Family Adventures on Block Island: The Perfect New England Getaway

After documenting ferry systems worldwide, I've come to appreciate how the journey to an island sets the tone for the entire experience. Block Island offers two main ferry options: the traditional ferry from Point Judith (Narragansett) taking about an hour, or the high-speed ferry completing the journey in just 30 minutes.

For families, I strongly recommend the traditional ferry despite the longer journey time. The spacious outdoor decks provide children the freedom to move about, spot seabirds, and perhaps even catch glimpses of dolphins that occasionally accompany vessels in these waters. The gradual approach to the island, with its iconic bluffs and North Light lighthouse slowly coming into view, builds anticipation in a way that the faster service simply can't match.

Pro tip: While most visitors book their ferry tickets online, I've found that calling the Block Island Ferry office directly sometimes reveals additional sailing times not listed on their website, particularly during shoulder seasons when schedules can be more fluid.

After years of documenting homestay networks globally, I've found Block Island offers some of the most charming family accommodation options in New England. While the island has several traditional hotels and inns (many historic and lovely in their own right), I recommend families consider the numerous cottage rentals scattered throughout the island.

During our recent visit, my sister's family and I stayed in a weathered cedar-shingled cottage near Corn Neck Road, just a 10-minute walk from Crescent Beach. The wraparound porch became our evening gathering spot, where the kids could play card games on the portable table we brought along while adults enjoyed local seafood and Rhode Island wines.

Many island cottages come equipped with outdoor showers—an absolute delight after beach days and something the children found endlessly novel. Our rental included a simple but functional kitchen, which helped manage our food budget by allowing us to prepare breakfasts and the occasional dinner.

For larger families or those seeking more luxury, several farm properties on the island offer multi-bedroom homes with expansive grounds where children can explore safely, often complete with visiting deer at dusk.

Block Island boasts 17 miles of pristine beaches, each with distinct characteristics that suit different family needs. After exploring the island's entire perimeter (twice!), I can offer some targeted recommendations.

For families with younger children, Fred Benson Town Beach (often called Crescent Beach by locals) offers the winning combination of gentle waves, lifeguard protection, and convenient facilities including bathrooms and food concessions. The gradual slope into the water creates a safe wading area, and the sand quality is perfect for castle construction—a fact my niece and nephew confirmed through extensive testing.

For families with teens seeking more adventure, Mansion Beach offers slightly more dramatic surf conditions and interesting rock formations to explore. The beach has no facilities but rewards visitors with fewer crowds and more dramatic scenery.

Don't overlook the small, hidden coves around the island. Scotch Beach, just north of Fred Benson, often has fewer visitors despite its beauty. We spent an entire afternoon here after packing a picnic in our insulated cooler backpack, which proved invaluable for keeping drinks and snacks cold throughout our island adventures.

The beaches on the western side of the island offer spectacular sunset views but tend to have stronger currents—better for evening walks than swimming with children.

While Block Island's beaches rightfully steal much of the spotlight, some of our most memorable family moments happened while exploring inland. The island's compact 10 square miles offer diverse activities accessible even to families with young children.

Bicycling remains my favorite way to experience Block Island. The northern half features gentler terrain suitable for casual riders and children. We rented bikes from Island Moped and Bike (including child seats and tag-alongs for the little ones) and spent a delightful morning cycling to the North Light lighthouse. The dedicated path keeps you safely away from car traffic for most of the journey.

For families with older children, the Mohegan Bluffs and the 141 steps down to the beach below create a memorable adventure. My 10-year-old nephew counted every step on both the descent and ascent (confirming the official count). Before attempting this with younger children, consider their stamina for the climb back up.

The Block Island Maritime Institute offers excellent family programs during summer months. My niece still talks about the tide pool exploration session where she held her first sea star. I'd recommend bringing a waterproof phone case for capturing these moments without worrying about water damage.

Don't miss the farmers market on Wednesdays and Saturdays—beyond fresh produce, local artisans offer demonstrations that fascinated the children, particularly the traditional maritime knot-tying display that resulted in handmade bracelets they still wear months later.

Block Island's dining scene strikes a perfect balance between sophisticated seafood offerings and approachable family fare. After sampling nearly every establishment during various visits, I've developed clear favorites for family dining.

For lunch, nothing beats grabbing sandwiches from Mainland and enjoying them at the nearby beach. Their turkey cranberry option became such a hit with my niece that we returned three times during our week-long stay. For a quick meal between activities, Block Island Pizza offers reliable options that satisfy both children and adults.

Dinner presents more diverse options. The early seating at Dead Eye Dick's offers stunning water views and a children's menu that goes beyond the standard fare. Their mini seafood plates introduced my nephew to his first taste of properly prepared calamari—now a favorite.

For a special meal, The Oar combines an extensive menu with a lawn area where children can play while waiting for their food—a genius setup that every family restaurant should consider adopting. Their mocktail menu delighted the kids, who felt sophisticated sipping colorful concoctions from proper glassware.

Self-catering for at least some meals makes economic sense for families. The Block Island Grocery (locally known as the BIG) stocks everything needed for beach picnics and simple dinners. We found our collapsible cooler tote indispensable for transporting groceries back to our cottage on hot summer days.