From Wikitravel

Providence is the biggest city in Rhode Island. Formerly an industrial bastion of organized crime, Providence's Renaissance has created new parks and attractions and brought emphasis back to its historic roots. Downcity events, historic vistas, and a great nightlife make Providence a worthwhile tourist destination.

Contents 1 Get in 1.1 By car 1.2 By train 1.3 By bus 1.4 By air 2 Get around 3 Learn 4 See 5 Do 6 Buy 7 Eat 7.1 Federal Hill Restaurants 8 Drink 9 Sleep 9.1 Hotels 9.2 Bed & Breakfasts 10 Cope

Get in

By car

For those driving, I95 will serve you well from Boston or New York areas, Rt. 146 is better when coming from Worcester or western Massachusetts area. I195 connects to Cape Cod and eastern Massachusetts. Driving from TF Green Airport (PVD) [1], head north on I95. Driving to the airport exit 13 on I-95.

By train

• MBTA, 100 Gaspee St., +1 617-222-5000, [2]. MBTA runs a commuter rail between Boston and Providence on the Providence/Stoughton line (formerly the Attleboro/Stoughton line). It is $6 for a one way trip taking about an hour. Weekend service (9 roundtrips on Saturday, 7 on Sunday) was added in July 2006.

• Amtrak's Acela and Regional , 100 Gaspee St., +1 800-USA-RAIL, [3] routes continue to the south and west to Washington and Virginia, but from the north Boston it is most economical to take the MBTA. Service is rather frequent and unlike the MBTA, operates on weekends. The Acela train takes just under 3 hours to arrive at New York's Penn Station on the way to points further south.

By bus

• RIPTA, Phone: +1 401-781-9400, [4]. Services across all of Rhode Island and throughout Providence, with a central hub in Kennedy Plaza.
  

  

  RIPTA Bus at Kennedy Station (Downtown)
• Bonanza Bus Lines, [5].
• Greyhound Bus, [6].

By air

• T.F. Green Airport (PVD)[7] in nearby Warwick offers many low cost and regular flights to many cities in the United States.
• Boston's Logan Airport (BOS) is much larger and is generally used for most international flights.

Get in from TF Green

• Car: take I95 North. Approx. 20 minutes.
• Bus: the #12 will take you straight to downtown Providence in 30 minutes.

A commuter rail will be an option available in 2008.

Get in from Logan

• Car: take I95 South. Approx. 40 minutes (potentially much longer in traffic).
• Public transit: take the MBTA[[8]] Silver Line bus (it's a BRT line) to South Station and take an MBTA commuter train to Providence. Approx. 1hr 30 mins in travel time. Add waiting time of 1-2 hours if you haven't planned which commuter train to catch. The commuter rail leaves you in downtown Providence.

Get around

Downtown Providence is very compact and can easily be covered walking. There is some parking available throughout the city, but R.I.P.T.A's[9] public transport network is extensive and a good alternative to driving. Although public transit in Providence is almost entirely comprised of buses, the buses are on-time, reliable, and much of RIPTA's bus fleet is new. Kennedy Plaza, RIPTA's downtown bus station, has recently undergone a major overhaul and is well laid out with digital displays at each terminal that tell when the next bus will be coming.

Two of the downtown lines are run completely on natural gas trackless trolleys (called the Providence LINK Trolley), and cover most of historic Providence. Base fare is $1.50, though students from some local colleges can get a discounted monthly bus pass or RipTics.

Learn

• Brown University, 45 Prospect Street, Phone: +1 401-863-2378, [10].
• Rhode Island School of Design, Two College Street, Phone: +1 401-454-6100, [11].
• Providence College, 549 River Av., Phone: +1 401-865-1000, [12].
• Johnson and Wales, 8 Abbott Park Place, Phone: +1 401-598-2348, [13].
• Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Phone: +1 401-456-8000, [14].
• University of Rhode Island (Feinstein Providence Campus), 80 Washington Street, +1 401-277-5000, [15].

