Rhode Island's Beautiful Tourist Destination Is Full Of Fun Things To Do

If a summer in New England sounds like exactly what you need to escape the everyday rat race, there is a gorgeous destination in Rhode Island that you have to visit. Block Island, around 13 miles off the coast of the mainland, is the perfect place to unplug and enjoy some hiking, water sports, and time in the sunshine. In fact, the entire island is ringed by 17 miles of beaches and pristine views. Forget traffic and simply swing by a few boutiques on a bicycle, enjoy fresh seafood, and take it all in, island-style. 

To get to Block Island, you can fly into Boston Logan International Airport, which has the dubious distinction of being a great place to get tipsy while traveling. It's 104 miles away, while Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, is 115 miles away. However, if you are looking for a shorter drive, Block Island is only 46 miles from the domestic airport in Providence, Rhode Island. There is also the small Block Island Airport which receives daily flights from Westerly State Airport via the local New England Airlines. 

If you're not flying to the island, you'll have to take the ferry, and you may want to leave your car behind to avoid fees and narrow roads. You can park in long term lots in Port Judith and take the ferry from there. A regular 55-minute ferry from Port Judith is around $19 for a same-day round trip and a bit over $20 for a different-day round trip, with kid and senior pricing available. However, if you want to bring your car across, you'll have to pay around $75. There are also high-speed ferries that take around 30 minutes, and some ferries are seasonal. Once you get there, you can rent bikes and mopeds from a number of places, and some hotels have them on offer for guests as well. 

Block Island is only 3 miles by 7 miles, but it packs a lot of punch. However, if you're planning a trip, note that many things are open seasonally. One lovely spot to check out is the Southeast Lighthouse (pictured above) on the beautiful Mohegan Bluffs overlooking the water. This National Historic Landmark from 1875 was actually moved in 1993 to escape erosion, and it's open spring through fall. Museum exhibits there are $10 per person, and you can take a tour for $15. The grounds and the views that come with them, however, are always open from dawn to dusk. If you have kids with you, take a trip to 1661 Inn Farm and Gardens, which has all sorts of animals to see like ducks and geese, emus, and kangaroos. It's a few blocks from the ferry, and you can visit for free, or pay a small fee to feed the animals. The history of this island is on display at the Block Island Historical Society (open seasonally), and it only costs around $10 for adults with kid, senior, and military pricing. You can also hit the Block Island Maritime Institute from late June through late August. Here you'll find a fishing academy, harbor tours, and lots of kid-friendly activities. 

There are plenty of boutiques and art galleries to explore, and when you're done shopping, it's time to dine on some fresh seafood. One great seasonal spot is The Beachead. It's right on the shore and has dishes like clams casino, seafood nachos, a raw bar, New England clam chowder, and, of course, lobster rolls. They come hot with butter, or cold with herb celery mayo on a toasted brioche bun. It's also worth hitting Block Island Beach House, which has outdoor dining with barbecue, seafood, wine, cocktails, and more.

If you're visiting Block Island to relax and enjoy the sun, you'll be happy to know that all the beaches are public and free. It's worth hitting more than one as they're not all the same. Baby Beach is a great spot if you have the kids with you, as the water is calm. Surf Beach is another one for good swimming. However, if you're looking for something a bit more upbeat, Ballard's Beach has a number of lively bars. If peace and quiet is your jam, you may enjoy Black Rock Beach or Grace Cove. There are also a number of shops around that will rent you surfboards (Surf Beach is a good choice for this), kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards. Diamond Blue Surf Shop has surfboards for $50 a day or $30 for a half day, and SUPs for $75 for a full day, with pricing for a half-day and by the hour, as well as beach chairs, wetsuits, and boogie boards. If you like fishing, you can rent boats, take a chartered trip, or even do some fly fishing and surf casting from the shore. There is no restricted shoreline, but make sure you have a valid fishing license.

There are 32 miles of hiking trails on Block Island, and one you should check out is the Mohegan Bluffs Trail. This one is short and easy, at 0.2 miles out and back, with a small, 29-foot elevation gain. It takes you right over the water for some spectacular views. You should also try out the Clay Head Trail. This one is 3.5 miles out and back with a 196-foot gain along the coast. Do note that there can be ticks, so make sure to check out these clever tips to avoid them.