AROUND THE BLOCK
Ballard ' s Resort on Block Island .
DINNER Wind down the evening with a relaxing dinner and a spectacular sunset view at the Atlantic ’ s Restaurant 1879 . For a date night delicacy , try the oysters at Block Island Oyster Bar and Grill or other seafood dishes at its sister restaurant , Kimberly ’ s . Dine with the kitchen in full view at the Barn , part of the Spring House Hotel . If you ’ re extra hungry , go for a three-course meal at Winfield ’ s . For an exclusive vegetarian menu , check out Eli ’ s Restaurant . If you ’ re tired of seafood , check out TigerFish Tiki Lounge + Restaurant . atlanticinn . com ; blockislandoysterbarandgrill . com ; kimberlysblockisland . com ; springhouse hotel . com ; winfieldsbi . com ; elisblock island . com ; tigerfishbi . com
PHOTOGRAPHY ( PREVIOUS PAGE ): COURTESY OF ROGER WILLIAMS PARK AND ZOO . ( THIS PAGE , TOP ): COURTESY OF BALLARD ' S BEACH RESORT ; ( BOTTOM ) COURTESY OF RI FAST FERRY .
Where to wine , dine , recline and shine in New Shoreham ( aka Block Island ).
TRANSPORTATION
There are two ways to get to this pork chop-shaped piece of paradise located about thirty miles from the mainland , and that ’ s via water or the air . Seafarers can sail away on the Block Island Ferry out of Narragansett and Newport , while aerophiles can book a round-trip flight out of Westerly with New England Airlines . Once you ’ re on the island , getting around is a breeze either by car ( you can bring yours over !) or on two wheels . Block Island Tours by Peter Pan Taxi Service offers rides all over the island from the moment you disembark the ferry . Or , be in control of when and where you want to go and rent a moped for you and a friend to cruise . If you ’ re ready for a workout , rent a bike and tackle the island ’ s hilly landscape . Both can be found at Island Moped and Bike . blockislandferry . com ; blockislandsairline . com ; blockisland . tours ; bimopeds . com
ACCOMMODATIONS
Overlooking picturesque Crescent Beach , the Block Island Beach House ( formerly Surf Hotel ) offers the only beachfront hotel rooms — some with private , ocean-view balconies — on the island . The newly renovated hotel also sports bright , vintage-inspired decor , a lively beach bar and relaxing lounge area that serves good coffee , signature cocktails and food all day long , as well as nightly music on its expansive waterfront deck . larkhotels . com / hotels / bibh
SEE ALSO : The Spring House Hotel , springhouse hotel . com ; the Atlantic Inn , atlanticinn . com ; Champlin ’ s Marina and Resort , champlinsresort . com ; and the 1661 Inn , blockislandresorts . com
ITINERARY
BREAKFAST Start your day with an iced coffee and breakfast sando to go from Persephone ’ s Kitchen or the Cracked Mug Cafe before you start your day ’ s excursions . If you ’ re not in a rush , pull up a chair at Ernie ’ s . persephoneskitchenbi . com ; thecrackedmugbi . com ; erniesblockisland . com
EARLY BIRD SPECIALS Though it may be somewhat small , this island is jam-packed with heart-pumping activities . Start your morning off right with hiking the Mohegan Bluffs ; hitting the waves with Diamond Blue Surf Lessons ; exploring the coves with Sandy Point Co . SUP and Kayak or Pond and Beyond Kayak ; or even taking a self-guided bike tour . Or , book a private charter to sail around the island with Sea Dog Cruising . If you ’ re just here to relax , find your perfect spot to set up camp on Crescent Beach , Charlestown Beach , Mansion Beach or Ballard ’ s Beach ( the latter features a fun oceanside bar ), just to name a few . blockisland . com ; diamondbluebi . com ; sandypointco . com ; facebook . com / pondandbeyond kayakblockisland ; blockislandinfo . com ; seadogcruising . com ; ballardsbi . com
LUNCH Grab a midday meal to fuel up before the next adventure with patio views at Dead Eye Dick ’ s or the Beachead . If you ’ re feeling spicy , get a taco and street corn from Calavera ’ s or a burrito from Los Gatitos . For on-the-go bites , grab takeout from Rebecca ’ s Seafood and hit the Bluffs . deadeyedicksbi . com ; beacheadbi . com ; hellocalaveras . com ; yellowkittens . com ; rebeccasseafood . com
GOOD AFTERNOON Tired after a full morning ? We don ’ t blame you . Luckily , there are plenty of leisurely tourist activities to partake in . Spend the latter half of the day shopping around the island . Pick up a new outfit at Blvck Market , get your souvenirs to prove you ’ ve been across the ocean at Block Island Trading Company or shop for the little ones in tow at Minnow . blvckmarket . com ; blockislandtradingcompany . com ; facebook . com / minnow02807
DESSERT If you ’ re looking for a cool wind down , get a scoop or two sandwiched between two massive cookies at the Ice Cream Place , or opt for milkshakes and cheesecake at Aldo ’ s Bakery . facebook . com / theicecreamplaceblockisland ; aldosbakery . com
NIGHTLIFE Get the real small-town feel at spots like Poor People ’ s Pub , Old Island Pub and Captain Nick ’ s Rock-and- Roll Bar . Grab a piña colada in a coconut right next to the ferry at Ballard ’ s Beach Resort to feel like you ’ re truly on an island in paradise . pppbi . com ; oldislandpub . com ; captainnicksbi . com ; ballardsbi . com
Island Hop
MARTHA ’ S VINEYARD Take the Rhode Island Fast Ferry out of Quonset Point in North Kingstown to Martha ’ s Vineyard . rhodeislandfastferry . com
NANTUCKET Take the Seastreak Ferry from New Bedford , MA , to Nantucket . seastreak . com
YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER IN RHODE ISLAND 2024 67