mosie

We've bagged the florida plans this year and we are considering renting a cottage on block island. I have never been, but it looks perfect for what I am looking for. Does anyone have any advice for getting around the island with a toddler? Is there a part of the island where pretty much everything is within walking distance? I am not sure how to handle the car seat/taxi situation. Any recomendations on family friendly places to eat and best beaches?

thanks in advance,
Mo

Bill

If you are going for more than a couple of days I would suggest that you take your car over with you. It would cost alittle over 50 for R/t and I think it costs $10 a day to keep on the mainland. If you do decide to take the car you must reserve as soon as possible.Spaces fill up very fast for the summer. BI only has one town to speak of (New Shorham)that has Hotels, Rest. and shops and you can also walk to the beach from town. Just about all restaurants are kid friendly but Finns(just off the boat) Ballards, and Rebeccas are some good places. Take your child to the Airport rest. for breakfast and watch the planes landing and taking off while you eat. My kids still love to do that and my oldest is 15. The best beach for a toddler is the town beach. It has showers, snack bar and things to rent but our favorite is Mansion beach. Nice beach few rocks and not crowded. If you need any info please write.

KenCT

As Bill inferred, there's not much happening on Block Island, and that's part of the charm - some restaurants, T-shirts shops, etc.

Bringing a car over seems hardly worth the effort and expense, although many do it. You will find mopeds everywhere, unfortunately.

Block Island is ideal for bicycling, if you're in reasonably good shape. I bring my own, but there are plenty of rental places. You'd probably need to check if any offer "child seat attachments."

Curious

I can't stand the suspense. Where is Block Island? I have never heard of it.

Curious

Jon_Eric

LOL Block Island is Rhode Islands version of Nantucket. Ive never been either, but it might be nice to combine with a trip to Newport. Your answer in short is, Rhode Island.

Bill

Mosie
I still think that it would be alot easier if you brought your car onto the Island.It would not be enjoyable to have to lug a weeks worth of cloths,linens, food, toys, stroller and other things that the cottage would not supply from the parking lot if its going to cost the same amount of money. And you will have your transportation. You can also put your bike on a rack and not have to pay any extra. you want to make a vacation as enjoyable as possible, why have to worry about how your going to get all your stuff to and from the boat.

mosie

Thanks Bill. I hadn't realized that I could bring a car. I was getting tired just thinking about lugging all of the toddler "stuff" we'd have to bring! Plus, now I know he'll be safe in his car seat when we need to travel farther than walking distance. Now I just have to pull it all together soon so I can get one of the coveted summer ferry reservations for my car!

Thanks again to you, and everyone who has responded.

Kristy

Mosie-
How old is you toddler?
We brought our then 6month old to Block Island in September, 2001. We actually were there for 9/11, and got stranded for an extra 4 days! It got a little hairy when the only market ran out of our baby formula! But that's a whole different story!

You have gotten some great advice as far as reserving the ferry for your car, and I would bring your car with all the kiddie stuff! We were there in what they called shoulder season, so a lot of places were closed.

As far as renting bikes, the place we went to wouldn't rent the bike attachments for children under 2!

Hope this is helpful!

mosie

Kristy
My toddler will be 22 months when we go, but he's already taller than the average 2 year old - so I hope we won't have a problem.

What did you end up doing about formula? I would have been in a panic!

LilMsFoodie

Can't help myself, when I hear of Block Island I think of Holly Golightly and Breakfast at Tiffany's. Part of her weather report from Sing Sing. Well, you'd have to see the movie to get it.

Block Island is charming and hasn't the trendy folks that crowd Martha's and it is more casual than Nantucket.

LMF

mosie

LMF - thanks of the Breakfast at Tiffany's refence - I can't believe I hadn't thought of it myself. My husband and I have done the vinyard and nantucket, so we are hoping this will be more laid back. We get enough pretense at home - we like to kick back on vacation (unless we are heading to little dix!).