kitchen. This is a great spot to pick up food after going to Menesha Beach.
Alchemy in Edgartown: This is a great spot in town. We sat in the bar area but the restaurant was packed and with good reason. It’s a great vibe and food was excellent. Not the most kid-friendly spot, but we went early and they were so accommodating and gave us a nice roomy table that made it work.
Bettini Restaurant at Harbor View Hotel: The Harbor View Hotel boasts beautiful views of the water and seems like a great spot to stay. I would love to do a couples weekend there or stay with the kids if we come back for just a few nights. The restaurant was a bit fancy for our crazy crew, but again, we went early and they were so accommodating and had great options for the kids that aren’t on the regular menu. The food was excellent — we didn’t have a bad dish amongst us.
Mad Martha’s for Ice Cream in Edgartown: We went here in Edgartown multiple times for homemade ice cream, and it turned out to be one of my favorite Martha’s Vineyard activities, which is no shock to anyone who knows me.
DQ: There is one in Edgartown and it’s a favorite of mine for soft serve even though not exactly a local spot.
Rosie’s Frozen Yogurt in Oak Bluffs: I love fro yo and this was a great spot after doing a little shopping and arcade visiting in Oak Bluffs.
Scoop Shack in Edgartown: This is another ice cream spot we frequented and may have picked up some candy too.
Martha’s Vineyard Activities
Pirates Adventure in Oak Bluffs: I can’t recommend this adventure enough for the 10 and under crowd. Of all the Martha’s Vineyard activities, this was definitely my kids’ favorite part of the trip. The kids had the best time and so did we. It’s a real pirates adventure. They take you out on a boat and dress the kids up like pirates, paint on ‘tattoos’, hunt for treasure, shoot water cannons at “bad pirates” and sing and dance. Our kids had the time of their lives. Book in advance – worth every penny.
Take the Ferry to East Beach (or “Chappy Beach”): This two minute ferry from Edgartown is a cute, easy adventure for young kids and takes you to Chappy Beach, which is a great spot to spend a few hours in the morning or afternoon without tons of effort.
Martha’s Vineyard Fair: We made it to the Vineyard just in time for the last day of the fair, and it was so much fun. This is one of those Martha’s Vineyard activities that you would need to plan a trip around, but if you can overlap, it’s a great carnival for families. I didn’t realize what a huge fair it would be, but there were tons of rides and games, animals, and lots of delicious fried food and treats. This was such a fun way to kick off our trip.
Menemsha Beach: Such a beautiful beach and close to Larsens if you want to pick up seafood to go to eat on the beach or for when you get home.
Flying Horses Carousel: This is a great visit for old-school fun and I would definitely include it on your list of Martha’s Vineyard activities if you have kids. James loved the arcade games and Charlotte and the young loved the merry-go-round. Apparently, it’s the oldest in the country so it’s a total vibe. There’s another arcade in Oak Bluffs just a short walk away that we passed and didn’t get a chance to visit (much to James’ chagrin), but I think it would be a great activity for a rainy day or to kill time while waiting for dinner or lunch.
Charter a boat for a fishing trip: The husbands did this early one morning and they got to go around Nantucket fishing. They caught fish to bring home and cook. I think James and older kids would have enjoyed joining but we let the dads have their morning fishing time this go around.
Visit the “Jaws” Bridge at Joseph Sylvia State Beach: My kids are too young to understand Jaws, but it’s a fun nostalgic spot to see while hitting up the beach.
Check out the gingerbread cottages and shops and restaurants in Oak Bluffs: Make at least an afternoon of exploring this cute town. It feels like one of those quintessential Martha’s Vineyard activities that you can’t miss.
We spent a lot of time at the beach or swimming in the pool, walking around Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, and exploring. Martha’s Vineyard is such a special spot and perfect place for a family vacation. Let me know if you’re planning a trip and I can fill you in on any other recs I may have forgotten.
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