5. Old Harbor, Block Island | Best Attractions, Dining, and Lodging

Here are Yankee Magazine‘s picks for the best places to stay, eat, and see for Old Harbor, Rhode Island, ranked #5 Beach Town in New England.

Where to Stay in Old Harbor, Block Island:

The Sea Breeze A short walk from Old Harbor, this sun-bleached shingled inn with private cottages overlooks wildflower meadows, perennial gardens, and a pond. Borrow the kayak to explore the salt pond and a hammock for siestas. With breakfast goodies delivered to your room each morning, there’s more time for a morning nap. seabreezeblockisland.com  

Where to Eat in Old Harbor, Block Island:

Eli’s Awaiting homemade pasta staples and creative pairings (like ahi-tuna nachos), a line snakes outside this no-reservations clapboard cottage; a special vegetarian menu is also available. Its walls are splashed with art by locals who moved here for the island’s ethereal light. elisblockisland.com  

Great Attraction in Old Harbor, Block Island:

Block IslandParasail and Watersports Take a turn at parasailing to get a bird’s eye view of the island. More than 40,000 people have flown with Block Island Parasail over the last two decades. Reservations must be made on the day of sailing. www.blockislandparasail.com Southeast Lighthouse. A National Historic Landmark, the lighthouse has stood atop Moheagn Bluffs since the 1870s. www.nps.gov/maritime/nhl/blockisl.htm CrescentBeach Several miles of packed sand, views for forever. www.blockislandchamber.com  

Don’t Miss:

Mohegan Bluffs A patch of grass lines a redbrick lighthouse that has been keeping watch on the southeast corner of Block Island for more than a century and a quarter. Below, sea-gouged clay cliffs plummet some 200 feet to a white crescent beach that serves as a welcome mat for the Atlantic surf. To stand on this wild stretch of coastline below Mohegan Bluffs is to truly feel inconsequential. www.visitrhodeisland.com/what-to-do/heritage-trails/block-island-heritage-trail More information: : www.blockislandinfo.com See recommendations for the other 24 best beach towns in New England.

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