Rhode Island Travel Guides

Block Island Edition

A curated summer travel guide to Block Island by a local girl! Happy trip planning to all <3

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How to get to Block Island:

• Point Judith in Narragansett: Take the Traditional Ferry (One hour) that operates year-round. You can bring your vehicle but reserve in advance. You can also take the High Speed (30 minutes) Ferry that operates mid-May through mid- October. The BI Ferry’s have the best bloody mary’s so do not skip these!

• Newport: Take the High Speed Ferry (One hour) that operates mid- June to early- September.

• New London, CT: Take the Block Island Express Ferry (One hour) that operates May through September.

• Orient Point, NY: Take the Cross Sound Ferry to New London to connect to the Block Island Express Ferry. There is now an option for a ferry direct from Orient Point to Block Island.

• Montauk, NY: Take the Viking Fast Ferry (One hour) operating Memorial day through Labor Day.

• Block Island State Airport (BID): You can fly into Block Island as well through New England Airlines.

How to explore Block Island:

The ferry will drop you off in Old Harbor where there will be a few options to rent bikes, mopeds, cars or take a cab. Old Harbor is the “downtown area” of Block Island where a lot of the shops and restaurants are. You can walk around, grab a bite and shop. You do not need transportation as most of BI is walkable but if you want to explore the Island (See the Mohegan Bluff’s, Block Island North Light, or go grab mudslides from Champlin’s/The Oar) I highly recommend it. The cabs are a great option and fairly inexpensive!

• Old Harbor Bike Shop: I have always used them for Moped rentals. You can also rent bikes or cars. They are located right off the Ferry and the process has always been seamless. This is a great way to see the whole Island!

• Island Moped and Bikes: Another spot to rent bikes or mopeds right off the ferry.

Where explore in Block Island

• Mohegan Bluffs

• Southeast Lighthouse

• North Lighthouse

• Rodman’s Hollow

Coffee Shops

• Persephone's Kitchen: A short walk from the ferry this cute spot is tucked away right off Dodge Street. Their seasonal drinks are always fun, they have a great tea selection including matcha. This is also a hot spot for breakfast!

• Odd Fellows Café: A fantastic coffee shop straight off the ferry. Their iced coffee is awesome and reasonably priced. They have great egg sandwiches and baked goods as well.

• The Surf at Block Island Beach House: One of the newer spots on BI. The latte’s and matcha are very good. I haven’t tried the breakfast but the benny bowl and the egg sandwich sound really good. You can order ahead online and pick it up.

Breakfast/Brunch

• The Old Post Office Bagel Shop: One of my favorite stops when I come to BI. Fresh baked bagels and bagel sandwiches made with fresh eggs. I absolutely love their honey cream cheese!

• Payne’s Donuts: A Block Island classic. They’re a little over a mile from the ferry. Their donuts are special. They are hot, fresh, cake style donuts that you can get plain, sugar, cinnamon or a mix of all three.

• The Cracked Mug: A locally loved spot located on Payne’s dock! A great spot to sit outside, see the boats coming in and enjoy a good breakfast. They are about a mile and a half from the ferry. They have fantastic baked goods, egg sandwiches, juices, smoothies and coffee.

• Ellen’s at the Airport: A gem located right in the airport. It is a hike so I would recommend biking or taking a cab here. Sit outside or inside, grab a classic breakfast and watch the planes come and go. The pancakes are amazing, definitely do not skip those. You can also get a really good omelette here.

Lunch

• Yellow Kittens: A locally loved tavern set right by the water. They have the best nachos which you can get topped with lobster. I also can’t leave without a frozen mango margarita.

• The Oar: Another classic spot. They have a ton of outdoor seating and are located right on the water. I always go for the sushi and the mudslides. My pro tip is to get a peanut butter whiskey floater in your mudslide.

• Southeast Light Delights: Located by the Southeast Lighthouse and Mohegan Bluff’s. They are a food truck and such a hidden gem. They have a fantastic lobster roll!

• Three Sisters: A great option for a beach sandwich! You have to pass by to get to most of the beaches. They have a unique menu with great selections. I love the twisted sister.

• Beach Bar at Block Island Beach House: One of the most aesthetic spots on the Island. A great spot to grab lunch and a drink. They are located right on the water so the views are great. They have an awesome menu with poke bowls, fish tacos, burgers, sandwiches, salads and a lot of shareable options if you just want to get a few things to share.

