Becki,

You don't absolutely need your car on Block Island. The taxis go everywhere and can communicate with each other to get you picked up if they are full.

Bikes can be taken over on the Ferry without a reservation, but if you want to take your car you should plan ahead and make a reservation for your trip over and back.

There is only so much room on the Ferry for vehicles. In October it should not be as busy, so you could take a chance and go standby, but if you plan on going on the weekend I'd plan ahead if you want your car.

The North Block Lighthouse parking area is about 5 miles out of town and then about a mile from the parking spot to the Lighthouse.

Southeast Block Lighthouse is not that far out of town- about 1 1/2 miles and is right off the road.

I'm not sure of the schedule in October, but if they are open you can tour the downstairs only of North Block and you can climb the tower of Southeast Block.

Here's a link for Ferry info.

http://www.blockisland.com/travel/

Dennis