See

• Museum at the Rhode Island School of Design, 224 Benefit Street, Phone: +1 401-454-6500, fax: +1 401-454-6556, [16]. Tu-Su 10-5PM. Benefit Street contains a fine collection of 18th century houses. The museum building is a gem.

• Roger Williams National Memorial, 282 North Main Street, Phone: +1 401-521-7266, [17]. Daily 9AM-4:30PM. The Memorial is located on a common lot of the original settlement of Providence, and celebrates our Freedom of Religion as first proclaimed by Roger Williams (1603-1683) and now set forth in the First Amendment of the Constitution. The memorial is set upon 4.5 acres of landscaped park and includes several interpretive exhibits about Roger Williams and his time, including a short film. Free.

• Roger Williams Park Zoo - 1000 Elmwood Ave., Phone: +1 401-785-3510, [18]. Mid Apr-mid Oct. daily 9AM-5PM; Mid Oct-mid Apr. daily 9AM-4PM. This is the third oldest zoo in the United States and features more than just animals. The zoo features a park, a dinosaur exhibit, and blends history and culture with the animals each area houses. Adults $12, Seniors $8, Ages 3-12 $6.

Special Events at the Roger Williams Park Zoo:

• Thanksgiving for the Animals - Celebrate Thanksgiving in a wild way by helping to make enriching treats for zoo residents. From paper mache prey filled with edible treats to stimulating scents hidden in an exhibit area, enriching activities help the mentally and physically challenged our animals.

• Federal Hill: Located in Providence is a neighborhood called Federal Hill. This area is known for its Italian Heritage. Some have even compared it to Little Italy in NYC. In 1994, “Federal Hill” was filmed here. At the present, Showtime is currently filming a series originally titled “The Brotherhood”, it has since changed the name of this series to “The Hill”. It is a fictional Providence Neighborhood representative of Federal Hill and the Italian lifestyle associated with it. (The Mafia).There is plenty to do in Federal Hill. As with most Italians families, the atmosphere is centered on food. There are many Italian restaurants here. There are also a number of retailers whose specialty is “Authentic Italian Food.” It is not uncommon to hear Italian spoken here as easily as English.

• Rhode Island State House, 82 Smith Street, Phone: +1 401 222-2357, [19]. M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM. Built from 1894 to 1901. Providence is a city rich in unique attractive architecture. The current state house is a wonder that has the world's fourth-largest self-supported marble dome. This monumental amazement is 300 feet long, 180 wide, and 233 feet high. Features inside this gigantic building are: the Bell Room, American Revolution regiment flags, a Rotunda, Gun Room, the State Library, House and Senate Chambers and Lounges, Charter room, and many other fascinating tantalizing rooms including one that houses the original 1663 portrait of George Washington by RI native Gilbert Stuart; whose painting is the same face that went on the U.S. one dollar bill.

• Waterplace Park and Riverwalk, Francis St. at Memorial Blvd. Finished in 1994, Waterplace Park is probably the most accepted recent addition to the city owing to its historic and unassuming look. Featuring cobblestone paths and unobtrusively shaped concrete form, the park follows Providence's downtown rivers quietly below the level of automobile traffic. You'll usually find a few people enjoying the park quietly. Come here during Waterfire (below under "do") to see the park at its best.

Do

• Visit Thayer Street, the eclectic shopping district next to Brown University. Particularly worthwhile is the always inventive shop Oop. Then stop at the Crêperie for an inexpensive snack -- the best crêpes in Rhode Island. (Perhaps the only ones.)

• Waterfire[20] centers on a series of 100 fires that burn on the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence. The string of fires illuminates nearly two-thirds of a mile and residents and visitors gather to stroll along the river. The fires are burned from sunset to past midnight and they are cared for by black-clad performers in boats. If you want to experience something that is very relaxing while still taking in the urban life of downtown Providence, go and see Waterfire. There are no admission charges.

• The feast of St. Joseph is celebrated on Federal Hill in May. It is sponsored by the Holy Ghost Parish. For further information, the following number is listed on the Order of the Sons of Italy Organization Phone: 770-421-9137.

