Ready for a coastal getaway in America’s smallest state? Jennifer Drobysh shares how you can enjoy Rhode Island's Newport and Block Island with cliffside ocean views, Gilded Age mansions and beaches like Mohegan Bluffs Beach, plus practical tips for getting around and making the most of a weekend getaway.

Down the steps to the coast at Mohegan Bluffs Beach on Block Island. Photo credit: Jennifer Drobysh

Many tourists visiting the United States set their sights on coastal areas in New England, like the classic Boston, Cape Cod, Salem, and Maine routes.

But the often overlooked Ocean State of Rhode Island is one of the few places that remains authentic. Only a few tourists visit, and those who do are mainly from New England.

My summer trip here turned out to be so much more than I expected: breathtaking cliffs, picturesque villas, charming towns and its port and the jewel of New England (in my opinion, and in many New Englanders’ opinions, too): Block Island.

Rhode Island’s coasts make for the perfect weekend getaway destination by way of road trip, and there are plenty of ways to fill a two- or three-day trip here.

A Little Introduction to Newport and Block Island

Newport was founded in 1639 as a British colony, and was dependent on the transatlantic slave trade. When the American Civil War ended, the rise of industry and transportation gave way to a new class of wealthy people and to what is referred to as the Gilded Age (1870-1910).

Families such as the famous Vanderbilts, Fords and Rockefellers held banquets, sporting events and the like in their Newport villas built along beautiful cliffs on what became known as the “Gold Coast”. These lavish Newport mansions (which are primarily along Bellevue Avenue and Ochre Point) were designed by American architects as a means for the ultra-rich captains of industry to compete with European estates.

The Breakers, the most notorious of the mansions, was built in 1895 and owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt II. It caused controversy at a time when only five percent of the population had electricity, while The Breakers had lights in all of its seventy rooms.

On a lighter note, some Golden Coast villas appear in the HBO series The Gilded Age, and the lifestyle of this era was an inspiration for the famous Downton Abbey.

As for Block Island, it was actually discovered long before Newport by an Italian in 1524, merely acknowledging its existence, then later on in 1614 by the man who gave it its name: Adrian Block, a Dutch explorer. In 1661, families from the British colony of Massachusetts settled on Block Island, making it eventually part of the English colony of Rhode Island in 1664.

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How to Travel to and Around Newport and Block Island

Newport is conveniently accessible by car from many areas in southeastern Canada and northern parts of the United States. Its distance from major cities makes it an easy long weekend getaway to make the most of what Newport and Block Island have to offer:

from Montreal—8 hours to drive from Montreal (where I travelled from)
from Toronto—9 hours
from Boston—2 hours
from New York City—3.5 hours

It is also possible to fly. Theodore Francis Green Memorial State Airport (PVD) in Warwick, RI is a smaller airport servicing destinations mostly within the United States. If you’re coming from further away, you’ll likely need to fly to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), but you will need to take a train to Providence, followed by a bus (or a ferry) to Newport.

The good news is that once you’re in Newport, you don’t need a rental car to go around, and the Block Island Ferry takes off right from the centre of the city. The trip in one direction only takes an hour, and you can buy your return ferry ticket right at the port in Newport, or on their website.

On quiet Block Island, you don’t need many options to get around: you can rent a bicycle, a scooter or just walk.

Where to Stay in Newport & Block Island

Choosing a hotel or B&B within the town limits of Newport is a good option, as it leaves you car-free for the rest of your stay. During my time in Rhode Island, I stayed in quiet downtown Providence. In my opinion, it was too quiet, so I’m not recommending a visit there.

As a result, I have not experienced any hotels in Newport nor on Block Island. However, I did get to experience the Brenton Hotel bar in Newport, which is right on the port, next to the bus station. The decor is refined and trendy, the staff is very helpful, and it has its own underground parking lot. You can’t beat the location: right by the water.

If a complete Gilded Age experience would be more to your liking, I would recommend searching the various villas on and around the Gold Coast. You will feel like royalty in any of these ravishing hotels.

Block Island

Staying one or two nights in the charming inns on Block Island can bring your experience to new heights. The inns are very low-key, and let you make the most of your surroundings without worrying about your next ferry.

Start Your Weekend Getaway in Newport

Soak in Newport’s Streets and Architecture

In Newport town, you can explore the streets and pretty architecture on foot: it is quite compact, but very pleasant.

Shops, art galleries, cafés and restaurants with or without terraces abound on touristy Thames Street and near the waterfront, but do wander to other streets (you shall not get lost; Newport is small) to check out the houses and other less touristy areas like Broadway Street and beyond.

