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SPOTLIGHT:
Block Island ~ Tropical New England by: Nate Soule
For New Englanders a tropical
island seems about as remote as the Pyramids. A summer getaway
to the beach usually means a trip to the Cape or to Maine where
while the rocky shores may look beautiful, the water is somewhat
less than welcoming.
Few could imagine that just off the shores
of Rhode Island near Narragansett Bay lies Block Island the
closest thing to a Caribbean escape that one could dream of
finding in the North East.
More than ten thousand years
ago the glaciers left behind a piece of land that today stands
as a refuge from busy city life, or the harsh New England
weather.
As you arrive via a ferry from Point Judith, New
London, or Montauk you are immediately immersed in a world quite
separate from the one you left on the mainland.
The beats and
rhythms from Ballard's Inn and Club greet all arrivals, and the
site of fellow travelers sipping drinks as they lie in the sand
makes it difficult for anyone to continue on to their original
destination.
A boat half way up the beach which has been
converted to a bar sits just next to the stage where live beach
music forces one to question just how far that ferry took them.
Advertisement
The Atlantic Inn
Block Island, Rhode Island 02807
401-466-5883 | 800-224-7422
Step back in
time as you enter the lobby of The Atlantic Inn on Block
Island.
This commanding 21 room Victorian inn, built in 1879, offers the
most splendid view of the island and, upon the horizon, the
distant mainland.
The center of town is right off the
ferry landing and provides numerous restaurants, shops, boutiques,
clubs, pubs, and more. Many of the hotels and inns are within walking
distance, but taxis await to take you any farther, and moped rentals
offer a fun alternative. You won't find a Marriott, Hilton, or any
other corporate style accommodations on the island. What you will find
is everything from small cozy inns to large manor like hotels, all
providing some sort of island getaway mystique. Most places serve wine
and cheese around 5:00, which acts as a great way to meet your fellow
travelers, or to just enjoy a nice drink in a rocking chair overlooking
the ocean.
If you came to relax by the water you
certainly won't have a hard time finding an open spot, with 17 miles of
beaches there's more than enough room for everyone. Thanks to the
island's natural springs there are also 365 freshwater ponds, and the 32
miles of trails will let you visit almost all of them. If you would
prefer a faster paced tour a quick bike or moped ride will take you past
beautiful rolling hills and beaches to both of the islands historic
lighthouses. For those with more of a hunger for adventure you can get a
great glimpse of it all in just one sitting while parasailing high above
the waters.
After a nice day in the sun a nice
night out is easy to find. There are many delicious restaurants, and
just as many fun clubs and pubs. From the rocking live bands at
McGovern's Yellow Kittens Tavern, to martini night at the Spring House
there's something for every night life seeker. Don't worry too much
about staying out late, as the biggest decision of the next morning is
often which beach to enjoy.
Perhaps so few people know about Block
Island because it's hard to believe that such a place exists in the
north. Perhaps it's because those who visit are reluctant to share their
tales, worrisome that too many visitors may change the atmosphere of
their private paradise. Whatever it is, there's something special, and
something not to be missed about this unique island where New England
meets the Caribbean.
For
information about accommodations, recreation, dining and much
more in this area and many other US destinations, take a moment
to visit our US Travel Directories:
