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Block Island
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Block Island, Rhode Island, pairs Victorian harbour streets, sandy beaches and lighthouse history with coastal trails, seafood and relaxed island sightseeing.

An Island Shaped by the Sea

Block Island lies about 12 miles south of mainland Rhode Island, separated from the coast by open Atlantic water and reached by ferry or a short flight. Officially the town of New Shoreham, it has a compact harbour settlement, unspoilt beaches, freshwater ponds and rolling coastal terrain shaped by glaciers. The island’s pace is deliberately slower than that of the mainland, with bicycles, mopeds and small vehicles sharing narrow lanes bordered by stone walls, scrub and wildflowers.
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Beaches, Bluffs and Open Horizons

South-facing beaches stretch around Crescent Beach, while the dramatic Mohegan Bluffs fall towards the ocean near Southeast Lighthouse. At the island’s northern tip, North Light stands beside the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, where dunes and wetlands provide habitat for shorebirds and migrating species. Inland, Great Salt Pond forms a broad natural harbour used for sailing, kayaking and quiet waterside walks.

A Compact Harbour Community

Most services, shops, galleries and restaurants cluster around Old Town Road, Water Street and the ferry landing in the Old Harbour area. White-painted houses, weathered shingled buildings and historic inns give the settlement its recognisable New England character, while working boats and pleasure craft keep its maritime identity visible. Block Island is especially appealing to visitors who want natural scenery, outdoor activity and a strong sense of place without the scale of a mainland resort.

When is the best time to visit Block Island?

Best: June–August · 22–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January486
February481
March7103
April12109
May17102
June (best)2295
July (best)2597
August (best)24102
September21111
October16107
November11109
December6111

Getting to and around Block Island

How to get there

Block Island is reached primarily by ferry from Point Judith in Narragansett, Rhode Island, with seasonal passenger service also operating from other mainland ports, including New London, Connecticut, depending on the year and timetable. Traditional ferries and faster passenger services may differ in journey length and vehicle capacity, so travellers bringing a car should check the operator’s arrangements well in advance. Block Island State Airport receives scheduled regional flights and private aircraft, although services are subject to weather and seasonal operations. There is no bridge or road connection to the mainland, making advance planning especially important during summer.

Transportation

The harbour area and Old Town are walkable, but many beaches, lighthouses and nature reserves are several miles apart. Visitors commonly use bicycles, mopeds, taxis or rental cars, while seasonal shuttle services may provide additional connections. Narrow lanes, limited shoulders and sandy or uneven verges require care, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians. Mopeds need confident handling, and helmets should be worn. Driving is practical for carrying beach equipment or exploring the island’s farther reaches, but parking and traffic can become constrained during peak summer periods. Ferry passengers should arrange onward transport if they are not planning to walk or cycle.

Best attractions in Block Island

Block Island’s attractions are closely tied to its coastline and open landscapes. Crescent Beach, including popular stretches such as Fred Benson Town Beach, offers broad Atlantic views and easy access from the harbour area, while Mohegan Bluffs presents a more dramatic setting of high clay cliffs above the south shore. At the northern end, North Light and the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge combine maritime history with dunes, freshwater wetlands and important bird habitat. Southeast Lighthouse stands near the island’s southeastern cliffs, and its museum explains the dangers once faced by coastal shipping. Inland, Rodman’s Hollow provides a quieter walk through protected terrain, while Great Salt Pond is a centre for sailing, kayaking and wildlife observation. The compact settlement itself rewards unhurried exploration, with historic houses, galleries, small shops and working harbour views revealing the island’s long relationship with the sea.