As you wander around, if you like lemons, please try the very addictive Dell’s Lemonade, a local product (regular or diet) sold everywhere. You’re welcome! If I had thought about it more carefully, I would have bought a case to bring back home at the end of my trip.

Use the Bellevue Trolley to Visit Some of Newport’s Sites

And excellent way to get around the city is to use the free hop-on hop-off trolley. It’s a great way to see some of the most famous spots in Newport, and go from place to place.

The Bellevue trolley Route #67 connects to many places in Newport and starts at the bus station. Several of the stops are helpful when you take the Cliff Walk, too.

Take the Cliff Walk

The Views from Cliff Walk. Photo Credit: Jennifer Drobysh

The main activity visitors to Newport do (in part or completely) is the Cliff Walk. It isn’t too far from the city center, but if you plan on doing the entire trail, you’ll maybe want to save your steps by taking the Route #67 trolley. Several stops, including Newport Mansions, Cliff Walk, Bellcourt, Rough Point and First Beach are close to the walk. You could even take the trolley to the furthest stop on the Cliff Walk and walk the distance back, if you’d like.

The whole trail offers amazing views from the cliffs onto the ocean on one side, and beautiful villas throughout your walk on the other. It takes around 2.5 hours to complete the round trip, taking into consideration some quick stops for photos.

Good walking shoes are highly recommended if you want to be able to do it in its entirety, as parts of it toward the south are entirely broken rocks. Not even sporty sandals (I speak from experience!) will cut it. Ideally, adherent soles for the wet patches you may encounter are ideal.

Admire Some of Newport’s Mansions

Either while on the Cliff Walk or otherwise, make sure to stop at the Vanderbilt Mansion for a visit to the famous family’s estate and gardens.

The famous The Breakers is also worth stopping at, too, along with other mansions nearby, like Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, and Chateau-sur-Mer.

If you’re traveling during high season, it’s a good idea to buy your tickets to some of these mansions in advance to secure your place.

Consider Spending Time on the Water

Newport being the capital of sailing, you might want to partake in a cruise while you’re there, if you have time. There are many different types of cruises available, depending on the time you have and your budget.

Sunset sails are quite popular and a pleasant way to end the day.

Note: If you’re coming to Newport by car, you can park for free on most residential streets, many of which are a five-minute walk away from Newport’s town centre. The tourist information office is also located on the commercial street leading to the port. They'll provide a map of Newport and the Cliff Walk, along with other tours, and offer other friendly, helpful suggestions.

Continue Your Weekend Trip on Block Island

Taking the Block Island Ferry from Newport

An easy one-hour ferry ride away from Newport port brings you to, in my opinion, New England’s best-kept secret by far: Block Island.

I strongly suggest taking the early ferry in the morning and the last one from Block Island if you decide to spend just one day here.

Enjoy the Quiet Pace of Block Island

Upon your arrival, there is a tourist information desk right at the small port. Then, the main street is right there with its cafés, shops and inns.

It stretches from the quaint beaches farther on the right and on to magnificent Mohegan Bluffs Beach on the left—not directly on either side, but quite easy to find.

I decided to walk everywhere, and it is easily done in a few hours, though you’ll want to relax on the beaches and stop for photos. You can also choose to rent bikes or mopeds in the shops on that same waterfront main street across from the port, which will allow you to get to see more of Block Island.

Visit Mohegan Bluffs Beach

Mohegan Bluffs Beach. Photo Credit: Jennifer Drobysh

Whatever you do, you must not miss Mohegan Bluffs Beach. The beach is about a 30-minute walk from the port, either all the way around Spring Street, or along High Street and Pilot Hill Road.

It is the highlight of Block Island, and worth the slightly perilous hike down the cliff beyond the steps. When walking on the narrow path through the bushes leading to it, you cannot imagine the view you’ll get once out in the open. It is absolutely breathtaking, nothing less!

A stunning cliff above a beautiful sandy beach awaits you. Take note that there isn’t any shade on this beach, therefore you must either bring your own umbrella and/or make sure you’ve got a lot of sunscreen.

Why Rhode Island Belongs on Your Bucket List

Whether you decide to explore this destination for a quick long weekend getaway or a more extended stay, you will definitely be pleasantly surprised by what Rhode Island has to offer: its inhabitants are friendly and helpful, the atmosphere is laid-back, and the scenery is a feast for the eyes.

I will definitely visit Rhode Island again in the not-so-faraway future. I would love to return and spend a couple of nights on Block Island, perhaps, to get more of the insular feel that is quite distinctive and palpable within the first few minutes upon your arrival.

Weekend Getaway in Rhode Island: Your Guide to Visiting Newport and Block Island in the Smallest American State