Block Island

A quiet, isolated respite from the stress of daily life, Block Island is an ideal place to go to block out the world for a few days. Located off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island is an exercise in simplicity, perfect for the vacationer who wants to get away from big shopping malls, chain restaurants, stores and hotels, and simply indulge in nature. The island's rolling green hills, dramatic Mohegan Bluffs, 17 miles of beaches, and 365 freshwater ponds are guaranteed to relax, calm and rejuvenate your spirit.

A popular summer tourist destination, Block Island is known for its excellent beaches. Crescent Beach has 2.5 miles of rural shoreline and is commonly known as Kid Beach because it is attractive to families. Crescent Beach contains three smaller beaches, Fred Benson Town Beach, popularly known as State Beach and the only beach on the island with on-duty lifeguards, as well as Scotch Beach and Mansion Beach. All of the beaches are located on Corn Neck Road. On the south side of the island, Black Rock Beach is widely regarded as having the best waves for surfing, however, it tends to be quite rocky and has a reputation for nude sunbathers. Coastguard Beach is situated between the Great Salt Pond and the ocean on the northwest side of the island. It is a popular beach for fishing and walking, but not great for swimming because of high boat traffic.

Fishing is a very popular sport on Block Island, but there's only one charter boat company on the island, called Block Island Fishworks. A half-day of fishing costs a little more than $300. Scuba divers can check out the wreck of the U-boat U-853, 7 miles east of the island, lying in 130 feet of water. Divers frequently visit the wreck, but they do so at their own risk. Two divers have died in the area. Sailors will love Block Island Race Week, a highly competitive, week-long sailboat racing event held every summer in June.

For beauty in its most natural form, walk one of the many trails around Rodman's Hollow, a 230-acre glacial outwash basin, near the southern shore of the island. You can also take a beautiful horseback ride through 32 miles of natural trails. Other activities on Block Island include biking, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing, boating and sailing.

Block Island has two historic lighthouses. Block Island North Light, on the northern tip of the island, built in 1868 and Block Island Southeast Light, on the southeast side of the island, built in 1875. Tours are offered at the Southeast Light House, and its museum is open during the summer. In between North lighthouse and Settler's Rock is a national wildlife refuge that is popular with bird watchers. The only museum on the island, the Block Island Historical Society Museum, takes only about 15 minutes to see. The museum was an 1871 inn that now contains a miscellaneous collection of photos, ship models and tools. Upstairs is a room set up to reflect the Victorian period.

Dining options on the island include everything from casual cafés to fine dining and everything in between. Expect mostly lobster, fried and grilled fish and chicken, burgers and local favorite, New England chowder. For a dining treat, head to Ballard's on the beach near the downtown shopping area, where several bars and live bands entertain from lunch until midnight, and the atmosphere is ideal for families. If you want the freshest lobster money can buy and don't mind cooking it yourself, meet the lobstermen at 4-5pm as they pull into the harbor and buy their catch right out of the boat.

The main streets in Old Harbor are an easy place to find books, clothing, jewelry and more. The main strip also has a variety of gifts shops featuring island essentials and unique goods from local vendors. Nightlife on Block Island is casual and enjoyable. A handful of pubs, taverns, cafés and several eateries stay open pretty late. Day or night you can often find live music performed by local groups as well as featured artists and bands who frequently make the trip in from the mainland.

You won't find chain resorts on Block Island. Instead, full-service hotels, family-owned and operated inns, guest houses, bed & breakfasts and cottages & apartments dominate the scene.

Block Island is located just 12 miles of the coast of Southern Rhode Island, and can be reached easily by boat or ferry in under an hour and by plane in under fifteen minutes! Ferry service includes Block Island Ferry, leaving year-round from Point Judith, RI and in the summer from Newport, RI and New London, CT. Island Hi-Speed Ferry will whisk you away to Block Island via high-speed catamaran leaving from New Harbor, RI, and the Block Island Express has connections from New London and Old Harbor. New England Airlines provides daily service to the island, and private planes and boats can be chartered for your vacation.