Block Island RI: Slow Down and Walk

Last Updated on September 7, 2022 by Editor

WHY GO: The smallest and closest of the New England Islands (along with Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket), it’s slightly over an hour from New London, CT by high-speed ferry to Block Island RI, a baby-chick shaped chunk of land just 7 miles long and four miles wide.

Slow down! A Block Island 1.5 MPH Speed Limit Sign
Slow down! A Block Island 1.5 MPH Speed Limit Sign

In the late 1800’s, Victorians built hotels overlooking harbor and ocean, and miraculously, many still stand, imbuing Block Island with the aura of another age. For years, tourists walked or biked to explore. Then, mopeds and scooters became a preferred mode of transport.

Now, in season, you’ll be confronted with a fusillade of huge, gas-guzzling cars. But on this Getaway Maven’s pictorial walkabout, ignore the road-hog SUV’s and discover the stone walls, clay bluffs, Andrew Wyeth like lighthouses, cemeteries, ponds and trails that make Block Island so alluring.

Block Island Ferry
New London to Block Island High Speed Ferry Docks in Old Harbor

GETTING TO BLOCK ISLAND: There are several ways to get here, if you don’t have your own boat. Jump on the Block Island Hi-Speed Ferry from Point Judith RI ($37.85 round trip), Newport RI ($50.50 round trip), or Fall River MA ($60.60 round trip) – foot traffic only, additional fee for bikes. 

Or, take the no-car Block Island Express from New London, CT. $26.25 each way, $36.25 with bike.

FYI – Any Block Island Beach is one of the Getaway Mavens’ quirkiest places to propose in Rhode Island.

Things to Do on Block Island RI

Block Island Historical Society Museum
Block Island Historical Society Museum

Start here for an orientation of the island. It’s stocked with requisite 10,000-year-old Native American arrowheads, along with artifacts from first settlers, and photos of offshore boating disasters. Pictures of piles of frozen bodies from the Feb. ’07 Larchmont Steamship Disaster are particularly horrifying. Open daily during the summer, 11am-4pm, $6.

Stone Wall Freedom Series, by David Tucker at Block Island Historical Society
Stone Wall Freedom Series, by David Tucker at Block Island Historical Society
Block Island Stone Walls
Stone walls of Block Island RI

WALK: 7 Mile loop tour – south from Old Harbor to Mohegan Bluffs, up to New Harbor and back to town

Mohegan Bluffs Beach Block Island RI

With variations of landscape, from forceful surf, clay cliffs, silent ponds, yachting centers, salt marsh and stone walls, it’s a fantastic overview of the best of the island. (Legend has it that Block Island slaves built these walls to win their freedom, as told in a trio of historical fiction novels, Stone Wall Freedom, by David Tucker).

Lemonade for a Cause, Block Island

Stop at the Southeast Light, descend down to Mohegan Bluffs beach, see the gravestone of a 176 year old island woman, grab a bite and watch planes coming and going at Bethany’s Diner at the Block Island Airport, and mingle with the boat captains at New Harbor Marinas. Here are some photos to get you primed….

Spring House Hotel, Block Island
Spring House Hotel, Block Island
Southeast Lighthouse
Southeast Lighthouse, Block Island
Stairway to Mohegan Bluffs Beach
Stairway to Mohegan Bluffs Beach, Block Island
Fresh Pond, Block Island
Fresh Water rendered Block Island attractive to Native Americans and First European Settlers in 1661
Mary Perry Grave, Born 1844, No Date of Death Block Island Gravestone
John Perry Gravestone at Indian Cemetery across from Fresh Pond. Note that wife, Mary does not have a death date, making her a hearty 176 years old this year.
Honor System Farm Stand
Honor System Farm Stand, Block Island

WALK: 8-mile round trip back and forth from Old Harbor to the North Lighthouse

Begin in town on Corn Neck Road, which shoots north for 4 miles to the northern tip of Block Island. You’ll keep a series of beaches, collectively known as Crescent Beach, on your right and will encounter an access-way boardwalk to Great Salt Pond on your left. 

Crescent Beach Access Block Island
One of the many sandy routes to Crescent Beach on Block Island
Block Island Home
Block Island House
Failed Enterprise, Block Island
Fresh Out, Free Lemonade Stand, Block Island
Modes of Transport, Block Island
Bike and Moped on Block Island road

Take it for unparalleled views of boats at moorings and salt marsh. 

Boardwalk from Corn Neck Road to Great Salt Pond
Boardwalk from Corn Neck Road to Great Salt Pond, Block Island

A few miles up Corn Neck Rd, you’ll find The Labyrinth, a  meditative stone pathway. Stop for a few pensive minutes, then continue on to the North Lighthouse – a ¾ mile walk on a pebble-strewn beach. It’s like being inside an Andrew Wyeth Painting.

Sacred Labyrinth, Block Island
Sacred Labyrinth off Corn Neck Road, Block Island

On your way back to town, you can choose the Clayhead Trail, which runs along the ridge of the Clayhead cliffs on the north part of the island. Truly stunning.

North Lighthouse Block Island
It’s a 3/4 mile walk from the terminus of Corn Neck Rd. to North Lighthouse on a pebbly beach, Block Island

WALK: The Greenway

Inspired by the Greenway trails of England, the Block Island Greenway includes 15 miles of cleared trails, winding through the southern half of the island. Nathan Mott Park, the Enchanted Forest, Turnip Farm, and Rodman’s Hollow can all be accessed via the Greenway trail system.

