Block Island sits 13 miles off the southern coast of Rhode Island, a roughly seven-square-mile island reached only by ferry or small plane - which is precisely why it feels so unhurried. The Nature Conservancy named it one of the "Last Great Places" in the Western Hemisphere, and nearly half the island is permanently conserved: rolling moors, stone walls, freshwater ponds, and a 28-mile network of public Greenway trails wind across a landscape that looks more like the Scottish coast than New England. For reunions, the appeal is a slow, low-key island week - dramatic clay cliffs at Mohegan Bluffs, two historic lighthouses, miles of beach, and a small, walkable harbor village - all on an island so compact you can bike from one end to the other in an afternoon. The two hamlets, Old Harbor (the ferry-arrival village with shops, hotels, and restaurants) and New Harbor (on the Great Salt Pond, the boating and marina hub), anchor the action; almost everything else is moors, beaches, and bluffs.
Most reunion groups arrive by the traditional ferry from Point Judith (Galilee) in Narragansett, about 55 minutes by the standard boat or half that by high-speed; seasonal ferries also run from Newport, RI, and New London, CT, and a fast ferry from Montauk, NY. You can leave the car on the mainland and rent bikes, mopeds, or a taxi on-island, or bring a vehicle on the traditional ferry (reserve months ahead in summer). Lodging runs from the grand Victorian hotels overlooking Old Harbor (the National Hotel, the 1661 Inn, the Spring House) to inns, B&Bs, and a limited stock of vacation rentals scattered across the island - there are no big-box resorts, which is part of the charm and the reason houses book early. Peak season is late June through Labor Day, with July and August the most competitive; the weeks around the Fourth and Block Island Race Week are the tightest. June and September are the value shoulders - warm water, thinner crowds, and noticeably lower rates, with many businesses still open. Because the island is small and almost everything is reachable by bike, the reunion rhythm here is the gentlest on the New England coast.
Where it is
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Things to do (with the family)
Hand-curated. Every entry links to its official source so you can plan without guessing.
Mohegan Bluffs
Dramatic 150-foot clay cliffs on the island's southern shore with sweeping Atlantic views. A wooden staircase (about 140 steps) descends to a wild, boulder-strewn beach below. The signature Block Island photo and the bucket-list overlook. Free.
Official source ↗Southeast Lighthouse
Striking 1875 red-brick Gothic-Revival lighthouse perched above Mohegan Bluffs - famously moved back from the eroding cliff edge in 1993. Climb the tower for a panoramic view; small museum on site. The history-and-photo highlight. Modest tower-climb fee in season.
Official source ↗North Light & Settlers' Rock
1867 granite lighthouse at the very northern tip, reached by a sandy walk across the Sachem Pond beach from Settlers' Rock. Seal-watching in cooler months, a small maritime museum, and a wild, windswept point. The quiet north-end outing. Free to walk; museum donation.
Official source ↗Crescent Beach (Fred Benson Town Beach)
A nearly three-mile crescent of sand running north from Old Harbor - the island's main swimming beach, with a lifeguarded section, a pavilion, and gentle surf. The family-and-grandparent beach base for the week. Free; pavilion amenities seasonal.
Official source ↗Biking the island
Block Island is small, rolling, and made for bikes - rent in Old Harbor and you can circle most of it in a day, linking the bluffs, beaches, lighthouses, and farm stands. The single best low-effort multi-gen activity. ~$25-40/bike/day; e-bikes available.
Official source ↗The Greenway trails
A 28-mile network of public trails across the island's conserved moors, stone walls, and ponds - flat to gently rolling, with the famous Rodman's Hollow glacial ravine and the Clay Head bluff trail. The hiker's and nature-lover's reunion morning. Free.
Official source ↗Clay Head Trail & the Maze
A bluff-top trail along the island's northeast shore winding past nesting songbirds into "the Maze," a network of mowed footpaths through bayberry thickets. Spectacular for spring and fall bird migration. The quiet walk for the nature people. Free.
Official source ↗Rodman's Hollow
A glacial outwash ravine on the south end - the first parcel ever conserved on Block Island - with trails leading down to a wild ocean beach. Moors, wildflowers, and solitude. The classic Block Island conservation walk. Free.
Official source ↗Great Salt Pond & New Harbor
The island's large protected saltwater pond and boating hub - kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and the marina restaurants of New Harbor. Calm, sheltered water perfect for kids and first-timers. Rentals at the pond. ~$25-45/hour.
Official source ↗Block Island National Wildlife Refuge
A federal refuge at the island's northern end protecting beach, dune, and the migratory-bird stopover habitat that makes Block Island a birding hotspot. Walk the beach to North Light through it. The free wildlife outing. Free.
