The Open Road Travel

In today’s article, we are going to be looking at the 10 best things to do in Providence, Rhode Island. While the city is known by multiple names, many people will know very little about what it actually has to offer visitors who do decide to spend their vacation in the northeast United States.

From iconic buildings and historic sites to sprawling parks and beautiful natural areas, Providence is a city that has something to offer for everyone. Our guide aims to help you plan the perfect travel itinerary to ensure you enjoy every second when you visit Providence for yourself.

So, if you are planning on visiting Providence and want it to be a dream vacation from start to finish, I highly recommend reading on.

Providence is the capital of the state of Rhode Island, as well as its most populous city, with just over 190,000 residents. It is also the 3rd most populous city in the entire New England region, behind Boston and Worcester, and largest outside of Massachusetts.

Located at the mouth of the Providence River, on the Narragansett Bay, the city of Providence was founded in 1636 by author and minister Roger Williams as one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

This makes it Rhode Island’s second oldest city and one of the oldest in both New England and the U.S.

Much like the rest of Rhode Island, Providence is famous for its love of coffee, and the city boasts more coffee and donut shops per capita than anywhere else in the United States. It also boasts one of the largest LGBT communities and largest gay bathhouse in New England.

Well known for its various performance art centres and groups, Providence also hosts the WaterFire environmental art installation each summer. With 100 bonfires set just over the surface of the city’s three rivers, it is a truly unique sight to behold.

The best time to visit Providence, Rhode Island is from late May to mid-September. This is because it is the period when Providence experiences its warmest, driest stretch, as well as when the WaterFire art installations are held.

This makes it the perfect time to visit for those who don’t want to worry about the weather ruining their trip and who want to see one of the city’s most unique and famous events.

As we move to our list of the 10 best things to do in Providence, Rhode Island, I am going to suggest a broad range of options.

These will include things to appeal to travellers of all different interests, while ensuring you have something to cover everything that Providence is known for.

Roger Williams Park is named after the city’s founder and can more than stake a claim to being one of the biggest and best city parks in the United States. Opened in 1872, it covers 427 acres and has been designated as its own Unites States National Historic District.

It is filled with beautiful natural features like lawns, ponds, lakes, gardens, and plants, as well as a wide array of features such as hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and sporting facilities. What really makes it stand out though is its collection of slightly grander attractions.

The Roger Williams Park Zoo was established at the same time as the park as a temporary attraction, before blossoming and developing into a permanent feature.

Home to 150 animals, covering 100 species from around the world, nature lovers simply can’t pass up seeing its incredible collection.

The Roger Williams Park Museum Of Natural History And Planetarium was built in 1896 and features stunning, historic architecture.

Home to archaeological artefacts, exhibits on the Earth and Sea and their wildlife, as well as regular shows on our solar system, its is a great stop for fans of history, nature, and astronomy.

The Roger Williams Park Botanical Center was added in 2007 and houses 12,000 square feet (1115 square metres) of indoor gardens inside 2 interconnected greenhouses. With over 150 different species of plants, it is the largest collection of its kind in New England.

Throw in attractions like the Roger Williams Park Casino, Williams Family Cemetery, Carousel Village, Betsy Williams Cottage Museum, Dalrymple Boathouse and boat rentals, Temple To Music, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, and historic walking tours, and it is a destination that can be enjoyed by all.

Roger Williams Park, Pine Hill Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island, 02907

The Rhode Island State House was constructed between 1891 and 1901 and has served as the Rhode Island Capitol building and the home of the Rhode Island legislature since its completion.

Designed with Neoclassical architecture, the iconic building features a gilded statue known as “The Independent Man” and the fourth biggest structural stone dome on Earth. This makes it a must visit location for fans of architecture and art.

The building houses the offices of the Rhode Island General Assembly, House Of Representatives, Senate, Governor, General Treasurer, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary Of State.

With guided tours available of both the building and grounds, it is ideal for those looking to learn about the history and politics of Rhode Island. The whole site has been listed on the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places since 1970.

82 Smith Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903

Swan Point Cemetery is a historic, 60 acre cemetery that was first established in 1846. Filled with stunning graves and sculptures and located on the west bank of the Seekonk River, it is a great place to take a stroll to enjoy historic works of art and stunning views across the water.

