I’m excited to share with you an insider’s look at our trip to Block Island, a hidden gem for those who love to travel with their dog. My family, including our dog, discovered just how welcoming this destination can be.
Framed by stunning cliff-side panoramas and accessible sandy shores, Block Island is a perfect setting for both quick escapes and extended stays, particularly for those traveling with pets. It stands out as one of the few locations on the East Coast that allows dogs on its public beaches throughout the summer months, making it a rare treat for pet owners.
Accessible by a short ferry ride from the coast of Rhode Island, the island offers a remote vacation feel without the need for a passport. Here, you can immerse yourself in nature, explore the scenic trails, or simply relax by the sea—all in the company of your dog.
Keep reading for a detailed rundown of our trip, complete with photos and a wealth of practical tips to make your visit to Block Island delightful and to avoid the mistakes we made.
Block Island, RI
If you’re unfamiliar with Block Island, it is a small, picturesque island located about 12 miles south of the Rhode Island coast in the United States.
Known for its stunning natural beauty, it covers an area of just under 10 square miles. With sweeping dunes, rugged cliffs, and pristine beaches, the island offers a serene escape from the mainland’s constant hustle.
The history of Block Island starts with evidence of Native American settlements dating back thousands of years. It was first sighted by European explorers in 1524 when Giovanni da Verrazzano mistook it for the mainland.
The island is named after the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, who charted the area in 1614. Throughout the centuries, it has served as a fishing and farming community, and during the late 19th century, it began to gain popularity as a tourist destination.
Today, Block Island strikes a balance between preserving its historical sites and catering to seasonal tourists. In the off-season, the island is home to about 1,000 residents, but during the summer months, the population swells to around 20,000 as visitors flock to enjoy its tranquil beauty.
Getting to Block Island
Reaching Block Island is an adventure in itself, offering scenic views along the way. The most common way to reach the island is by ferry, with services available from various points along the Rhode Island coast, New York, and Connecticut. You can also fly to the island or take a private boat.
Since we were staying in a hotel outside of Newport, RI, we decided to take the ferry from the Point Judith Ferry Terminal in Narragansett, RI. From Point Judith, you have the option to take either the traditional ferry or the hi-speed ferry. While the hi-speed ferry cuts the travel time to almost half, it also costs twice as much.
There are several other differences between the two ferry options beyond just cost and speed. Due to popularity and limited seating on the high-speed ferry, it’s recommended to purchase your tickets in advance to ensure you get a seat. Additionally, the hi-speed ferry does not allow dogs in the cabin unless they are in a carrier.
Conversely, the traditional ferry allows leashed dogs in the cabin, provided they stay off the seats and benches. Plus, it’s larger than the hi-speed ferry, allows cars, and makes more trips.
For those interested in additional ways to get to Block Island and what to do once you get there, visit our post titled “Beaches to Bistros: A Dog’s Planning Guide To Block Island” There, we outline our research for the trip, including all the ways you can travel to Block Island with links.
The Morning of the Trip
We chose to take the traditional ferry from Point Judith, because it offered more return times than the hi-speed ferry. Thus, allowing us to have flexibility in our schedule.
That turned out to be a good decision since we had a late start and ended up staying on the island later than we originally planned.
The ferry starts its daily runs at around 8:00 am during the summer and runs throughout the day until the early evening. You can check the exact schedule and costs on the Block Island Ferry site. If you are only spending the day there I suggest taking an early ferry.
Insider’s Tip:
If you’re not being dropped off or in walking distance to the ferry, you’ll need to plan for parking. Several large, privately owned lots are located across the street from the Point Judith Terminal.
However, parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s advisable to arrive early to secure a spot. Parking fees can vary depending on when you visit and which lot you choose. For example, we paid $20 for a full day at a lot across the street from the ferry terminal during a summer week.
Ferry Ride To Block Island
We managed to get seats at the front of the boat, offering us a fantastic view as we approached the island. It was Bella’s first time on a ferry. She took some time to adjust to the boat’s vibrations but eventually settled down on the deck near us.
However, after an encounter with a less-than-friendly Labrador Retriever, she preferred to sit on our laps for the remainder of the journey.
Insider’s Tip:
The Block Island Ferry can become quite crowded, especially at the front of the boat and on weekends. Small dogs might find it uncomfortable to stay on the ground. It’s also important to be cautious of other dogs nearby. As we found out, close quarters can lead to tense interactions.
The Town of New Shoreham
Directly across from the ferry landing, you’ll find yourself in the heart of New Shoreham’s town center. This quaint yet bustling hub is alive with activity, especially during the summer weekends.
Within this compact area, you can explore a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries, all conveniently located within a short walking distance of one another. Parking in the town center can be challenging, as there is very limited street parking available.
A dominant presence in the town center is the family-run enterprise known as Aldo’s, which encompasses Aldo’s Restaurant, Aldo’s Bakery, and Aldo’s Moped and Bike Rentals. They also rent Jeeps here.
Getting Around Block Island
If you’re planning to explore beyond the town center and local beaches with your dog it’s advisable to rent a Jeep or use car service. We rented a jeep at Aldo’s Bike Rental shop which was conveniently located next to the ferry terminal.
Even though destinations like the Mohegan Bluffs and Southeast Lighthouse are located just over two miles outside of town, walking to these attractions in the summer heat can be strenuous as the walk is mainly uphill.
Outside of the town center, sidewalks are scarce, meaning you’ll often find yourself walking on hot pavement.
There are other forms of transportation on the island with bicycles and mopeds being the most common after cars, but these are not practical to rent if you’re accompanied by a dog.
Insider’s Tip:
Everything on the island takes more time than you might expect. From offloading the ferry to renting a Jeep and finding parking at popular sites, these activities can be time-consuming. It’s important to factor in this extra time to ensure you don’t miss your ferry back.