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Best landmarks in Block Island

Block Island’s principal landmarks express its maritime history and exposed Atlantic position. Southeast Lighthouse, built in 1874 and later moved inland to protect it from erosion, is an important navigational monument above the southern coast. North Light, dating from 1867, marks the island’s northern approach near Sandy Point and the wildlife refuge. The Block Island Southeast Light area also provides a strong connection between lighthouse technology and the shifting bluffs that threatened it. In the harbour settlement, historic inns and Victorian-era buildings reflect the growth of summer tourism after improved steamship links brought mainland visitors in the nineteenth century. Old Harbour’s ferry landing remains a practical rather than monumental landmark, yet it is central to the island’s identity, linking the present community with the maritime routes that have sustained New Shoreham for centuries.

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Explore Block Island on the map

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Best restaurants in Block Island

Block Island’s dining scene reflects its Atlantic setting and strong seasonal economy. Seafood is central, with local and regional catches appearing in casual harbour eateries, traditional New England restaurants and more contemporary kitchens; oysters, clams, lobster and fried seafood are common coastal choices, though menus change with supply. The island also supports pizzerias, bakeries, cafés, ice-cream shops and informal places suited to visitors returning from the beach. Water Street and the streets around the harbour contain many of the most convenient options, while restaurants farther inland and towards the beaches offer a quieter setting. New England staples such as clam chowder, lobster rolls and blueberry-based desserts sit alongside fish tacos, salads and other modern fare. Because the population expands sharply in summer, dining patterns are seasonal, and reservations or early meals may be sensible during busy periods.

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Best bars in Block Island

Block Island’s nightlife is seasonal and sociable rather than metropolitan, with evening activity concentrated around the Old Harbour and the streets near the ferry landing. Visitors can find traditional taverns, casual bars, restaurants with drinks and venues where live music or dancing continues after dinner during the summer season. The atmosphere ranges from relaxed drinks overlooking the harbour to louder gatherings associated with weekend visitors, while some evenings are better suited to conversation than clubbing. The island also offers quieter alternatives, including sunset walks, informal music and views across Great Salt Pond. Late-night transport should be planned rather than assumed, particularly outside the central settlement, and visitors should remember that coastal weather, limited roads and seasonal operating patterns influence what is available after dark.

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Best nightclubs in Block Island

Block Island’s nightlife is seasonal and sociable rather than metropolitan, with evening activity concentrated around the Old Harbour and the streets near the ferry landing. Visitors can find traditional taverns, casual bars, restaurants with drinks and venues where live music or dancing continues after dinner during the summer season. The atmosphere ranges from relaxed drinks overlooking the harbour to louder gatherings associated with weekend visitors, while some evenings are better suited to conversation than clubbing. The island also offers quieter alternatives, including sunset walks, informal music and views across Great Salt Pond. Late-night transport should be planned rather than assumed, particularly outside the central settlement, and visitors should remember that coastal weather, limited roads and seasonal operating patterns influence what is available after dark.

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Best shops in Block Island

Shopping on Block Island is concentrated around Water Street, Old Town Road, Dodge Street and nearby harbour lanes, where small independent businesses cater to both residents and summer visitors. Galleries and craft shops sell paintings, photography, jewellery, ceramics and other work inspired by the island’s beaches, lighthouses and wildlife. Clothing, beach equipment, books, nautical gifts and locally themed souvenirs are also common, while food shops provide provisions for self-catering accommodation and picnics. The retail character is informal and seasonal rather than centred on large shopping centres or department stores. Visitors may find island-made goods alongside Rhode Island and New England products, but should distinguish locally produced crafts from generic coastal merchandise. Opening patterns and stock can change outside the main season, particularly in the quieter months when the permanent population is small.