• Bright Night Providence - Dec. 31. Citywide, Phone: +1 401-621-6123, [[21]]. Artist-run arts oriented New Year’s Eve celebration. Featuring hundreds of the best local sings, actors, dancers, acrobats, musicians, magicians and clowns to celebrate Rhode Island’s most important cultural asset — its artists.

• Columbus Day is celebrated on Columbus Day Weekend on Federal Hill. It consists of a parade on Sunday, outdoor vendors, and a who’s who of Italian “hierarchy”.

• “The Stroll” is a twice a year event, June and October, where you can walk Federal Hill and sample 22 restaurants and 11 boutiques and shops. For hours and exact dates call the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau at Phone: +1 401-274-1636 extension 230 or 231, or register online[22]. Included in the $20 price for sampling, are coupons for two free beverages.

• Providence Place Mall, 1 Providence Place, Phone: +1 401-270-1000, [23]. M-Sa 10:00AM-9:30PM (except Dave & Buster's which is open until 1AM) Sunday 11AM-7PM. The mall houses 3+ main floors of various shops, one IMAX and Showcase Cinemas theatre each on the fourth floor, a handful of lower level restaurants to dine in as well as a food court on the third floor, and Dave & Busters Restaurant on the fourth floor.

• Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, Phone: +1 401-421-2997, [24]. Located in the center of Providence, and hosts a plethera of shows, from stand-up comic Larry the Cable Guy, to the kid's show Dora the Explorer, to the Rhode Island Philharmonic. The center also features local and national music, and local musicians have the unique chance to perform before a large audience here. The audiences sometimes include students from grades 6-9, and at the end the students will be asked to submit a card grading the performance.

• Dunkin' Donuts Center, One LaSalle Square, Box Office: +1 401-331-6700, [25]. A 14,500 seat indoor sports and entertainment arena located in downtown Providence which brings in over a million people annually. It holds various musical events, Providence Bruins ice hockey, basketball, and almost every type of show for kids. Has events such as Champions on Ice, featuring olympic medalist Michele Kwan and others, Coheed And Cambria/Avenged Sevefold Co-Headline Tour, and every PC Friars and Providence Bruins home game. Ticket prices will usually vary depending on the event, and can range from $30.00 for a concert to $150.00 for a special event (such as ice skating). Wheelchair accessible.

Rhode Island Convention Center Providence. A multipurpose facility available for almost any event, from dog shows to dinner banquets. Special Events at the Rhode Island Convention Center:

• Northeast International Auto Show - Automobile extravaganza featuring hundreds of new model cars, trucks, minivans and sport-utility vehicles from more than twenty import and domestic manufactures.
• Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show - More than twenty-eight gardens, lectures and demonstration, children’s activities, bookstore and more than 200 garden-related vendor booths. [26]
• The Home Show - Largest and most informative consumer home show in southern New England. Features hundreds of exhibitors and displays of the latest products and services for building, remodeling and decorating homes. Variety of seminars and demonstrations. [27]

• Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, 79 Washington Street, Phone: +1 401-331-5876, [28]. (Also known as Lupos at the Strand), a midsize musical venue in downtown Providence a few blocks from the Providence Place Mall. It's housed in a historic five story theater and hosts punk bands, alternative, hip-hop, blues, reggae, and many other types of music which are set for a larger venue, but can't quite fill the Roseland Ballroom or similar larger gigs. However, it also brings the groups who would normally be set for a much larger stage, such as De La Soul, Coheed And Cambria, or George Clinton and the P-Funk. With slightly less expensive tickets than a bigger venue, and a much more personal experience, Lupos is a great show worth going to any day.

• The Living Room, 23 Rathbone St., Phone: +1 401-521-5200, [29]. A smaller venue with about 500 seats that attracts mostly local bands. The Living Room hosts all kinds of music from bluegrass jam bands to local death metal groups (one of which once actually threw scraps of meat into the crowd, it's rumored). All in all, this place can be a good time for a low price, and a good way to see and support local bands. However, it isn't always the cleanest place, and not in the best part of town.

