Block Island Summer Weekend Travel Guide

Block Island is accessible by ferry from New London, CT, Point Judith, RI, and Newport, RI. Once on the island, you can get around by renting bicycles, mopeds, or taking taxis. The island is small enough to explore in a day, but we recommend that you stay overnight in one of the island’s charming bed and breakfasts or hotels to fully enjoy the island and all that it has to offer.

Eat and Drink

Whether you’re seeking a refreshing drink or an fun dining experience, Block Island offers a range of establishments.

• Old Post Office Bagel Shop: A great spot for your morning coffee and a bagel. We arrived early enough that there wasn’t a wait, but we did hear that the line starts early.
• Persephone’s: Our favorite spot for breakfast on the island! The smoothie bowls and toasts were delicious. We arrived before 8am and there was already a line, but it moved quickly. If you’re hoping to avoid a line, you can place your order my phone and pick it up.
• Payne’s Donuts: We didn’t personally get to try these donuts, but they came highly recommended to us.
• Dead Eye Dick’s: One of the best lobster rolls we have ever had! I recommend this spot for lunch before grabbing a drink at The Oar or Champlins.
• The Oar: A fantastic location with Adirondack chairs and picnic tables. They are known for their mudslides and different floater options.
• Champlins Dock Bar: A beautiful location at the end of the dock and a must visit for their banana mudslide.
• Poor People’s Pub: One of the few establishments on the island with TV’s if you are looking to watch a sports game. The food and drinks were fantastic and one of our favorite places that we ate.
• The Yellow Kittens: Near Captain Nick’s and Poor People’s Pub, this was a great spot for a quick snack of chips, salsa, and guacamole. We heard this is a popular spot at night, but didn’t check it out ourselves.
• Ballard’s Beach Resort: A fun beach bar located next to the ferry with Indoor and outdoor seating, a daiquiri bar and frozen drinks, and live music. See more information about Ballard’s below.
• The Surf at Block Island Beach House: A fantastic spot to enjoy a cocktail for sunset at the Block Island Beach House. They offer cozy lounge chairs and couches and have direct access to the beach.
• Spring House Hotel: Block Island’s largest and oldest hotel is set on top of a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with beautiful views. Grab a drink and find an Adirondack chair for the perfect afternoon or evening. After sunset, head inside to enjoy a delicious dinner!
• Atlantic Inn: The beautiful, quiet location is located a short walk from Spring House Hotel. Dinner is served on their deck, which offers great views as the sun sets. On the slightly more expensive side compared to other options on the island, this is a great option for a nice dinner with friends or a date night.
• Captain Nick’s: A great option for live music on the island. Check their website for more information.
• The Ice Cream Place: Centrally located near the ferry and all of the shops, this is a great option for ice cream at any time of the day.

Old Post Office Bagel Shop

Lobster roll at Dead Eye Dick’s

Mudslide at The Oar

Things to Do

• Rent a moped or bike: The island is small enough that you can easily explore it by bike or moped, but due to the hills on the island I would recommend going the moped route. We rented mopeds for four hours and we were able to see the entire island. This is a great way to experience the island on your own time and with your own itinerary. We reserved our mopeds ahead of time, which is recommended during the busy summer months.
• Climb Mohegan Bluffs: The Mohegan Bluffs, towering clay cliffs that offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, are a prominent landmark on the southern coast of the island. The Southeast Light, a historic lighthouse perched atop Mohegan Bluffs, is another notable attraction and provides visitors with a glimpse into the island’s maritime history.
• Explore Old Harbor: The town of Old Harbor, the island’s main hub, features charming New England-style buildings, quaint shops, and restaurants serving fresh seafood. The island has a laid-back vibe, and visitors can explore art galleries, visit the Block Island Historical Society Museum, or simply enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the island.
• Visit Southeast Lighthouse: A short drive from the Mohegan Bluffs, this is a beautiful lighthouse to visit before or after.
• Relax at Mansion Beach: A secluded beach without the crowds. You can not bring a moped down the final stretch of road, so be prepared to walk, drive by car, or take a bike.
• Rent lounge chairs and cabanas at Ballarad’s Beach Resort: Ballard’s Beach Resort is located directly next to the ferry and offers lounge chairs and cabanas on the beach for a rental fee. Visit their website for more information.

We rented mopeds!

Mohegan Bluffs

Southeast Lighthouse

Where to Stay

• Block Island Beach House: We stayed here two years in a row and loved it! It was a short 3-4 minute walk from the ferry, offered ocean views as you walked in, included complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas to enjoy, and had one of our favorite spots to enjoy sunset. A few things worth noting in full transparency — the rooms are on the smaller side and because it is an older building, we could easily hear noise in the hallway. However, these things didn’t both us and we will absolutely stay there again in the future.
• The National: We enjoyed brunch here and met another couple staying here and they had great things to say about the hotel. Again, this is in a great location near the ferry.
• We visited Ballard’s Beach Resort, Champlin’s Resort, and Spring House Hotel for a drink, but didn’t experience much of the hotel. We recommend checking them out online to see if they are right for you.

Block Island Beach House Hotel

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– Karen & Kasey