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Block Island essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Card and contactless payments are widely used in accommodation, shops, restaurants and transport-related businesses, although smaller seasonal businesses or informal services may have different arrangements. Cash remains useful for tips, taxis, small purchases and occasional payment points, and visitors should not assume that every establishment accepts every card network. ATMs are available in the main settlement, but keeping some cash on hand is sensible because the island’s supply and services are more limited than those on the mainland. Foreign-issued cards may prompt currency-conversion or international transaction charges from the card provider.
Safety
Block Island is generally approached as a small coastal community, but its natural environment requires sensible precautions. Keep well back from cliff edges at Mohegan Bluffs and elsewhere, obey signs around unstable slopes, and stay on marked paths through dunes and protected habitat. Atlantic currents and changing surf conditions can make swimming hazardous, particularly on less supervised beaches. Cyclists and moped users should expect narrow, busy roads and changing weather. Protect valuables in vehicles and on beaches, use lights after dark, and remember that emergency response and replacement services may take longer on an island than on the mainland.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 in an emergency for police, fire or ambulance assistance in Block Island and throughout the United States. Give the dispatcher the precise location, as road names, beach access points and landmarks are more useful than a vague area description. The island has local emergency services and medical facilities, but serious or specialist cases may require transfer to the mainland. Travel insurance covering medical treatment and transport can be valuable for visitors with relevant concerns. For non-urgent medical needs, ask accommodation staff or local authorities for current advice rather than relying on an outdated online listing.
Do's and Don'ts
Respect beach, lighthouse and wildlife-reserve rules, keep dogs under control where permitted, and never remove shells, plants or other natural material from protected areas. Wear suitable clothing for wind and sun rather than assuming that a summer day will remain warm. Swim only where conditions are appropriate, and avoid climbing dunes or approaching cliff edges for photographs. On the road, give way carefully to pedestrians and cyclists and follow local signs. Tipping follows customary United States practice in restaurants, taxis and comparable service settings, while casual island businesses may have simpler, more informal service.
Local Tips
The main harbour is convenient for ferries, shops and evening dining, whereas the island’s quieter scenery lies along roads leading towards North Light, Southeast Lighthouse, Rodman’s Hollow and the southern beaches. Start outdoor excursions early in peak season to enjoy cooler conditions and easier parking, and carry water because services are not evenly distributed across the island. Great Salt Pond is especially rewarding for kayaking, sailing and birdwatching, while the coast is best explored with awareness of tides, wind and changing surf. Check conservation notices before entering protected land, as access can vary to safeguard wildlife and habitat.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloWadup[wah-dup]
GoodbyeLater[lay-tuh]
YesYup[yuhp]
NoNah[nah]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No problem[pleez/no prob-lum]
Thank youThanks[thaynks]
Excuse me/SorryS'cuse me[skews me]
How are you?How you doin'?[how yuh doin']
Fine. And you?Good. You?[good. yuh?]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[ya speak ing-glish?]
I don't understandI don't get it[i don't get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[can eye see the menu?]
I don't eat meatI don't do meat[i don't do meat]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCheck, please[check, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help!]
Go away!Get lost![get lost!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Get a doc![get a doc!]
I'm lostLost[lost]
I'm illSick[sick]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[i wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust lookin'[just lookin']
How much is it?How much?[how much?]
That's too expensiveToo pricey[too pricey]
Can you lower the price?Can ya do less?[can ya do less?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time?[what time?]
It's one o'clockIt's one[it's one]
Half past (10)Half ten[half ten]
MorningMornin'[mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[evenin']
YesterdayYest'day[yest'day]
TodayToday[today]
TomorrowTomorrer[tomorrer]
1One[one]
2Two[two]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[seven]
8Eight[eight]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[where's the...?]
What's the address?Where's it at?[where's it at?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya show me (on the map)?[can ya show me (on the map)?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[when's the next (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)One ticket (to ....)[one ticket (to ....)]

History of Block Island

Niantic Homeland and Early Encounters

Before European settlement, Block Island was home to the Manisseans, a branch of the Eastern Niantic people whose communities used the island’s beaches, ponds and rich surrounding waters. European contact intensified during the seventeenth century, and the island was named after Dutch navigator Adriaen Block, who charted the region in 1614. Disease, conflict and colonial expansion severely disrupted Indigenous life throughout southern New England. The island’s early history therefore belongs not only to later English settlement but also to the Native communities whose knowledge and seasonal use of the landscape predated it.

