Hi everyone, while I contemplate Maine this summer I am also considering Newport, RI and Block Island. I absolutely love Nantucket and I wonder if Block Island has a similar look, atmosphere, history etc... If anyone has a favorite B&B or small inn in either place let me know. I found plenty of Newport lodging reviews on "Trip Advisor" but they didnt have a Block Island section under RI.
Thanks!

Block island is NOTHING like Nantucket. Let me start out by saying I'm not a fan so my views are colored. It's very laid-back, casual. It may have history (pirates & such) but it's not "apparent" ie no old homes, inns etc. It's basically a casual beach area. I didn't stay on Block island (thank God), only went for the day. Stick with Newport IMO.

Block Island is MUCH more casual than Nantucket.

I love to dock my boat in the old harbor on Block Island and walk around the town

I get a mudslide at the place right on the beach and then we do a "chowder crawl" hitting each of the local places for chowder.

Nantucket is difficult to navigate to by boat, so when we spend time in Newport we usually hook up with one of our friends who is a pilot and he flies us out to Nantucket.

On Nantucket are some great shops and wonderful restaurants.

So,

Stay in Newport and do a day trip to block island

Check out Netscape.com. Today's homepage had an article about Money's 2003 best vacation places, and Block Island was listed as one of the best. I've never been there, but I read your post this morning and then just "noticed" the Netscape article. Hope this helps!

Thanks everyone! It looks like Block Island might have a certain laid back appeal, but I wasn't finding much in the lodging dept that was too impressive. Newport on the other hand appears to have HUNDREDS of B&B's! Right now I'm leaning towards the Francis Malbone and the Inn at Castle Hill. Newport is also making Kennebunkport look cheap in terms of room rates so I may do both and stop in too often overlooked Portsmouth, NH on the way. Then again I could easily spend a week in Newport and probably not be disappointed. Another place that looks very interesting is Monhegan Island, very rustic, very "Maine", but it might be too far up from Kennebunkport for this trip or maybe not?

We spent a few nights in Newport and a couple in Block Island during the same trip. I guess it's all in what you're looking for. We liked the laid-back, casual atmosphere and beauty of Block Island. Had a great time flying our kite on the beach. Just had our bikes (left the car on the other side) and biked everywhere. It was awesome and we were just talking yesterday about how we want to go back!

My wife and I loved block island but I would guess many of my friends might be bored there. A couple of decent restaurants and hotels, but it's nothing like Nantucket. We enjoy bikung and hiking, but for those looking to be entertained, they might be better off somewhere else.