Block Island, a 9‑square‑mile slice of New England coastline off Rhode Island, has just landed on Priceline’s list of top trending destinations for 2027, alongside far flung picks like Fes and Innsbruck. That new attention means weekend escapes are booking up earlier, but with a bit of planning you can still have a relaxed, car free getaway built around ferries, bicycles, classic inns and long walks on the sand.
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Why Block Island Is Trending For Weekend Escapes
According to Priceline’s 2027 “Where to Next?” travel trends report, Block Island, Rhode Island, is one of the company’s top trending destinations based on year over year growth in hotel searches between May 2025 and May 2026. The island appears on a short list that also includes Beacon in New York’s Hudson Valley and Snoqualmie in Washington State, putting this tiny Atlantic outpost firmly on the radar of travelers looking for small town, outdoors focused breaks.
That momentum reflects what visitors find when they arrive. Roughly 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast, Block Island feels distant from the workweek but is still reachable from major Northeast cities in half a day. Summer weekends bring live music on hotel lawns, clam shacks spilling onto harbor sidewalks and sunset crowds on the west side bluffs, while spring and fall draw cyclists and walkers looking for quieter roads and lower room rates.
Because demand has climbed, especially for July and August weekends, availability is tightening. Popular properties like the Spring House Hotel complex and waterfront inns in Old Harbor report that prime Friday and Saturday nights often sell out months in advance. Travelers who once waited for a good weather forecast to decide on a trip are now more likely to reserve rooms and ferry tickets earlier, particularly when traveling with a car.
For a two or three night escape, a practical strategy is to travel light and leave the car on the mainland, then build your stay around passenger ferries, bicycle rentals and inns within walking distance of Old Harbor. That approach keeps costs down, cuts stress at the ferry terminal and aligns with how many repeat visitors experience the island.
Getting There: Ferries, Schedules And What It Costs
Most visitors reach Block Island by boat. The Block Island Ferry from Point Judith in Narragansett is the primary link, offering both traditional and high speed passenger service, as well as vehicle transport. As of the 2026 schedule, a one way adult ticket on the traditional ferry from Point Judith costs about 12 dollars 30 cents, with a same day round trip priced around 22 dollars 60 cents and a different day round trip about 24 dollars 60 cents. Children five to eleven travel for roughly 5 dollars 15 cents one way, while seniors receive a small discount compared with the adult fare.
High speed service from Point Judith is more expensive but cuts the crossing to roughly 30 minutes. The 2026 fare table lists adult high speed tickets at about 29 dollars each way, or 58 dollars for a same day round trip. Those boats are passenger only, so travelers bringing vehicles must book the traditional ferry instead. Space for cars is limited and advance reservations for summer weekends often sell out many weeks ahead.
Seasonal ferries connect Block Island with other New England ports. The Block Island Express, operated out of New London, Connecticut, typically runs high speed passenger service in the warmer months, providing a direct link from southeastern Connecticut and nearby New York. In some seasons there is also passenger service from Newport, Rhode Island, which can be appealing if you are pairing a Block Island weekend with time in that coastal city. Schedules and start and end dates shift each year, so travelers should confirm current departures and operating months before making nonrefundable plans.
For a summer weekend without a car, many travelers aim for a Friday afternoon or evening sailing to the island and a Sunday afternoon return. On particularly busy dates, midday and early evening runs can be crowded, and same day tickets for popular times may sell out at the Point Judith terminal. Arriving at least 45 minutes before departure, and earlier on Saturdays in July and August, reduces the chance of being bumped to a later boat.
Getting Around: Cycling, Mopeds And Going Car Free
Once on Block Island, cycling is one of the most practical and enjoyable ways to get around. The island is small enough that confident riders can loop the main roads and reach both the North and Southeast Lighthouses in a day, but hilly enough that gears make a real difference. Several rental outfits operate within walking distance of the Old Harbor ferry landing, including Beach Rose Bicycles and other long running shops listed in the town’s harbor guide. Standard adult bikes, often single speed cruisers or basic multi speed models, typically rent by the day, with some recent reports suggesting daily rates that can approach the mid two figure range, depending on the bike.
Beach Rose Bicycles, for example, advertises coupon rates for a single day between roughly 45 and 95 dollars depending on model, covering everything from basic cruisers to higher end bikes and kid trailers. Shops usually provide locks and often helmets, though bringing your own helmet guarantees a better fit. Rental staff may encourage visitors to test ride around the block before committing, and recent traveler feedback suggests that this step helps identify bikes that need adjustment before heading out on the island’s rolling roads.