Access points can be found on Lakeside Drive, and along Old Mill, Cooneymus, West Side and Beacon Hill roads. Look for granite Greenway markers, turnstyles and steps over stone walls.

Greenway Entrance
One of the many marked entrances to The Greenway, Block Island

Pull out on Beacon Hill at Beacon Hollow Farm – an animal rescue sanctuary owned by retired doctor, John Willis.

Animal rescuer, "Doc" Willis, at his farm, Beacon Hollow - just off the Greenway on Beacon Hill Rd., Block Island
Animal rescuer, “Doc” Willis, at his farm, Beacon Hollow – just off the Greenway on Beacon Hill Rd., Block Island

Say hi to the horses, donkeys and goats that “Doc” Willis has saved, but try to stay away from the black goat, Piggy, who’s prone to butting visitors with her sharp horns. The red barn is one of Block Island’s most photographed buildings.

Beacon Hollow Farm
Animal Sanctuary, Beacon Hollow Farm, Block Island

Best Restaurants on Block Island RI

Paynes Killer Donuts, Block Island
Move over Krispy Kreme! Payne’s Donuts on Block Island takes the cake.

BREAKFAST/SNACK: Payne’s “Killer” Donuts

These small, warm, crunchy outside soft inside granulated sugar encrusted beauties are worth blowing any diet for. Move over, Krispy Kreme, Payne’s is here.

Aldo's Delivery Boat
Aldo’s Pastry’s delivery boat, Block Island

BREAKFAST: Aldo’s Bakery

Aldo’s Old Harbor location is a long-standing BI tradition, and even those who arrive by boat thrill to the Aldo’s delivery launch, which makes its way around the moorings in New Harbor/Great Salt Pond every morning in season bearing fresh-baked goods.

Garden seating Kimberly's Block Island RI
Kimberly’s Block Island RI

EAT: Kimberly’s

Kimberly’s proves that casual Block Island fare can be sophisticated and innovative. And incredibly good. It’s topped many a Block Islander’s list of Best Restaurant. 

Poor People's Pub
Poor People’s Pub, Block Island

LUNCH/DINNER: Poor People’s Pub

On the one hand, it’s got Junk Fries, smothered sandwiches and the specialty crazy-good Chili Mac and Cheese ($13). On the other, Veggie Burgers. You decide.

Rebecca's on Block Island
Rebecca’s on Block Island

LUNCH/DINNER. Rebecca’s

It’s just a shack in town, but has earned its chops by going beyond the typical fried clam fare and into “Hummus With Veggies” to suit a variety of eaters.

Beachead Restaurant
Beachead Restaurant overlooking Crescent Beach, Block Island

LUNCH/DINNER: The Beachead 

Beachhead is the only restaurant with Crescent Beach at its front door. A perfect stop before and after your North Lighthouse trek.

Dead Eye Dicks
Dead Eye Dicks, Block Island

LUNCH/DINNER: Dead Eye Dicks

Another BI mainstay – this one in New Harbor overlooking Great Salt Pond.

The Oar, Block Island
The Oar in New Harbor at the Block Island Boat Basin

LUNCH/DINNER The Oar

Open on all sides – essentially a covered deck, the Oar has some surprisingly inventive and pulled-from-ground fresh cuisine. A favorite of boaters, it’s right in the Block Island Boat Basin Marina.

Eli's Fresh Tomato Tart, Block Island
Eli’s Fresh Tomato Tart, Block Island

DINNER: Eli’s

Intimate, innovative, sophisticated and “resort casual” – Eli’s is a hot ticket on summer nights, so make reservations far in advance.

Winfields Restaurant Block Island
Winfields Restaurant Block Island

DINNER: Winfield’s

A Ye-Olde Tavern style fine dining meat, potatoes and fish spot always a hit with tourists and summer residents.

Yellow Kittens
Yellow Kittens Tavern, Block Island

DRINKS On Block Island

Yellow Kittens – if only for the name. Spring House porch for sweeping ocean views. Surf Hotel back deck for Crescent Beach sunsets.

Where to Stay on Block Island RI

National Hotel Block Island RI
National Hotel Block Island RI

In season, the nicest hotel, inn and B&B rooms can start at $500 per night, even for small ones. Old-fashioned breezy shore, no a/c hotels with squeaky beds and shared baths are around $200 per night in season. Consider coming in early May or in September after Labor Day for the best rates and, in the view of many islanders, for the best weather.

RENT A HOUSE: You can find a range of prices through VRBO. If you don’t have a car, best to find a place a block or two from Old Harbor.

Spring House Hotel, Block Island
Spring House Hotel, Block Island

STAY: Best Hotels

There are a few dozen places to stay ranging from the charming Blue Dory Inn and Victorian-era National Hotel in town, the shore-fancy Hotel Manisses and 1661 Inn on Spring St. and the venerable Spring House Hotel, with arguably the best view on the island.

Block Island Pin

Author

  • Malerie Yolen-Cohen

    Malerie Yolen-Cohen is the Author of the cross-country travel guide, Stay On Route 6; Your Guide to All 3562 Miles of Transcontinental Route 6. She contributes frequently to Newsday, with credits in National Geographic Traveler, Ladies Home Journal, Yankee Magazine, Shape.com, Sierra Magazine, Porthole, Paddler, New England Boating, Huffington Post, and dozens of other publications. Malerie’s focus and specialty is Northeastern US, and she is constantly amazed by the caliber of restaurants and lodging in the unlikeliest places.

1 thought on “Block Island RI: Slow Down and Walk”

  1. I love BI ! I have been going there since I was a teen, got married there and bring our kids there when we can, unforgettable!

Comments are closed.