block island day trip from newport

I will be staying in Newport, Labor Day weekend and wanted to know if anyone has taken the ferry to Block Island for a day trip. The 2006 rates are not posted and wanted to get feedback on if this would be worth exploring.

block island day trip from newport

Sorry I didn%26#39;t find this post sooner!

I%26#39;m a huge Block Island fan from way back, but regardless, here are its main attractions. You can base spending a full day there on whether it%26#39;d detract from what you plan to do in Newport or force you to cancel some of what you%26#39;re there for.

BI is most renowned for its expanses of unspoiled natural areas. The Nature Conversancy calls it ';One of the Ten Last Great Places in the Western Hemisphere.'; Much work has been done to preserve what man did not create; over 40% of the land is now protected from ';development.'; This means expanses of beach with no hotels or snack bars, fields and forests free of houses, etc. If you enjoy hiking (or just walking), BI is a wonderful place for it. Birders flock there, had to say it lol, because it%26#39;s a major migration stopover and hosts dozens of species that in some cases are rarely seen on the mainland.

You can rent either a bicycle or a moped to get around that much faster. Nearly every cab driver on the island also is a credentialed guide, so for not much money you could be escorted all over the place on your own private tour. That%26#39;d be an effective way to take in all the sights (lighthouses, Mohegan Bluffs, Great Salt Pond, etc) within a brief time frame.

While the island doesn%26#39;t lack for restaurants or shopping, particularly in the Old Harbor area where the Newport ferry lands, that alone shouldn%26#39;t motivate you to make an excursion. I think Newport has BI outclassed in both categories.

My vote is to definitely fit Block Island in on your vacation - but only if you%26#39;ve had your fill of Newport%26#39;s waterfront and ';cottages.';

block island day trip from newport

Silly Willy, don%26#39;t be Silly! BI is a great place to do just that, explore. Great if you%26#39;re a people watcher or a bird watcher. Either way you%26#39;ll enjoy the relaxed ocean ride. I would recommend the high speed ferry only because the larger slower ferry seems to roll along at a slower pace. It is a bit more expensive but I feel well worth the more comfortable trip. Bring your camera. Pack a small day pack with towel, water and sunscreen, money for food and you should be set. If I can be of any further assistance feel free to contact me @ imagoodmann@yahoo.com

Yes, I am always silly but love life. Does the high speed ferry leave Newport Harbor? I checkout the ferry from the Harbor and it looks like it takes about 2 hours. I keep reading about the ferry from another location that we would have to drive too. Have you ever stayed at the Mill Street Inn or Attwater Inn? I have both places reserved until friends from NH can make a trip down and review.