Location: Providence
Top Things to do in Providence
10 Things to do in Providence That You Shouldn't Miss
Years of careful urban planning and meticulous restoration have rendered this former rum and molasses trading town one of the best places to live in the United States, star of an eponymous television show and a swell place to spend a weekend. Historic sites, wonderful museums and theaters seamlessly blend with newer attractions on the block including a modern mega-mall, scenic Riverwalk, outdoor skating arena, convention center, plus new hotels and restaurants. The Roger Williams Zoo, with its updated Tropical Rainforest Building where "spunky monkeys" roam free in a constructed jungle-like environment, remains one of the city's top attractions and offers hours of entertainment for children and adults alike. Wander back in time on Benefit Street, where eminent Federal period homes recall the city's wealthy past. For a modern experience, check out the more than 100 stores at Providence Place. Or tantalize your taste buds on "The Hill," a historic area that boasts many award- winning restaurants, from the Italian and Mediterranean cuisine for which "Little Italy" got its name, to Caribbean, Mexican, Chinese, seafood and baked goods. For a different perspective, take a romantic river cruise on an authentic Venetian gondola. No matter what your vantage point, Providence sparkles.
Restaurants in Providence
1. The Stephen Hopkins House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 114 reviews
TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS Take a tour of the 1707 home of Declaration-signer Stephen Hopkins, his family and their slaves, eight rooms full of antiques, Hopkins heirlooms and 18th century atmosphere. Learn about Rhode Island's own Founding Father and his house, the city's oldest, moved twice but virtually unmodernized, where George Washington was a guest in 1776 & 1781. Relax in our parterre garden designed by Alden Hopkins of Williamsburg. We're on Benefit Street between the John Brown House and First Baptist Church, a block from the RISD Museum, the Providence Athenaeum, the Brown campus and spectacular WaterFire. Open all year, Wednesdays 11AM to 2PM, April though November, Saturdays 10 AM to 4 PM, and year-round by appointment *** til 10 PM when it falls on FULL lightings of WaterFire (last tour at 9:30)*** Not 12/26th Tour highlights available in Chinese, Spanish, Italian, and soon French!
Reviewed By garygDC
This is a 1700s house with lots of history that has been well preserved with love and attention to detail. Some of the contents are original and some period pieces added for context. The former are carefully ID'd. We got an excellent tour from Dan, who permitted us to come into the middle of one, which he then completed for us. Chris also added additional color and commentary in the kitchen, where we dawdled and chatted about history and its relationship to current events (read between the lines). We learned a lot about local history and enjoyed the architecture and contents. Very well done. I would say a 'must see'.
2. Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 946 reviews
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 margatemensch2016 - Coconut Creek, United States
Recently,I returned to Providence and the delighful RIsd Art Museum.I devoted my day to studying its quality European paintings and sculpture.I did not see everything in this art museum that has a broad range of Art.Old Master personal favorites were Spinello Aretino's"Saint Anthony Abbott Enthroned",Jacopo di Cione's"Taking of Saint Peter",Giusseppe Cesari's"Perseus and Andromeda".Aert de Gelder's"Esther and Mordecai",Francisco Collantes'"Hagar and Ishmael".Marinus Van Reymerswaele's"Money Changers",and Giovanni Pannini's"Colliseum".19th Century favorites were Jean Victor Bertin's"Tivoli",Edouard Manet's"Repose",Claude Monet's"Bassin At Argentieul"(awesome French Impressionism),Carolus Duran's"Portrait of Manet",and Edgard Degas'"La Savoissiene".I also savored the fine Gothic and Renaissance Period sculptural works that were on display such as Ivory Diptych from 13th Century France depicting Nativity and Crucifixion,and Tillman Riemenschneider's "Pieta",among others..Kudos to a fine art museum in historic Providence.
3. Rhode Island State House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 404 reviews
This imposing marble building houses King Charles' 1663 charter of the Rhode Island colony.
Reviewed By Decaf7
Take the half hour free guided tour, worth your time. See the House and Senate chambers, the library, portraits of former governors, portrait of George Washington painted by our very own Gilbert Stuart and learn about the history of this beautiful building. Dome is a beautiful piece of architecture.
