Block Island sits 13 miles off the Rhode Island coast and feels far removed from the mainland in the best possible way. The island has no traffic lights, a handful of small inns and restaurants, and miles of hiking trails along dramatic sea cliffs. The Nature Conservancy has protected about 40 percent of the island, giving it an open, unhurried character that's increasingly rare in New England.
The beaches are excellent — Crescent Beach is the main one, long and calm — and the swimming and kayaking are good in summer. Ferries run from Point Judith year-round, and from Providence and New London seasonally. The island is busy in July and August; September is quieter and often has the best weather.