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Enjoy the quaint look of New England and the relaxation of the Caribbean? If so, you should begin to plan your next day or weekend trip Block Island, Rhode Island as it is located only about 9 miles off shore from Connecticut. Whether you are going on a weekend trip with the family, a romantic getaway or a bachelor/bachelorette party, the island has it all. This travel guide details how to reach the island, lodging accommodations, dining ideas, activities and getting around the island.

Flickr.com (Photo taken by madpics)

Transportation To Block Island

The nearest point between Connecticut and the Northern shore of Block Island is about 9 miles so I’ll be leaving swimming off the list of ways to reach the island. This gives you with three other ways to reach your next potential vacation spot;

• High-Speed Ferry – The cheapest of methods to reach Block Island. There are a handful of ferry companies (Block Island Ferry and Block Island Express) which both offer similar rates of approximately $35.00 USD round-trip from New London, CT or Judith Point, RI. The ferry rides takes a little over an hour in which you can sit comfortably inside or have the salty air blow through your hair on the top deck. This is by far the most popular way for people to travel to Block Island to enjoy the quaint seaside town and relaxing beaches.
• Personal Boat – You also have the ability to sail your own boat over to Block Island and drop anchor in the marinas. I always get jealous when I walk off the ferry and see the boaters getting ready to go fishing or enjoying some beer in the sun. If you are looking to use this method, I recommend contacting a few marinas to see if you can dock for a few days.
• Charter Plane – This is the most expensive and the only other way to travel to Block Island if you are prone to being seasick. There are a handful of smaller regional airlines that fly to Block Island from Groton, CT, East Haven, CT and Farmingdale, NY. This is also by far the quickest method to reach the island.

Transportation On Block Island

If you are looking to explore the island instead of relaxing at the beach, enjoying some seafood or picking up a few souviners, you have a few ways of getting around the island.

• Walking – The cheapest (because it’s free!) can be a good work-out but you might not have enough time if you are on the island for only a day. The majority of the sightseeing is within the harbor but if you want to reach places such as the lighthouse or the Great Salt Pond you might want to rent a bike or moped just to make the most of your day.
• Bicycles – If you have your own bike you should be able to bring it on the high-speed ferry for a small fee ($3.00 to $5.00 USD). There are also a few bicycle rental companies located in the harbor area such as Beach Rose Bicycles and the Old Harbor Bike Shop. I also know there are age restrictions with young teenagers renting bikes without the parents because of liability waiver signing.
• Mopeds – The speediest way to travel throughout the island is to rent a moped which can hold one or two people. I’ve only used this way to travel on larger islands such as Bermuda but a good overall way to travel for those who hate to exercise. Check out companies like Aldo’s Moped or The Moped Man if this sounds up your alley.
• Car Rentals and Taxis – The last methods of travel are via renting a car or taking a taxi to reach your destination. The car rental companies do offer half day, full day and weekly rates to best accommodate their customers.

Flickr.com (Photo taken by franfriel)

Accommodations

The choices of hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and cottages feels almost endless on this island as there are more than 70 places for you to stay overnight. The choices range from romantic ocean view rooms to guest houses that can accommodate an entire family plus friends. As there are so many choices, I recommend that you check out theBlock Island Chamber of Commerce website to find the lodging that best suits your needs.

Activities

Whether looking for some adventurous or relaxing family activities, Block Island will have it. The activities closely resemble those that you would expect at an island resort, such as; charter fishing boats, jet skiing, boat rentals, horseback riding, biking tours, a movie theater, para-sailing, relaxing on the beach, shopping for souvenirs, bird-watching and kayaking.

Dining

They have it all. To start your day, you can order a breakfast sandwich at Rebecca’s on the Beach. As mid-day approaches, you should check out the well known Ballard’s (my favorite) for a couple of adult beverages and decent food while overlooking the most popular beach on Block Island. If that doesn’t sound like a good time then you should check out the Mohegan Cafe & Brewery or the Harbor Grill for some mouth watering surf-and-turf meals. When dinner time approaches and you are thinking of trying out some fine dining options, look into the Atlantic Inn Restaurant or Hotel Manisses for something a bit more romantic. Be prepared as dining options can get a bit crowded during the peak times for lunch and dinner.

If you have any recommendations for lodging or food on Block Island, let us all know by leaving a comment below.