• Poor People’s Pub: A locally loved pub with a large menu. You really cannot go wrong with anything here. They are known for their burger but you can also get a killer sandwich or salad.

Dinner

• Spring House Hotel: Dinner at the Barn is a classic. The Barn is a cozy dining experience with open kitchen and a wood fired grill. Grab a cocktail on the lawn before dinner! The menu does change but you cannot go wrong with any of the fish entrees!

• Dead Eye Dicks: One of the oldest restaurants on the Island. They are on the water with outdoor seating. They have a great menu with options for everyone. I love the crab rangoon flatbread and the lobster roll.

• Sediment Crudo Bar: One of my new favorite spots on the Island. A seafood pop-up located on the lawn of Three Sisters. It’s run by a couple who took over their families a multi-generation commercial lobstering business. Some of the best crudo you can get, an awesome lobster roll and a creative menu.

• Block Island Oyster Bar and Grill: Located in Hotel Manisses. They have the most gorgeous outdoor area with flowers and a water fountain. They have a big outdoor area in the back that can seat large parties. The linguini and white clam sauce and the scallops are great.

• Winfield’s: An awesome spot to grab dinner. They have such amazing seafood dishes. I love the crispy skin salmon with risotto and the seared scallops. But you really cannot go wrong with anything on the menu!

• Eli’s: A small bistro located in the heart of Block Island. Definitely see what is on special but the salmon, burger and tuna nachos are amazing.

• Kimberly’s: A steak and seafood spot that won’t disappoint. They have a large wine list and outdoor seating. I love the steak, lobster mac and cheese and seafood pasta.

Bars

• Springhouse lawn: A great spot with Adirondack chairs overlooking the water. They have live music a lot. One of my favorite spots to sit outside and sip a crisp glass of rose.

• Champlin’s: The best mudslide on the Island in my humble opinion. Located on the docks this is a laid back spot to grab a mudslide and look at the cool boats. The best is the banana mudslide.

• Beach Bar: A very aesthetic outdoor bar overlooking the ocean. They have great drinks, spots to lounge and live music some days.

• Ballard’s: A classic outdoor and indoor bar right off the ferry. You can come here, lounge on the beach and get food and drinks all day. They usually have live music and is a busy spot!

• The National Hotel: In the back there are Adirondack chairs, fire pits and beautiful hydrangeas. They tend to have live music so this is a perfect spot in the heart of town to grab a drink.

• Mahogany Shoals: A relaxed bar on Payne’s dock. They have great drinks, a big bar and live music.

• Late Night Bars

  • Captain Nick’s: Live music, DJ’s and open late.

  • Yellow Kittens: Right by the water, live music, DJ’s and open late.

Hotels

• Block Island Beach House: A beautiful hotel overlooking the ocean. They have a pool, beach loungers to guests first come first serve and a great restaurant attached. The location can’t be beat!

• Spring House Hotel: This hotel is a water front classic. Famous for their lawn overlooking the water. They also have a good variety of room rentals.

• The Sea Breeze: An intimate bed and breakfast with ocean ad pond views. Breakfast is delivered daily by picnic basket. The rooms are gorgeous and the location is great.

• Hotel Manisses: A Victorian landmark that is a wonderful place to stay. Steps away from Old Harbor where the ferries come in. They have a great breakfast buffet. The property is beautiful. The back of the hotel is a perfect place to sit with your coffee in the morning.

• The 1661 Resort: A peaceful retreat with ocean views and spacious rooms. They have a garden breakfast buffet and complimentary afternoon wine. They have a lot of different room options.

Bonus Content:

• Where to get the best mudslides:

  • Champlin’s

  • The Oar

  • Beach Bar

  • Ballard’s

• Where to see the sun set:

  • Dories Cove

  • The Oar

• Beaches

  • Fred Benson Town Beach- walk further down to avoid rocks

  • Mansion Beach

  • Ballard’s Beach

• Where to get ice cream:

  • Aldo’s Bakery

  • The Ice Cream Place- get a waffle cup

• Takeout/cook at home:

  • Block Island Pizza Pie Company

  • Block Island Grocery

• Kid Friendly:

  • Block Island Maritime Institute

  • Abrams Animal Farm

  • 1661 Farm & Garden

  • Snorkel at Surf Beach- rentals from Block Island Beach House or Diamondblue Surf Shop