South County's lovely seashore & nature trails offer great family activities

Kids love Block Island, RI, which makes it the perfect spot for your family vacation. Take the Block Island Ferry out of Narragansett, [Point Judith] or Newport, RI: It’s a fun, scenic trip. When you get off the ferry at Old Harbor, the visitor’s center is right across the parking lot with lots of ideas. But here are a few in advance: Head out to Mohegan Bluffs for stunning cliff views, visit the exotic-animal farm, walk to a lighthouse or over nature trails. Bike to a beach to go snorkeling, clamming, surfing, paddle boarding or fishing. Go horseback riding or parasailing! And don’t forget activities in your departure port — those astonishing mansions or the Car Museum in Newport, the beaches and clam chowder in Galilee, home of Point Judith.

For Save The Bay's educators, learning and having fun go hand in hand. And this nonprofit environmental organization offers plenty of opportunities to do just that at their year-round locations in Providence and Newport. At its Bay Center in Providence, you can explore shoreline trails, enjoy the fishing cove and public dock, or even hop onboard a Lighthouse Tour (June through October). In Newport, you can stop by their interactive Exploration Center and Aquarium to check out sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, skates, sharks and more. Or, you can take a seal tour from Bowen's Wharf from November through April.
Boat tours depart from Newport, Westerly, and Providence RI.