Official source ↗Old Harbor village stroll
The walkable ferry-arrival village - grand Victorian hotels, the harbor, ice-cream and fudge shops, galleries, and the famous Old Harbor bike-and-moped rental row. The easy evening stroll and shopping afternoon. Free to wander.
Official source ↗Kayaking & paddleboarding the salt pond
The sheltered Great Salt Pond is ideal flat water for kayaks and paddleboards - calmer than the ocean and great for kids 8+ and beginners. Guided eco-tours spot ospreys and shorebirds. Rentals in New Harbor. ~$30-50/half day.
Official source ↗Glass Float Project hunt
A beloved island tradition - a local artist hides hundreds of hand-blown glass orbs along the beaches and trails each year for visitors to find and keep. A free treasure hunt that delights kids and adults alike. Free; what you find is yours.
Official source ↗Block Island sport fishing & boat charters
The waters around Block Island are famed for striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and tuna. Book a charter or surf-cast from the beaches; the Great Salt Pond marinas run fishing and sightseeing trips. The angler's reunion morning. Charter rates vary.
Official source ↗Find more things to do for your Block Island, Rhode Island reunion
The picks above are general. Inside the Reunly app, Rosi tailors local activities, meals, and printables to your actual dates, group size, ages, and budget - and saves them straight to your reunion plan.
Where to hold your reunion near Block Island, Rhode Island
Outdoor pavilions, county parks, fairgrounds, and event grounds within driving distance - places where your group can actually gather, not just visit.
Spring House Hotel - Lawn & Event Grounds
🏨 Resort / LodgeBlock Island's iconic 1852 Victorian hotel on a bluff above the Atlantic, with sweeping lawns, a tented event space, full catering, and a large room block - one of the island's premier reunion and event venues. Inquire about group events.
Reserve / info ↗The National Hotel - Veranda & Function Space
🏛 Event CenterGrand 1888 Victorian hotel right on the Old Harbor waterfront with a famous wraparound veranda, function space, dining, and a central room block - the most walkable group base on the island, steps from the ferry. Inquire about group bookings.
Reserve / info ↗Fred Benson Town Beach Pavilion (Crescent Beach)
📍 VenueThe town beach pavilion on Crescent Beach offers changing facilities, a snack bar, and beach-area space for a casual reunion cookout or gathering on the island's main swimming beach. Check with the Town of New Shoreham on permitted group use.
Reserve / info ↗1661 Inn & Hotel Manisses - Garden Grounds
🏛 Event CenterHistoric inn complex with terraced gardens, a small farm and animal pasture (a kid favorite), a renowned breakfast buffet, and event space overlooking Old Harbor - a charming, family-friendly reunion setting. Inquire about group events.
Reserve / info ↗Block Island National Wildlife Refuge - North End
🏔 National ParkFederal refuge protecting beach, dune, and migratory-bird habitat at the island's north end, with the walk to North Light running through it - a free natural gathering spot for a reunion nature walk or beach picnic. Day-use, no fee.
Reserve / info ↗The Oar Restaurant (New Harbor) - Bayside Deck
🏛 Event CenterBeloved bayside restaurant on the Great Salt Pond with a large deck, marina views, full catering, and group menus - a relaxed, sunset-facing waterfront venue for the whole reunion. Reserve the group space ahead in summer.
Reserve / info ↗👥 With Reunly
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Good for
- Slow, low-key island reunions away from car traffic
- Bike-the-whole-island multi-generational weekends
- Nature and conservation lovers (Greenway, refuge, moors)
- Lighthouse-and-bluff scenery and photography
- Calm salt-pond paddling for kids and grandparents
- Shoulder-season (June / September) value reunions
Practical logistics
- Closest Airports
- T.F. Green / Rhode Island (PVD) in Warwick is the practical fly-in, ~45 min from the Point Judith ferry. Block Island State Airport (BID) takes small-plane and charter flights from Westerly. Boston Logan (BOS) ~2 hr to the ferry, New York metro ~3+ hr to the closest ferry terminal.
- Drive Times
- Point Judith / Galilee ferry terminal ~45 min from PVD airport · Providence ~1 hr to the ferry · Boston ~2 hr to the ferry · Then a 55-min traditional ferry (or ~30 min high-speed) to Old Harbor · Seasonal ferries also run from Newport RI, New London CT, and Montauk NY.