4. Roger Williams Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,155 reviews
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 ice cream station. 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 fedemarisa
This is our second year visiting Roger Williams Zoo for their annual Jack-o-lantern Spectacular. Takes about 1hour to walk through. Amazing display of pumpkins. Great seasonal activity.
5. Water Place Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Watch a street artist sketching the city, enjoy a lovely stroll by the river past Venice inspired bridges or see some wonderful public art, all at this well-designed four-acre park and scenic riverwalk, considered to be the heart of the restoration of Providence's downtown area.
Reviewed By travelingirlz - Drummond Island, United States
We were just there a short time but did enjoy the bridges and walkways of the Riverwalk. Sadly we arrived the day after the final FireWater show. Nearby are PF Changs, Panera Bread and other restaurants, the train station is a 5 to 10 min walk (depending on your abilities) so if you arrive for your train really early then it's a nice place to take a walk. Capitol Building is right across from the train station so it too is a place to visit. I. always enjoy when multiple things are near each other, so was delighted to realize the RiverWalk, train station, Capitol Building and restaurants are nearby!
6. Benefit Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
A mile of history is packed onto this cobblestone street lined with historic buildings. The Nightingale-Brown House, built in 1792, home to five generations of the Nicholas Brown Family (of Brown University) is a "must see" on the block.
Reviewed By MayLehmannNYC - New York City, United States
Shy of two miles long, Benefit street is a veritable "stroll" back in history as the street highlights 18th and 19th architecture. Modern street lights are replaced by faux gas lights which only add to the charm of this street. A walk at dusk when the lights come on is a must!
7. Brown University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 444 reviews
University located in Providence.
Reviewed By JBlanc197 - Miami, United States
Although not comparable to nearby Harvard, this is nonetheless a beautiful campus. Buildings are fine old brick structures reminiscent of the old world. The fence bordering the main heart of campus is a thing of beauty in itself, and bears dates which commemorate events and persons integral to the founding and early years of Brown U. The Brown family home can be seen close by and modest by present presidential mansions of other universities. Take the time to venture out to visit this sprawling campus.
8. Historic Federal Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 668 reviews
Sip a strong espresso at an outdoor cafe, grab a quick pizza for lunch or dine in style at a gourmet Italian restaurant in this historic section of the city, also know as Little Italy. You'll know you have arrived by the huge arched gateway, with a bronzed pinecone, which marks the entry to the neighborhood.
Reviewed By TaLeOz - Providence, United States
Federal Hill is full of Italian Restaurants. In the summer you see a lot of people walking up and down Atwells Ave. There are so many restaurants to choose from, shops to visit or you can just sit on the square and enjoy the fountain. There is a little park that has checker/chess boards painted on the tables if you're interested in playing. You always see older Italian men sitting across from the square reminiscing & drinking coffee or smoking cigars. Along with a bunch of restaurants to choose from there are cigar bars if that's what you're craving. There are bakeries, steakhouses, Chinese food, hair salons, nail salons and places you can have your Tarot Cards read. If you are the dancing type come at night and you'll find a lot of Dance Clubs that are open until 2 in the morning. Back in the day there were Mafia all over the Hill but it's not like that today. There were even "hits" that made the front page of the Providence Journal Bulletin. Today it's a foodie's dream.
9. Providence Performing Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 607 reviews
Reviewed By johncS9798FD - Slatersville, United States
Over the years we have seen some wonderful productions at PPAC. Among our favorites: Les Miserables, Jersey Boys, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Book of Mormon and so many more. We have never been disappointed!
10. Roger Williams Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 281 reviews
Reviewed By 4Jerseytravelers
We made two visits to the park while staying in Providence. First we went on a Friday night to go on the Swan Boats. During the Fall, they have illuminated Swan Boats. The Boats are all lit up different colors, and you pedal around the lake through lit up wire "tunnels". The cost is $10 per person and you can ride for 20 minutes, I think, but we were the first ones there, so they let us ride longer. It can be a romantic evening or just fun. Highly recommend. We went back on Sunday during the day. We visited the Botanical Gardens, Carousel park, the Japanese Garden with little foot bridges, and the Music Hall, which is an outdoor structure with columns that looks out over the water. Inside the structure are carved the names of very famous musicians. We didn't even see everything, but this is a great park to spend a day in.
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