Block Island
There are two islands off the coast of Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, known for their famous residents and vacationers.But there is a little known island off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island, that flies under the radar and is definitely worth visiting. There are 500 lucky souls who reside there and a definite Victorian, New Englandy vibe.
We boarded a traditional ferry (there are hi-speed ferries, also) on a sunny morning at Point Judith (Narragansett) for a smooth 55 minutes to take us 13 miles off shore to the island. The ferries dock at the small "town" of Old Harbor which consists of a few restaurants, quaint victorian hotels and shops. It was lunchtime so we went to Ballard's which has an outdoor patio and very meaty lobster rolls. After eating, we hit up the first rental shop we came to to find our transportation to see the island. You can rent bicycles, mopeds or cars. Since there were three of us, it was most economical to rent a jeep. We rented a silver, open top jeep and headed out to explore.
Our first stop was the North Shore Lighthouse (which was closed). We took a short walk along the beach and took off to find the other "town" on the island, New Harbor. New Harbor is the main hub for the marinas for the island and also a few hotels It was a sailing regatta weekend so there was lots of activity at the marinas and several tents being set up for the after parties. Lots going on.
Our last stop before returning the jeep was the piece de resistance - Monhegan Cliffs. Said to resemble the cliffs of Ireland, these cliffs - with a lighthouse overlooking them - are one of the highlights of Block. There is a small parking area and many, many steps down to the beach. There were some brave surfers surfing, a few people lying about the beach and several rock cairns that beachgoers had built. Going down the steep staircase was easy. Going up - not so much.
We returned the jeep after using it for only two hours (we had paid for three but didn't really need more than two) and returned to Ballard's so my daughter could get one of their "drinks in a pineapple" at the Tiki Bar on the beach. Quite different from the lunchtime crowd, there was now a loud party going on at the outdoor bar and everyone was definitely having fun. We jumped back on the ferry for our ride back to the mainland. And that was our day on Block Island. If you are in Rhode Island, get a ferry ticket and head out for the day. If you want to spend a few days on a rolling hill, rock fence New England island then Block is your place. It's a beauty.
I'm linking up! Please check out Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, Weekend Wanderlust at A Brit and a Southerner,Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections En Route and Friday Postcards at Walking On Travels for some travel inspiration!
We boarded a traditional ferry (there are hi-speed ferries, also) on a sunny morning at Point Judith (Narragansett) for a smooth 55 minutes to take us 13 miles off shore to the island. The ferries dock at the small "town" of Old Harbor which consists of a few restaurants, quaint victorian hotels and shops. It was lunchtime so we went to Ballard's which has an outdoor patio and very meaty lobster rolls. After eating, we hit up the first rental shop we came to to find our transportation to see the island. You can rent bicycles, mopeds or cars. Since there were three of us, it was most economical to rent a jeep. We rented a silver, open top jeep and headed out to explore.
Our first stop was the North Shore Lighthouse (which was closed). We took a short walk along the beach and took off to find the other "town" on the island, New Harbor. New Harbor is the main hub for the marinas for the island and also a few hotels It was a sailing regatta weekend so there was lots of activity at the marinas and several tents being set up for the after parties. Lots going on.
Our last stop before returning the jeep was the piece de resistance - Monhegan Cliffs. Said to resemble the cliffs of Ireland, these cliffs - with a lighthouse overlooking them - are one of the highlights of Block. There is a small parking area and many, many steps down to the beach. There were some brave surfers surfing, a few people lying about the beach and several rock cairns that beachgoers had built. Going down the steep staircase was easy. Going up - not so much.
We returned the jeep after using it for only two hours (we had paid for three but didn't really need more than two) and returned to Ballard's so my daughter could get one of their "drinks in a pineapple" at the Tiki Bar on the beach. Quite different from the lunchtime crowd, there was now a loud party going on at the outdoor bar and everyone was definitely having fun. We jumped back on the ferry for our ride back to the mainland. And that was our day on Block Island. If you are in Rhode Island, get a ferry ticket and head out for the day. If you want to spend a few days on a rolling hill, rock fence New England island then Block is your place. It's a beauty.
I'm linking up! Please check out Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, Weekend Wanderlust at A Brit and a Southerner,Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections En Route and Friday Postcards at Walking On Travels for some travel inspiration!
I love the steep sandy cliffs down to the beach, definitely worth visiting!
ReplyDeleteMe too Jan! My favorite part of the island.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place! I like a lot the picture where there is only one big house in front of the sea. Imagining having a long part of the coast all for yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Ruth! I love that house also. Would be wonderful to own that - in the summer at least!
DeleteThis brings back memories of sailing out that way from Connecticut when I was a kid. I loved Block Island!
ReplyDeleteLucky you! Such a beautiful place to sail!
DeleteI love that light house! That all looks like a movie set to me (over in Australia ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Lydia! The lighthouse is very pretty - wish we could've peaked inside.
DeleteWe have a soft spot for islands, having lived on one in the middle of nowhere for a year. Right now we are planning a trip to New England next year so I'm going to have a look at Block Island.
ReplyDeleteLyn, it's a great island to visit. Much less crowded than some of the other islands in New England. It can get a little rowdy on weekend nights I think but not so during the week.
DeleteYour daughter had the right idea. Drinks somehow always taste better served in a pineapple with little umbrellas etc. Looks like an interesting trip.
ReplyDeleteYes, they do! It was a fun trip. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWhat a picturesque spot. It seems so quaint and charming. Too bad the lighthouse was closed. I like those houses on the hill and the hotel, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Michele! It is a quaint and charming island - I'd love to go back someday!
ReplyDeleteThose New England scenes look like postcards. New England is such a beautiful part of the country.We're heading to Boston and Maine next month and now wish we had more time to explore the other parts of the region.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to do it all! I've been to visit my daughter in Boston a few times now and there is still so much to see. Hope you have fun next month!
DeleteI've spent time on both Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Loved them both. I'm sure I would enjoy Block Island just as much. Love the views! Thanks for linking up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting!
Delete