What to do on Martha's Vineyard for 2 days next week? (Need answer quickly.)

In My Humble Opinion
1

The wife and I are considering a mini-vacation for three days and two nights on Martha’s Vineyard next week.

Any recommendations? We’ll need to book the hotel and ferry today (Friday, 11/6), so quick answer will be appreciated.

Thanks.

2

W visited last year during the summer. The problem is that a lot of stuff on the island closes up after the summer season, and I’m not sure how much of it is open. Will you be taking a car over, or bikes, or will you be on foot? It makes a difference. The ferries dock at Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven, but the ferry to Oak Bluffs is seasonal, and you might not be able to go there.

But here’s what we saw:

1.) The Flying Horses Carousel at Oak Bluffs It’s been at Oak Bluffs since 1884 (it was built in 1876), and has the brass rings you can grab. It’s also completely indoors, but it might be closed by now.

2.) The Camp Meeting Association cottages – Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard was a place for Methodist “camp meetings” at a tent Taberbacle and surrounding tents. Over the years the Taberbacle got converted into a permanent building, and the tents became permanent little cottages that are maintained by the descendants (or later owners). There’s a mini-museum showing what a cottage looks like. Vehicles are barred from the community, so it’s a pleassany walk.

3.) Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs – the main drag through downtown in home to lots of restaurants, clothing stores, art galleries, and more souvenir shops than you can shake a stick at.

Vineyard Haven:

1.) The Martha’s Vineyard Museum – A great museum spotlighting the history of the Vineyard. Well worth a visit

2.) Vineyard Haven Downtown – as with Oak Bluffs, home to lots of restaurants, clothing stores, souvenir shops, interesting boutiques, and a great book store.

EDgartown – the third big central town on the island; but ferries don’t go there, so we didn’t visit.

You should be aware that there’s a good public transit system that runs buses between the ,major towns. I suspect it runs on a reduced schedule after Labor Day.

3

Look for Chief Brody’s office or house.

4

Google AI has this to say about visiting the Vineyard in November:

Weather & Daylight

  • Temperatures: Average highs sit around 54°F to 58°F and lows drop to around 40°F (though coastal winds make it feel cooler).
  • Daylight: Sunset happens around 4:40 PM (and moves earlier as the month goes on) after daylight saving time ends. [1, 2]

Getting There

  • Ferry Service: The Steamship Authority runs a winter timetable out of Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven only, with roughly 14 crossings daily.
  • Fares & Cars: Walk-on tickets cost about $11, and vehicle transport is around $79 (reservations are required). [1]

What Is Open

  • Where to Stay: Seasonal hotels close by late October, leaving year-round options like the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown. [1]
  • Where to Eat: A core group of year-round spots remain open, including The Black Dog Tavern, Offshore Ale, The Barn, The Newes from America Pub, and State Road. [1]
  • Things to Do: You can walk the normally restricted private beaches (now open for winter walkers), hike trails via apps like Trails MV, visit the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, or check out local artisan shops in Vineyard Haven and Edgartown. [1, 2, 3]

And there’s this:

Martha’s Vineyard in November: Short Days, Open Trails, Thanksgiving Week and What Actually Stays Open (2026)

And

What to Do on Martha’s Vineyard in the Off-Season

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Modified: Apr 5, 2021 · Published: Mar 3, 2017 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links · 22 Comments

5

Thanks, I had already used AI, and was looking for people’s personal experiences and thoughts.

After some consideration, we’ve decided not to go now, but consider some other time when more is happening, but outside the worst of the tourist season.

6

We’re frequent visitors to the Vineyard and spent Thanksgiving week out there during Covid, which was our only extended visit during this time of year.

Things are much quieter now, many stores and restaurants are closed or have shorter hours, so keep that in mind. Some of the clasic things to do any time of year are:

  • The “gingerbread” houses in Oak Bluffs
  • Take the ferry to Chappaquiddick and visit the Japanese Gardens and East Beach
  • Aquinnah Cliffs & Gay Head Light
  • Visit John Belushi’s grave at Chilmark Cemetary
  • Visit the Field Gallery and the whimsies

Just to confirm, you are bringing a car over? Which town are you planning on staying in?

7

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8

Sorry, I missed that.

Shoulder season generally runs to Columbus Day weekend now, that’s when the second wave of shops/restaurants close down. I’ve really liked that weekend out there, but of course it all depends on the weather.

For a relaxed vacation, November can be really nice. Lots of things to do outside before the snow, no bugs, reduced people. Between Labor Day and Columbus Day sounds like what you’re looking for, but it’s busier than it used to be.