So Block Island

Water Street

Block Island’s bustling town center

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Most visitors arrive here first, fresh off the ferries from Point Judith, Newport and New London. A Visitor’s Center near the docks offers bathrooms, maps, help with last-minute lodging and other friendly guidance. Finn’s Seafood, a classic shore dinner hall, is still the best spot for a raw bar and lobster dinners; it also boasts a small fish market with outstanding fresh offerings, and a takeout window for that last lobster roll before you board the ferry home.

Walk up to Water Street proper, and bicycle and moped rental businesses line the strip alongside small shops and cafés such as Wild Flowers Boutique. Just past the statue of Rebecca (a landmark erected in 1896 by the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement at the intersection of Water, Spring and High Streets), the post office building also houses Island Bound Bookstore (you know you don’t want to risk your Kindle on the beach) and Jessie Edwards art studio.  Beyond that are upscale dining destinations at the Hotel Manisses and Spring House Hotel. 

Back in town, grab lunch to go, like solid, well-priced diner food from Rebecca’s takeout or excellent breakfast burritos, falafel, grilled cheese and smoothies at Froozies, tucked away on the back porch of the National Hotel; or escape the heat at Mohegan Café, a brewpub with air conditioning. Don’t forget to check out the billboard of the historic Empire Theatre to see what’s playing. Fashionistas will delight in The Wave and Bonnie & Clyde; kids will love Building Blocks and Star Department Store; interior designer types will find much to tempt at Glass Onion, Photo Dog and Block Island Trading Company. Venture down Chapel Street to find original island-themed jewelry designs at Golddiggers; opposite is tiny fine-dining hot spot Eli’s and an even tinier sweet spot, Blocks of Fudge. On Weldon’s Way, The Ice Cream Place and Aldo’s vie for best ice cream.

Where to Find

Aldo’s

401-466-2198
aldosbakery.com

Block Island Trading Company
Water St., at the National Hotel, 401-859-1524
blockislandtradingcompany.com

Blocks of Fudge
459 Chapel St., 401-466-5196

Bonnie & Clyde
Water St., 401-466-8895

Building Blocks and Star Department Store
Water St. 401-466-5541

Eli’s
Chapel St. 401-466-5230
elisblockisland.com

Empire Theatre
Water St. 401-466-2555

Finn’s Seafood
Water St. 401-466-2473
finnsseafood.com

Froozies
Dodge St. 401-466-2230
frooziesblockisland.com

Glass Onion
Water St. 401-466-5161
glassonionblockisland.com

Golddiggers
Chapel St. 401-466-2611

Hotel Manisses
Spring St. 401- 466-2421
blockislandresorts.com 

The Ice Cream Place
Weldon’s Way
401-466-2145

Island Bound Bookstore
Water St. 401-466-8878
islandboundbookstore.com

Jessie Edwards
Water St., 2nd flr. 401-466-5314
jessieedwardsgallery.com

Mohegan Café
Water St. 401-466-5911
moheganbi.com

Photo Dog
Water St. 401-466-5858

Rebecca’s
Water St. 401-466-5411

Spring House Hotel
Spring St. 401-466-5844
springhousehotel.com

The Wave
Water St. 401-466-8822

Wild Flowers Boutique
41 Water St. 401-466-2006

Wild Flowers Boutique, The Wave, Spring House Hotel, Rebecca’s, Photo Dog, Mohegan Café, Jessie Edwards, The Ice Cream Place, island bound bookstore, hotel manisses, golddiggers, glass onion, forrzies, Finn’s Seafood, Empire Theatre, Eli’s, Building Blocks and Star Department Store, Bonnie & Clyde, Blocks of Fudge, Block Island Trading Company, Aldo’s

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