Planning to visit Providence, Rhode Island? Want to know the things to do in Providence Rhode Island? Then, you are at the right page.
In the New England region of the Northeastern United States lies a state of sandy shores and miles of coastline named Rhodes Islands. It’s an eponymous island. Rhode Island, which runs for 1,214 square miles, has a small population of just 1.1 million people.
Rhode Island extends its boundary to Massachusetts on the north and east and Connecticut on the West.
If you keep walking in the south direction, you will reach Rhode Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. It also shares a very narrow border with New York. Rhode Island is also known as Ocean State and has many oceanfront beaches.
It is a flat land with no real mountains adding to its geography, but still, it has some hills around. Narragansett Bay adds more to its natural beauty. On the top of Narragansett Bay, there is the capital city of Rhode Island.
Providence is an eccentric, compact, and diverse city. It has many historical sites and also some funky artistic highlights. Now let’s know more about Rhodes Island and take a look at the list of the ten best things to do in Providence Rhode Island.
Top 10 Things to Do in Providence Rhode Island
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Let’s explore the top 10 best things you can do during your visit to Providence, Rhode Island. We have shortlisted the best activities for you so that you can fully enjoy the experience with your family as these chances comes rarely in life.
So, below are the things you can do at Providence, Rhode Island.
1. Visit the RISD Museum of Art
Source: hotelprovidence.com
RISD stands for Rhode Island School of Design and has its place among the top art institutes in America. If you are someone who is interested in arts and loves visiting museums, this is for you.
You can find a vast and wide range of art ranging from Japanese prints, French impressionist art, ancient Egyptian art, and early American art to contemporary art styles.
It has many needlework and fabric art pieces, pottery works, antique furniture and statues, and even Asian arts. Also, it was established in 1877 to nurture a vibrant art space in Rhode Island. Its aim was to represent the art of various cultures and various countries while still justifying the magnanimity of art and its aesthetic appeal to its audience.
Through this, it creates an inclusive environment for everyone who visits it and every art that embellishes it.
Address: 224 Benefit Street, Providence
2. Visit the Rhode Island State Capitol
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Rhode Island State Capitol is a major landmark of Providence. It stands gorgeously in white marble as if holding its head high as a reflection and a symbol of Rhode Island’s richness in diversity, culture, and history. Moreover, it dates back to Neoclassical times. It was designed by McKim, Mead & White. This structure also finds its place in the National Register of Historic Places.
On the top of this beautiful structure stands another beautiful piece of art known as The Independent Man. The statue was originally named “Hope” and was designed by George Brewster. It symbolizes freedom and independence. This place is a must-go for you if you like to learn about architecture and history and, overall, like exploring new places!
3. Waterplace Park for a bit of relaxation
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Waterplace Park is situated along a river that has a hard-to-pronounce name in Providence called the Woonasquatucket River. It is constructed in a Venice-style pedestrian bridge structure. Waterplace Park, along with Riverwalk, hosts the Waterfire every year. The waterway can be easily accessed during the daytime.
While exploring this area, you can have a view of the upper parts of Narragansett Bay, skyscrapers, architectural flashes of brilliance, etc. You can also ride in La Gondola, which is an authentic Venetian gondola. Surely an amazing place for water babies!!
4. Explore Providence Performing Arts Center
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Providence Performing Arts Center is an eye-catching spot on Weybosset Street. It is a well-known Beaux Arts theater and was designed by George and C.W. Rapp of Chicago, who had also designed many opulent theaters all over the world. Its stunning architecture has always astounded its visitors.
It has seen many good and bad days, but it has thrived for decades altogether. At present, the theater is equipped with modern equipment, an LED display screen, and magnificent chandeliers. So grab a ticket and enjoy this beautiful place and see the art breathing inside it.
5. Rhode Island Children’s Museum
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Imagine walking on the streets of Providence, and suddenly you see a huge dragon looking at you from the roof of a huge building! Don’t be scared, you just reached the Rhode Island Children’s Museum. This building has many amazing and fun activities for kids aged 1-11 who can learn science, art, technology, physics, architecture, botany, engineering, and world cultures while having fun.
The exhibits inside this beautiful brick building are not only for fun but also to impart knowledge to kids. It includes puzzles, common tools, games, live pictures, etc.
