Martha’s Vineyard: a beautiful island off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Vacation home of the Clintons and now home to the Obamas, it’s a popular summer retreat for New Englanders and New Yorkers. Known for it’s miles of coastline, unique and charming towns, distinguished lighthouses, and preppy vibes, the Vineyard is the perfect getaway for a long weekend.
I had only been to Martha’s Vineyard twice before this past weekend, and they were both short day trips more than 8 years ago. So heading to the island this time, I felt that I really hadn’t explored the area and this was a whole new adventure. We stayed in Oak Bluffs and had such an amazing time that we’re talking about making it an annual trip. We discovered so much of the island and learned a lot about visiting Martha’s Vineyard in early May that will be helpful on future trips.
IF YOU’RE TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN, BRING YOUR CAR
We originally planned on walking on the ferry and using the bus system to get around the island, but as we researched more things to do and places to see, we realized a car would really come in handy. Check-in for the hotel was 3pm, and our ferry arrived at 8am. It was also going to drop us off in Vineyard Haven and we needed to be in Oak Bluffs. The idea of lugging our all our stuff around for that long and on the bus was daunting. There were also some spots we wanted to check out that we didn’t think the bus would take us, like Island Alpaca.
So we decided to pay the money to bring our car onto the island. It wasn’t cheap but it was 100% worth it. We were able to explore the whole island on our own time in a relaxed setting. When the girls needed to nap, we could easily get back to the hotel. We could also pack way more clothes/supplies/food now that we didn’t have to physically carry it around with us.
If it was just my husband and I, I could absolutely see us just bringing bikes on the ferry to get around, or renting some while on the island. But with kids, especially younger kids like ours, I think bringing a car is the best bet.
CHECK FOR TICKS
Ticks terrify me. The idea of one biting me or the girls and giving us some disease, and Chris having to use tweezers to get it off and make sure the head comes out… UGH so gross. We are used to checking for ticks after going for hikes, but apparently on Martha’s Vineyard, ticks are alive and thriving on the beaches! Twice after leaving the beach and getting in the car, I looked down to see a tick on me – once on my shoe and once crawling on my jeans. I promptly freaked out and threw them out the window, then we stopped to do a tick check on everyone. I wasn’t wandering through the dunes and tall grass, so they are crawling along in the sand.
Just today, almost a week after we returned home, I was driving to pick up the girls from school and there was a tick crawling ON THE CEILING in the car!! Horrified. I’m itchy just thinking about it. Definitely shake out your beach supplies and check your group.
LOOK AHEAD TO SEE WHATS OPEN
I’m not sure if it was due to COVID or because it’s technically still pre-season (before Memorial Day), but the majority of public restrooms were closed. Playgrounds, around town, beaches, by the cliffs… all closed. So plan your bathroom breaks accordingly. This was super important to us because we had just potty trained Isla, so we knew we needed to take her every hour – hour and half. Luckily, our hotel was centrally located in Oak Bluffs, and even after we checked out they said we’re welcome to come in and use the lobby restroom whenever we needed.
Many restaurants, shops and attractions still hadn’t opened for the season either. Do some research before your trip and if there’s a particular spot you want to visit, give them a call to see if they’ll be open. The Flying Horses Carousel was closed our weekend which was a bummer but at least we knew ahead of time so we didn’t hype it up for the girls. Also, check with your hotel to see if they have a list of restaurants that are open. Ours did for all the major towns on the island and it was very helpful.
DON’T WALK ON OCEAN PARK
When you enter picturesque Oak Bluffs, there is a beautiful, sprawling grassy park by the water with a pretty gazebo in the middle. Aptly named Ocean Park, it looks like the perfect spot to set up a picnic and let the kids run free. However, two steps in, you’ll realize its completely covered in goose poop. It’s everywhere. As soon as you step foot off of the walkway, you’re stepping in poop. I’m not sure why they haven’t figured out how to keep the many, many geese off the park, but it completely ruins the experience.
FERRY
One of the perks of going in the off-season is a cheaper ferry fare. Through May 14 this year, it’s about $182 for a typical vehicle round trip over the weekend. Once May 15 hits, prices bump up to $230 round trip on the weekends for the rest of the summer. However, keep in mind that the ferry only goes to Vineyard Haven until mid-May, so if you’re hoping to get off at Oak Bluffs, you’ll have to drive there yourself.
NO CROWDS
I have heard horror stories of people stuck in Cape traffic for hours, overly packed beaches, and long waits for restaurants. Luckily for us, none of these were the case for our trip to the Vineyard. Probably the best aspect of visiting in early May was how quiet it was. We had whole beaches to ourselves, could walk right into restaurants and get a table, was able to enjoy and photograph popular tourist areas (such as lighthouses and cliffs) and easily found parking even in downtown Edgartown. The island’s population soars from 17,000 to close to 200,000 in the height of summer, so I imagine in a few weeks it will be a whole different experience.
WEATHER
Spring in New England is so unpredictable. We had beautiful, sunny days in the 60s and 70s in April, so we were hoping in May we would get some nice weather. Luckily, it didn’t rain at all the whole weekend. Unfortunately, it was only mid 50s the entire time. And along the coast, it was very windy so it felt much colder. I would highly recommend bringing layers and even coats and blankets. It cools down a lot in the morning and at night, and no one likes being freezing when on vacation. We brought the blankets to the beach to bundle up and enjoy the fresh salty air.
Overall, a spring trip to the Vineyard has its pros and cons. We had a wonderful weekend away and know we’ll be back again. I hope these tips help you when you’re planning your next trip. Do you visit Martha’s Vineyard in the spring?
Do you have any tips for future trips to the island? Comment below!
Jacqueline ♥