A week on Martha’s Vineyard can pass in the blink of an eye.  There is so much beautiful scenery and so many activities you could fill many weeks with great experiences.  Here are a few that you should consider.  Even if you just want to lounge at the beach, take some time to travel to various beaches and enjoy the sites along the way!

1. Chilmark Chocolates
2. Aquinnah Shops
3. Menemsha Sunset w/ Lobsters on the Beach
4. State Beach bridge jumping
5. Kayak with the Trustees – Cape Pogue (chappaquiddick)
6. Tour a Lighthouse
7. Shop for fresh veggies at Morning Glory Farm or West Tisbury Farmers Market
8. Walk on the beach and then Ice Cream in town one or more evening(s)
9. Carousel in Oak Bluffs, even if you don’t have kids, take a ride!
10. Biking from town to town

Hope to see you out there next season!

There are lots of beaches in the world, and while I think Vineyard beaches are something special, I haven’t met a beach yet that wasn’t filled with water, sand and sun. However, there are many things to do and places to go on this island that you can ONLY find on Martha’s Vineyard. Here are some things not to miss with the kids for the ultimate Vineyard Experience.

The Flying Horses is the oldest working carousel in the country. These 22 horses with real horsehair tails and manes are a favorite with every child.

Mad Martha’s Ice Cream is a traditional Martha’s Vineyard treat. With locations in Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, your family will love the homemade taste of their wacky and standard flavors.

Martha’s Vineyard Glassworks, located in West Tisbury, holds a very cool surprise. Taking kids to a glass shop may not be what you usually do, but MV Glassworks is an actual glass blowing studio where visitors can watch how the beautiful vases, plates and cups are made.

You will find The Fabulists in the Amphitheater in Vineyard Haven every Saturday morning in July and August (508-693-6450). A trip to the Fabulists will make for an exciting Saturday morning as kids get to jump out of their seats and onto the stage to help with the improv fairy tales performed by this madcap theater group.

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum of the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society is the island’s largest repository of cultural artifacts, historic photographs, archival records, and genealogical records and is a wonderful place to learn about the island. The museum offers a summer’s worth of kids programs, an open library and kid and family nights.

Community Sings happen every Wednesday night in July and August. Located at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs, all are welcome for a romping series of hymns, folk songs, spirituals, rounds, and patriotic songs.

When people ask me to describe Oak Bluffs, I tell them about the Flying Horses because, to me, the carousel illustrates the flavor of the town perfectly. It’s colorful, historic, loud, full of laughter & fun and unlike any other place in the world.

The Oak Bluffs carousel is the nation’s oldest operating platform carousel and a National Historic Landmark cared for by the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust. Built by Charles W.F. Dare in 1876, the Flying Horses arrived on Martha’s Vineyard in 1884.

Featuring small and large horses, as well as carriages to ride on, the Flying Horses challenge you to catch the brass ring as your circle round. The lucky rider who captures the brass ring wins a free ride. Rides are $1.50 and you can buy a season pass if you know you’ll be climbing aboard again and again. Around the carousel is an arcade complete with games and snacks and open windows pulling the nearby ocean breeze inside to cool the riders.

The carousel is located at the bottom of Circuit Ave – the town’s main drag featuring great shopping, movies, ice cream, fudge and restaurants ranging from pizza to oysters on the half shell – an extension of the excitement and energy of the Flying Horses.

Cool fact: check out your horse’s eyes…you’ll find a surprise!