The Meadow and Bark Guide to Block Island
There are places you visit...
And then there are places that quietly become part of your family.
For us, that place has always been Block Island.
Every summer we'd leave Long Beach before sunrise, point our boat east, and spend five and a half to six hours making our way along the South Shore of Long Island.
We'd pass Jones Beach.
Fire Island Lighthouse.
Westhampton Beach.
Then finally Montauk.
Every single trip I'd smile as we rounded Montauk Point.
That's where my husband Scott proposed to me in 2000, standing on the bluffs beside the lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic.
Even today, it still feels like the beginning of every adventure.
Some crossings were calm.
Others had us gripping the rails a little tighter.
But the moment Block Island appeared on the horizon...
Every rough wave was forgotten.
Summer had officially begun.
Welcome to Champlin's Marina
Pulling into Great Salt Pond never gets old.
As you ease into the marina, boats fill every slip.
Families wave from their decks.
Kids ride bikes along the docks.
Fishing boats head out before sunrise while others gather for sunset cocktails.
Sometimes we'd raft three or four boats deep, climbing across neighboring boats just to reach the dock.
To us, that wasn't an inconvenience.
It was part of the adventure.
The first stop was always the same.
A famous Champlin's Mudslide.
After nearly six hours on the water, there isn't a better way to celebrate arriving.
While Scott and I finally relaxed, the kids would race to the arcade, proudly returning with little squeaky toy prizes like they'd won the lottery.
Life at the Marina
Looking back, it wasn't just the island we loved.
It was the rhythm of life there.
Coffee brewing on the boat while everyone slowly woke up.
Scrambled eggs sizzling on the tiny stove.
Kids eating cereal in their pajamas.
Our youngest proudly learning to tie boating knots before he was even ten years old.
Paddleboards coming off the boat.
Neighbors saying good morning.
Families grilling dinner on the marina's community barbecues.
Live music drifting across the harbor.
Roasting marshmallows together after dinner.
Then climbing back aboard, piling into the cabin, and watching Stranger Things together before falling asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat.
Those ordinary evenings have become some of my favorite memories.
Explore the Island Like a Local
If I could give you one piece of advice...
Rent a bike or a moped.
Block Island is meant to be explored slowly.
The winding roads, hidden beaches, old stone walls, and unexpected ocean views are all part of the experience.
One stop we never skipped...
Diamondblue Surf Shop
If Block Island has a heartbeat for surfers and beach lovers, this is it.
It's one of those shops that instantly feels like summer.
From there we'd wander through town, browse little boutiques, grab ice cream, and simply enjoy slowing down.
The Spring House
There are beautiful restaurants...
And then there's The Spring House.
Getting there is part of the magic.
You wander through beautiful gardens overflowing with flowers and herbs.
Farm animals graze nearby.
The ocean slowly appears as you climb the hill.
Music drifts through the gardens.
It's one of those places that feels almost dreamlike.
One of our favorite family memories happened here.
Our oldest daughter was absolutely fascinated by ghost stories and fairy tales.
The wonderful staff decided to play along with one of our family jokes.
They handed her a "key" to the supposedly haunted room in the cupola at the very top of the inn.
Scott and I walked her upstairs, pretending we were saying goodnight before heading back to the boat.
We expected at least a little hesitation.
Instead...
She wasn't scared at all.
Her only concern was that Teddy, her stuff animal waiting on the boat, would miss her.
She was actually disappointed when we told her she couldn't stay.
We still laugh about that story today.
Restaurants We Never Miss
Atlantic
If you're celebrating something special, Atlantic is hard to beat.
Its sweeping ocean views are spectacular, and it's long been a favorite destination for presidents, celebrities, and generations of visitors.
It's elegant without feeling stuffy.
One of those meals you'll remember long after your vacation ends.
The Oar Bar
For something more relaxed, The Oar Bar is always on our list.
Casual.
Friendly.
Fresh seafood, great pub food and amazing sushi.
Corn hole games and places for kids to run while adults enjoy the experience of it all.
A place where lunch often turns into an afternoon spent overlooking the harbor.
The National Hotel
One tradition we never skipped?
A Bloody Mary on the porch at the National Hotel.
It's one of the best spots on the island to sit back, people-watch, and soak in the timeless charm of downtown Block Island.
Sometimes the simplest moments become your favorite ones.
Don't Miss These Views
Mohegan Bluffs
The dramatic bluffs overlooking the Atlantic are breathtaking.
Climb down the famous staircase to the beach below and you'll understand why this is one of Block Island's most iconic landmarks.
Surf Beach
One of our favorite places to simply relax is the beach in front of the Surf Hotel.
It's classic Block Island.
Soft sand.
Gentle waves.
Families everywhere.
The perfect place to spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing.
If I Had Three Perfect Days on Block Island
Day One
- Arrive at Champlin's Marina
- Mudslide
- Arcade
- Sunset at The Oar Bar
Day Two
- Bike or moped around the island
- Diamondblue Surf Shop
- Surf Beach
- Mohegan Bluffs
- Bloody Mary at the National Hotel
- Dinner at Atlantic
Day Three
- Morning paddleboard
- Bumper boats at Champlins
- Walk through town
- Explore the shops
- Dinner at The Spring House
- Live music back at Champlin's
What We're Packing
If I were headed back there, the below is what I would be packing.
Not because they are part of a routine...
But because they become part of the rhythm of life on the water.
Our travel essentials:
☀️ Mineral 45 Sunscreen & Surf Paste
🌿 Body Recovery Serum & Body Oil
💧 After Sun Spray & Facial Mist
✨ Superheroes: Brightening Essence & Botanical Serum
🦟 Vanilla Mozi anti Bug Cream
After long days in the sun, saltwater, and ocean breeze, caring for our skin becomes another small ritual—one that lets us wake up the next morning ready to do it all again.
One Last Thought
When people ask me why I love Block Island so much, I never know how to answer.
Because it isn't really about the island.
It's about what happened there.
Morning coffee on the boat.
Late-night marshmallows.
Watching Stranger Things together in the cabin.
My son proudly tying boating knots.
My daughter worrying more about Teddy missing her than spending the night in a "haunted" room.
The girls singing on top of the boat that became their stage.
The laughter.
The sunsets.
The ordinary moments that quietly became extraordinary memories.
If your children are still young...
Take the trip.
Stay another day.
Let them get sandy.
Let dinner run late.
Watch one more sunset.
One day, without realizing it, you'll have made a memory your family will carry forever.
Marisa's Favorites
- Best Arrival: By boat into Great Salt Pond
- First Stop: Champlin's Mudslide
- Best Way to Explore: Rent a bike or moped
- Favorite Shop: Diamond Blue Surf Shop
- Best Celebration Dinner: Atlantic
- Most Magical Evening: The Spring House
- Best Casual Meal: The Oar Bar
- Best Bloody Mary: The National Hotel
- Favorite Beach: Surf Beach
- Can't-Miss View: Mohegan Bluffs
- Favorite Family Memory: Evenings aboard the boat at Champlin's