20 Best Destinations for a Long Weekend Trip From Major US Cities

11. Block Island, Rhode Island - Unspoiled Island Paradise from New York and Boston

Block Island, located twelve miles off the Rhode Island coast, offers visitors from New York and Boston a pristine island getaway that combines dramatic coastal scenery, Victorian charm, and a refreshingly uncommercial atmosphere that feels worlds away from mainland pressures. This pear-shaped island, just seven miles long and three miles wide, features some of the most spectacular coastal bluffs on the East Coast, pristine beaches, and a network of hiking trails that provide access to diverse ecosystems ranging from maritime grasslands to freshwater ponds. The island's two historic lighthouses, including the iconic Southeast Light perched dramatically on the Mohegan Bluffs, offer excellent photography opportunities and serve as landmarks for the scenic cliff walk that provides breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean from heights of up to 200 feet above sea level. Block Island's charming Old Harbor area, with its collection of Victorian hotels, restaurants, and shops, maintains the relaxed atmosphere of a byg