The question of electric bicycles on Block Island has generated debate in recent years. Local ordinances have historically restricted pure e bike rentals on the island, and many online discussions as recently as 2026 reference rules that limit or ban standard e bike hire. Some visitors now rent e bikes near the ferry in Point Judith or on the mainland, then pay the ferry fee for the bike, which in 2026 is listed at about 9 dollars 15 cents one way or 18 dollars 30 cents round trip for an electric bicycle on the traditional Point Judith ferry. Travelers considering that option should double check both current island regulations and ferry policies before arrival, as rules continue to evolve.
Moped rentals remain common, particularly for day trippers who want to cover longer distances with less physical effort. Recent anecdotal reports place some three hour moped rentals in the 200 dollar range for a fixed time block, making them a more expensive choice than bicycles for many couples or families. Mopeds can also be intimidating for inexperienced riders on shared roads. For most weekend visitors who are comfortable on two wheels, a geared bicycle offers a good balance between cost, flexibility and the ability to stop quickly at beaches, farm stands and viewpoints.
Where To Stay: Inns, Hotels And Cottages
Block Island’s accommodations skew small scale and seasonal, with many hotels and inns open roughly from May to October and a few properties adding limited shoulder season or holiday weekends. The Block Island Chamber of Commerce lists a mix of hotels, classic New England inns, guest houses and cottage style rentals scattered around Old Harbor, New Harbor and the bluffs above town. Family owned complexes like The 1661 Resort group several buildings and cottages under one umbrella, ranging from rooms at the 1661 Inn itself to apartments and farm style suites.
In Old Harbor, waterfront hotels such as the National Hotel and the newer Block Island Beach House occupy some of the most prominent spots directly across from the ferry landing and along Crescent Beach. Independent reviews that group the island’s Victorian inns describe high season double rooms commonly falling somewhere in the mid two hundreds to low five hundreds of dollars per night, with harbor view and oceanfront rooms at the upper end of that range. Budget conscious travelers may find simpler guest houses or rooms a few streets back from the water at somewhat lower rates, especially in May, June and September.
Travelers who prioritize a classic porch and lawn scene often look to properties like the Spring House Hotel complex, perched on the hill above Old Harbor with sweeping ocean views. The complex includes a variety of room types spread across the main hotel and adjacent buildings and frequently hosts weddings and events on summer weekends. Guests who prefer a quieter atmosphere sometimes choose smaller inns or cottages farther from the evening music and bar crowds, such as some of the properties operated through Block Island Reservations or the cluster of B&Bs highlighted by the chamber.
For longer stays or for groups of friends, cottage and house rentals available through local agencies and dedicated island booking sites provide kitchens and more privacy. Some of these rentals are within a short walk of Crescent Beach or Scotch Beach, while others sit along country roads near the island’s interior ponds. Many homes rent by the week in midsummer, but a growing number offer three night minimums in the shoulder seasons, which can work well for a Friday to Monday escape.
Planning A Weekend Itinerary Without A Car
A focused weekend itinerary makes it easier to enjoy Block Island without feeling rushed. After stepping off the ferry in Old Harbor on Friday afternoon, many travelers check into an inn within walking distance of the dock. Properties like the Blue Dory Inn, located near the head of Crescent Beach with direct sand access, or compact guest houses in the lanes around Dodge Street, allow visitors to drop bags and head straight to the shoreline. An evening walk on Crescent Beach followed by a simple seafood dinner in town is an easy first night, leaving early morning hours free for exploring.
Saturday can be built around cycling and viewpoints. After breakfast, renting bikes near the harbor sets you up for a loop that includes the Southeast Lighthouse and Mohegan Bluffs on the south shore. From town, the ride to the lighthouse involves steady hills, so leaving plenty of time for breaks is important. A typical route might include a stop at the overlook stairs at Mohegan Bluffs for a photo or a descent to the narrow, pebbly beach below for stronger hikers. Lunch back in town or at a casual spot closer to New Harbor keeps the day manageable.
On Sunday, before an afternoon return ferry, travelers often head to the north end of the island to visit the North Lighthouse and nearby beaches. The ride or walk along Corn Neck Road passes the popular Surf Beach and Scotch Beach stretches of Crescent Beach before reaching the sandy path to the lighthouse. Bringing water and sun protection is important here, as the final walk is exposed and services are limited. Allowing enough time to return, shower and pick up luggage before the ferry reduces stress at departure.
Shorter weekends, such as a Saturday morning arrival with a Sunday evening return, work best when visitors focus on either the southern or northern half of the island and keep activities simple. Avoid stacking too many long rides or hikes into a single full day, especially in midsummer heat. Reserving dinner times where possible, particularly at the most popular harbor front restaurants, can also prevent long waits after an active day outdoors.