Getting Lunch
By the time we arrived on the island and rented the Jeep, everyone was getting hungry. We drove around the town center looking for a place to eat outdoors, since we had Bella with us.
We decided on Block Island Pizza Pie Co., attracted by their outdoor seating on the front lawn and the availability of a small parking lot in the back. The pizza was good but is more akin to thick Chicago-style rather than the traditional thin-crust New York style we are used to.
Mohegan Bluffs and the Lighthouses
We couldn’t visit Block Island without exploring the iconic bluffs and lighthouses. Our first destination after lunch was the South East Lighthouse.
South East Lighthouse
The Southeast Lighthouse, located about 1.8 miles from the Old Harbor Ferry terminal, is not only the closest lighthouse to the terminal but also the highest in New England.
Perched atop the Mohegan Bluffs, the Southeast Lighthouse is an exquisite example of Gothic Revival architecture. Built in 1875, it was moved approximately 300 feet inland in 1993 to save it from falling into the sea due to erosion.
This historic landmark offers expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean and a unique vantage point to see the Block Island Wind Farm, America’s first offshore wind farm. It’s located about three miles off the coast of the Island.
To reach the South East Light, follow Spring Road at the circle and look for the parking area and sign on the left-hand side of the road. From the parking area, you’ll need to walk a short distance to the lighthouse.
Insider’s Tip:
If you choose to walk or bike, be prepared for an uphill climb on narrow roads without sidewalks, shoulders or bike lanes. However, the island-wide speed limit is 25 mph, and most drivers are cautious around pedestrians and cyclists.
Southeast Lighthouse Museum
During our visit, the lighthouse museum was closed, although it is generally open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM from late June to Labor Day. I suspect dogs are not allowed inside the museum.
Mohegan Bluffs
Just a short drive down the road is the Mohegan Bluffs. The Mohegan Bluffs present a dramatic and stunning natural landmark, with sheer cliffs dropping about 150 feet down to the sea. These towering cliffs offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, making them one of the island’s most photographed spots.
Below the bluffs, a beautiful and secluded beach awaits those willing to navigate the steep descent. Access to this pristine beach is via a set of 141 wooden steps that wind down the face of the cliffs.
The journey down these steps is an adventure in itself, offering evolving views of the rugged coastline and the expansive ocean. Once you reach the end of the steps you still need to navigate down large boulders and a sandy hill to get to the beach.
If you make it down to the bottom, visitors are rewarded with a stretch of pebble beach and the peaceful sounds of waves crashing against the shore. The water appeared crystal clear on the day we were there.
Please Note: Per the Department of Environmental Management of RI, effective June 7, 2024 the bottom of the staircase to get to the Mohegan Bluffs beach is closed. The path down to the beach from the stairs is no longer accessible due a steep drop-off caused by extensive erosion. You can still go down the stairs part of the way to get a closer look.
Insider Tip:
Our dog did fine going up and down the stairs as long as she had enough leash to go at her own pace. I could see some dogs not liking the steep stairs.
North Lighthouse
Our next destination was the North Light, located at the northern tip of the island. You can get to the lighthouse by following Corn Neck Road to the end. Parking is at the Settlers Rock Monument.
The North Light has served as a historic beacon for mariners since its inception in 1829. The current structure, built in 1867 from granite and iron, is the fourth lighthouse to occupy this site and the longest-standing light to endure the harsh elements over the years.
Reaching the North Light from the parking lot requires a 0.7-mile trek across sandy and uneven terrain. During our visit, the tide was out, leaving the sand scorching hot and the area near the water rocky, slippery, and uneven. This made the walk both difficult and unpleasant.
Due to the hot sand, we took turns carrying Bella to prevent her feet from burning. Eventually, I decided to turn back, only making it halfway with the dog. However, two members of our party continued and reached the lighthouse, which was closed to the public at the time.
Despite these challenges, the site offers stunning, remote views and is a popular spot for observing seals that frequent the area.
Insider’s Tip:
If you plan to visit the North Light go early in the day to avoid the hot sand.
The Sacred Labyrinth
On our way to the North Light we came across the Sacred Labyrinth. Open to the public, this labyrinth provides a peaceful and reflective space with views overlooking the sea. However, the path to the labyrinth was not well-maintained during our visit.
You can find it near the Clay Head Trail, marked only by a small sign and a series of sporadic steps ascending a hill to a flat landing.
Fred Benson Town Beach
After our trip to the North Light, the kids were eager to spend some time at the beach, so we headed back to Fred Benson Town Beach. While many beaches on Block Island are dog-friendly throughout the day, very few have lifeguards and the public beaches with lifeguards do not allow dogs.
We did not know this beforehand, but found that the guarded section of the town beach was clearly marked with ropes and signs. To accommodate everyone, we found a spot in the sand just outside the guarded area. This allowed the kids to walk a few steps over to the guarded section while keeping Bella in the dog friendly zone.
Fred Benson Town Beach is equipped with amenities such as parking, bathrooms, showers, changing areas, beach chair and umbrella rentals, and a concession stand, making it a convenient spot for families.
As an added bonus, all public beaches on the island are free, adding to their appeal.
Insider’s Tip:
Although dogs are not permitted to stay in the guarded area, they are allowed to pass through it.
Back to the Ferry
After a few enjoyable hours on the beach, it was time to head back, return the Jeep, and catch the ferry. We spent a little time browsing the local stores and buying mementos to remember our trip. Everyone seemed happy, especially Bella, who was tired from her adventures.
There is still much more to see and do on the island that we didn’t have time for. Our next trip back will need to be a little longer to get it all in.