English Settlement and New Shoreham

English colonists from Massachusetts acquired Block Island in 1661, and the settlement was incorporated as the town of New Shoreham in 1672. Farming, fishing and maritime trade became the foundations of the small community, although the island’s isolation made supplies and communication dependent on the sea. Houses and lanes developed around a dispersed agricultural landscape rather than a tightly planned town. Many later place names and civic traditions reflect this colonial period, while the island’s continuing administrative identity as New Shoreham distinguishes it from an incorporated mainland city.

Maritime Trade and Coastal Dangers

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Block Island’s economy was closely tied to fishing, coastal commerce and seafaring. Its exposed position near important shipping routes also brought shipwrecks, prompting the construction of lighthouses and the growth of local lifesaving services. Southeast Light was first established in 1874 on the island’s southeastern bluffs, while North Light dates from 1867 after earlier structures had proved vulnerable or inadequate. These buildings were not merely navigational ornaments: they represented the hazards of Block Island’s shoals, currents and fog-bound coastline.

Victorian Tourism Takes Hold

Improved steamship connections in the nineteenth century made Block Island increasingly accessible to visitors from the mainland, and tourism began to complement farming and fishing. The harbour settlement acquired hotels, boarding houses and seasonal businesses, while Victorian architectural details shaped many surviving buildings. Visitors were drawn by sea air, bathing beaches and the island’s distance from industrial centres. This period established the pattern that still defines the local economy: a small permanent community supporting a much larger seasonal population, with transport, accommodation and hospitality closely linked to the rhythms of summer.

Lighthouses, Conservation and Public Shorelines

The island’s coastal history continued to influence public policy in the twentieth century. Southeast Lighthouse was moved inland in 1993 to protect it from erosion at the edge of Mohegan Bluffs, an operation that reflected the continuing power of Atlantic weather and shifting cliffs. Conservation also became central to Block Island’s identity. The Block Island National Wildlife Refuge protects important dune and wetland habitat at the north end, while the Nature Conservancy’s work and local preservation efforts have helped safeguard open land, freshwater ponds and coastal landscapes from extensive development.

A Living Island Community

Today Block Island remains the year-round town of New Shoreham while functioning as a major seasonal destination within Rhode Island. Fishing, marine services, hospitality and conservation continue to shape daily life, alongside a visitor economy centred on beaches, cycling, boating and historic landscapes. The island’s present character is consequently a balance between accessibility and remoteness: ferries and aircraft bring large summer crowds, yet protected land, old lanes and the absence of mainland-scale development preserve much of the setting that has defined Block Island since its maritime communities first grew around the harbour.

Block Island in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Block Island

Discover Block Island with Evendo - a 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more with ease and convenience.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking of hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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More about the Evendo app

Plan your perfect trip to Block Island with Evendo, the free app-based travel guide offering detailed information on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • History of Block Island and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips to experience the island like a local
  • Easy navigation through the app and the island
  • 'Near Me' feature to find nearby attractions and services
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs
  • Global coverage with information on over 7,000 destinations

Welcome to Block Island, Rhode Island's hidden gem, where the serene beauty of nature meets rich history and vibrant culture. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an extended stay, Evendo is your go-to travel companion. This 100% free app is designed to help you make the most of your trip with comprehensive details on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.

Explore the iconic Mohegan Bluffs with its breathtaking views, or visit the Southeast Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark. For a taste of local cuisine, head over to The Oar for its famous clam chowder or The Beachead for fresh seafood. With Evendo, you can easily discover these and many more hidden treasures.

Evendo provides rich information, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it effortless to plan and organize your itinerary. The app also allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly, eliminating the hassle of multiple searches and bookings. With features like the history of Block Island, travel essentials, and curated local tips, you can experience the island like a true local.

No matter where you are on the island, the 'Near Me' feature ensures you can find nearby attractions and services. Plus, Evendo is not just limited to Block Island; it covers over 7,000 destinations worldwide. Download Evendo today and unlock the world of travel right in your pocket.

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