Good ideas for what to do while waiting for your check-in or ferry.
Rainy Day Activities: Our favorite thing to do while waiting for a house check-in is to drop the bags at the house (please do not go inside) and grab some of our beach chairs and umbrellas and hit the beach. It’s the perfect way to start a vacation. Don’t forget to grab your suit and some towels so you can get right into the swim of things.
Another great idea is to take a tour of the island and end up at Menemsha for a lobster roll. There is also a nice beach right there where you can watch the boats come in and out of the Menemsha pond.
Just let us know your arrival plans (bag drop / taking things) via our support@ email.
10 Things to do on a rainy day on Martha’s Vineyard
[From the Things to do on MV when it is raining – updated for Covid]
As much as we wish everyone’s vacation is rain-free, there are bound to be days during the season that Mother Nature decides to grace us with her rainy, wet presence. Instead of feeling down about it, embrace it by checking out our top ten list of things to do on a rainy vacation day on Martha’s Vineyard. We hope that these suggestions make the most out of your vacation day and we cross our fingers the rain stops soon enough!
1. Watch a movie at any of the local theaters
The island is home to some incredibly historical movie theaters like the Capawock Theater in Vineyard Haven and the Strand in Oak Bluffs. A rainy day movie is best when you’ve gathered supplies like a huge bucket of buttery popcorn and some candy bars to get you through whatever two hour movie you’ve decided to enjoy. See all theater options here.
2. Visit the Martha’s Vineyard Museum
A visit to the local museum is a great way to discover the history of the island and spend a few hours exploring the items in the museum’s collection. The Martha’s Vineyard Museum inspires all people to discover, explore, and strengthen their connections to this Island and its diverse heritage, so it’s the perfect way to spend a day.
3. Explore the local libraries and their activities
Local island libraries like the West Tisbury Library, Oak Bluffs Library, and Edgartown Library all have daily activities for kids of all ages. Spend a few hours doing crafts, watching a movie, or reading a book with your kids. See all library options here.
4. Hit a Workout
Work off all that movie popcorn at one of the Island’s health clubs or yoga studios. Martha’s Vineyard is serious about a lot of things, and fitness is high on that list! Your hotel might even have an in-house gym that you can spend some hours sweating off all the delicious food you’ve enjoyed on your vacation. Check out the health clubs and yoga studios!
5. Read a local book
If you forgot your book at home, we suggest checking out our list of local authors on Martha’s Vineyard or book about Martha’s Vineyard in one of our latest blog posts. Head to Bunches of Grapes in Vineyard Haven or Edgartown Books in Edgartown and ask them to recommend a local favorite.
6. Find a delicious restaurant and have a long, relaxing meal
Don’t want to stay in your hotel room all day? Find a restaurant close by and enjoy a long meal – maybe stop into the Newes from America Pub and grab a table by the fireplace or indulge in a Thai-focused meal at Bangkok Thai Cuisine in Pak Bluffs. Either way, the fireplace or the Thai spices will warm you up!
7. SHOP
Martha’s Vineyard is home to so many amazing shops! With no chain stores here, all businesses are small businesses, individually owned, and uniquely stocked with items you can’t find elsewhere. Many shops feature island-made goods, and each town offers their own distinct shopping experience. Our favorite store on a rainy day? Rainy Day! Yep, that’s the store’s name.
8. Write postcards at a coffee shop
Stop at any paper store and stock up on postcards about the island, walk over quickly to a coffee shop, and spend a few hours writing postcards back home to friends and family. It’s the best way to relive your vacation and everyone loves snail mail!
9. Go bowling at the local bowling alley
Martha’s Vineyard is home to one bowling alley – The Barn Bowl Bistro – and it’s a great place to be on a rainy day. Not only does it have bowling, but it’s a full-service restaurant that serves up some delicious items like pork dumplings and daily specials that are perfect finger foods while bowling. You can enjoy the food while betting your parents at the game or sit down to celebrate your winnings with a full meal and cocktails!
10. Sleep in or take a midday nap
This one is simple – you’re on vacation, so if you can (and your kids allow it) sleep in or take a midday nap. There’s no need to fill the time with things to do – because vacation is all about relaxing and nothing more relaxing than getting some sleep in!