• The Century Lounge, 5 Elbow Street, Phone: +1 401-751-2255, [30]. This establishment attracts a large amount of different styles, but its focused mostly on rock, alternative, and blues. Although it isn't very big, the inside is composed of exposed brick and wood, and gives the place a warmer, cozier feel than your typical venue. It also has a bar, and a very good sound system for a building that size. The bands that come to the lounge are usually progressing bands which have gotten some publicity, and regional bands of the area. Ticket prices are relatively low, ranging from $5-20.00. The Century Lounge is a good bet for a cheap show with a personal feel, or to see and support local bands.

Buy

Thayer Street is the place to go if looking for a pleasurable and ecclectic shopping experience. It is good for those who enjoy walking outside from store to store. It is also a good place to buy gifts because many of the stores sell quirky trinkets. Located near two Colleges, it attracts many young adults. It could be called an “artsy” street with stores that sell, beads, imported clothing, handmade crafts, clothes, art, house wares, and books. Some stores on or near Thayer street include….

• Miko’s Exotic Wear, 653 North Main St., Phone: +1 401-421-6646, [31]. Sells everything from vibrators to books on women’s nutrition, as well as comical novelties. A good place to go if looking to spice up your sex life, or to learn a little bit more about women and their sexuality. They even have classes that deal with female sexuality which are listed on the website. Obviously this store is only for adults, so leave the kids at home.

• Bead Works, 290 Thayer St., Phone: +1 401-861-4540, [32]. M-Sa 11AM-7PM, Su 12PM-5PM. The store sells beads of all kinds. Some are imported from Africa; others are made with swarvoski crystal. There are glass, wood, stone, gem stone and metal beads. Price ranges are generally 15c-5$ per bead. The store also offers it patron’s lessons in how to build a necklace, as well as workshop tables for customers to make their own unique beaded creations. The store is also a place that can be rented out to customers wishing to throw necklace-making parties for any occasion.

• Spectrum, 253 Thayer Street, Phone: +1 401-421-1010, [33]. Features clothes, jewelry, books, incense, and gifts meant to “enhance well-being.” Many of the products are imported from Asia. Those looking for exotic, handmade clothes, tapestries, and jewelry would enjoy this store.

• Oop Thayer Street, Phone: +1 800-281-4147, [34]. M-Sa 10AM-9:30PM Su 11AM-7P,PM. Eclectic mix of artsy stuff. Kids will love the bright colored store, but they should be closely watched because there are many expensive breakables. A gift can be bought here for just about anyone with a price range of about $2-$500.

• La Femme Boutique, 279 Thayer Street, Phone: +1 401-270-7016. This store sells women’s clothing both machine and hand made.

Eat

• Fire + Ice, 48 Providence Place, Phone: +1 401-270-4040, [35]. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 10AM-10PM. Improvisational grill, allows customers to have their meal (fresh meats, seafood, pastas, internationally influenced sauces, and both exotic and traditional vegetables) cooked specifically to their liking right in front of them. Interaction with the cooks, customers, and the crazy décor make for an exciting, delicious, and completely unique dining experience. $7.95 Lunch-$14.95 Dinner. (All grilled food is included in the price, desserts and alcoholic beverages are an additional fee.)

• Pizzeria Regina, 81 Providence Place (Take exit 22C off I-95 and follow the signs for Providence Place Mall). Phone: +1 401-270-4245, [36]. M-Sa 10AM-9:30PM, Su 11AM-7PM. A throwback to the Original Regina Pizza located in Boston’s North End, Pizzeria Regina provides a wide selection of toppings layered on a special dough to create one of the best tasting slices of pizza in the area. Some may be inconvenienced by the location (the Providence Place Mall’s food court) but the food is well worth the hassle. $10.00 for a small pizza - $17.00 for a large, $2.00 per slice.

