Curator’s statement
Block Island is one of those uniquely New England places where the vibe shift starts before you even hit the dock—wind in your hair, salty air, and that first cinematic glimpse of the cliffs rising out of the Atlantic. It’s an “if you know, you know” kind of place, where golden-hour beach walks, live music spilling onto Water Street, and slow sunsets feel like a shared secret. Between the dramatic bluffs, charming harbors, and effortlessly cool New England energy, it’s the kind of destination that lives rent-free in your mind long after you leave—and quietly pulls you back for more.
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Things to do on Block Island
Visit Southeast Lighthouse and Mohegan Bluffs: No trip is complete without seeing this lighthouse and the bluffs. The views of the bluffs from the lighthouse are great, and the views at the bluffs lookout point are even better. It is a hilly walk with no sidewalks, so it may be worth considering biking, renting a car, or calling a taxi (no Ubers on this island). Word to the wise: the trek down to the beach is long, steep, and so do it at your own risk. The stairs down are fine but will definitely humble you on the way back up. Once you get to the bottom of the stairs, you have to use a rope to navigate down a steep, narrow, sandy, and rocky path. I would highly recommend, but exercise caution!
Take a stroll on one of the many walking trails: If you really want to see the magic of the island, your best bet is to hit the public walking trails—there are over 25 miles of them. They’ll take you on a beautiful trip through rolling hills, coastal bluffs, meadows, and areas where you can spot all sorts of wildlife. You might even find your way to a pristine, secluded beach.
Spend the day at the beach: Block Island has 15 distinct beaches (some of the best in New England) so you can go wrong soaking up rays at Crescent Beach, drinking mudslides at the beach at Ballard, surfing at Black Rock, or sea glass hunting at West Beach.
Go on the annual Glass Float Scavenger Hunt: This is an annual summer tradition for many Block Island locals and frequent visitors. Artist Eben Horton spearheads this initiative to place hundreds of hand-blown glass orbs across trails and beaches. If you find one, you get to keep it!
Find the island’s best mudslide: It’s the official drink of the island and all claim to have the best one. But you’ll find me at The Oar :)
Live music everywhere! You can’t go anywhere without hearing live music in downtown New Shoreham, so just pop in wherever your ear takes you!
Places to eat & drink on Block Island
Breakfast at Persephone’s Kitchen: Tucked into a classic Cape Cod-style house, you’ll find this local favorite. From coffee to smoothies to classic breakfast sandwiches, whatever you’re craving to jumpstart the day, Persephone’s Kitchen will serve up something delicious. Get there before 10 am to beat the line.
Lunch at The Oar: This is one of my favorite places on the island by far, not just for the food but the views. I’m still dreaming about the Lobster Club sandwich and their famous Mudslide with an espresso topper.
Aperitivo hour at the Beach Bar at BIBH: Set the mood for the evening and catch sunset with a drink in hand at the Beach Bar at the Block Island Beach House.
Dinner at Winfield’s: We love a seasonal menu, and Winfield's offers a new, fresh, and creative menu every summer and fall. Only stopping by for drinks? Grab an espresso martini and a seat by a fire pit.
Nightcap at Yellow Kittens: This is a place you can end or start your night. A classic dive with live music, pool tables, and the best nachos on the island.
Live music at Captain Nick's: Self-proclaimed rock-n-roll bar, Captain Nick’s is a quirky music venue and bar where you can dance the night away to the local jam band.
Need to know
Getting to Block Island
Block Island is only accessible by boat/ferry or plane. I would recommend taking one of the ferries for the full Block Island experience! There are a couple ferry options to Block Island porting out of Narragansett, RI, Newport, RI, New London, CT, and Montauk, NY. My personal preference is Point Judith in Narragansett because it really sets the tone for a New England island weekend.
Pro-tip: Go early and get a drink and a snack from Jimmy’s Portside. This is always a highlight of my trip. They are known for their fried clams, but I come for the Boston Clam Chowder and Famous Lobster Bisque. These are two of the best soups I’ve ever eaten, so I get them even in the summer!
Old Harbor vs. New Harbor
Block Island has two harbors: Old Harbor on the east side in New Shoreham, and New Harbor on the west side of the island in the Great Salt Pond. Most ferries arrive and depart from Old Harbor, with the exception of the Montauk ferry, which goes into New Harbor.
Bring cash
Cash is queen on this island. While many places take credit cards, many places do not. Don’t worry, there are ATMs all over the place, but if you want to save yourself some service fees, come prepared.
Block Island is a dog-friendly paradise
Block Island is known for its love of dogs. There are many dog-friendly accommodations, including BIBH and Champlin’s. In addition to most of the restaurants allowing dogs on their patios, all of the beaches and trails are dog friendly year round!
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Rhode Island page.