- Group Lodging
- No big-box resorts - lodging is grand Victorian hotels and inns. The National Hotel and the Spring House Hotel (overlooking the ocean) anchor Old Harbor; the 1661 Inn & Hotel Manisses, the Atlantic Inn, and the Surf Hotel add character rooms. Vacation rentals (houses and cottages) are limited but available island-wide via Vrbo, Airbnb, and local agencies. For groups, the play is a hotel room block plus a vacation house or two.
- Rental Companies
- Block Island vacation-rental inventory is managed by local agencies such as Sullivan Real Estate and Ballard Hall Real Estate, alongside Vrbo and Airbnb. Houses are limited and book very early - reserve group houses by winter (January-February) for July and August. Many rent by the week.
- House Size
- 3-5 BR houses and cottages are the typical inventory; larger 6+ BR houses exist but are rare and pricey in peak season ($5,000-12,000+/week). For 25+ people the standard play is a hotel room block in Old Harbor plus one or two vacation houses, since no single property holds a large group.
- Peak Season
- Late June through Labor Day, with July and August the most competitive. The weeks around the Fourth of July and Block Island Race Week (biennial, late June) are the tightest. Book hotels and houses 5-7 months ahead; bring-your-car ferry reservations go even earlier.
- Shoulder Season
- June and September into early October - warm water, thinner crowds, and noticeably lower rates, with many restaurants and shops still open. Memorial Day to mid-June is the quiet spring window. After Columbus Day, ferry frequency and dining options thin substantially.
- Restaurants
- The Oar (New Harbor, mudslides and bay views, group-friendly) · Dead Eye Dick's (New Harbor, seafood) · Eli's (Old Harbor, popular, small - go early) · Persephone's Kitchen (Old Harbor, breakfast and lunch) · The Beachhead (casual, near Crescent Beach) · Winfield's (Old Harbor, fine dining, milestone dinner) · 1661 Inn (breakfast buffet, garden setting). Reserve groups ahead in July-August; several spots are first-come and fill fast.
- Kid Friendly
- Crescent Beach (lifeguarded, gentle surf), the Mohegan Bluffs staircase down to the beach, island biking, the calm Great Salt Pond for paddling, the Glass Float hunt, seal-watching near North Light, and the lighthouse climbs are reliable wins for ages 4-15. The car-light island and short distances suit families especially well.
- Accessibility
- Old Harbor village is walkable and largely flat; the ferry, hotels, and main restaurants are reachable on foot from the dock. Note that the dramatic sites involve stairs and uneven ground - Mohegan Bluffs requires descending ~140 steps to the beach, and many trails are unpaved moorland. Crescent Beach and the harbor area are the most accessible; confirm step-free rooms with the historic hotels, which vary.
- Weather Window
- Summer 75-82°F days, 62-70°F nights, often breezy; ocean water 65-72°F by August. Spring (May-June) 58-72°F, cool and windy. Fall (September) 68-78°F days, warm water. The island is windier and a few degrees cooler than the mainland - pack layers even in summer. Fog and the occasional summer storm can delay ferries.
- Park Fee
- There is no island entrance fee; the Greenway trails, beaches, and wildlife refuge are free. The Southeast Lighthouse tower climb carries a modest fee in season, and North Light's museum takes a small donation. Ferry tickets run roughly $15-35 round trip per passenger; bringing a car is significantly more and requires a reservation.
- Official Site
- https://www.blockislandinfo.com/
When to go
Late June through Labor Day for full beach season; the weeks around the Fourth and Block Island Race Week are the most competitive, so book hotels and houses 5-7 months ahead (and car-ferry slots even earlier). For the best value-to-weather ratio, target June or September into early October - warm water, thinner crowds, lower rates, and most businesses still open. After Columbus Day the island quiets sharply and ferry options thin.
Best for your group size
Small group · 10–25
10-25 fits in a 4-6 BR vacation house or cottage, or a block of rooms at the National Hotel, Spring House, or the 1661 Inn near Old Harbor.
Medium group · 25–60
25-60 should combine a hotel room block in Old Harbor with one or two vacation houses, keeping everyone near the harbor so dinners and the ferry stay walkable.
Large group · 60+
60+ groups book multiple hotels (the National Hotel, Spring House, Atlantic Inn, Surf Hotel) plus several vacation houses, since no single Block Island property absorbs a large block. Plan a multi-property reunion centered on Old Harbor and use Crescent Beach and the Greenway for the big group gatherings.
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Sample 4-day Block Island reunion (summer)
A starter agenda you can copy into Reunly's Schedule and customize for your group.
