Providence is a capital city bursting with contagious energy. From bonfires on the water to a 40-acre zoo with a seated zip ride, Providence Rhode Island is home to two of the oldest colleges in New England and celebrates modern life with a diverse food and arts scene. In 24 hours, I felt like I had barely scratched the surface of this lively New England town. Here are 5 Amazing Things to See and Do in Providence, RI.
- Cruise Down the River by Day or Night
- Stroll through Roger Williams Memorial Park
- Explore the RISD Museum
- Enjoy Italian Food and Lodging in Federal Hill
- Shop at the Arcade Providence
This post is part 3 of the 3 part series called Rhode Island: The Best Weekend Getaway on the East Coast.
Cruise Down the River by Day or Night
Planning a visit to a new city is part of the fun of travel. From a quick online search, I noticed Providence, Rhode Island is a bit unique. It’s a city bordered by three waterways: Providence River, Upper Narragansett Bay and the Seekonk River. I also called the local Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)’s office for advice on what to see and do.
“Start your visit with a narrated cruise because you can see so much of Providence from the water, and afterwards, you’ll know where you want to spend more time.” I really appreciated this suggestion by the CVB staff.
Providence River Boat Company
I arrived at The Fox Point Marina on a beautiful blue sky afternoon and learned that the next available cruise (on the blue boat pictured above) would be leaving soon. Tours with the Providence River Boat Company are 50 minutes long and tickets cost $23 adults, $21 for seniors/military/first responders and $16 for children under 12. Beverages and small coolers are allowed on board and almost every one of the ten passengers had a drink of some kind.
A Little Providence Background
Our cruise boat captain had a great sense of humor and was a wonderful storyteller. He shared that Rhode Island was the first of the original thirteen colonies to reject being loyal to Britain and the last one to sign the Declaration of Independence. The city of Providence was founded on the principal of religious freedom.
As our boat gently glided down Providence Harbor, the captain also pointed out many sights including historic and modern buildings, the pedestrian-friendly Riverwalk, and Water Place Park. It was clear he loved history and knew his city well.
Rhode Island School of Design
One of two famous colleges in the city, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), has a beautiful waterfront campus with buildings on both sides of the harbor. The red building on the left is the Industrial Design Building and the one on the right is the Bayard Ewing Building which houses RISD’s School of Architecture. The steeple in the middle is the First Unitarian Church which dates back to the early 1800’s.
The tall building to the left is the RISD Apparel Design building providing modern classroom space for students in the fashion design program. In the water in front of the Industrial Design building, you can see black metal balls and baskets that are part of the award-winning signature art installation known as WaterFire.
WaterFire Experience
Twice a month on a Saturday night, the city lights a ring of bonfires on the water that circles the waterfront and creates a unique experience for residents and visitors alike. WaterFire runs all summer long; it begins in late May and extends through early November. Both Providence River Boat Company and La Gondola Providence provide private trips down the river during the evening event.
La Gondola Providence
While we were on our river cruise, a new gondolier was being trained to join La Gondola. Like Venice, Providence has miles of water providing a key ingredient for a tourism business offering visitors a narrated city tour while riding in classic Venetian gondolas.
A gondola ride in Providence RI would be a fun way to celebrate a birthday or special event. This experience, especially during WaterFire, would be reason enough to come back for another visit to Providence.
Fox Point Hurricane Barrier
Toward the end of our trip, the captain pointed out The Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. He mentioned that it’s one of the most photographed structures in the city. In 1938, the city of Providence was submerged under 20 feet of water during a tidal surge from a category 3 hurricane. Winds raged at 170 mph and 600 people were killed.
Providence suffered catastrophic damage from this storm. Although it took decades, Providence constructed a comprehensive tidal flood barrier system in 1966 that spans 3,000 feet in length. So far, the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier has successfully managed to keep the city safe.
Manchester Street Power Station
Nearby, the Manchester Street Power Station was lit up by the late afternoon sun. Originally built in 1904 to power the electric street cars and trolley system, the power station (now owned by Dominion Energy) underwent a renovation in 1992 to upgrade its capability for modern demands. Today, it powers the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier and the city of Providence.
Home on the Water
At the end of our cruise, the captain pointed out this little wood-shingled houseboat tied up at the marina which he said was available for rent through Airbnb. Although I had already booked lodging in another neighborhood, I couldn’t help but imagine how peaceful it would be to stay the night here on the water.
