Ten Great Things to Do in Providence

History, culture, and charming architecture make Providence a lively metropolis

In the early 1990s, Providence, the state capital, began working on a series of projects that came to be known as the Providence Renaissance, and any traveler who misses a chance to explore this reborn city needs to find a reason to come back. Downtown rivers were uncovered and the whimsical Waterplace Park, lining the river, was created. The park is host to the popular WaterFire: a recurring summertime evening event in which organizers place dozens of flaming braziers along the length of the river and broadcast dreamy instrumental music. Many blocks are closed to traffic and vendors sent up dining tables and entertainments, turning the heart of downtown into a fire-lit, music-drenched public happening. The city’s shopping offerings include the Providence Place Mall in the heart of downtown; the older, ornate Arcade between Westminster and Weybosset streets; and many small, personal shops scattered among the neighborhoods. One – but not the only – hot spot for good dining is Federal Hill, the historic Italian neighborhood, as well as many fine restaurants downtown. Nightlife with live music in many small-to-medium-size venues around town is plentiful.

As the home of the Trinity Repertory Company, Providence Performing Arts Center, Brown University, and the Rhode Island School of Design, the city hosts a fine selection of visual and performing arts, from Broadway shows to student art exhibits and everything in between. People who love architecture should not miss taking a stroll around Rhode Island School of Design along North Main Street and then up toward College Hill, home of Brown University. The walk should meander along Benefit and Wickenden streets for a good tour of lovely Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian buildings. Other notable buildings are the lavish Rhode Island State House – an architectural masterpiece -- and the eighth-century John Brown House Museum. Moving outside of the immediate downtown, visitors can find the Victorian-era Roger Williams Park, with its zoo, carousel, vintage casino building, lakes, and Museum of Natural History and Planetarium.

Ten Great Things to Do in Providence