• The Capital Grille, 1 Union Station, Phone: +1 401-521-5600, [37] The Capital Grille has exquisite dry aged steaks and a friendly, but comfortable atmosphere. They also have an award winning wine list. Eating here is always excellent. This is the original restauarant in the Capital Grille chain.

• Capriccio, 2 Pine St., Phone: +1 401-421-1320, [38]. M-Th 11:30PM-10:30PM; F-Sa 11:30AM-11PM and Su 11:30AM-9PM. This restaurant is definitely the best of Providence. Extended wine list (more than 550), fabulous wait staff, exquisite food are some of the things that make this restaurant as good as it is. The food is expensive, but worth it. Many of the items on the menu are made by your table. You can not go wrong with the Steak Diane, cooked tableside, or any other dish on the menu for that matter!

• East Side Pockets, 278 Thayer St., Phone: +1 401-453-1100, Mo-Sa 10AM-12PM. East Side Pockets has excellent falafel, served in pockets, in salads, or alone, along with a range of other Middle Eastern fare. Vegetarian and vegan options. Pockets are less than $5.00. Take out or counter seating.

• The Cheesecake Factory, 94 Providence Place, Phone: +1 401-270-4010, [39]. M-Th 11:30AM-11PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-12:30PM, Su 10AM-11PM. Upscale dining, The Cheesecake Factory offers more than 200 menu selections including 50 cheesecakes and desserts. $10 - $20 entrées. The Cheesecake Factory is a nationwide chain.

Federal Hill Restaurants

• Eclectic Grille - 245 Atwells Av., Phone: +1 401-831-8010, fax +1 401-272-5078. For a preview of their menu go to [40]. Open M-Th 5PM-10PM, F,Sa 5PM-11PM, Su 4:30PM-9PM. An upscale restaurant that combines French, Italian, and American styles. According to the Boston Globe, “Inside, the restaurant's decor is all about subtle warm colors accented by cool blue light fixtures, a parade of carved wooden animals, and an active open kitchen.

• Blue Grotto (Grotto Azzura), 210 Atwells Av., Phone: +1 401-272-9030, fax +1 401-272-4814, [41]. Open M-Th, 5PM-10PM, F,Sat 5PM-10:30PM, Su 12PM-9PM. Also an upscale restaurant where reservations are required.The atmosphere is romantic, with live music, fireplace, and ok for families/children. The attire is casual though there is a small dancing area. They serve Italian and seafood. Pricing is moderate to expensive.

• Joe Marzilli's Old Canteen Restaurant, 120 Atwells Av., Phone: +1 401-751-5544. Open W-Mo 12PM-10PM. "Elegant Dining" with a taste of Italy. All meals cooked to order. Reservations and valet parking are available. Voted Best Restaurant RI Monthly and by Food & Beverage Magazine.

• Mediterraneo Restaurant, 134 Atwells Av., Phone: +1 401-331-7760. Lunch M-F 11:30AM-3PM, dinner M-F 3PM-10:30PM and Sa,Su 4PM-10:30PM. Creative, traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine with a distinct Mediterranean flair. Award winning design with a lively European ambiance, alfresco sidewalk dining (weather permitting) and an authentic Italian antipasto bar. Slightly expensive pricing.

• Caserta Pizzeria, 121 Spruce St., Phone: +1 401-621-3618 or +1 401-621-9190. Tu-Su 9:30AM-10:30PM. Good family restaurant. Originator of the Wimpy Skippy. Enjoy traditional style pizza in a casual atmosphere. Voted best pizza and spinach pie by R.I. Monthly Magazine.

• Moda, 525 South Water St., Phone: +1 401-331-2288, [42]. Contemporary international cuisine with Latin and Asian overtones set in a modern New York City style lounge/dining room. Meals $15-$30.