Friday - Ferry Over & Old Harbor
- 11:00 AM park at the Point Judith / Galilee terminal
- 12:00 PM ferry to Old Harbor (about 55 min)
- 1:00 PM check in at the hotel or house and grab bikes
- 2:30 PM first swim at Crescent Beach
- 5:00 PM stroll Old Harbor village - fudge and ice cream
- 7:00 PM group dinner at The Oar in New Harbor (sunset)
Saturday - Bluffs & Lighthouses
- 8:30 AM breakfast at the 1661 Inn or the house
- 9:30 AM bike to Mohegan Bluffs
- 10:30 AM descend the staircase to the beach below the cliffs
- 12:00 PM Southeast Lighthouse climb and museum
- 1:00 PM picnic lunch on the south end
- 2:30 PM Rodman's Hollow conservation walk
- 7:00 PM dinner at Winfield's (milestone night)
Sunday - Salt Pond & North Light
- 8:30 AM breakfast at the house
- 10:00 AM kayaking and paddleboarding on the Great Salt Pond
- 12:00 PM lunch at Dead Eye Dick's in New Harbor
- 2:00 PM bike to Settlers' Rock and walk to North Light
- 3:30 PM wildlife-refuge beach walk and seal-watching
- 6:30 PM cook night at the house
- 8:00 PM Glass Float hunt on the evening beach
Monday - Greenway & Goodbyes
- 8:30 AM breakfast at the hotel or house
- 9:30 AM easy Greenway / Clay Head Maze morning walk
- 11:00 AM last Crescent Beach swim and pack-up
- 12:30 PM goodbye lunch at The Beachhead or Persephone's
- 2:00 PM ferry back to Point Judith and travel home
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Build the Block Island, Rhode Island reunion schedule in minutes
Drag the sample itinerary above into Reunly's Schedule, add per-event RSVPs, and share one link with the whole family. Rosi (our AI) fills in gaps from your group size and dates.
Reunion organizer tips
Book 5-7 months ahead for July and August, and reserve car-ferry slots even earlier. Block Island's limited hotel and house inventory fills fast; the best multi-bedroom houses and hotel blocks go by winter. Shoulder weeks (June, September) can sometimes be had 2-3 months out at lower rates.
Decide early whether to bring a car. The island is small and bike-friendly, so most reunion groups leave the car on the mainland and rent bikes, mopeds, or taxis on-island. Bringing a vehicle requires a traditional-ferry reservation booked months ahead in summer - only do it if a grandparent truly needs it.
Split lodging between a hotel block and a house. With no big resorts, the proven play for 25+ people is a room block at the National Hotel or Spring House plus one or two vacation houses. Keep everyone near Old Harbor so dinners and the ferry are walkable.
Rent bikes (or e-bikes) for the whole group on day one. The island is compact and rolling, and biking links the bluffs, beaches, lighthouses, and farm stands. E-bikes flatten the hills for grandparents; kid trailers and tag-alongs cover the little ones.
Build a south-end day around Mohegan Bluffs. Pair the bluff overlook and the staircase down to the wild beach with the Southeast Lighthouse climb and Rodman's Hollow - it is the most scenic stretch of the island and an easy half-day loop by bike.
Use Crescent Beach as the family base. The lifeguarded town beach with gentle surf and a pavilion is the easiest spot for toddlers and grandparents, and it is a short ride or walk from Old Harbor lodging.
Reserve group dinners ahead in summer. The Oar in New Harbor handles big tables and bay-view sunsets; Winfield's is the milestone-dinner splurge; Eli's is beloved but tiny, so go early. Several spots are first-come - send one person ahead to put the name in.
Watch the weather and ferry schedule. Fog and summer storms can delay or cancel boats - always check the day's schedule, build buffer time around airport pickups and the last boat, and keep an indoor backup like the lighthouse museum or a harbor lunch for a foggy morning.
Pack layers - the island runs cool and windy. Block Island is breezier and a few degrees cooler than the mainland, even in July. Light jackets for evenings and a windbreaker for the bluffs make the difference, especially for grandparents.
Turn the Glass Float hunt into a reunion tradition. The hand-blown glass orbs hidden along the beaches and trails each summer are a free, all-ages treasure hunt - what you find, you keep. It is the easiest way to get every generation exploring together.
Provision smart - island groceries are limited and pricey. The Block Island Grocery in Old Harbor covers the basics, but doing a bigger run on the mainland before the ferry saves money. Plan a few cook-at-the-house nights to balance the harbor restaurant prices.
Let Reunly handle the logistics. Use the budget tool to split the hotel block, house, and ferry costs across families, the polls feature to vote between a bluffs-and-lighthouse day and a salt-pond-paddling day, and the itinerary to keep everyone synced on ferry times and meeting spots.
