Block Island, an 11-square-mile seaside resort located 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast, has been heralded as "One of the Last Twelve Great Places in the Western Hemisphere." Its rolling green hills and dramatic bluffs are reminiscent of Ireland, while its beautifully restored Victorian hotels and inns preserve the elegance of a bygone era.
The island’s 17 miles of pristine, free public beaches are the main attraction of this tiny island, whose people are strongly devoted to preserving the ecology of their home. Block Island conservation groups operate a large trail system on the island, offering walking and hiking paths through grassy meadows, quiet woods and along the sandy shore.
Shops and restaurants are abundant in bustling Old Harbor, which is served by frequent ferry boats from Point Judith, RI. An hour-long ferry ride is the most popular method of traveling to the island, although some prefer to take the easy 20-minute flight from the state airport at Westerly, RI. Ferries also depart, in season, from New London, Conn., Montauk, NY and Newport, RI.
Block Island is close to home but a world away.
For more info on Block Island, visit BlockIslandInfo.com.
Post Date:
May 31, 2026
Block Island features pristine beaches, dramatic bluffs and a bustling waterfront just 12 miles off the coast. Block Island features pristine beaches, dramatic bluffs and a bustling waterfront just 12 miles off the coast.
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Every Fourth of July, Block Island hosts a beloved small-town Independence Day parade, with hometown floats, marching bands, bagpipers, pirates, and fire trucks winding from New Harbor to Old Harbor, followed by fireworks over Block Island Sound. In 2026, the parade celebrated “250 Years of America,” with the Block Island Power Company as Grand Marshal. Check back for next year’s theme and details. Every Fourth of July, Block Island hosts a beloved small-town Independence Day parade, with hometown floats, marching bands, bagpipers, pirates, and fire trucks winding from New Harbor to Old Harbor, followed by fireworks over Block Island Sound. In 2026, the parade celebrated “250 Years of America,” with the Block Island Power Company as Grand Marshal. Check back for next year’s theme and details.
Find Out More Find Out MoreEvery Fourth of July, Block Island hosts a beloved small-town Independence Day parade, with hometown floats, marching bands, bagpipers, pirates, and fire trucks winding from New Harbor to Old Harbor, followed by fireworks over Block Island Sound. In 2026, the parade celebrated “250 Years of America,” with the Block Island Power Company as Grand Marshal. Check back for next year’s theme and details.
Most visitors take the ferry from Point Judith, about an hour’s ride to Old Harbor. You can also fly from Westerly State Airport in about 20 minutes, and seasonal ferries run from Newport, New London, Conn., and Montauk, N.Y. Check ferry schedules before you go, as they change by season.
Yes. Point Judith is about an hour’s drive from Providence, so with the ferry ride you can spend a full day on the island and be back the same evening.
Yes. The island has 17 miles of beaches, all free and open to the public.
Yes. Local conservation groups maintain a large trail system with paths through meadows, woods and along the shore.
Most shops and restaurants are in Old Harbor, the bustling village where the ferries arrive.
It's that time of year when your garden is a bounty of summer veggies and you've run out of ways to cook them. Try the Summer Crustless Quiche from Dave's Fresh Marketplace, especially when it's too hot to eat or spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It's that time of year when your garden is a bounty of summer veggies and you've run out of ways to cook them. Try the Summer Crustless Quiche from Dave's Fresh Marketplace, especially when it's too hot to eat or spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Read More Read MoreFall is almost here and with it comes the apple- and pumpkin-picking season. Plenty of people like to pick their own fruit, and the fall season is the best time to do so with the crisp weather and changing leaves. Fall is almost here and with it comes the apple- and pumpkin-picking season. Plenty of people like to pick their own fruit, and the fall season is the best time to do so with the crisp weather and changing leaves.
Read More Read MoreProvidence Ghost Tours hosts the city's longest-running haunted history tour, the Providence Ghost Tour. Since the company's founding nearly 20 years ago, its guides have led guests by lantern light through the shadows of the city. In recent years, Providence Ghost Tours has expanded to include an alternate route, Haunted Benefit Street, as well as Investigation Tours, where guests take part in a live investigation of sites along the tour route.For those who prefer their history without the haunting, the company also offers two history tours: Parasols and Pocket Watches, available year-round, and Christmas on Benefit Street, offered between Thanksgiving and New Year's.Tours run at least once a day, and private tours are available for larger groups such as corporate gatherings, birthday parties, family reunions, and conferences. Step back in time with Providence Ghost Tours and explore Providence in the most memorable way. Providence Ghost Tours hosts the city's longest-running haunted history tour, the Providence Ghost Tour. Since the company's founding nearly 20 years ago, its guides have led guests by lantern light through the shadows of the city. In recent years, Providence Ghost Tours has expanded to include an alternate route, Haunted Benefit Street, as well as Investigation Tours, where guests take part in a live investigation of sites along the tour route.For those who prefer their history without the haunting, the company also offers two history tours: Parasols and Pocket Watches, available year-round, and Christmas on Benefit Street, offered between Thanksgiving and New Year's.Tours run at least once a day, and private tours are available for larger groups such as corporate gatherings, birthday parties, family reunions, and conferences. Step back in time with Providence Ghost Tours and explore Providence in the most memorable way.
Read More Read MoreCampus Fine Wines is an owner-operated shop specializing in organic, natural, and small-production wines, beers, and spirits at prices that range from everyday to special occasion. It has been a landmark in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence since 1974, located just a few blocks beyond the campus of Brown University. Other items and services are available, such as corkscrews, flasks, shakers, gift cards, complimentary wrapping, and delivery. Campus Fine Wines hosts free in-store wine tastings on Fridays, 5-8pm, and beer tastings every Saturday, 3-6pm. Campus Fine Wines is an owner-operated shop specializing in organic, natural, and small-production wines, beers, and spirits at prices that range from everyday to special occasion. It has been a landmark in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence since 1974, located just a few blocks beyond the campus of Brown University. Other items and services are available, such as corkscrews, flasks, shakers, gift cards, complimentary wrapping, and delivery. Campus Fine Wines hosts free in-store wine tastings on Fridays, 5-8pm, and beer tastings every Saturday, 3-6pm.
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