1. Beach bound. May and June are ideal months to check out those sandy up-Island stretches that are restricted during high season. In Chilmark, Lucy Vincent Beach is open to the public until June 1 and Squibnocket Beach until June 15. West Tisbury’s Lambert’s Cove Beach is fair game until June 26. Philbin Beach in Aquinnah is public until mid-June. Don’t miss the early-season beach-going window, before the gates close to non-residents.

2. Dock Street Coffee Shop. This favorite breakfast spot in downtown Edgartown will be open for late-night eating from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Wednesday through Saturday, starting mid-May. Whether you’re hankering for a plate of French toast or something a little more meaty (Hello, patty melt!), we count our lucky stars that some place is burning that midnight grease.

3. Oak Bluffs Arts District. This convivial community of galleries is kicking off the summer season with an opening reception on Saturday, May 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. Meander along Dukes County Avenue perusing new and old collections of photography, painting, sculpture, fashion, and more.

4. Wild Katama Bay Kayak Trip. The Trustees of Reservations is offering a family-friendly guided kayak tour of Katama Bay and its bird wildlife on Sunday, May 29. The tours are given in new clear kayaks offering views of the bay’s bottom, and include a visit with a shorebird expert. Spots are limited to four parent-child pairs, but look for similar tours throughout the summer. To sign up, call the Trustees’ Vineyard office at 508-693-7662.

5. Taste of the Vineyard. The eagerly anticipated Taste of the Vineyard Gourmet Stroll is Thursday, June 16. This kick-off party to summer includes music and dancing, along with buffet-style fine food and beverages from many of the Island’s best restaurants, caterers, and purveyors. Tickets, on sale May 1 at www.tasteofthevineyard.org, benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust. Don’t wait – the Taste is famous for selling out.