Stroll through Roger Williams National Memorial Park
Good urban planning includes plenty of open green spaces. Providence reflects that concept with more than a half dozen memorial parks. The weather on that late August day was perfect with temperatures in the low eighties (Farenheit) and a light breeze. Still covered in leaves, the trees provided plenty of shade from the afternoon sun during my afternoon stroll.
I was looking for parking in the College Hill neighborhood in downtown Providence when I spotted a few open spaces next to this park. I didn’t realize until I walked up to the display, that it was the Roger Williams National Memorial park.
As one of the oldest cities in the country, history is everywhere. Roger Williams founded Providence in the early 1600’s based on the principle that religious freedom was essential. Today, diversity of people, religion, and beliefs are still a hallmark of Providence.
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Similarly named, the Roger Williams Park Zoo and Carousel Village is also historic – it was founded in 1872 and is one of the oldest zoos in the U.S. It’s located about four miles away from the downtown area.
Named “the finest zoo in New England” by the Boston Globe, the Roger Williams Park Zoo and Carousel Village sits on 40 acres of land. In addition to cute animals like the baby otters above, the zoo offers something for excitement seekers too. If you aren’t afraid of heights, you can see grand views of Providence from the 115-foot peak of the new Soaring Eagle Zip Ride.
Explore the RISD Museum
The Rhode Island School of Design Museum was high on my list of places to visit in Providence. It’s one of the oldest colleges of art and design in the country and it included a museum from the very beginning.
The North Main Street entrance brings you in on the ground level. Admission ranges from $15 for adults to $8 for non-RISD students with ID. Military and students/faculty of RISD are free. The museum is also free for everyone on Sundays and on the third Thursday evening of the month. On the second floor, the Moore Terrace contains a gallery showcasing work by RISD students.
Gorham Silver Special Exhibit
On the third floor, the museum rotates special exhibitions. As a nod to one of the oldest companies in Providence, examples of silver workmanship and historic photos of the Gorham Manufacturing Company were on display. This special exhibit will leave in early December 2019.
Silver is part of my history too. As a child, I remember sterling silver coffee sets displayed in the dining room at the homes of both my grandmothers. My mother had silver too and whenever she had a big dinner party, my sister and I spent hours polishing it all by hand. I hated silver then but now I appreciate the fine craftsmanship of those family heirlooms.
When you exit the Gorham exhibit, an indoor bridge leads to another part of the RISD museum. Floors three through six feature Modern and Contemporary New Media (Prints, Drawings and Photographs); Decorative Arts and Design; 18th and 19th Century American, Egyptian European, and Ancient Greek art.
Fashion by Coco Chanel
The fashion exhibit in the Paula and Leonard Granoff gallery was very interesting. When I entered the room, my eye was immediately drawn to the black strapless lace dress with velvet sash, circa 1958 (below). It was designed by fashion legend Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself.
According to the wall panel description, “It was French designer Christian Dior who first called knee-length dresses worn in early evening ‘cocktail dresses.’ He credited their invention, however, to the American women who flocked to purchase examples by French couture houses including Dior, Balmain, and Chanel, and in donning them, saw themselves as radiating sophistication and glamour.”
Fashion by Karl Lagerfeld
Nearby, a longer strapless black lace dress also stood out. This evening dress was designed under Karl Lagerfeld’s direction of the House of Chanel. The accompanying description on the wall said “this custom created gown reflects both the traditions of the House of Chanel and the client’s tastes.” I’d be happy with either one of these beautiful dresses.
Chihuly Glass
As I was heading down the stairs, I saw this beautiful glass chandelier and instantly recognized it as the work of the glass artist Dale Chihuly. After walking back up the landing to read the plaque, I learned that he was both a student (1968) and later an instructor for 11 years at RISD. Chihuly helped build the school’s glass department and left a profound influence on his students and other glass artists for decades afterwards.
Enjoy Italian Food and Lodging in Federal Hill
Since night was coming, I drove to a neighborhood a few miles away. Choosing lodging in the neighborhood of Federal Hill was an unexpected bonus. It turned out to be an all inclusive little Italy experience.
After finding short term parking on a side street, I began exploring Federal Hill. It didn’t take long to figure out that Depascuale Square is the heart of the neighborhood. My hotel sat on one corner of this cheery little plaza. Anchored by a large fountain and filled with outdoor restaurant seating, the square becomes a lively neighborhood gathering place at night.
My next stop was checking into my room in the highly visible yellow Hotel Dolce Villa located behind the fountain in Depascuale Square. Parking in the neighborhood is tight so accept the $20 overnight valet parking. Your car will be in a locked lot that’s secure.
