Location: Providence
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The 7 Best Historical & Heritage Tours in Providence, Rhode Island (RI)
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. Rhode Island in a Day
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
This tour gives you the cuisine, scenery, and story of Rhode Island in one trip! It is the perfect blend of history, food, and sightseeing. No tour in the state gives you a better overall picture of Rhode Island.
Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Travellagal40
Excellent tour of downtown Providence city and local sites. Lovely Victorian houses. Knowledgeable tour guide.
2. Welcome to Providence Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Providence is a perfect blend of the community feel of a small town and the urban sophistication of a big city. This tour introduces guests to all of the essentials of the city, including an overview of Providence and Rhode Island history, architectural marvels, universities, and quirky characters.
Inclusions: Top-tier Guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By charsimarmalade
Had an amazing tour of this fascinating & beautiful city with Bradley. He designed a special tour just for our group (we’re hikers) because we wanted something longer than his typical tours. We walked for approximately 8 miles & were delighted by all that we saw & learned! I highly recommend taking a tour with Providence Tour Company.
3. Boat Tour of Green Jacket Shoal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Join us as we welcome David Robinson, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources aboard for a 75-minute exploration of the Providence waterways & Green Jacket Shoal. Here, David has found the remains of a historical floating dry dock & 26 wooden-hulled vessels, deemed “Rhode Island’s largest ship graveyard” and a reminder of the industrial fervor that transformed Providence into a thriving commercial waterfront. David's knowledge and experience with Green Jacket Shoal is fascinating and we are thrilled to welcome him back again for the fifth consecutive year! This limited series tour sells out quickly, so reserve your seats soon!
Inclusions: Local guide
Exclusions: Parking, Gratuities
Reviewed By phmjem
This was a great adventure for young and old. Informative Captain. We even saved a damsel in distress! She leaned too far and fell off of her kayak.
4. Discover Providence
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 38 reviews
This tour is outstanding because it brings you to all the sights you should see, and tells you all the stories you should know about this very special city in America. It gives you a wonderful lay of the land, and introduces you to places and areas you will want to go back to and explore further on your own.
Inclusions: Tour Guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Travellagal40
Excellent tour of downtown Providence city and local sites. Lovely Victorian houses. Knowledgeable tour guide.
5. Narrated Boat Tours
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 50 reviews
Discover the historic and contemporary milestones of the Providence waterways on our fun & relaxing narrated daytime tours and sunset cruises. Come explore the Providence River, Riverwalk, Waterplace Park, the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier and the Providence Industrial Harbor as we highlight historical, nautical and architectural points of interest! We also offer "Sunset Cruises," "Twilight River Cruises," "Haunted Boat Tours," "Vineyard Voyages" (a floating wine tasting), "Boat Tours of Green Jacket Shoal" and "WaterFire Boat Rides" on specific dates. Please check our website for special event schedules.
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Local guide
Exclusions: Price does not include parking fees. There is free & metered parking throughout our neighborhood., Gratuities (optional). Our Captains and Crew appreciate your cash gratuities!, Alcoholic/soft drinks are available for purchase next door, or you may BYOB.
Reviewed By n-sous1
Highly recommend this cruise. The staff were friendly and made the experience enjoyable. The trip was scenic and very relaxing. We enjoyed our time and would do it again.
6. Haunted Boat Tours
Overall Ratings
3.8 based on 5 reviews
Allow Captain Peter, and our guest guides from Providence Ghost Tours to introduce you to some of Providence's longest-lingering residents as you cruise throughout our waterways. Surrounded by the moon-lit bridges, cobblestone walkways and century-old parks of downtown, you will learn of our capital city's dearly-deceased-but-not-so-departed residents; local literary giants and humble servants alike; their restless souls still stirring among the living. Climb aboard...they've been waiting for you! Tour Availability: Sunday & Wednesday evenings ONLY
Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Local guide
Exclusions: Gratuities (optional). Our Captains and Crew appreciate your cash gratuities!, Alcoholic/soft drinks are available for purchase next door, or you may BYOB., Price does not include parking fees. There is free & metered parking throughout our neighborhood.
Reviewed By phmjem
This was a great adventure for young and old. Informative Captain. We even saved a damsel in distress! She leaned too far and fell off of her kayak.
7. Guided Kayak Tours of Providence
Explore the Providence & Woonasquatucket Rivers, Riverwalk & Waterplace Park with our tour guide Marcello, as he highlights nautical & historical points of interest. Witness osprey, blue crabs, swan, loons and the occasional great blue heron, in addition to our capital city’s architectural diversity, picturesque parks and cobblestone walkways that line our urban waterways. The tours run approximately 90 minutes. All experience levels are welcome, but it is very helpful if you have kayaked in the past. Limited to approximately (15) paddlers per tour. Sorry, personal equipment is not permitted.
Inclusions: Kayaks, life vests, paddles
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Stacey K
This is an amazing way to see the city, and especially as a Rhode Islander, from a completely different perspective. Marcello is a fantastic tour guide with great knowledge and passion for the PVD waterfront. A little history, a little exercise and totally worth the money. A great way to spend a beautiful summer morning!
