There’s something about boarding a ferry with the ocean breeze in your hair that makes you feel like you’re leaving your everyday life behind and stepping into something special. New England has no shortage of stunning coastal getaways, but when it comes to islands, two names dominate the conversation—Block Island and Nantucket. Both are beloved destinations, each with their own distinct charm, but depending on what kind of trip you’re looking for, one might suit your style more than the other.
Block Island is for the free-spirited traveler who craves untouched landscapes, salty air, and a relaxed pace that feels worlds away from the mainland. Just an hour-long ferry ride from Rhode Island, this island is an easy escape where you can swap traffic lights for rolling green hills and bustling city sounds for the hum of cicadas. The beaches stretch wide and open, often framed by dramatic bluffs and wildflowers, the kind of place where you can toss your towel down without worrying about crowds. It’s casual, unpolished in the best way, and built for those who want to hop on a bike, explore winding roads, and stop for a lobster roll at a roadside shack.
Nantucket, on the other hand, is the picture of coastal sophistication. Dripping in history and refined charm, this Massachusetts island draws in visitors looking for a polished, quintessentially New England experience. Arriving in Nantucket feels like stepping into a postcard—cobblestone streets lined with hydrangea-filled gardens, shingled cottages, and high-end boutiques where the window displays alone are enough to make you want to start dressing in head-to-toe linen. There’s an elegance to it, a sense that you should be sipping a chilled glass of rosé at a waterfront bistro or chartering a sailboat at sunset. It’s a destination where you can indulge, whether that means a seafood tower at a five-star restaurant or a meticulously curated antique shop on Main Street.
When it comes to nightlife, Block Island keeps things laid-back but lively. The beach bars are buzzing with music and locals who could easily pass as cast members from an old surf documentary. It’s the kind of place where you kick off your shoes, dance in the sand, and toast to the end of a perfect summer day with a famous mudslide in hand. Nantucket, by contrast, offers a more refined take on evening entertainment—cocktail lounges with bespoke drinks, intimate live music venues, and waterfront restaurants where the candlelit tables seem to glow against the night sky.
Deciding between the two comes down to the kind of trip you want. If your ideal getaway is one where you unplug, embrace the salt in your hair, and explore rugged coastal beauty without an itinerary, Block Island is calling your name. If you’re drawn to classic elegance, a rich history, and a perfectly polished weekend, Nantucket is the place to be. Either way, both islands promise that signature New England magic, the kind that lingers long after you’ve stepped back onto the ferry and watched the shoreline fade into the horizon.
