5 Things to do in Providence, Rhode Island
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Providence, the largest city in Rhode Island, is the ideal destination for a summer or winter daytrip from many New England cities. Located only an hour and a half from Boston, Rhode Island’s capital city is a great alternative where you can enjoy some decent attractions and great restaurants without putting up with the Boston tourist crowds.
What I love most about this small city is the abundance of fantastic local Italian restaurants, the wonderful seasonal events, and the beautiful biking and walking paths. Living in nearby Fall River, I have had many opportunities to check out this underrated city. Here’s my guide to the best things to add to your bucket list.
1. Dine in historic Federal Hill
Federal Hill is a historic neighborhood located in a part of the city known for its’ abundance of authentic Italian restaurants. Both casual and high end Italian choices line both sides of the road. Whether you are craving ravioli, pizza, or lasagna, you can find it all here and more. Some of my personal favorites include: Andino’s, Amici Bar and Grille, and Pizzico.
Address: Atwells Avenue
2. Dine & shop at Providence Place Mall
This large shopping, dining & entertainment complex, located downtown, has enough activities to keep you occupied all day. Mike and I have spent hours enjoying all the wonderful dining and entertainment. It’s one of our favorite places to go for date night. There is a nice selection of higher end chain restaurants, including PF Chang’s, Fire and Ice, and The Cheesecake Factory.
The 2 floor layout consists of a mix of the usual stores and a few specialty shops. My favorite store is Restoration Hardware. Other highlights include: Boscovs, The North Face, Michael Kors, and Apple. In terms of entertainment, you will find a Dave and Busters and IMAX theater.
UPDATE: As of 2023, Fire + Ice and Restoration Hardware are closed.
Located just a short walk away from the mall is the Providence State House building. This beautiful old building is a gorgeous place for photos and you can also sign up for a tour.
Address: 1 Providence Place (the mall), 82 Smith Street #108A (Rhode Island State House)
3. Ice skating at Kennedy Plaza
The cold and snowy winter months are still super fun in my opinion. If you love winter sports, there is a large, well maintained rink within walking distance of the mall. The lights and music add a nice ambiance for a holiday date. I actually like this rink a lot better than the trendier Frog Pond in Boston; the rink is much less crowded and street parking is easier to find. Pricing is quite affordable at just under 20 bucks for admission and skates (children $11). Bring your own skates and pay just 9 bucks!
For more information (including winter hours and prices) take a look at my ice skating article.
Address: 2 Kennedy Plaza
4. Be dazzled at Waterfire
Friday nights during the summer months, the Providence River is transformed into an artistic masterpiece as multiple bonfires are lit up across the water. Waterplace Restaurant offers nice outdoor seating for the event. We had a great time enjoying the music and festivities that went along with this event. This long running tradition (30+ years) is one of the best in the state. I recommend adding it to your bucket list if you are visiting over the summer months.
Address: 101 Regent Avenue
5. Enjoy a day out at a local park
I recommend a nice walk along the Blackstone Boulevard walking path during the spring, summer, or fall season. This beautiful shady, peaceful 3 mile path is perfect for walkers and joggers. I love walking with a cup of morning coffee or jogging here to get ready for a 5k. I’ve trained for several races and the beautiful scenery definitely motivated me to stick to my training schedule. This park is amazing during fall foliage season; I love exercising here with the added bonus of enjoying the vivid colors – it’s so much more than scenic than staring at a gym machine!
Another great park just outside of the city is Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket. I really love the amenities here which include: a 3 mile beautiful bike path, a pond with a walking path, a watercolor painting art gallery, tennis courts, a large dog park, and the World’s Oldest Louff Standing Carousel. This is one of the nicest parks in the metro. My favorite amenity is the gorgeous tree-lined biking path which is short, but super scenic. You check out my park guide for full details.
Address: Blackstone Blvd & Hope St. (Blackstone Blvd. path), Newport Ave Pawtucket (Slater Memorial Park)
The best recreational area of all is definitely the East Bay Bike path. This is one of my favorite bike paths I’ve ever come across. It’s located on an old railroad route and features fabulous views of the bay and surroundings forests. This 14 mile rail trail was induced into the Hall of Fame. I recommend checking it out, whether for biking, jogging, or even a peaceful stroll.
Starting Point: Independence Park in Bristol (419-459 Thames St)
