A Fun Day Trip to Block Island, RI
Block Island is the perfect place for a day trip! In fact, I’ve had many fun day trips to Block Island from Montauk throughout the years. This little island in the Atlantic is so charming and just has a whole different atmosphere to it! The island is easily accessibly by ferry from Rhode Island, Connecticut or New York.
Block Island has really lovely beaches, two lighthouses, historical bluffs, a charming downtown and many great shops and restaurants! Keep reading for what to do on a day trip to Block Island.
Block Island Day Trip Itinerary
Morning: Get Breakfast or Grab a Mudslide
Have we come to Block Island to day party or to explore the island? This will dictate what your first stop is. (I’ve done both and no judgement to whatever you choose!)
Coming off the Montauk ferry in New Harbor a first stop is usually at The Oar for their great mudslides and awesome outside lawn and picnic tables. Alternatively you could opt for breakfast from The Cracked Mug, Persephone’s Kitchen (there is always a line out the door) or old school breakfast joint Ernies near the Block Island Ferry dock.
A mudslide is a creamy cocktail usually consisting of vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur, Bailey’s cream liqueur and chocolate syrup.
Mid Day: Have a Beach Day or Go Sightseeing
The beaches on Block Island’s east coast are really nice white sand beaches with calm water in the summer. Crescent Beach is a favorite and is a really long beach with multiple spots to walk on along Corn Neck Rd. Another favorite is Mansion beach just farther north.
If the party continues you may find yourself at Ballard’s Beach Resort. Ballard’s has a rowdy reputation but also has a great little beach with chairs and cabanas you can rent. There are also little bars on the beach as well as a huge inside restaurant. They often have live music here as well!
If you’d prefer to hop on your bike or moped and go exploring I would recommend heading south to the historic Southeast Lighthouse and Mohegan Bluffs. The bike ride from Old Harbor to Mohegan Bluffs is about 2 miles.
Not only are the bluffs and long staircase down to a secluded beach beautiful but they have historical significance too. They are named after the Mohegan Native American tribe who battled the Narragansett tribe for Block Island. Oral history says the Narragansett tribe forced the Mohegans over the edge of the towering cliffs where many perished.
Alternatively, you could also bike ride north to the North Lighthouse which is just shy of 5 miles from Old Harbor.
Afternoon: Have Lunch, Eat Ice Cream and Shop Around Town
Ok the downtown area is seriously so charming. It is full of cute mom and pop shops. Some favorites include: Block Market for boho inspired clothing, Marye Kelley Charcuterie for not only charcuterie but cool homewares, Glass Onion for jewelry and homewares, Minnow for kids toys and Green Boat for jewelry, perfumes and dresses.
Brent and I really enjoy getting lunch at the Block Island Beach House either on their wrap around porch or in the back at their Beach Club which is a more casual setting. The food is great and so are the drinks and water views!
Ice cream is always a good idea on a hot summer afternoon. Head to The Ice Cream Place in New Shoreham or Dips Scoop Shack on Payne’s Dock.
Other lunch restaurants we like on the water (and on the other side of the island) are The Oar, Dead Eye Dicks and the Cracked Mug on Payne’s Dock for lobster rolls!
Evening: Sunset at the Spring House Hotel
This is a must if you’re not on a time crunch to make a ferry back to the main land. The Spring House Hotel has a sprawling lawn with Adirondack chairs and live music every night in the summer. It’s a really casual and enjoyable experience to have a drink or two outside on the lawn in the evening. (although you’ll have to look behind you to see the sun set!)
If time allows have dinner right at the Spring House Hotel on their wrap around porch or make a dinner reservation around the corner at The Barn. Brent and I ate at The Barn on our last trip to Block Island and… wow! One of the best meals out we’ve had in a long time. It is seriously that good. We ordered the filet mignon and sea scallops and both were phenomenal.
Another really lovely place to have a drink for sunset and great dinner is at The Atlantic Inn just across the street from the Spring House Hotel. The Atlantic Inn has an old school charm to it with an updated interior.
Block Island Day Trip with Kids? Visit the Abrams Animal Farm.
Abrams Animal Farm is located across the street from The 1661 Inn. It is home to a variety of animals including kangaroos, llamas, rabbits, tortoises, lemurs and more. This is a fun little pit stop wether you have kids or not!
Where to Stay on Block Island?
Imagine you’re having such a great day on Block Island and you really don’t want to go home so you think lets stay the night! This exact scenario has happened to Brent and I so don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Below are my top three picks for Block Island Hotels.
Block Island Beach House
Location: 32 Dodge St, New Shoreham, RI | Book Here!
A stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown and right on the water! The Block Island Beach House has rooms across three separate buildings, a coffee and breakfast bar, clothing boutique in the lobby, The Surf a water front restaurant & bar and The Beach Bar an outdoor lounge over looking the beach.
The Gothic building at Block Island Beach House has a more contemporary design and is great for travelers looking for more private stay. Perfect for couples!
The Surf at Block Island Beach House has a more vintage feel and rooms are smaller. However, these are the only beachfront rooms at the hotel! Some rooms even offer private balconies.
