Providence is worthy of a full vacation in its own right, but if your schedule only leaves room for a single day trip, here are some must-see highlights.
Downtown Providence, AKA Downcity, is home to many of the Creative Capital’s most acclaimed restaurants, along with nightlife, theater, art galleries, and shopping. Stroll The Arcade (65 Weybosset St.), America’s oldest indoor shopping mall, which is home to hip drinking and dining establishments, and Lovecraft Arts & Sciences. On the street parallel, find stylish clothing for women at Queen of Hearts and Modern Love (220-222 Westminster St.), artful home goods at Homestyle (233 Westminster St.), artisan furniture made in Bali at balè (326 Westminster St.), and more. On the East Side of the city, Hope Street brims with boutiques: Frog & Toad (795 Hope St.) sells quirky RI merch, Rhody Craft (769 Hope St.) offers local artisan gifts, and Stock Culinary Goods (756 Hope St.) has everything your kitchen could need. Find more fun on Thayer Street, the commercial strip near Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
Don’t miss Broadway, Wayland Square, and Wickenden Street for more dining and retail options at all price points. An award-winning vintage and indie maker market, Providence Flea (225 Dyer St.) takes place outdoors at 195 District Park Sundays through September.
Venture into the West End for sustainable, slow-fashion hub The Nest (272 Carpenter St.) and a vast selection of vinyl at Armageddon Record Shop (436 Broadway). For vacation reads, visit Heartleaf Books (374 Atwells Ave.) or Riffraff Bookstore + Bar (60 Valley St., Suite 107A). Farm Fresh Rhode Island (10 Sims Ave.) is home to local food businesses and a gift shop.
Federal Hill is Providence’s famed Little Italy, but over the past decade or so it has become a much more multicultural dining destination. The main drag of Atwells Avenue is still home to many classic red sauce joints like Constantino’s Venda Bar & Ristorante and Trattoria Appia, and also boasts Mexican (Don Jose Tequilas), Thai (Thailand), and Japanese food (NAMI), too.
For dining and nightlife that’s a bit off the beaten path, head over to the West End. This area is home to the city’s vanguard of restaurants serving gourmet food in fun, casual settings, like elevated burgers at There, There (471 W Fountain St.); crepes and tea at Schasteâ (300 Broadway); tater tots, tiki drinks, and retro vibes at Ogie’s Trailer Park (1155 Westminster St.); smoked meats and summer bevvies at Great Northern BBQ Co. (9 Parade St.); and clever desserts from Sin (1413 Westminster St.).
On the East Side, highlights include Pizza Marvin (468 Wickenden St.) slinging creative pies and seafood, and Little Sister (737a Hope St.) is a Puerto Rican cafe with breakfast pastries and brunch. Downtown is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, from Korean food at Wok & Pot (333 Westminster St.) to Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse (148 Providence Pl. Suite 2060) to Viva Mexico Cantina Grill (129 Washington St.), and many more bites to explore.
The East Side is full of both beautifully preserved history and vibrant young energy. For the former, check out the Benefit Street Mile of History, the most impressive concentration of colonial homes in the country. For the latter, visit Thayer Street, the epicenter of College Hill’s food and nightlife scenes. Home to Brown University, RISD, and the RISD Museum (20 North Main St.), this neighborhood attracts the bright and creative. Make the most of a day in Providence by signing up for an Experience Rhode Island Tour (ExperienceRI.com).
Colorful murals and structures can be spotted throughout the city’s center, most of them courtesy of The Avenue Concept. The cutting-edge public arts program has quite literally transformed the cityscape, including the larger-than-life Still Here (32 Custom St.) installation by acclaimed artist Gaia. You can’t miss the vibrant facade of the historic Fleur-De-Lys Studios (7 Thomas St.) building, which is where local artists like Anthony Tomaselli and other Providence Art Club (11 Thomas St.) members work and show.
Of course, a trip to PVD wouldn’t be complete without a day at Roger Williams Park Zoo (1000 Elmwood Ave.), with an immersive Dragons & Mythical Creatures experience happening through August 11.