The Hotel Dolce Villa reminded me of accommodations I had experienced in Europe. The room was an efficiency with brightly colored walls and contained a bed, a desk, a refrigerator, a small compact kitchen, and a bathroom. It was perfect for an overnight stay. I’m a night owl so I didn’t mind the distant sounds of people enjoying a beautiful summer evening in the plaza below.
Italian Markets
Around the edge of the square, a number of local shops showcasing a multitude of Italian food selections attracted visitors with the scent of fresh bread and cheese. Needing an afternoon snack, I wandered into a food market named Constantino’s Venda Ravioli and sampled a fresh cannoli. Bueno – delizioso!!
Evening in Federal Hill
Evening activity on Atwells Avenue, the main street running through the heart of the Federal Hill neighborhood.
Depascuale Square is also on Atwells Avenue.
Dinner at Capri Seafood
After walking around the city, I had built up quite an appetite. Rhode Island’s nickname is the Ocean State and I couldn’t wait to sample fresh fish for dinner. Many of the restaurants in the plaza were full but I saw a few open seats at Capri Seafood. I chose outdoor seating because it was still a balmy summer evening.
I thoroughly enjoyed a glass of wine and a seafood combo featuring shrimp, clams, Alaskan King crab legs, mussel, steak, corn, potato, bread and a salad. In the background, a happy buzz of voices filled the air. People young and old were sharing stories and laughing. Lively music from the band encouraged adults and children to get up and dance. People watching in Depascuale Square was a nice way to wrap up the evening.
Shop at the Arcade Providence
Like many cities, Providence offers a wide array of shopping opportunities. You could spend an entire day going from the 170 retail options in Providence Place mall, to trendy boutiques on Thayer and Wickenden Streets on the East Side, and then to shops in elegant Wayland Square and eclectic Federal Hill. And then there’s another interesting retail space.
Searching for something unique, I decided to begin the day by visiting the Arcade Providence which offers the best of the old and the new. As soon as you walk in, you notice the elegant Greek Revival architecture and the arch near the ceiling that highlights a piece of history. Erected in 1828, the Arcade was the first enclosed shopping mall in the country. Today, it houses a mixture of both retail and residential space.
For fans of horror, fantasy, sci-fi and weird fiction, books by Providence native Howard Phillips Lovecraft and other similar authors can be found in a shop called Lovecraft Arts & Sciences Council. I didn’t go in but the old bookstore ambiance was noticeable even from the outside.
I really liked the eclectic range of items in Carmen & Ginger Vintage Goods. From jewelry, clothing and posters to all sorts of 1950s vintage items, this store reminded me of the show Mad Men.
As I left the mall, I noticed a colorful and cleverly arranged window display featuring items by Carmen & Ginger. I couldn’t help but laugh at the ad copy proclaiming that this vacuum cleaner offered “Finger tip cleaning” or the look of joy on the face of the woman with her new Whirpool dryer. Aack! I feel bad for all the women of the 1950s who lived through this era.
Tiny Living in Microlofts
The Arcade Providence offers eateries, salons and a trendy new urban housing option called a microloft. There’s a waiting list of over 400 people for these miniature apartments in the heart of the city.
Personally, I might survive a weekend at most in one of these tiny housing options. But that’s just me. Based on the high demand, I’m not in the majority. Paying rent to live in a 225 to 450 square foot space inside an historic mall sounds like a Survivor reality tv show in the making. Now there’s a tourist attraction.
So Much to Do in Providence RI
I truly enjoyed my time in Providence and I highly recommend it as a great travel destination for an East Coast Getaway. In only 24 hours I was able to: go on a river cruise and get oriented to the city; stroll through a beautiful park; explore the Rhode Island School of Design Museum; eat, drink and stay overnight in Federal Hill (little Italy) and shop at an eclectic mall called Arcade Providence.
After visiting three unique cities in Rhode Island, I wasn’t quite ready to head back to Virginia. I love New England and wanted to stay just a few days longer so I added one more stop – Boston. What’s your favorite New England town?
Looks like some great things to see in Providence, RI. I can see myself enjoying it.
What an amazing tour of Providence! I had no idea about the waterways. I always love a boat tour. We won’t be far away from Providence after an upcoming move and we will definitely have to visit! Thanks for the inspiration!
Lucky you moving close to Providence! And you can pop over to see the Mansions of Newport too. Each of the cities seem to be an hour or less from each other. Another great thing about RI being a small state. Enjoy!