The Gables at Block Island Beach House (across the street) offer light and airy suites inspired by the beach. This building is best suited for families and groups due to the additional space. The Gables also features an outdoor pool – only the second hotel pool on the island!
“Amazing location in center of town, charming property right on the beach with good food and drinks. Great ocean view from our room.” – Lacy
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The Atlantic Inn
Location: 359 Roslyn Rd, New Shoreham, RI | Book Here!
Brent and I loved staying at The Atlantic Inn! The property is a historic landmark and you feel like you are stepping back in time when you stay here.
The hotel changed hands back in 2023 and there have been improvements and modern updates made to the hotel each year while honoring its historic character. Rooms are newly remodeled with a blend of modern and vintage furniture.
What makes The Atlantic Inn so special apart from the historic decor (in my opinion) is the large lawn dotted with Adirondack chairs with a fantastic view of a summer sunset over New Shoreham.
Restaurant 1879 is another great reason to stay at The Atlantic Inn (though you don’t have to stay here to dine at Restaurant 1879!). A creative menu featuring fresh local seafood and home grown herbs and vegetables. If you can grab a table on their large porch you will fall in love with this restaurant!
“Great location close to town, friendly staff, and small yet comfortable and well-appointed rooms. We especially loved cocktails on the front lawn every day – and the food in the restaurant was delicious!” – Sarah
Spring House Hotel
Location: 51 Spring St, New Shoreham, RI | Book Here!
On our last trip to Block Island Brent and I stayed at the Spring House Hotel in their main building. We really enjoyed our stay and our room! The room was newly updated and contemporary and had a nice size bathroom!
The Spring House Hotel offers multiple opportunities to stay in 4 different buildings. The Spring House Main Building was built in 1952 and is Block Islands oldest hotel. Rooms have both water and island views and their Main Restaurant is located on the first floor. Definitely save space in your itinerary for a happy hour drink outside here!
The Mott House is located just across the street from the Main Building consisting of 17 guest rooms with island and ocean views. The Inn at the Spring House Hotel is their more private and luxury option. You must be 21 and older to stay here and occupancy per room is limited to two people.
The newest addition to their hotel portfolio is The Spring House in New Harbor! This hotel has ten suites which offer an upscale experience in New Harbor.
How to get Around Block Island?
There are multiple ways to get around Block Island for the day. If you don’t plan on going far you may be fine just on foot or require a taxi ride. The two most popular ways to get around Block Island if you plan to do some exploring are by bike or moped.
Both mopeds and bikes can be rented through Aldo’s or Island Moped which are located right next to one another in town. Day rates are $115 for mopeds and $20 for bicycles. If you book ahead of time and arrive on the Montauk Ferry which docks in the New Harbor both companies will arrange transportation to town for your rental.
How to get to Block Island from…
New York
To get to Block Island from New York the most direct way would be to take the fast ferry from Montauk on the Viking Fleet Ferry. The Montauk to Block Island Ferry runs from the end of May until mid October and costs $45 one way for an adult. Bikes and surfboards are an additional cost.
The ferry service leaves the dock in Montauk at 10am and arrives into Block Islands New Harbor about 11:15am. In the height of the summer (June-August) there is ferry service daily. This ferry does not have space for cars but bringing a bike is very popular! On board there is also a small cafe counter that services food and beverages for your time on board.
The Viking Fleet added a second departure time this past summer on Saturdays! There is a second ferry that leaves Montauk at 1pm and a second ferry that departs Block Island for Montauk at 9pm.
Brent and I took advantage of these new ferry times to hop over to Block Island for the afternoon and enjoy dinner before coming back home to Montauk. It’s a great excursion from Montauk when you are thinking of things to do!
There is also ferry service from Orient Point on the north fork however, you have to take the ferry to New London, Connecticut and then from New London take the ferry to Block Island. So in my opinion the best way to get to Block Island from New York would be via the Viking Fleet Ferry in Montauk.
Rhode Island
Visiting from New England? The Block Island Ferry provides year round service to Block Island’s downtown Old Harbor from Point Judith via. a traditional ferry and high speed ferry. In the height of the summer you can expect ferry service from Point Judith every hour to hour and a half. In the winter the ferry schedule is limited to two or three services.
It should also be noted that you can reserve space to bring your car on the Block Island Ferry.
In the summer there is also a high speed ferry that departs and arrives from Newport and arrives into Block’s Islands downtown Old Harbor.
High Speed from Point Judith: $28.50 one way
Traditional from Point Judith: $12.85 one way
High Speed from Newport: $25.50 one way
*bikes, surfboards and cars are an additional cost.
Connecticut
Take the Block Island Express from Connecticut’s New London on their fast ferry into Block Island’s Old Harbor. The service is available over the summer and costs $33.25 one way. Bikes and surfboards are an additional cost and this ferry doesn’t have the option to bring your car.
In July and August they also offer what they call “Dinner Run” on Thursdays. The ferry leaves New London at 3pm and returns from Block Island at 8pm. Also, this fare is half price!
A Day Trip is 100% Worth It
Spending the day on Block Island is one of the best day trips to take in the New York or New England area. And if time allows and long weekend or week is even better. You can explore Block Island for the day and feel like you are many miles away from home on an island vacation!
