A Day Trip to Block Island, RI with Kids
Every year, my friend Sarah (Stay at Home Mom? Yeah Right!) and I take a moms and kids day trip to the picturesque area of Rhode Island called Block Island. With a little pre planning, it’s a cost effective way to enjoy amazing summer moments with children while we’re only 2 hours from home. We typically look at our calendars in advance and pick a Wednesday in July or August to go on this adventure. Our goal when we visit, is to splash around on the beach, build sandcastles, look for crabs and jump off the pier. We keep it simple and are always ecstatic about our time on Block Island.
Ferry tickets for the 4 kids and I cost a total of $37.50 round trip for adults and $18.75 round trip for children (a $10 off (adult) and $5 off (child) coupon from Dunkin Donuts). You will need one coupon per person that must be turned in at the ferry in New London in order to receive the discount. The coupons are usually available at participating Dunkin Donuts starting in May. On this trip, we took the 8:30 a.m. ferry out of New London, CT and returned on the 4:50 p.m.
What to bring: I typical have the kids wear their bathing suit and bring a change of clothes for the boys. We pack our lightest beach towels, refillable water bottles and a few snacks for the ferry. Don’t forget layers (rain jacket and sweater) as well as a hat.
Where to eat: Since we leave our house by 6:40 a.am in order to drive to the ferry in New London, park the car and secure our tickets, we usually don’t have time for breakfast prior to heading out. Thus, our first stop on Block Island is typically Ballard’s since it’s conveniently located just steps from the ferry landing. We enjoy coffee and breakfast prior to hitting the beach and pier area. Ballard’s is an all-inclusive destination with rooms, beach, restaurant, live music and even on the beach bar.
After splashing around in the surf and jumping off the pier near Ballard’s we headed over to Old Harbor View Restaurant for lobster rolls, fish and chips, clam chowder and Del’s Lemonade.
- After lunch we typically walk just past the Ferry Landing area to Kids Beach which is known for its calm surf and lots of nature spotting.
- Ride the waves at Ballard’s Beach.
- Look for crabs and other sea creatures at Kids Beach.
- Visit one of the many lighthouses that line the shores of Block Island. The most accessible to the Ferry Landing is Southeast Lighthouse.
- If traveling with older children, you will be able to enjoy a bike ride around the island to the various lighthouses and beaches.
- Mohegan Bluffs: explore 150-foot dirt and clay cliffs also known as “the bluffs).
- Collect shells at Crescent Beach.
- Go on a hike. Block Island offers a variety of terrain from nature focused, cliff side and ocean trails. Our favorite is Clayhead Nature Trail.
- Pony and horseback rides are offered on the southwest side of the island.
- Shopping: my favorite travel rain jacketwas purchased in a shop on Block Island. The area offers many unique shops with Block Island inspired gear and accessories.
- Go fishing or paddle boarding at Salt Pond.
- Visit the Abram’s Animal Farm and check out camels, llamas, emus and kangaroo.
While we have taken our car on Block Island for an extended family stay, on most of our visits we tend to day trip it and just walk everywhere. The island is small and there are taxis and bike rentals available as well.
- Parking cost was $15.00 for 10 hours but it’s $150.00 for lost tickets. Due to rushing across the street to make the ferry, it would be very easy to misplace your parking ticket. Make sure that you pause and put it in a safe place.
- Reserve your ferry in advance if you want to get out on an early morning ferry. We’ve made this trip yearly and many times on beautiful days, we’ve noticed lines of people with no tickets who were unable to get on the ferry.
- If you want to make your Block Island adventure and overnight one, book a weekday or off season stay. The spring and fall are beautiful on the island and it’s much more affordable than the in season.
https://havekiddoswilltravel.net/
Click here for previous posts about Block Island.
Check out my Vlog of our adventures on Block Island. Be inspired!
