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Vineyard Square hotel

While some people think a family trip should be solely focused on the kids, we disagree. A family trip is for the whole family, which means that, personally, we think you shouldn’t suffer through your hard-earned vacation days. Martha’s Vineyard has a number of activities that strike a balance between kid fun and adult enjoyment. Where your kids find magic, you’ll find history; where they find silliness, you’ll find aesthetic beauty. These top four activities will ensure that every person on your family trip has a vacation to remember.

 

Gingerbread Cottages

Wander Through the Whimsical Gingerbread Cottages

Every little kid (and adult, if we’re being honest) dreams of living in a house made of candy, or at least one that looks like it. The Gingerbread Cottages in Oak Bluffs are famous for their candy colored exteriors and their whimsical names. Challenge each other to come up with cottage names that are more unique and silly than “Wooden Valentine” or “Lazy Dayz.” Another idea: cast yourself as the witch in a Hansel & Gretel-esque game of make believe (we hear this is a great tactic for keeping your kids on their best behavior during your family trip).

 

Edgartown Lighthouse - Family TripYour Family Trip Gets Brighter at the Edgartown Lighthouse

No family trip to Edgartown would be complete without a visit to its most famous landmark: the Edgartown Lighthouse. The current lighthouse was built in 1938 and the interior is still open to visitors (children under 12 get in free!). Peak your children’s interest by explaining how lighthouses keep boats from crashing into shore. After your family visits the lighthouse, plan to stay and spend time wandering up and down Lighthouse Beach, where you’ll take in views of Edgartown harbor and Chappaquiddick.

 

Hop on the Flying Horses

Skip the typical carousel ride and hop aboard a flying horse. The whimsical fun continues at the Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs. Originally from Coney Island, this Martha’s Vineyard fixture is the oldest platform carousel in the United States. While your kids may not care too much about the history, at least you can say that your family trip had some educational value amidst all the fun. Be warned though: kids who ride the flying horses tend not to want to get off.

 

Pirate Adventures Marthas Vineyard
Photo: Pirate Adventures

Move your Family Trip to the High Seas with Pirate Adventures

All-aboard, mateys and get ready to take Martha’s Vineyard by sea. When your kids are acting like swashbucklers and scallawags, move your family trip aboard the Sea Gypsy. Bid a hearty ‘yo-ho’ to their crew — everyday is “talk like a pirate day” at Pirate Adventures — and let your kids get dressed up in their finest pirate garb. Hopefully, they’ve brushed up on their navigating skills because they’re going to help the crew search for gold doubloons. All the while, you’ll get to ride along the high seas and take in the views of land (-ho!). You and your little lads and lasses will let forth a mighty “arrr!” after your role-playing adventure on the sea.

 

With all the effort that goes into planning the perfect family trip, you deserve a little relaxation once you arrive to Martha’s Vineyard. Our two-bedroom luxury suites will allow you some peace and quiet. Your family can spread out comfortably in the suite, and you can spend some quiet time reading on your private balcony.

Explore Haunted New England History on Martha’s Vineyard
Visit Local Farms on Martha’s Vineyard
The Best Things to Do in Martha’s Vineyard for Solo Travelers
What to Know about the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
Plan a Visit to the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
Where to Get the Best Pizza on Martha’s Vineyard Near Edgartown
Explore Memorable Things to Do & See in West Tisbury
Spend a Day at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest

While everyone hopes for perfect weather when they go on vacation, there’s no avoiding the occasional bad weather day (we haven’t perfected our weather-fixer, yet). Don’t let a little rain or snow cloud your Martha’s Vineyard vacation. There are endless indoor activities on the island that are perfect for the whole family. Stop into a museum, take a class, or just relax and eat. With so many wonderful indoor activities to choose from, a rainy vacation day may just outshine the ‘perfect’ ones.

Indoor Activities: Dance
Photo: Caleb Carr, The Yard

Featherstone Center For The Arts

If you are an art lover, none of Martha’s Vineyard’s indoor activities can beat a visit to Featherstone Center for the Arts. This art center is the premiere destination for local artwork in the area. Stop in and see one of their rotating exhibits, or go to one of their weekly events like Musical Mondays or the Photographers Salon. You can also attend one of the center’s classes open to individuals of all ages.

 

Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena

A day of indoor activities doesn’t mean giving up being active. Burn off some energy by skating at Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena. If, by some chance, you forgot to lug your skates all the way to the Vineyard, they’re available to rent on-site. Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena also host open skating hours throughout the week, or you can sign up to take a lesson and learn to skate circles around your friends and family. When the weather is just too damp or too cold to skate outdoors, keep your fingers, toes, and nose from freezing off by skating in this indoor arena.

 

Indoor Activities: Museum
Photo: Martha’s Vineyard Museum

Martha’s Vineyard Museum

Learn about the rich history, art, and culture of the island at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. This museum began collecting items in 1922 and has only grown its collection since. Discover the island’s history through pre-revolutionary war artifacts or visit one of the museum’s exhibits featuring modern artists. A visit to this museum has been known to inspire revolutionary war reenactments and the desire to eat whale blubber (just kidding about the whale blubber).

