Dad-tested, kid-approved. We woke our 5- and 7-year-old at 4:15am, were parked at the Shining Sea Bikeway by 5:15, and biked ~25 miles across two ferry rides to spend a whole day on Martha's Vineyard — no car on the island. Here's the exact plan so you can do it too.
Why go car-free
Island car reservations are expensive and book out; once you're there, traffic and parking are a headache. With bikes, the getting-there IS the adventure — and the Vineyard is made for two wheels.
The plan at a glance
- Park (free): Shining Sea Bikeway lot, Falmouth.
- Bike the Shining Sea Bikeway to Woods Hole (flat, paved, ocean views).
- First Steamship Authority ferry, Woods Hole → Vineyard Haven (~45 min). [verify 2026 first-ferry time + bike fee]
- Bring the bikes on the ferry and explore Vineyard Haven → Oak Bluffs → Edgartown.
Our hour-by-hour
- 4:15am wake the kids · 5:15am park & ride the bikeway at first light
- 6:00am ferry to Vineyard Haven [verify]
- Bike to Oak Bluffs — breakfast [business — confirm from visit], the gingerbread cottages
- Beach stop in Oak Bluffs on the ride to Edgartown — great vibe
- Edgartown lunch [business]; watch the kids fish off the pier
- Jaws Bridge — the famous jump + swim; hang out
- Dinner — outdoor venue with live music, raw bar + BBQ, games for the kids [business]
- Mad Martha's ice cream in Vineyard Haven
- 7:15pm ferry back to Falmouth · bikeway to the car · home 9:15pm, kids asleep
Doing it with little kids (the honest version)
~25 miles is a real day for a 5- and 7-year-old. Know your kids' range — or rent e-bikes / use a bike trailer, or do the shorter version below. Go on the first ferry: empty roads, cool morning, no crowds.
Pack: water, snacks, swimsuits + towels, sunscreen, bike locks, cash, layers for the morning ferry.
The shorter version
Not ready for 25 miles? Drive to Woods Hole (or the Falmouth bikeway lot), ferry over as walk-ons, and rent bikes on-island in Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs. Same island day, less mileage.
What it costs (verify current rates)
Ferry: passenger round-trip + bike fee per person. Parking at the bikeway: free. Food + ice cream extra. [confirm Steamship Authority 2026 fares]
