Welcome to Block Island! Pedal past stone walls and wild roses, sip cocktails by lighthouses, and watch waves slam into cliffs from windswept trails — Block Island is where beachy simplicity meets salty New England charm just a ferry ride away.
☑️ Block Island Checklist
- Book your Ferry: Catch the high-speed or traditional ferry from Point Judith, Newport, or New London
- Reserve your Hotel: Stay in a seaside inn or Victorian guesthouse near Old Harbor for postcard views
- Join your Tour: Book a guided moped ride or island history walking tour to hit all the must-sees
🚲 Day 1: Coastal Classics
- Old Harbor Arrival: Step off the ferry into the heart of the island — bikes clatter, seagulls cry, and salt air hits you right away
- Bicycle Rental Pickup: Grab a cruiser with a basket and start your island adventure the classic way — wind in your hair, sunscreen in your bag
- Mohegan Bluffs: Lock your bike and take the steep wooden stairs down to this picture-perfect stretch of beach backed by 200-foot clay cliffs
- Southeast Lighthouse: Peer out over crashing waves from this red-brick beauty perched at the edge of the world
- Lunch with a View: Grab a lobster roll and kettle chips at a seaside shack, toes in the sand and no agenda in sight
- Beach Break at Mansion Beach: Roll out your towel on soft sand and watch surfers carve gentle Atlantic swells
- Sunset Drinks at The Oar: Sip a dark ‘n’ stormy and admire the hundreds of decorated oars lining the deck as boats drift in the harbor glow
🛵 Day 2: Island Icons
- Moped Island Tour: Zoom past meadows and stone walls on two wheels with stops at coves, farms, and overlooks galore
- North Lighthouse Walk: Hike through shifting sand to this remote, windswept lighthouse — seals sometimes bob offshore if you’re lucky
- Clay Head Trail: Hike through tunnels of twisted trees and open cliff-top views — bring your camera for panoramic Atlantic shots
- Lunch in New Harbor: Grab fish tacos and local brew with marina views and the sound of clinking sailboat masts
- Bluffs Birdwatching: Pause along the way to spot ospreys, swallows, and monarchs on their coastal migration
- Shopping in Old Harbor: Browse beachy boutiques for block-printed towels, seashell earrings, or a “BI” sticker for your car
- Evening Ice Cream Stroll: Grab a cone and wander down Water Street, catching ocean breezes and live music from porches
🐚 Day 3: Local Life
- Breakfast at the Bakery: Start with a warm cinnamon bun and strong iced coffee from the beloved island bakery
- Glass Float Hunting: Join the tradition and search the trails and beaches for one of the 550 hand-blown glass orbs hidden every summer
- Settlers’ Rock: Visit the spot where European settlers landed — waves crash, flags flap, and the horizon stretches forever
- Block Island Maritime Institute: Learn about shipwrecks, marine life, and island conservation in a tiny, family-friendly museum
- Kayak or Paddleboard Rental: Spend your afternoon on the Great Salt Pond, drifting past shorebirds and bobbing boats
- Souvenir Stop in Town: Pick up hand-thrown pottery, lighthouse postcards, or a beachy hoodie that’ll smell like sunscreen forever
- Clam Shack Dinner: End with a paper tray full of fried clams, chowder, and cold beer at a picnic table as the sky goes full watercolor
💡 Block Island Tips
- Book Mopeds Early: Rentals sell out fast on sunny weekends
- Cash is Handy: Some beach shacks and cabs don’t take cards
- Don’t Rush the Ferry: Get there early — lines can be long, and it’s part of the fun
- Pack Layers: Even summer nights bring a chill off the water
- Bring Your Own Bike Lock: Not all rentals include one, and you’ll want to explore on foot
- Skip the Car: Bikes, mopeds, and walking get you everywhere you need
- Download Maps Ahead: Cell signal can be spotty in remote parts of the island
📅 Block Island Calendar
- Glass Float Launch (June): Hundreds of hand-blown orbs are hidden around the island’s trails and beaches
- Block Island Race Week (June): Watch colorful sails dart across the water in this iconic regatta
- Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks: A quirky, homespun celebration with small-town flair and beachside bursts
- Blues on the Block (July–Aug): Sunset concerts fill the beach air with live blues and dancing in the sand
- Art Trail Weekend (August): Visit island studios, meet local artists, and shop handmade coastal treasures
- Taste of Block Island (September): Sample local eats, get discounts on moped rentals, and enter raffles galore
- Fall Fest at The 1661 Inn (October): Pumpkins, apple cider donuts, and hayrides kick off sweater season island-style
🦞 Block Island Menu
- Lobster Roll: Piled high on a toasted bun with drawn butter or mayo — the island’s must-eat classic
- Stuffed Quahogs: Spicy clam stuffing baked in a shell — New England comfort food at its finest
- Clam Cakes & Chowder: Crispy, doughy clam fritters paired with creamy white chowder for dipping
- Grilled Swordfish: Fresh-off-the-boat, seared and served with lemon and island-grown greens
- Beachside Burgers: Griddled and juicy, best eaten barefoot at a picnic table
- Saltwater Taffy: Sticky-sweet, pastel-wrapped, and dangerously addictive
- Dark ‘n’ Stormy: Ginger beer and rum over ice — the island’s unofficial sunset drink