10 Things to Do in Cranston That You Shouldn't Miss

February 14, 2018 Janean Rudisill

Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,529 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston. Cranston is a part of the Providence metropolitan area.
Restaurants in Cranston

1. Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art

224 Benefit St, Providence, RI 02903-2711 +1 401-454-6500
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 790 reviews

Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art

This innovative and internationally renowned museum showcases more than 80,000 works of art from Paul Revere's silver and caricatures of 18th century Europe, to French Impressionists and the avant-garde works of recent alumni. A 12th-century Japanese Buddha has its own room with benches for meditating.

Reviewed By ANNE R - New England

RISD Museum continues to be top-notch! we were there Jan 2015 and much of the displays delighted me-again, or newly! Beautiful furniture design-a cherry music stand as eye-catching as a sculpture--some classics from mid-century 1900's still sharp and stand-out well-designed---but I also want to compliment the guides this time. We were given suggestions and offered assistance to see more of what we were obviously enjoying by several guides-and helped navigating some of the more confusing halls and connections between areas. All was done pleasantly and so helpfully-I was really impressed and grateful!

2. Garden City Center

100 Midway Rd, Cranston, RI 02920-5742 +1 401-942-2800
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 64 reviews

Garden City Center

Conveniently located on Route 2 in Cranston, Garden City Center is home to over 60 shops, services and eateries. The fabulous stores include Anthropologie, Crate and Barrel, J. Crew, L'Occitane, Sephora, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, The Container Store, Providence Diamond, b.Good, Bistro 22, LA Fitness and Whole Foods Market. With L.L. Bean opening in late summer 2016 there's only more for Garden City to offer. Garden City Center was one of the first open air shopping experiences of its kind in the country and for generations families have had fond memories of GCC shopping excursions.

Reviewed By Donna C - Coral Springs

Garden City is the perfect way to spend the day. Outdoor shopping plaza with many retail shops you'd see at any indoor mall plus a few specialty stores that are perfect for browsing. There are many restaurants to choose from as well as casual as...MoreDonna, we are so pleased you enjoyed your visit to GCC! Our team works hard to create a fun & relaxing environment for our shoppers. Stay tuned for more restaurants & stores opening in late 2017 and 2018!

700 Bullocks Point Ave, Riverside, RI 02915-3509 +1 401-433-2828
Excellent
86%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 84 reviews

Crescent Park Looff Carousel

An 1895 carousel featuring 66 hand-carved figures.

Reviewed By ffdjp78 - Tiverton, Rhode Island

Timeless and historic. Enjoy a few rides on this 1895 carousel and try for the gold ring. This place is magical! Take a picnic lunch along and head across the street to Rose Larisa Park for an excellent water view. Or enjoy the Blount Clam Shack in the grounds near the parking lot.

4. Providence Performing Arts Center

220 Weybosset St, Providence, RI 02903-3707 +1 401-421-2997
Excellent
76%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 499 reviews

Providence Performing Arts Center

Reviewed By Hunchat - Chatham, Massachusetts

I have been coming here for years and I marvel at the interior every time I walk through the doors. I have sat at many different locations here and I've always have a good view of the stage. My favorite seats are front row of the balcony.

5. Pawtuxet Village

Cranston, RI +1 401-785-9599
Excellent
59%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

Pawtuxet Village

Reviewed By rider2010CapeCoralFL - Cape Coral FL

Darling village at the head of Narragansett Bay with kayaks for rent, restaurants from simple to elegant to dine in, and a 10 minute cab ride from the airport. If you had a long layover, it's a place you could visit for lunch and be back in time for your plane!

6. Brown University

1 Prospect St, Providence, RI 02912-9127 +1 401-863-1000
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 389 reviews

Brown University

University located in Providence.

Reviewed By tranzactnow - Perth, Western Australia

Brown University is made up of a number of architecturally very interesting buildings to view. We visited the University on a very cold winter morning after heavy snow storms and the place was a million post card pictures. Located very close to the CBD of providence if you are looking for picture shots take a stroll around Brown.

