Block Island Planning & Tips

The Art of Smart Timing
The obvious time to visit Block Island is the height of summer. Between July 4 and Labor Day, the island is at its sun-kissed best, with long hot days giving ways to shining sunsets and balmy nights. Of course, that's also when everyone else visits, and when the island's hotels make their annual nut by raising rates up to double what they are in the off-season. A more strategic time to visit is during "shoulder season" -- especially in late May or early September, when the weather is still often excellent (and in the later case, when the water is at its warmest) but rates and restaurant wait times fall dramatically.

If your idea of a vacation is less about lying on the beach and more about hiking and biking, then spring and fall area also terrific times to visit, when rates drop even more, and the crowds thin out to the extent that you often feel like you have the island to yourself as soon as you get a few dozen yards out of Old Harbor. While all restaurants and hotels are open from late May to Labor Day, many of them stay open -- with at least limited hours -- through October. That said, while Block Island has an undeniable beauty during the winter months, it's not a good time to consider traveling with the family, as there are few indoor attractions or amenities for travelers.

If you do happen to visit in winter, the one event not to miss is the annual Groundhog Day Census, when everyone on the island registers (often at a local pub) -- the record is 1,001 souls tabulated in 2009. More well-attended events include the popular Taste of Block Island events in late spring and late fall, which feature discounts from local restaurants as well as entertainment and art displays. The summer season officially begins with a grand Fourth of July parade and concert in Old Harbor. Another weekend worth visiting for is the annual Block Island Art & Artisan Festival every August.

Getting There and Around
Block Island is accessible by boat or plane from the mainland. Car ferries leave from New London, Conn., and Point Judith, R.I., with another limited passenger ferry service from Montauk, N.Y. The Point Judith Ferry is run by Interstate Navigation, which runs both a standard and hi-speed option year-round. Driving times to Point Judith are approximately one hour from Providence, 90 minutes from Boston. Interstate also offers a limited service fro Newport during summer.

Also in summer, Block Island Express offers a hi-speed passenger ferry from New London, Connecticut, a more convenient option for visitors from Connecticut and New York; it's about 2.5 hours from Manhattan and one hour from Hartford. From Long Island, the Viking Fleet (631-668-5700) also offers once-a-day summer ferries from Montauk Point to Champlin's Marina in New Harbor. (All other boats arrive in Old Harbor.)

An alternative to ferry transport is the scheduled air service by New England Airlines, which offers frequent service out of Westerly Airport (U.S. 1 & Rte. 78) in Rhode Island. Some other charter airlines also fly to Block Island airport, including Resort Air, which can fly to airports all over the Northeast.

While a car is certainly convenient for getting around the island with kids in tow, you may find that it is easier (and certainly cheaper) to leave it on the mainland. Most all amenities are within walking distance of Old or New Harbor; and nothing on the island is more than a 20-minute bike ride away. If you didn't bring your own two-wheeler, you'll find many operations offering bike and moped rentals around the ferry terminal and behind Water Street in Old Harbor. Some of them offer bikes with kid seats or trailers for rent as well.

If you are not planning on getting out into the countryside all that much, it may be just as economical to rely on taxis; there are several reputable taxi drivers who also give island tours. Try any of the following: McGoverns' Cab (401-862-6087); O. J.'s Taxi (401-741-0500); Monica's Taxi (401-742-0000); and Mig's Rig Taxi (401-480-0493 or 401-466-2892.)

No matter how you get around, keep in mind that there are few street numbers on the island; the little numbers you see mounted on many businesses and homes are "fire numbers" used by the fire department to locate buildings, with little rhyme or reason to their sequence. Thankfully, most streets are short and businesses easy to find with a polite inquiry to a local.

Visitors Bureau
Block Island Tourism Council