Today I’m sharing part two of our family vacation featuring what to do at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort, Martha’s Vineyard’s only seaside resort.
In case you missed it, read part one FIRST (where to stay/what to eat) here!
What to Do at the Winnetu
The Winnetu is an amazing resort for families vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard. The property is a few miles from downtown Edgartown, but if you don’t want to leave the site there is plenty to do!
Complimentary Children’s Program
The complimentary kids program (ages 3-12) is a fabulous amenity offered at the Winnetu. From 9am-12pm your child can participate in crafts, activities, games, and mini field trips under the supervision of counselors. My daughters LOVE having the opportunity to make new friends when traveling and the kids program is just the place.
Annabelle and Ailey visited the Kids Program one morning while Brandon and I drove around town. They made turtle crafts, picture button pins, and visited the turtle pond at the Winnetu. When we picked them up they didn’t want to come home!
We weren’t very concerned about sending Annabelle and Ailey to the Children’s program due to the Covid-19 procedures in place. During check-in the staff asked our family a very extensive questionnaire regarding our health and took temperatures. The children and staff wore masks and there was lots of hand washing.
Turtle Watching
It’s impossible to not visit the turtle pond while staying at the Winnetu. Our daughters stopped by to check out the turtles quite a few times in addition to their trip with the Children’s Program. I love how there are Adirondack chairs surrounding the pond and benches nearby where you can watch your little ones look for turtles.
The Pool
We spent a lot of time swimming in the pool during our stay. Annabelle and Ailey could have played there from sun-up to sun-down if we allowed it. The water was clear and warm, and I enjoyed watching the girls splash from the comfortable lounge chairs set in a grassy area. The giant umbrellas were very convenient during nap time as well!
The Winnetu’s pool is set up really well for families with small children. There is a small wading area for little ones connected to a larger pool, which is divided into two sections based on depth. Ailey felt comfortable playing in the kiddie area while Annabelle is learning to swim, so she had a blast going back and forth. The resort allows kids’ swimmies in the pool – which was something we brought along!
Pool towels are available for all guests in their rooms and at the pool. I LOVE this amenity since it is difficult to pack large beach/pool towels when you’re traveling on a ferry.
Exploring the Vineyard
Initially I was nervous about visiting Martha’s Vineyard without my own transportation on the island. However the Winnetu offers shuttle rides to almost anywhere you need to go!
Our Jeep Rental
A surprise during our stay was when concierge set us up with a Jeep Gladiator rental! Thanks to A-A Island Auto Rental a very clean (and sanitized) Jeep was dropped off for our use. Not only were Brandon and I able to explore Edgartown alone, but we also brought along the girls for a ride too!
Traveling with little ones can be stressful with everything they require, but supplies can be rented during your stay at Winnetu. We worked with MV Baby Rent, a baby/child equipment rental service, to ensure our daughters’ safety with car seats for the Jeep.
Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard
There is a lot to do and see around Martha’s Vineyard! With our vacation time limited, we only ventured into Edgartown while we had the Jeep rental. Edgartown is a former whaling island with shopping, dining, and a delicious ice cream/candy shop!
During our stroll around Edgartown we stopped for ice cream, candy, and Vineyard sweatshirts. It was a quick trip! There were a lot of people strolling around the small town and limited capacity in most businesses. While I would have loved to stay longer, we had to get back for our beach picnic (read about it here).
Wandering around the Winnetu
In addition to the pool, turtle pond, and children’s program, there are plenty of places to explore while wandering around the Winnetu. Annabelle and Ailey loved playing with the life size Chess board in the courtyard.
After a competitive game of Chess the girls were ready for S’MORES. The resort staff sets up s’mores for guests twice a week. I was very impressed with the individualized packaging of each S’more kit!
Are you a fan of lawn games? The Winnetu has a sprawling lawn with soccer, corn hole, and other fun activities for their guests. Brandon and the girls played a short game of soccer one afternoon while I was packing our beach bags!
Playing at South Beach
From the first moment our family discovered the path to the beach we were enamored by its magical vibes. To get to South Beach one must travel through the woods, over a bridge, past beach flowers, and up a sandy hill!
Once you arrive at the beach you’re met with salty air and beautiful sand. The girls loved jumping in the waves and collecting seashells. The Winnetu provides beach towels, beach chairs, and even umbrellas for their guests!
We also visited South Beach in the evenings to watch the sunset. The first night in Martha’s Vineyard was too foggy to see anything, but the second night was spectacular! We had a lot of fun looking for treasures, jumping over waves, and playing in the ocean in our clothes.
We loved our stay at the Winnetu!
Overall we loved our two night stay at the Winnetu. We are so thankful to have been invited by Little Gem Resorts to visit their Martha’s Vineyard property, as well as The Nantucket Hotel and Resort (review coming soon!). My family received hotel lodging and some meals in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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