7. Cranston Public Library, Central Library

140 Sockanosset Cross Rd, Cranston, RI 02920-5539 +1 401-943-9080
Excellent
73%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Cranston Public Library, Central Library

Reviewed By Debra T - Cranston, Rhode Island

Cranston Public Library 140 Sockanosset Cross Road Cranston, R.I. 02920-5539.
The telephone number of this library is: 401 943-9080.
The hours are: Monday through Wednesday 9:00 A.M.-8:00 P.M.
Thursday through Saturday 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
Open on Sundays from 1:00 P.M.- 5:00 P.M. October until April.
Currently, the Children's Room at the Central Library is being renovated.
This is the biggest library in the city of Cranston.
There is something for all age groups at this library: children, teens, and older adults.
There are computers for adults and teens.
Quiet areas and low conversations are at this library.
Magazines, Newspapers, DVD's, Classical CD's, Pop Rock CD's, Large Print Books,
Adult Paperbacks, are just some of the things that this library has to offer.
They sell books, candy, and other things that You can buy.
Chairs, tables, and comfortable chairs are available at Central Library.
They have two desks one is for circulation and the other one is for if You need help with something.
Copies are.20.
Friendly and nice people working there.
There is plenty of parking.
The Central Library in Cranston, R.I. opened in April of 1983.
Sometimes, special events are held at this library.
Louis and I always enjoy going there.
Thank You.

8. State House

82 Smith St, Providence, RI 02903-1105 +1 401-222-2357
Excellent
54%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 311 reviews

State House

This imposing marble building houses King Charles' 1663 charter of the Rhode Island colony.

Reviewed By tranzactnow - Perth, Western Australia

If you are visiting Providence and have even the slightest interest in grand buildings then you should not miss State House. Free entry during the week will allow you to see a most spectacular building with what I was told was the fourth highest dome of any building in the USA. Contained within the building are the legislative chambers of Rhode Is. The building is quite spectacular and well worth seeing.

9. Revival Brewing Company

505 Atwood Ave, Cranston, RI 02920-5327 +1 401-372-7009
Excellent
74%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Revival Brewing Company

High quality, innovative beers, born in New England and brewed with passion. We partner with local businesses to develop distinct local flavors -- like our White Electric Coffee Stout -- and we brew all of our beer at Brutopia in Cranston, RI or Cottrell Brewing Company in Pawcatuck, CT. Take a brewery tour and try exclusive brews at our tasting room in Cranston.

Reviewed By SteelerGirl426 - Providence, RI

So I read an article for beer lovers galore about the 17 must-try craft breweries in lil Rhody & Revival was one of them. It was cold, rainy Sunday in March a perfect day to try a flight or two. Ventured to Cranston, RI and through the doors of Brutopia the young hostess led my friends and I to a hall way and said have fun. As I made way down two flights of stairs into the basement of the Brewery I was greeted by the friendliest dog ever. The bar was to the left and there were mismatched couches, a large TV with Mario cart on set, a pin ball machine and a ping pong table...a cellar dwellers dream! I sat myself at the bar and started to pick a few beers to try. I was so excited as I have been wanting to try these beers for such a long time. I was not disappointed. My first glass was Burnsider Pale Ale so yummy, next Rocky Point Red Ale, next a Maple Stout which would pair nicely with a chicken breast and roasted sweet potatoes...mmm I'm hungry. The bar keep was super nice and very informative. I would definitely recommend this Brewery for a afternoon outing with friends or a girl who is dating her state like I am!!
Cheers~

10. Roger Williams Park Zoo

1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907-3659 +1 401-785-3510
Excellent
55%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 973 reviews

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Located amid 40 acres of beautiful woodlands, the Roger Williams Park Zoo provides visitors the opportunity to see animals from all over the globe – some more than a million years old. Naturalistic surroundings are home to more than 100 species of animals including a Komodo dragon, as well as zebras, red pandas, African elephants, Masai giraffes, snow leopards, bears, flamingoes, sloths, and more! Kids from two to 102 have the opportunity to feed giraffes and harbor seals, as well as an array of farmyard animals. For something slightly out of the ordinary, visit our new Explore and Soar area offering an exhilarating zip ride, a train excursion through the woodlands, and camel rides. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and is home to many endangered species. As a result, the Zoo participates in cooperative conservation and breeding programs to help ensure the future survival of many endangered species.

Reviewed By lljjbb - Worcester, Massachusetts

This is one of our favorite family day trips in New England. Beautiful grounds surrounding the zoo and within. Exhibits for the animals are very large and acclimated to what each animal needs. Staff is extremely friendly and there is something for everyone. Feeding the giraffes is a must stop and do!

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