Explore the city from a different vantage point by paddling with rentals from Providence Kayak (101 Dyer St.). Tour the Providence and Woonasquatucket Rivers, the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge, and Waterplace Park, where WaterFire happens select nights (WaterFire.org). While BankNewport City Center (2 Kennedy Plaza) is under construction this summer, public roller skating and Roller Disco takes place at various city parks. Bring the kids to the Providence Children’s Museum (100 South St.) for an afternoon of play-focused learning. A visit to Level99 (8 Providence Pl. Suite #D301), a social gaming playground and craft brewery, is fun for all ages, and adults will enjoy the retro nostalgia of Free Play (182 Pine St.), an arcade bar.
If you’re arriving by air, Warwick is your gateway to the Ocean State.
Warwick is home to the sprawling Warwick Mall (400 Bald Hill Rd.), which features 80+ shops. Find your favorite big department stores, small specialty shops, and a movie theater, plus several surrounding dining destinations. You can shop artisan gifts made by local veterans at Operation Made (1060 Toll Gate Rd.) or wander across town to the quaint boutiques, cafes, and more in Pawtuxet Village. For one-of-a-kind finds, Changing Tides Gift Shop (355 Arnolds Neck Rd.) stocks nautical trinkets and hosts basket-weaving workshops in a cute fisherman’s shanty, and The Veiled Crow (3287 Post Rd.) is your go-to for essential oils and crystals, with tarot readings available by appointment. In West Warwick, Organical Botanical ( 294 Cowesett Ave.) sells its own herbal, aromatherapeutic bath and body products, and you can get lost wandering around Estate Services (65 Manchester St.), one of New England’s largest consignment shops.
Iggy’s Boardwalk (885 Oakland Beach Ave.) is a Rhody classic featuring stuffies – clam shells stuffed with minced clam and seasoned breading – clam cakes, and chowder, and their famous golden-fried doughboys. Top of the Bay (898 Oakland Beach Ave.) offers a view of the Narragansett Bay with casual New England fare. If you’re a beer lover, try the brews at Apponaug Brewing Co. (334 Knight St.), and if you’re looking for something with atmosphere, try the whimsical Tree House Tavern (1094 Centerville Rd.) located in a converted 19th century farmhouse (pro-tip: dine outdoors). Cork & Rye Gastropub (255 Lambert Lind Hwy.) is a whiskey and wine bar cooking up scratch-made, upscale pub fare. A local mainstay open since 1977, Cowesett Inn (226 Cowesett Ave., West Warwick) is a go-to for casual lunch or dinner, with New England staples, classic Italian, and something for just about everyone.
While this central Rhode Island hub is best known for the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (2000 Post Rd.), there’s still plenty else to discover. Rocky Point was a large amusement park back in the day, drawing crowds until it closed in 1995. Now, Rocky Point State Park (1 Rocky Point Ave.) offers natural trails and unmatched views of Narragansett Bay. Looking for fresh sweet corn? Locals love Morris Farm (2779 Warwick Ave.). Oakland Beach is a sandy getaway with a boat ramp and saltwater swimming, and boaters can inquire about slips at Safe Harbor Marina (1 Masthead Dr.), or charter from Sail Blue Lobster Charters (100 Folly Landing Rd.).
For low-key fun that doesn’t break the bank – yet still delights the whole family – Warwick has a host of options. Watch for events at The Gamm Theatre (1245 Jefferson Blvd.). Pack a picnic blanket or lawn chairs because select Thursdays are Food Truck Nights at Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick Airport (801 Greenwich Ave.), where over a dozen vendors on wheels pull up with bites for all tastes, beer from Trinity Brewhouse, and live music. Bring the family or a group of friends and get puzzling at Riddle Room (1150 Bald Hill Rd.), an escape room highlighting local lore with its challenging mystery quests. At Smash ‘N’ Splash (289 Cowesett Ave., West Warwick), you have permission to smash things and make a mess – this “rage room” also has arcade games and snacks. Tech-oriented fun more your speed? The Rhode Island Computer Museum (1755 Bald Hill Rd.) not only houses a collection of vintage computers but also hosts hands-on STEAM programming for all ages.
By day Warwick Center for the Arts (3273 Post Rd.) hosts art classes and workshops; by night enjoy Bring Your Own Improv, an interactive show that welcomes audience participation. Two shows are held each Friday night: family friendly at 8pm, late night at 10pm.
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