 

Indoor Activities at The Yard

Brighten up your day with a community dance class at The Yard. Taught in an open air barn, these classes make you feel like you’re outside, without actually confronting the weather. If the day’s gloom has you in the mood to rest rather than rhumba, you can sit and watch one of their monthly performances instead. The Yard hosts residencies for prominent dancers, so you may have the chance to see the next great dancing phenomenon!

 

Spend The Day At Vineyard Square

When the temperatures drop or the rain pours, sometimes you just want to cozy up inside all day. Luckily, with all the indoor activities at Vineyard Square, you won’t have to brave the weather. Spend the day getting treatments and massages at the Sea Spa Salon, where the sound of rain will only aid relaxation. In the evening, share a leisurely meal in our in-house restaurant, and watch the snow fall while sipping on a hot beverage. End your day of indoor activities by returning to your snug room and warming up by the fire.

Explore Haunted New England History on Martha’s Vineyard
Visit Local Farms on Martha’s Vineyard
The Best Things to Do in Martha’s Vineyard for Solo Travelers
What to Know about the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
Plan a Visit to the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
Where to Get the Best Pizza on Martha’s Vineyard Near Edgartown
Explore Memorable Things to Do & See in West Tisbury
Spend a Day at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest

Our Edgartown hotel is proud to sponsor a team of riders in this year’s Bike MS: Ride The Vineyard. Named the “Vineyard Square Wheelers” our team is dedicated to helping create a world free of MS.

 

Vineyard Square Wheelers Logo

The “Square Wheelers” is not just some clever incorporation of the hotel’s name with a biking reference.

Square wheels are a perfect metaphor for living with MS.  For those with MS, everything is harder, sort of like trying to bike with square wheels.

 

Please consider joining us by signing up to ride with our team. Held on May 3. 2014, the ride offers a route for everyone, including families, no matter your cycling ability level.

With the quaint charm and beautiful ocean views of Martha’s Vineyard, choose from 15-, 30-, and 60-mile routes and enjoy the flavor of the island.  The 60-mile features the cliffs of Gay Head, the beaches of Katama, and the scenic views of East Chop!

 

If biking is not your bag, please consider donating to the Vineyard Square Wheelers at our team page here.

Explore Haunted New England History on Martha’s Vineyard
Visit Local Farms on Martha’s Vineyard
The Best Things to Do in Martha’s Vineyard for Solo Travelers
What to Know about the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
Plan a Visit to the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
Where to Get the Best Pizza on Martha’s Vineyard Near Edgartown
Explore Memorable Things to Do & See in West Tisbury
Spend a Day at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest

Regular guests at Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites don’t need to be told that the best cocktails in town are right here at “The Square.” There’s is nothing quite like sipping a classic spirit in a rocker on the porch!

 

Screen Shot 2013-05-21 at 4.05.47 PM

STILL, it’s nice that our tenant — the marvelous restaurant Chesca’s — was recognized in the “Best Cocktails” category this year by Cape Cod Life.

 

Another winner from The Square is Eisenhauer Gallery. Truly a beautifully curated space, it won the Fine Art Gallery category.

So proud of our winners here at Vineyard Square!!

Explore Haunted New England History on Martha’s Vineyard
Visit Local Farms on Martha’s Vineyard
The Best Things to Do in Martha’s Vineyard for Solo Travelers
What to Know about the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
Plan a Visit to the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
Where to Get the Best Pizza on Martha’s Vineyard Near Edgartown
Explore Memorable Things to Do & See in West Tisbury
Spend a Day at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest

Our Edgartown hotel staff is thrilled that – beginning a week from today – Improv for Kids (IMP) will be joining us for a series of short performances on the Square. Every other Tuesday through August 28, this talented young troupe will tap into their funny bones and coax laughter from adults and kids alike.

IMP will perform at Vineyard Square all summer
photo courtesy of Improv for Kids

From original musicals to short form improv shows, the IMP troupe provides quality entertainment for the whole family.  Don’t be fooled by their ages, these entertainers deliver amazing performances! Longer shows are held all over the island throughout the summer.

IMP provides quality theater education and performance opportunities to theater artists ages 6-21. Through their innovative improv troupes, after school classes, in school programs, summer camp and original musicals, their focus is on creating artists through the creation of art.

Join us nest Tuesday, July 17 at 7:00 pm for the first “On the Square” performance of this great group of young artists!

Explore Haunted New England History on Martha’s Vineyard
Visit Local Farms on Martha’s Vineyard
The Best Things to Do in Martha’s Vineyard for Solo Travelers
What to Know about the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
Plan a Visit to the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
Where to Get the Best Pizza on Martha’s Vineyard Near Edgartown
Explore Memorable Things to Do & See in West Tisbury
Spend a Day at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest