Why is Block Island so popular?

The island is coterminous with the town of New Shoreham and is part of Rhode Island's Washington County. It is named after Dutch explorer Adriaen Block. Pop. Block Island is a popular summer tourist destination known for its bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing, and beaches.



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Think food and drinks overlooking the ocean, boutique-lined streets, spectacular natural sights and some of the most unspoiled white sand beaches in the country. Hop on a bike or moped and get exploring charming streets, dramatic cliffs, quiet beaches and pristine nature trails.

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The Nature Conservancy calls it “One of the 12 Last Great Places in the Western Hemisphere.” With gorgeous beaches, sand dunes, bluffs, salt ponds and more, over 40 species of wildlife classified as rare or endangered can be found here. 28 miles of Greenway trails.

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There is more to Block Island than gorgeous beaches. With more than 50 stores and specialty shops, and numerous art galleries, Block Island offers a diverse shopping experience. The Island's plentiful shops offer casual souvenirs as well as unique gifts from around the world and antiques.

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Unfortunately Block Island real estate is exremely high. Even with the market so low, you still have to pay steep prices for anything on the Block. This is true for most islands simply because there is just so much land.

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The summer retreat's reputation for partying, not its natural beauty, came to the fore in August after fights broke out at a free music festival at Ballard's Beach Resort and, later that same night, on the Block Island Ferry.

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Getting Around Block Island As mentioned, it's not necessary to bring a vehicle. The island is highly walkable and bikeable, and you can either bring your own bicycle or rent one on the island. Mopeds are also available for rent on the island and a fun way to zip around to its beaches, cliffs, and lighthouses.

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Dorry's Cove is a black-sand beach. It is small and generally uncrowded, with nice sunset views of Long Island. The waters are usually calm and access is easy, making this an excellent beach for swimming and snorkeling, and for picnics! Hike northward and you will approach a second cove, Grace's Cove.

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Block Island is very casual, much more so than Nantucket. It does not have the same refined architecture and cobblestone streets as Nantucket but Block Island has a lovely Victorian front street facing the Old Harbor and the ocean. Block Island is smaller, with only one town and two harbors, Old Harbor and New Harbor.

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The Sullivan House is a much-admired architectural gem. It was built in 1904 for Col. LU Maltby, the owner of the Continental Hotel in Philadelphia. During WWI, a naval base was established on Block Island to hunt German U-boats and protect the coast.

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From July 4th to Labor Day, especially on weekends, Block Island is extremely crowded. If you plan to visit in the height of summer, do so during the week in order to enjoy all the island has to offer without fighting the crowds that daytrip by ferry on weekends.

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Getting Around Block Island As mentioned, it's not necessary to bring a vehicle. The island is highly walkable and bikeable, and you can either bring your own bicycle or rent one on the island. Mopeds are also available for rent on the island and a fun way to zip around to its beaches, cliffs, and lighthouses.

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Most taxi rides will be about $15. There is no Uber or Lyft on the Island.

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There are no fees to enter any beach. All beach parking is free. Block Island and its beaches are extremely dog friendly, so long as they are on a leash.

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Unfortunately, there are no public campgrounds or designated tent camping areas on Block Island. Camping is not allowed on the beaches or in public parks. If you're looking for beach camping options, you might consider nearby Watch Hill in Rhode Island or Shelter Island in New York.

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Approximately 1000 year round residents, 15,000 to 20,000 seasonal visitors a day.

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Mind you – nothing is fancy on Block – it's a casual relaxed resort vibe across the isle with a very short season – May to Columbus Day.

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The Block Island Medical Center is a Primary Care Facility providing community health care, able to handle urgent and emergent needs.

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The Block Island Water Com- pany serves the island's commercial district, providing almost 50 per- cent of the annual supply from July through August. This municipal water system relies on 5 active wells located in the Sands Pond well- head protection area. Fresh Pond serves as an auxiliary reservoir.

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As of the 2020 Census, the island's population is 1,410 living on a land area of 9.734 square miles (25.211 km2).

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The price of a night's stay on Block Island starts at $170. If you're interested in a bed and breakfast rental, the average price is $594 per night. A house rental Block Island will cost on average $1,007 per night.

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