6. Take a stroll through Swan Point Cemetery
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Swan Point Cemetery was established in 1856 as a cemetery park. It was inspired by another famous cemetery park in Massachusetts known as the Cambridge Mount Auburn Cemetery, which was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
There are open lawns and mature trees all around the place. You will find huge elaborate tombs made in various styles. Some of them belong to individuals, while others belong to families as a whole. It finds a place in the National Register of Historic Places and also in Edgar Allen Poe’s story!!
7. Providence Athenaeum
Source: providenceathenaeum.org
If you are an avid reader, Providence Athenaeum is just the right place for you. It is an independent library near the College Hill area. This library was established in 1836. This library is very often visited by people who are high admirers of Edgar Allen Poe.
This is the place where Poe and his girlfriend, Sarah Helen Whitman, broke up in 1848. Author H.P. Lovecraft was a frequent visitor of this library and wrote many letters and stories here.
What attracts readers and visitors from around the world to this Greek revival-style building?
This library has many special editions of various books and a huge collection of rare books that includes-Smithsonian Institution Publications, Pamphlet Collection, Holder Borden Bowen Collection, Roycroft Collection, Costume collection, Robert Burns Collection, Book Arts, Founder’s Collection, Natural History Collect, archives, old juveniles, old fictions, travelogs.
It is decorated with a very large 18th-century copy of Gilbert Stuart’s famous Lansdowne portrait of George Washington that was painted by an unknown artist, a small painting titled “The Hours” by Edward Malbone, a bronze bust of H. P. Lovecraft, marble busts of Athenaeum dignitaries including Nathanael Greene.
It conducts cultural programs, music shows, and discussion forums with many well-known writers.
8. WaterFire
Source: waterfire.org
It is a structure designed by Barnaby Evans, located in Providence. It is a public art installation. Through the support of volunteers, Waterfire turned into a seasonal event. After it gained recognition, people and communities started working for funds to strengthen this brilliant project. This design reflects upon the idea that individuals must act together to strengthen and preserve their community.
Eighty-six burning braziers float on the water giving it a spectacular view. On average, 10000 to 40000 spectators visit this place on show nights.
The public is told that they can walk by the riverfront and enjoy the flickering fire and enjoy the fragrance of aromatic wood smoke, the changing silhouettes of the volunteers tending the fire, and the vibe to the singing along of a huge mass.
9. Roger Williams Park Zoo
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Roger Williams Park Zoo is spread over an area of 40 acres. It is one of the oldest zoos in Providence. Though it is quite old, it is built very modern. It is a kid’s safe zoo. This zoo is mostly cage-free, and you can spot leopards, giraffes, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, alligators, kangaroos, and red pandas. There are treehouses, or you can also go for a camel ride.
The zoo hosts seasonal events like Spooky Zoo, where they have pumpkin shows. It has a beautiful botanical garden inside it, with a large public display garden and a few small greenhouses. There is a museum inside the zoo that has insects, minerals, and fossils. It also has the state’s only planetarium.
10. Federal Hill
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Federal Hill is a beautiful neighborhood in Providence. It has an Italian- American community living there. This is the reason why it is also known as Little Italy. Also, it has Italian buildings, restaurants, hotels, markets, and cultural centers.
Other immigrants, too, got close to the community, and the area has a rich shared culture. Also, people visit this area to have authentic Italian food like spaghetti, mozzarella, pickled cherry pepper, etc. It also has some brilliant cafés to explore.
Also Read- 5 BestThings to Do In Coastal Rhode Island
Conclusion
Well, this was the list of the ten best things to do in Providence, Rhode Island, but apart from these, there are many more things to explore.
This exploration includes:
- Walking around Benefit Street’s “Mile of History”
- Taking a stroll around the campus of Brown University
- Visiting Stephen Hopkins House, Governor Henry Lippitt House, and John Brown House
- Exploring the rivers and Narragansett Bay by boat
The city also offers:
- Downcity Providence food tour
- Ghost, Phantoms and Poltergeists tour
- Guided Sightseeing tour
- Narrated boat tour
- Walking tour
- Providence prowl scavenger hunt
- vineyard voyages
- haunted boat tours
- and Architectural Boat tour.
From boats and rivers to streets and cottages, Providence provides you with a range of fun places to visit and loads of activities to do. So whether you are a reader or a foodie or a history freak, or a head-on traveler, this city has everything for everyone.