Who wouldn’t want an island vacation all to themselves? Well, that is what you will get when you plan a winter vacation to Martha’s Vineyard. While most plan visits to the island during the summer, most forget about the winter months. Enjoy a much more relaxed pace, dine at some of the best year-round restaurants, save on lodging, and see the island as you’ve never seen it before!
Plan ahead
Because winter is a less popular time to visit, there are fewer ferries going to and from the island. Be sure to plan your transportation ahead of time. The Steamship Authority is our year-round ferry service that continues to operate daily in the winter with 12+ trips a day from the mainland in Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven on the island.
Upon your arrival, be sure to stop in at the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce office, found at 24 Beach Street in Vineyard Haven. They are open year-round and are happy to help answer any questions you may have about your visit.
Things to do on Martha’s Vineyard in the Winter
Spend a day at the beach
Sure, the beaches on Martha’s Vineyard are beautiful in the summer, but you and everyone thinks the same thing! Visit in the winter and feel like you have the beach all to yourself. The views are the same and the sand feels just as nice (maybe a little colder), and there’s plenty of room to enjoy the stunning scenery.
Hit the trails
Even in the winter, the trails on Martha’s Vineyard are open and welcome a unique scenic landscape that can only be enjoyed during this particular time of year. All trails accommodate every skill level since the island is fairly flat and there is minimal elevation gain. Find your favorite trail with the island’s interactive map.
Visit the Alpaca Farm
Visit the friendly alpacas at the Island Alpaca Company. Home to over 40 alpacas and several new baby alpacas, the farm offers the chance for visitors to meet the alpacas and see the operational side of the farm. Learn more about alpacas with various events and workshops including yoga classes with alpacas, Shearing Days, and daily walks and talks throughout the farm. They are open year-round with limited hours in the winter, so be sure to check their website before visiting.
Visit the MV Museum
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum is open year-round and makes for a great daytime activity for those really cold days. The newly remodeled museum rests atop a bluff overlooking the harbor in Vineyard Haven, offering stunning views from almost every angle. See unique pieces like the famous Fresnel lens from the Gay Head Lighthouse and other maritime relics that reveal the island’s history.
Visit a lighthouse
While most of the lighthouses on the island are closed, they are still worth a stop to see them in all their winter glory. With snow covered grounds and a bare landscape, the lighthouses stand alone against the beautiful landscape, making for a great photo!
Watch a sunset at Menemsha Beach
The sun rises and sets in the winter just as it does in the summer, so be sure to catch one of the island’s most popular sunsets at Menemsha Beach. Complete your winter vacation to Martha’s Vineyard and stay at the Menemsha Inn & Cottages for front row access to sunsets at Menemsha Beach.
Book your stay at a cozy inn
Book your stay at our cozy inn at Menemsha Inn & Cottages. Visit the quiet and casual fishing village of Menemsha and spend your evenings at either Menemsha Inn or Beach Plum Inn. Our 30-acre property features ocean and garden views, all surrounded by beautiful seascapes and the rich history of the island. Find your home away from home at Menemsha Inn & Cottages and book your stay with us today!