Unearth The Voyage
Block Island is already one of New England’s most charming getaways, but tucked along the road to Mohegan Bluffs, there is a stop that surprises nearly every family who discovers it. A working farm on a small island off the coast of Rhode Island is home to kangaroos, camels, lemurs, emus, and more, and the best part is that anyone can walk in for free.
This farm, connected to the historic 1661 Inn, has been quietly delighting kids and adults alike for years with its collection of exotic and farm animals set against a backdrop of open gardens and island scenery. Whether you are a Block Island regular or a first-time visitor, this is one stop that tends to leave a lasting impression on the whole family.
A Farm That Does Not Charge Admission
Free admission is not something most people expect from a farm that houses camels and kangaroos, but the 1661 Farm and Gardens keeps its gates open to the public at no cost.
A small donation box is available on the property, and many families choose to leave something behind out of appreciation, but there is no ticket booth and no pressure.
This makes the farm a genuinely accessible stop for all kinds of travelers, including those on a tighter budget who still want to give their kids a memorable afternoon.
The farm stand on the property sells bags of animal feed, which gives visitors a hands-on way to connect with the animals beyond just watching from a distance.
For a place that could easily charge an entry fee and still draw crowds, keeping it free feels like a generous and community-minded choice that sets this farm apart from similar attractions.
The Animal Lineup That Stops People in Their Tracks
Two double-hump Bactrian camels are among the most jaw-dropping residents at the farm, and they have a way of making adults do a double take just as much as kids.
Alongside the camels, the property is home to three small kangaroos, emus, lemurs, a yak, alpacas, turtles, and a rotating cast of other animals that gives the place a genuine zoo-like quality.
For many visitors, a first encounter with a kangaroo happens right here on this small Rhode Island island, which is a strange and wonderful thing to be able to say.
The variety of species is broad enough that even people who have been to traditional zoos find something unexpected here.
Each animal seems to have its own personality, and spending time near the enclosures gives families a chance to observe behaviors and details that a rushed zoo visit might not allow.
Feeding the Animals Up Close
One of the most popular activities at the 1661 Farm is buying animal feed from the on-site farm stand and hand-feeding the residents directly.
Alpacas are a particular favorite for this, and families have been lining up along their enclosure for years to offer handfuls of feed and get a close-up look at those famously expressive faces.
The experience is tactile and immediate in a way that watching animals through glass at a larger zoo simply cannot replicate.
Kids who might be nervous around animals often warm up quickly here because the pace is relaxed and there is no pressure to move along with a crowd.
The farm stand keeps the feed affordable, so even families with multiple kids can participate without spending much. That kind of low-stakes, high-reward interaction is exactly what makes this stop so memorable for Block Island families year after year.
The Gardens That Frame the Whole Experience
Beyond the animals, the gardens at the 1661 Farm are a draw in their own right, offering a carefully maintained space full of flowers that changes with the seasons.
The flower garden is open to the public for photos, and it provides a backdrop that feels surprisingly lush for a small island property.
Families who arrive primarily for the animals often find themselves lingering in the garden longer than expected, drawn in by the visual contrast between the open farm grounds and the more structured planting beds.
The gardens reflect the same attention to upkeep that is visible throughout the rest of the property, where things are clearly maintained with care rather than left to run on their own.
For anyone traveling with a camera or a phone full of storage, the garden section of the property offers some of the most photogenic moments of a Block Island visit, no filter required.
What the 1661 Inn Adds to the Property
The farm does not exist in isolation. It is part of the broader 1661 Inn property, which has been welcoming guests to Block Island for decades and carries a sense of history that adds depth to the whole experience.
Guests who stay at the inn get the added bonus of waking up steps away from the animals each morning, which is a genuinely unusual perk for a New England inn stay.
The property offers free Wi-Fi, free parking, a pool, a fitness center, and a smoke-free environment, making it a comfortable base for a longer Block Island trip.
The inn also serves a farm-to-table breakfast that draws on the fresh and organic produce grown on the property, which connects the dining experience directly to the land surrounding it.
Staying here rather than just visiting for an hour gives guests a much fuller picture of what the 1661 property is really about.
