New York City
Block Island is the Perfect Weekend Trip
A few hours from NYC, this getaway will transport you to more wholesome times past.
If you’re looking to escape the city for a relaxing vacation and are yearning for the charm of a classic New England seaside town, consider a trip to Block Island, R.I. A mere 14 miles east of Montauk and 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast, it’s an easily accessible alternative to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket for a weekend getaway.
The Montauk Harbor
A Quick Trip from Montauk, NY or Newport, RI
Having spent more than a few weekends in the Hamptons and Montauk on the south fork of Long Island, N.Y, my boyfriend and I decided to take a weekend trip to Block Island for a change of pace. After a quick breakfast at a local pancake house, we boarded one of the daily high-speed ferries from Montauk.
Once underway, we enjoyed a picturesque harbor view dotted with fishing boats, the Montauk Yacht Club and an array of local bars & restaurants, including one of my new favorites in the area, Swallow East. With a newly redone interior, live music on the weekends, and a menu that showcases local, fresh ingredients, this former fisherman’s haunt embodies a laid-back yet beachy-chic atmosphere. Like its nearby contemporary, Surf Lodge, Swallow East is part-owned by tech entrepreneur, Michael Walrath; what truly sets it apart is the outdoor deck framed against the scenic, nautical backdrop.
National Hotel, Block Island
Arriving on Block Island an hour later, we felt a world away from New York. New Harbor, where the Montauk ferry docks, was bustling with private boats and yachts complete with their own Vineyard Vines-branded harbor service. In search of a simple yet elegant weekend by the seashore, we had a friend recommend booking a room at Avonlea, Jewel of the Sea, one of two properties on the island owned by Ann Law.
Geneva Walton
To be this close to NYC and not be crowded is just baffling to me. This place looks great, Maybe i’ll visit this weekend. Thank’s for this.
Lyndsi LaRose
I’ll forward this to some of my friends who live in NYC. Looks like a really fun getaway. I love that your articles lay out a full itinerary with everything to do, which makes it really easy to book everything and know what to do.
Sarah Evanston
The Blue Dory looks super cute. I’m going to do this trip this summer and visit/stay at all the places you recommended. Please write more articles like this — with the entire trip planned out!
Auriane Desombre
It's always nice to escape the city for short trips during the year! Block Island looks like a really fun and pretty getaway 🙂
Zenab Bello-Osagie
It's nice to get away from the city for awhile to visit a somewhere calm and relaxing. Looks very pleasant.
Jen Spillane
Awesome! It's nice to learn about some getaways that aren't too far from the NYC area. There are plenty of vacation hotspots that aren't too far out of reach.