Martha’s Vineyard with Kids: A Family-Friendly Summer Vacation (Tips & Itinerary)

A decade ago, we honeymooned on Martha’s Vineyard (read about that trip here!). We vowed to return in the summer, and ten years later, we did it – with kids in tow! This is our recap of a fantastic summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard with kids, filled with tips and an itinerary to help you plan your own family getaway.

I hope we can go back sooner than a decade from now! By the time we went on the trip, all the hydrangeas were done blooming. There were a few here and there hanging on to those beautiful petals, but we missed peak. While that was a bummer, our trip overall was fantastic!

Planning Our Martha’s Vineyard Family Vacation

We’re hoping we don’t wait another decade to go back! We visited in late August, just as summer camps were wrapping up, which meant we had three weeks to fill before school started. Sound familiar? That’s why so many families vacation in August! With our 10th wedding anniversary this year, Fatima and I decided it was the perfect time to revisit Martha’s Vineyard and create new memories with our children.

Getting to Martha’s Vineyard with Kids: Ferry or Flight?

Our honeymoon involved a flight on JetBlue. This time, we opted for a different experience: taking our car on the ferry! We booked our hotel and ferry tickets way back in mid-February, right when we were also figuring out summer camp registrations. Booking early is essential for a Martha’s Vineyard vacation, especially if you’re traveling during peak season or with a car. It’s a popular destination, so plan ahead!

Booking the Martha’s Vineyard Ferry (With a Car)

My parents took the ferry as walk-on passengers, but we wanted the convenience of our car. The Steamship Authority out of Woods Hole, MA, is one of the main car ferry operators. They open summer bookings in January/February, prioritizing residents and frequent riders before opening to the general public. We booked as soon as our window opened to secure our spot.

What to Do on Martha’s Vineyard with Kids: Our Family-Friendly Itinerary

Martha’s Vineyard offers so much for families! Our kids love exploring, beaches, parks, and, of course, ice cream. When planning our trip, I revisited our honeymoon experiences and checked menus for kid-friendly options. I created themed days: Beach, Explore, and Nature, with some rainy-day activities in mind, just in case.

Where to Stay on Martha’s Vineyard with Kids

We stayed at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown. It was perfect for families, with a relaxed atmosphere and a convenient location across from Lighthouse Beach.

Here’s a snapshot of our itinerary with a whole Google Map down at the end!

Our Martha’s Vineyard Itinerary (with Kid-Friendly Details)

(Monday – Travel Day & Rainy Arrival)

• Early start from New York (8 am) to avoid traffic. We packed lunches and snacks for the kids.
• The drive was smooth until Rhode Island, where we hit construction delays (4.5 hours total).
• Travel Tip: Fill up your gas tank before boarding the ferry!
• Our 2:30 pm ferry from Woods Hole left early, which was great, but we arrived on Martha’s Vineyard just as a torrential downpour began!
• Dinner: We grabbed lobster rolls to-go from The Net Result in Vineyard Haven and ate in the car to avoid the rain.
• Checked into the Harbor View Hotel and enjoyed a brief sunset walk on the beach.
• Dinner: Rockfish in Edgartown (kid-approved calamari!). We went here TWICE during our trip because they were that good. My wife had the lavender lemonade cocktail and I had the paloma, both are delicious!

(Tuesday – Beach Day at South Beach/Katama)

• Breakfast at Edgartown Diner (pancakes and waffles were a hit!).
• Beach day at South Beach/Katama. Plenty of parking on a Tuesday in late August.
• Family photos on the beach, followed by sandcastle building, wading, and enjoying the sun. The sand at South Beach is amazing!
• Late Lunch: The Seafood Shanty in Edgartown (great spicy margaritas and lobster rolls).
• Ice Cream: Ice Cream and Candy Bazaar in Edgartown (highly recommend the coffee cookies and cream and the giant cookie sandwich).

(Wednesday – Exploring Oak Bluffs)

• Bus ride to Oak Bluffs (easy 15-minute trip).
• Breakfast at Linda Jean’s (brought back honeymoon memories!).
• Coffee at Mocha Mott’s.
• Fun at Ryan Family Amusements.
• Lunch: Lookout Tavern (best lobster roll!).
• Ice Cream: Ben and Bill’s Chocolate Emporium (cool mint Oreo was a winner).
• Bus back to Edgartown and relaxing time at the hotel.
• Dinner at Rockfish (again!). This time, Fatima got their blackberry smash whiskey cocktail–it was really good.

(Thursday – Nature Walk & Aquinnah Cliffs)

• Breakfast at Behind the Bookstore (least kid-friendly of our meals).
• Drive to Aquinnah Cliff Overlook and Gay Head Lighthouse (40-minute drive).
• Explored the cliffs and lighthouse.
• Lunch at Cliff Hangers (takeout).
• Hike down to the beach (longer than expected!).
• Quick visit to Lighthouse Beach near the hotel.
• Dinner at Nomans in Oak Bluffs (open-air, casual dining with live music and games).
• Final ice cream at Ice Cream and Candy Bazaar.

(Friday – Departure Day)

• Breakfast at Biscuits in Oak Bluffs.
• Donuts and iced coffee from Back Door Donuts for the ferry ride.
• Ferry back to Woods Hole.
• Drive back to New York.

Martha’s Vineyard Travel Tips for Families:

• Book Early: Especially if you’re taking a car on the ferry.
• Plan for Flexibility: Weather, crowds, and kid energy levels can change plans.
• Kid-Friendly Dining: Most restaurants had great options for our picky eaters.
• Early Meals: We aimed for early breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to avoid waits.
• Rainy Day Activities: Arcades, movies, and bookstores are good options.
• Sunset Dinner in Menemsha (If You Can): Order takeout from Quarterdeck, grab some wine, take the bus or shuttle to Menemsha Beach, and pick up lobster rolls at Larsen’s for a memorable sunset dinner.
• Hydrangea Season: Peak season is mid-July if you want to see them in full bloom.

Have you been to Martha’s Vineyard with kids? What are your favorite tips and activities? Share your experiences in the comments below!