Only an hour’s drive from Boston and three hours from New York, Providence is easily accessible by car, train, or plane. Downtown Providence is walkable and filled with innovative and eclectic restaurants, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and beautifully preserved historic architecture. The city also offers a wide variety of hotels to suit every taste and budget.
The Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC) and Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP) are situated in the heart of the city and are connected via skybridge to Providence Place Mall, a premier shopping destination. While there, grab a bite to eat and try your hand at some of the hundreds of games at Dave & Buster’s. Adults and older kids can head over to Level99 to have lunch or dinner and explore the mix of interactive challenges.
Step outside the AMP and RICC and choose from an array of nearby restaurants, browse through downtown’s eclectic shops, or take in the scores of colorful murals and historic architecture. You can also explore Providence on a guided tour themed around history, culinary fun or even the paranormal. For a unique perspective of the city, glide along Providence’s rivers in an authentic Venetian gondola or by river boat.
From authentic Italian cuisine to seafood fresh from Narragansett Bay, Providence is a foodie’s dream. Be sure to check out one of the city’s newest dining additions, Track 15. This cool new food hall, located in the historic Union Station, showcases a delicious variety of chefs and cuisines.
Just a short walk from downtown is the Federal Hill neighborhood, which was recently named “One of the Five Best Little Italy Neighborhoods in the U.S.” by Travel + Leisure. On the East Side of the city, you’ll find Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. The Thayer, Hope, and Wickenden street neighborhoods are bustling with cool shops, cafes, and things to do.
Art enthusiasts will want to explore the impressive galleries of the RISD Museum, located at the Rhode Island School of Design. The museum houses over 100,000 works of art, ranging from Greek sculptures and French Impressionist paintings to contemporary multimedia art.
The beautifully landscaped 40-acre Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to hundreds of animals and immersive journeys, like this year’s Return of the Dinosaurs. Don’t miss the giraffes, cheetahs and fan-favorite red pandas, along with the newest habitat, Penguin Point. Roger Williams Park is also home to a Botanical Center and the Providence Natural History Museum and Planetarium. Younger kiddos can let their imaginations run wild at the Providence Children’s Museum, which offers an array of interactive exhibits and play zones.
With so many options in Providence, you can curate a getaway that is uniquely yours.