Rasika DalviAs we are getting ready to say Adieu to summer and getting ready for winter; we thought let’s explore a cute little island and get into a tropical mood for a while. New England has many small islands off its coast. This time we decided to visit Block Island, one of the prettiest locations in Rhode Island. Located just 13 miles off Rhode Island’s coast, Block Island packs a lot into its compact, 10-square-mile footprint — including 17 miles of beaches and two lighthouses. Much of Block Island’s land is designated as protected, meaning that the many beautiful seaside views are nearly untouched. There are plenty of things to do on Block Island that make it perfect for a summertime day trip, and its delightful restaurants and hotels make a longer stay worth your while, too. Block Island may not be as popular as other cities in the United States, but don’t let that fool you. Block Island is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.
The first thing is first…How to go to Block Island?
Block Island is a very convenient day trip from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or New York. In only about an hour, you can get a completely different state of mind and atmosphere. To enjoy Block Island, you need to arrive by boat or plane. You can sail there yourself, fly in on your private jet, or, like most visitors, hop on the Block Island Ferry. The ferry sails from Pt. Judith, Newport, and Fall River with a traditional option that takes 55 minutes or the high-speed option for a quick 30-minute trip. The Point Judith location is the only one that runs year-round and offers the cheapest option. We chose to hop on the ferry from Point Judith at 1:30 pm ET. Arriving 45 minutes ahead of time like we were instructed to do, there are plenty of paid parking spaces left in the lot across the boarding area. It’s a good idea to make ferry reservations in advance. Be aware, some reservation times load first come, first served, requiring you to queue up early. If you plan to bring your car, you need to take the traditional ferry, and reservations are required.
As you are reaching Block Island, you can’t miss huge Windmills standing in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This is such an interesting project to deliver clean, reliable energy. Block Island Wind Farm is the first commercial offshore wind farm in the United States, located 3.8 miles (6.1 km) from Block Island in the Atlantic Ocean. The 30 MW, the 5-turbine project began commercial operations in December 2016 and generates enough energy to power 17,000 homes.
Only 13 miles from the mainland, the ride is under an hour-long, but time goes by fast. About 55 minutes in, the gorgeous coastline dotted with a few random homes makes an appearance. Before we know it, we are disembarking and heading to this beautiful island.
Let’s start our exploration:
The ferry drops you in Old Harbor Historic District, the hub of the island. From here, it is a quick walk or taxi ride to your destination, where you can begin exploring. You’ll find lot of shops with unique island gifts and souvenirs along with art galleries, restaurants, and inns. Nestled on the village square of Block Island, the Old Harbor Historic District features 42 historically significant buildings which date back from the 19th century.
Whether you’re looking for a leisurely ride or an adventurous one, exploring the island by bike or moped is definitely the way to go. To be honest, for us that is biggest reason behind this trip. Last time we enjoyed Moped ride in Florida. We loved the experience so much that we couldn’t wait to do it again. There are things to do on Block Island without a car, but to make the most of your visit we suggest renting a scooter. A scooter rental tops my list of the most fun things to do on Block Island. We got our rented mopeds from Island Moped and Bike Rental, which is located within walking distance of the ferry drop-off location. Given the undulating terrain, mopeds are also an appealing way to get around. A half-day rental will afford you more than enough time to visit several choice spots on the island. If you have never driven a moped, the staff at Island Moped are very thorough, making sure you can navigate safely before sending you on your way.
If you don’t feel comfortable renting a scooter, you can join one of the Block Island tours. There are no public bus tours or trolleys on the island, but you have the option of a taxi tour, helicopter tour, or kayak tour. You can find one at the Taxi Stand located in Old Harbor. If you choose to get out on the water, you can whip around the island on the Sea Dog, a 35-foot cruiser, or by kayak, if you like a slower pace. A helicopter tour is the most unique way to see the island, as it provides a bird’s eye perspective of all the beautiful landscapes.
Mohegan Bluffs
Nestled on the southern shore of Block Island, Mohegan Bluffs are beautiful gigantic clay cliffs adding to the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. The Mohegan Bluffs is one of Block Island’s most acclaimed natural wonders, named for the 1590 indigenous battle between the Mohegan and Niantic tribes. The 200-foot bluffs are the location of the Block Island Southeast Lighthouse, which has been moved several times due to bluff erosion. In addition to serving as the dramatic Atlantic Ocean overlook site, the bluffs provide access to a secluded beach area at Corn Cove that is accessible via a set of 141 public stairs. On clear days, views atop the bluffs extend all the way to Montauk and Long Island. Visitor access is permitted between dusk and dawn, with sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and dog-walking serving as popular visitor activities.
Standing about 200 feet above sea level, the views from these cliffs are undoubtedly some of the best on the island, but it doesn’t end there. After taking in the scenery from the top, you’ll want to muster up all your energy and make the trek down the 141 stairs to the beach below, where you’ll be rewarded with more spectacular views and an uncrowded spot to lay your towel down for the afternoon and soak up some rays.
Block Island is home to two lighthouses: North Light and Southeast Light.
Southeast Lighthouse:
To the east of the Mohegan Bluffs, you can also spot the Block Island Southeast Light from afar. The lighthouse was placed on the National Historic Landmark list as one of the most architecturally sophisticated lighthouses built in the United States in the 19th century.
The lighthouse was originally commissioned in 1856 and constructed in 1874, lit for the first time the following February. Though it was decommissioned for use by the United States Coast Guard in 1990, it was relocated by 300 feet due to bluff erosion concerns and transferred to the care of the Southeast Lighthouse Foundation preservation organization. Since 1997, it has been designated as a United States National Historic Landmark, noted as one of the only remaining American lighthouses to use a first-order Fresnel lens.
Block Island North Light:
The North Lighthouse is set in a wildlife preserve. The North Lighthouse is a fifteen-minute walk over rocks from the parking area. It has a beautiful long, relatively empty beach and many nesting seagulls. It was built in 1867 of Connecticut limestone, was the final of four and still stands today. The octagonal shape and brown granite rock make the sight of this lighthouse a beautiful one. This historic lighthouse is the ideal place to take a stroll along the beach, watch the sunset and spend a peaceful evening admiring the scenic beauty. Beautiful rock formations, interesting birds, and seals adorn the beauty of the lighthouse.
The Beaches
Whether you are taking a walk or going for a swim, the 17 miles of sandy beaches on Block Island should not be missed. North, south, east, and west, Block Island offers 15 different beaches for your flip-flops-in-the-sand enjoyment.
Crescent Beach at the edge of Old Harbor is the easiest to get to from the ferry and has soft sand and welcoming water. Other popular swimming beaches include Mansion Beach, Scotch Beach, Baby Beach, Surf Beach, and Ballard’s Beach.
If you’ve yet to explore this magical little paradise 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, you should plan that ASAP! There are so many beautiful places to see and fun things to do on Block Island, you’ll want to come here again and again. Have you been here before? Let me know what you think are the best things to do in Block Island in the comments below!