How Reunly helps you plan it
Reunly is the all-in-one app made for family reunion organizers. Free to start. No credit card. Cancel anytime.
Smart guest list
Drop in any spreadsheet - Rosi (our AI) reads multi-sheet, color-coded family groups, even handwritten exports. RSVP, dietary, T-shirt, paid status all in one row.
Open in Reunly →Public RSVP link
Share one link with the whole family. They RSVP per event (Friday BBQ, Saturday dinner) without making an account. You see live counts.
Open in Reunly →Budget that adds up
Track estimated vs. actual, who paid, who still owes. Auto-creates per-guest fee rows from your registration cost.
Open in Reunly →Day-by-day schedule
Friday welcome BBQ, Saturday photo, Sunday brunch - with location, meal flag, and per-event RSVPs.
Open in Reunly →Name tags + printables
Avery 5160 sheets color-coded by family, programs, welcome packets, packing lists - auto-filled from your data.
Open in Reunly →Rosi the AI helper
Stuck on a reminder email? A budget? A timeline? Click Rosi anywhere in the app - she drafts it from your live data.
Open in Reunly →Plan your Block Island, Rhode Island reunion with Reunly
Free to start. Build your guest list, share an RSVP link, track payments, and print name tags - no spreadsheets.
Frequently asked
What's the best time to book Block Island for a family reunion?
Late June through Labor Day for full beach season; the weeks around the Fourth and Block Island Race Week are the most competitive, so book hotels and houses 5-7 months ahead and car-ferry slots even earlier. For the best value, target June or September into early October - warm water, thinner crowds, lower rates, and most businesses still open. The island quiets sharply after Columbus Day.
Do we need to bring a car to Block Island?
Usually no. The island is small, rolling, and bike-friendly, so most reunion groups leave the car on the mainland and rent bikes, e-bikes, mopeds, or taxis on-island. Bringing a vehicle requires a traditional-ferry reservation booked months ahead in summer and is significantly more expensive - only worth it if a grandparent truly needs the car.
Where should our group stay on Block Island?
There are no big resorts, so the proven play for groups is a hotel room block plus a vacation house or two. The National Hotel and Spring House anchor Old Harbor; the 1661 Inn, Atlantic Inn, and Surf Hotel add character rooms. Keeping everyone near Old Harbor makes dinners and the ferry walkable. Vacation houses are limited - book by winter for summer.
What is the closest airport to Block Island?
T.F. Green / Rhode Island (PVD) in Warwick is the practical fly-in, about 45 minutes from the Point Judith ferry. Block Island State Airport (BID) takes small-plane and charter flights. Boston Logan is about 2 hours to the ferry. Most groups fly into PVD, drive to Point Judith / Galilee, and take the 55-minute ferry to Old Harbor.
How big a house do we need for 25 people on Block Island?
House inventory is limited and mostly 3-5 bedrooms, so 25 people usually means a hotel room block in Old Harbor plus one or two vacation houses. Larger 6+ BR houses exist but are rare and pricey in peak season ($5,000-12,000+/week). For 40+ people, plan a multi-property reunion across several hotels and houses.
Is Block Island good for little kids and grandparents?
Yes - Crescent Beach is lifeguarded with gentle surf, the Great Salt Pond offers calm paddling, the island is compact and car-light, and e-bikes flatten the hills for grandparents. The main caution is that the dramatic sites involve stairs and uneven ground - Mohegan Bluffs is about 140 steps down to the beach - so plan the easier beach and harbor days around the youngest and oldest.
How much does a Block Island reunion cost per family?
Peak July-August: roughly $2,800-5,500 per family of 4 (lodging share, food, ferry, bikes, activities), with the historic hotels and limited houses pushing higher. Shoulder season (June, September): 20-30% lower. Beaches, trails, and the refuge are free, but lodging and the ferry are the main costs - splitting a house and hotel block across families is the lever.
What is there to do on Block Island besides the beach?
Bike the whole island, walk to Mohegan Bluffs and climb the Southeast Lighthouse, visit North Light and the wildlife refuge, hike the 28-mile Greenway trails through Rodman's Hollow and the Clay Head Maze, paddle the Great Salt Pond, hunt for hidden Glass Floats, and stroll Old Harbor village. The conserved moors and birding make it a nature lover's island.
Other reunion-friendly spots nearby
Helpful planning guides
The complete family reunion checklist
12-month, 6-month, and day-of checklists organizers actually use.
Read the guide →Family reunion budget guide
How to estimate, track, and split costs without spreadsheets.
Read the guide →Family reunion on a $2,500 budget
A real budget breakdown for a destination reunion under $2.5K.
Read the guide →