Best Beaches For A Short Stay
For a weekend visit, most travelers concentrate on a few easily reached beaches rather than trying to see every cove and stretch of sand. Crescent Beach, which runs roughly two miles north from Old Harbor, is the simplest option for car free visitors. Sections closest to town are sometimes referred to as Town Beach or Fred Benson Town Beach, where lifeguards and seasonal facilities are typically available in summer. Walking ten or fifteen minutes up the sand gets you to quieter areas, while cyclists often ride along Corn Neck Road and cut down one of several sandy access paths to reach less crowded spots.
Farther along Crescent Beach, Scotch Beach is a favorite for swimmers and groups of friends looking for more space and a slightly livelier scene. Its location along the same stretch of shoreline means visitors staying in Old Harbor can easily reach it by bicycle in under 20 minutes, or by a longer but pleasant walk on the sand. On warm weekends, bringing a small cooler and a beach umbrella or shade tent is sensible, as shade is limited and midday sun can be intense.
On the south side, the narrow strand below Mohegan Bluffs offers a wilder feel, backed by cliffs rather than dunes. Reaching the beach requires descending a long staircase and scrambling over some rocks at the bottom, so it is better suited to fit visitors wearing sturdy sandals or shoes that can handle wet stones. The water can be rougher than on the east side, and services are minimal, making it more of a scenic visit than an all day family beach option.
For sunset on a clear evening, many weekend visitors head toward the island’s west side beaches, including areas near the Great Salt Pond and along West Side Road. The combination of open ocean views and slowly changing light attracts both photographers and casual strollers. With fewer formal facilities in this area, it is worth checking local guidance on parking or bike locking spots and carrying out everything you bring in.
Practical Tips, Costs And Seasonal Considerations
Costs for a weekend on Block Island vary widely by season and by how you travel. A couple visiting in high summer and staying at a harbor front inn might expect to pay for round trip traditional ferry tickets from Point Judith at roughly mid two figures per person, daily bicycle rentals that can fall between about 45 and 95 dollars per bike for higher end models, and nightly room rates that regularly stretch into the high two hundreds or more for central locations. In the shoulder seasons of May, June and September, accommodation prices often soften somewhat, while ferry fares and many food prices remain similar.
Food on the island spans casual dockside clam shacks, beach grills and sit down dining rooms with harbor views. Entrées at midrange restaurants around Old Harbor commonly land in the upper teens to mid thirties of dollars, with local seafood like clam cakes, chowder and grilled fish among the signature orders. Visitors watching their budget often mix restaurant meals with picnic lunches made from goods purchased at island markets or brought in small coolers, particularly if they are spending full days at the beach.
Seasonal patterns matter when planning a visit. July and August bring the warmest water and the liveliest atmosphere but also the largest crowds, heaviest ferry demand and the highest room rates. Late June and early September offer a compromise of long days and slightly thinner crowds, while May and early October are popular with walkers and cyclists willing to trade cooler water for quieter roads and lower lodging prices. Some inns and restaurants close or reduce hours outside the core summer months, so checking spring and fall opening dates is important.
Weather can shift quickly on the exposed island. Even in midsummer, evening breezes may call for a light jacket, and fog occasionally disrupts sea views and, more rarely, ferry schedules. Travelers prone to seasickness might prefer traditional ferries, which are larger and tend to move less in choppy seas than smaller high speed vessels, and may want to carry medication or ginger candies for the crossing.
Making The Most Of Your Block Island Weekend
A successful weekend on Block Island depends less on checking off every attraction than on embracing the island’s slower rhythms. Booking a centrally located inn in or near Old Harbor, reserving ferry tickets in advance and planning to explore by bicycle all help free up mental space once you arrive. With those basics covered, there is time to linger over coffee on a hotel porch, detour down a dirt road toward a farm or pond you noticed from your handlebars, or extend a beach afternoon when the breeze stays soft and the water is warm.
The island’s newfound status as a trending search on Priceline’s data simply confirms what longtime visitors already know. Within a few hours of Boston or New York, it offers uncluttered horizons, dark night skies and a rare mix of accessible comforts and wild edges. For travelers willing to travel carry on only, lock the car in a mainland lot and let a ferry set the pace of their trip, Block Island delivers a classic New England weekend escape that still feels a little removed from the rush of the mainland.
As interest continues to grow, the key is to balance planning with flexibility. Secure the essentials early, then leave room in your itinerary to follow the wind and the tides. Whether your highlight ends up being the climb back up from Mohegan Bluffs, a quiet hour at the North Lighthouse or a porch seat at sunset, there is enough variety packed into these few square miles to make even a short stay feel memorable.
For many repeat visitors, that combination of effort to arrive and ease once you are there is exactly what keeps Block Island on their personal trending list long after search data moves on to the next destination.