How the Farm Fits Into a Block Island Day Trip
Block Island is small enough that a single day can cover a lot of ground, and the 1661 Farm fits naturally into a route that also includes Mohegan Bluffs, the Southeast Lighthouse, and the town center near Old Harbor.
The farm sits along the road that many cyclists and walkers already travel to reach the bluffs, so stopping in requires almost no detour at all.
A visit to the farm typically takes around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how long the kids want to linger near the animals or how many photos the adults want to take in the garden.
That timeframe makes it an easy addition rather than a commitment, which is part of why so many Block Island regulars have worked it into their annual routines.
Pairing it with the walk down to Mohegan Bluffs afterward creates a natural rhythm to the afternoon that keeps everyone moving and engaged.
The Animals Are Well Cared For
One thing that stands out consistently about the 1661 Farm is the visible condition of its animals, which appear healthy, active, and well-tended across species.
The care that goes into maintaining the animal quarters is noticeable, from the cleanliness of the enclosures to the attentiveness of the staff who work with the animals regularly.
For families who are conscious about animal welfare, that level of visible care matters and makes the visit feel more comfortable and ethically sound.
The farm has been expanding its animal quarters in recent seasons, which suggests ongoing investment in improving the space and accommodating the animals properly as the collection grows.
Providing shade and appropriate shelter for animals during hot summer days is an area the farm has been actively working on, reflecting a genuine commitment to improving conditions over time rather than treating the farm as a static attraction.
Visiting With Kids of Different Ages
The 1661 Farm works across a wide range of kid ages, from toddlers who light up at the sight of any animal to older kids who find the more exotic species genuinely fascinating.
Younger children tend to gravitate toward the alpacas and turtles, where the pace is slow and the interaction feels manageable.
Older kids and teenagers often find the camels and kangaroos more compelling, especially if they have never encountered those animals outside of a book or a screen.
The open layout of the farm means kids can move freely between areas without being funneled through a structured path, which keeps the energy loose and exploratory rather than rigid.
Parents appreciate that the farm does not require much advance planning or preparation, so it works well as a spontaneous stop during a day of island exploration when everyone needs a change of pace and something new to look at.
Seasonal Considerations Worth Knowing
The 1661 Farm is most rewarding during the warmer months, roughly late spring through early fall, when the animals are active and the gardens are in full display.
Off-season visits are possible but offer a noticeably different experience, with fewer animals visible and the gardens largely dormant.
Summer is peak season on Block Island generally, and the farm benefits from the higher foot traffic that comes with July and August, when families are more likely to be exploring the island on foot or by bike.
Hot days can affect how visible the animals are, since some retreat to shaded areas during the warmest parts of the afternoon. Visiting earlier in the day tends to result in more animal activity and a more satisfying experience overall.
Spring and early fall offer a middle ground, with comfortable conditions and fewer crowds, which can make the whole visit feel more relaxed and less rushed.
Why This Farm Keeps Drawing People Back
The 1661 Farm has a return visitor quality that is worth noting. Families who discover it during one Block Island trip tend to make it a regular stop on subsequent visits, often returning year after year.
Part of that loyalty comes from the fact that the farm changes over time, with new animals, expanded enclosures, and seasonal shifts in the garden that give repeat visitors something fresh to notice.
Part of it also comes from the low-pressure atmosphere of the place, where there is no rush, no ticket line, and no structured schedule to follow.
The combination of free access, exotic animals, open gardens, and a welcoming property makes it one of those rare stops that delivers more than it promises.
On an island already full of reasons to return, the 1661 Farm and Gardens quietly makes itself one of the best ones, year after year, for families who know where to look.
Where the Farm Sits on Block Island
Right along the path toward Mohegan Bluffs, at 1 Spring St in New Shoreham, Rhode Island 02807, the 1661 Farm and Gardens occupies a surprisingly spacious stretch of land for an island its size.
New Shoreham is the only town on Block Island, and the farm is close enough to the center of things that it fits naturally into a day of exploring.
Free parking is available on-site, which is a genuine convenience on an island where getting around often means a bike or a taxi.
The property is part of the larger Block Island Resorts collection, which includes the 1661 Inn directly on the grounds. Guests staying at the inn can walk out to the animals any morning, while day-trippers can stop in without a reservation or a fee.
The location alone makes it an easy yes for families building a Block Island itinerary.
