The Nature Conservancy has called Block Island, 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast, “one of the last 12 great places in the Western Hemisphere.” Unfortunately, most day-trippers see only the crescent of sand by the ferry dock and miss the island’s varied and dramatic land- and seascapes. One of the most spectacular is Mohegan Bluffs, a 150-foot cliff of clay and sand at the island’s southern tip, from which you can see Montauk Point, New York, and beyond. It’s more than worth the cab ride or bike rental (there are several options at the ferry dock) it takes to get out there. After experiencing the view, descend the 250 wooden steps to the beach. Here, the only sounds are of breaking waves and squawking gulls, and the clay-rich sand is fine for crafting castles and sea creatures. Currents can be rough, though, so strong swimmers only. – Ellen Albanese

For a list of moped and bike rental sites, call 800-383-2474 or go to blockislandchamber.com