Eating, Exploring and Staying There

Getting there: Block Island is 12 miles east of Long Island and about nine miles south of the Rhode Island mainland. Scheduled ferry service runs throughout the summer from New London, Conn., Providence, R.I., Newport, R.I., and Point Judith, R.I., with year-round service from Point Judith. The ferries carry cars by advance reservation only. Call Interstate Navigation at (401) 789-3502 (Point Judith) or (203) 442-7891/9553 (New London).

Flying to Block Island is only feasible by private or charter plane. For charter flights from Westerly, R.I., call New England Airlines at (401) 466-5959. For flights to and from Groton/New London, Conn., and Teterboro, N.J., call Action Airlines toll-free at (800) 243-8623.

Where to stay: Top choices are the Hotel Manisses, The 1661 Inn and The 1661 Guest House. All are within a block of each other on Spring Street, and are under the same ownership.

The Manisses is a superbly refurbished Victorian hotel with 18 rooms, all with private baths, four with Jacuzzis.

The 1661 Inn is a remodeled authentic New England Colonial inn. Some rooms have private baths, refrigerators and private decks overlooking the ocean and Old Harbor. The Manisses and The 1661 Inn are open from April till November; The Guest House is open all year.

The 1990 summer rates for hotel, inn and guest house are $100 a night single or double occupancy; $130-$300 with private bath. Off-season rates: $48 to $100, $70 to $250 with private bath. Breakfast at The 1661 Inn is included with rates for all guests.

Block Island uses no street numbers. For more information, write to any of the three inns at Spring Street, Block Island, R.I. 02807, or call (401) 466-2421, 466-2063 or 466-2836.

Other less expensive but appealing hotels include:

The Surf, (401) 466-2241/5990. Rates: $75 double with private bath, $65 double with shared bath. Credit cards not accepted. The Surf, while not elegant, is a step back into an authentic Victorian past and is on the beach at Old Harbor.

The Atlantic Inn, (401) 466-2005/7721. Summer rates: $100 to $165 double with private bath. April 15 to June 15, $55 to $105, breakfast included. All establishments require a deposit to secure a reservation. Early reservations are suggested for July and August and on all holiday weekends.

Where to eat: The Manisses and the Harborside Inn serve fine seafood. Try breakfast on the deck of The 1611 Inn overlooking the ocean and Old Harbor. For casual lunch or homemade chowder, try Ballard’s Inn, Finn’s Seafood Bar or Humphrey’s Sandwich Shop, all at Old Harbor.

For more information: The Block Island Chamber of Commerce, Drawer D, Block Island, R.I. 02807, (401) 2436, will provide maps and brochures on accommodations, including cottage and boat rentals. For more information on travel to Block Island or Rhode Island, contact the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development, Tourist Division, 7 Jackson Walkway, Providence, R.I. 02903, (401) 277-2601.