Drink

• Bar One, 1 Throop Aly, Phone: +1 401-621-7112.
• Custom House Tavern, 36 Weybosset St., Phone: +1 401-751-3630.
• Finnegan's Wake, 397 Westminster St., Phone: +1 401-751-0290.
• Fish Co Bar & Grill, 515 South Water St., Phone: +1 401-421-5796. Daily 3:30PM-1AM. Hip Hop, Reggaeton, and R&B. Thursdays ladies get in free. $1 Corona until 11. $3 margaritas. Pool tables, lounge areas and booth tables. The bar acts like an island, where the dance floor is located to the left of the small stage. There is another bar located in the back of the place. Outside enclosed area for smokers.
• Jake's Bar & Grille, 373 Richmond St., Phone: +1 401-453-5253.
• Jerky's Bar, 71 Richmond St., Phone: +1 401-621-2244.
• Keg Room, 101 Richmond St., Phone: +1 401-274-0170.
• Muldowney's Pub, 103 Empire St., Phone: +1 401-831-6202.
• Patrick's Pub, 381 Smith St., Phone: +1 401-751-1553.
• RI Ra Irish Pub & Restaurant, 50 Exchange Ter., Phone: +1 401-272-1953[43]
• Tantric 1070 North Main St, Phone: +1 401-273-1070, [44]. This club is located downtown providence. Features include Red Carpet Thursdays, $2 Corona and shots. Dance floor, Hip Hop and R&B music. Admission to Tantric is usually $10.
• Trinity Brewhouse, 186 Fountain St., Phone: +1 401-453-2337, [45]. Hours of operation: M-Th 11:30AM- 1AM; F-Sa 11:30AM- 2AM; Su 12:00PM- 1:00AM (Food served until Midnight everyday)
• Wickenden Pub, 320 Wickenden St., Phone: +1 401-861-2555.
• Z-Bar and Grille, 244 Wickenden St., Phone: +1 401-831-1566. Hours of operation: Su-Th 11:30AM- 1:00AM; F-Sa 11:30AM-2AM.

Sleep

Hotels

• Westin Providence, One West Exchange Street, Phone: +1 401-598-8000, fax +1 401-598-8200, [46]. Pricey hotel built 1993, featuring unparalleled views of the city, skywalk connection to Providence Place Mall.

• Courtyard Providence Downtown, 32 Exchange Terrace at Memorial Blvd, Phone: +1 401-272-1191, fax: +1 401-272-1416, [47].

• The Holiday Inn Providence-Downtown, 21 Atwells Av., Phone: +1 401-831-3900, [48]. Adjacent to RI Convention Center.

• Mowry-Nicholson House, 57 Brownell St., Phone: +1 401-351-6111, Fax: +1 401-351-4261, [49]. Bed and Breakfast with panoramic views of historic Providence. Comfortable rooms & suites, all with private baths.

• Providence Biltmore, 11 Dorrance St., Phone: +1 401-421-0700, +1 800-294-7709, [50]. Historic 1922 building (on National Register of Historic Places). A plaque high up on the lobby columns commemorates the high water mark of the 1954 hurricane that struck Providence. Adjacent to Kennedy Plaza.

• Providence Marriot Downtown, 1 Orms St., Phone: +1 401-272-2400, +1 866-807-2171, [51].

Bed & Breakfasts

• Cady House, 127 Power Street, Phone: +1 401-273-5398, [52]. Classic 1838 house. $100-$110.

• Christopher Dodge House, 11 West Park St, Phone: +1 401-351-6111, Fax: +1 401-351-4261, [53]. 15 rooms. Walking distance from Providence Place Mall, downtown and Brown University. Each spacious guest room offers early American reproduction furniture, Stearns and Foster mattresses a private bath and much more. $130-$200.

• Old Court Bed & Breakfast, 144 Benefit St, Phone: +1 401-751-2002, [54]. 10 rooms. $115-$195.

• The State House Inn Bed and Breakfast, 43 Jewett Street, Phone: +1 401-351-6111, Fax: +1 401-351-4261, [55]. 10 rooms. $99-$149.

Cope

• Rhode Island put into place a smoking ban that included bars, restaurants and businesses on March 1, 2005.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!