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apm
Citizen
Username: Apm
Post Number: 214
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 8:02 pm: |     |
I have never been to Block Island. Any input on nice areas to stay, the best place to rent a house, good beaches and restaurants? Thanks, |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 134
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 9:49 pm: | |
Your best source is to go to:
http://www.tripadvisor.com (just type in Block Island in the search box).
You can take your car over on the ferry (or be a foot passenger) but need to book well ahead, or you can park at Westerley and take the 12 minute flight over. It's just a very small island and you will enjoy cycling (take your own or rent) and can easily get around the island in a day. My husband's former boss has a house there and we went up for a New England lobster bake...stayed in the National hotel where you get off the ferry but it was very basic and expensive (as I imagine all accommodation is on the island) and noisy.
My husband returned there last July to go to his friend's wedding (I was back home in England) and after researching on Trip Advisor he stayed at the Captain Willis B&B which he thought was fine. We've just received a postcard though to say that the owner has sold it and the new owner's are reverting it back to a private home.
You will find a number of links on the TripAdvisor site for the ferries, tourist info etc. which should help you track down house rentals. Personally I would only go for a max of one week...any longer and I would get 'island fever' as it is so small there and gets crowded in the Summer.
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amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 757
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 11:34 am: | |
I've been going to Block Island every few years since high school, it's one of the prettiest places I've ever been!
For hotels (if you're staying les than a week) I highly recommend the 1661 Inn and/or the Hotel Mannissees (sp?), sister properties that are a short walk away from town (Old Harbor). Food-wise, the Manissees has a wonderful (and expensive) restaurant for a special night out, and there are lots of great casual places right in town; clamcakes by the ferry dock, frozen drinks and boiled lobster dinner on the beach-side patio at Ballards . . . I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
One thing to keep in mind about BI is that, though it certainly has gotten wildly popular in the last 10 - 15 years or so, it's still a very laid back place; you go for the beaches, outdoor pursuits (hiking & biking), the beautiful scenery, the causal dining, not the nightlife. Though it's pretty much my ideal vacation spot (after Maine), we have friends who honeymooned there and were pretty much bored by the second day; they left early to gamble at one of the Indian casinos in Connecticut. They're divorced now, wonder if there's a correlation . . . |
Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 1933
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 11:51 am: | |
We used to go to Block Island before kids..would consider it with kids. We'd park the car at Point Judith, RI for the week, take the ferry over, and rent bikes for the week. We first stayed at the National right by the ferry landing, but its an old hotel where everything has been sort of parcelled off as separate businesses (the dining room, the porch). We discovered and ate at other really nice inns along and stayed at those spots in following years. Its out there in the ocean..an hour ferry ride..so the water can be colder (although in August it was fine) but its remarkably clear. There are great restaurants, bars, art galleries. Its not overdone. There is no boardwalk or that type of attraction so its more low-key and less commercial (except around that ferry area). If you want the car on the island, you need to reserve ferry space for it. I just remembered, the Atlantic Inn is one of the places we stayed. There are also B&Bs and house rentals as well. And, on the return trip, when you dock in Point Judith (its really a fishing boat spot...very rustic), you can have a lobster roll before the ride home. There is also a ferry from a spot in CT and from LI too I believe, but we just drove to Point Judith. |
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1152
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 12:23 pm: | |
Second the Manissees suggestion--really pretty. You can also call a local realtor and rent a house for a week--but be prepared to pay a pretty penny, as demand is very high and rentals go fast in early January. Also, many people rent for whole months or the season.
Even in August, do bring some warm clothes in case a storm comes in--can get very cold. And if you bring a car, you need to start making ferry reservations NOW.
For beaches, ask a local for Mansion Beach--it is off the main road but down away from the main public beach, and less crowded. No lifeguard, however--it is where the locals go. (Note, I have not been there for several years, so not sure if Mansion Beach is still available). |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 563
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 12:48 pm: | |
We have always done Block Island as a day trip and loved it. I personally would not recommend going with small children. There is not a lot for them to do on the island, there are little or no sidewalks and most of the stores are not stroller accessible. |
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