Home to more than 40,000 internments, Swan Point Cemetery houses the graves of many prominent figures, such as numerous Governors Of Rhode Island. This helped it to get listed on the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places in 1977.

Among the most popular sights are the Grave Of HP Lovecraft, the legendary American horror author, Grave Of Sullivan Ballou, Grave Of Elizabeth Buffom Chace, and Remington Family Memorial (1866).

With these and many more, Swan Point Cemetery allows you to soak in the art, history, and landscape of Providence all in one place.

585 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, Rhode Island, 02906

Built in 1762 with a stunning Georgian style, the Old State House was home to the governments of the state of Rhode Island and the Colony Of Rhode Island And Providence Plantations for almost 150 years, until 1901.

It was then added to the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places in 1970.

Located just half a mile from the current Rhode Island State House, it gives you the chance to learn about one of the state’s most historic buildings while seeing how the architectural styles in the region have changed through the years.

150 Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903

The Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum is a historic building erected in 1862. Built by former Governor Of Rhode Island Henry Lippitt, it was lived in by him and his family for over 100 years.

It is considered among the best examples of Italianate architecture and Victorian décor in the region.

Features like gas light fixtures, stained glass windows, Corinthian columns, an ornate fireplace, and historic plasterwork, stencilling, wallpaper, and woodwork help transport you back in time.

It still even contains a collection of perfectly preserved textiles and furniture belonging to the family. With exhibits dedicated to his life and times, it is a great place to learn about both Henry Lippitt and the state of Rhode Island.

Listed on the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places, it is also surrounded by other buildings in the Hope-Power-Cooke-Streets Historic District for you to explore.

199 Hope Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02906

The Providence River runs for 8 miles (13 km) from the Narragansett Bay to the confluence of the Moshassuck and Woonasquatucket rivers. The Providence River Walk is a walking route that traverses part of the river and is a great way to explore the city.

With bridges to cross, sculptures to see, and gondola and boat rides to take, it gives you a fabulous opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and take in some truly stunning views of the city.

US Route 44, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903

The John Brown House was the very first mansion to be built in Providence, having been erected between 1786 and 1788. Named after original owner, local statesman, merchant, and slave trader John Brown, his descendants donated it to the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1942.

It has since been fully restored and still features much of the original furniture and the family’s personal effects, which have all been refurbished, as well as various artefacts dedicated to the early history of Rhode Island and the growth of both the state and the city of Providence.

A must visit destination for anyone interested in local history, it was declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark and added to the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places in 1968.

52 Power Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02906

The Roger Williams National Memorial is a national park built on the site of the original Colony Of Rhode Island And Providence Plantations settlement that honours the life of its founder.

While the 4.5 acre park itself was created with the city in 1636, the memorial was established in 1965.

The visitor centre is located in the historic 1736 Antram-Gray House and is filled with free exhibits and videos to educate visitors on Roger Williams, as well as many of the historic sites throughout Providence.

The park then boasts various other beautiful natural features like Bernon Grove and historic attractions the likes of The Tree Of New Hope, The Hahn Memorial, and the Historic Providence Well, the spring that caused the area to be settled in the first place.

Added to the United States National Register Of Historic Places in 1966, it was the only site in the national park system in Rhode Island until Blackstone River Valley National Historic Park was added in 2014. It is a must visit location for any fans of history or the great outdoors.

282 North Main Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903

The First Baptist Church In America, also known as the First Baptist Church Of Providence, Rhode Island, was established in 1638, making it the oldest such congregation in the United States.

While the original building has since been demolished, the current church was opened in 1775 and has been designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark since 1960. Known for its iconic white steeple and Georgian architecture, it is one of the most stunning buildings in the city.

Those interested in either religious history or architecture will enjoy exploring the church both inside and out. For those who aren’t, the wide range of concerts, lectures, and talks by world famous performers it hosts may be more to your liking.

75 North Main Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903

Officially known as the Industrial National Bank Building, as well as at least 4 other names through the years, the “Superman Building” gained its nickname thanks to its similarity to the Daily Planet newspaper building from the Superman comics.

Built between 1925 and 1927 with a steel frame encased in Deer Isle Granite and Indiana Limestone, it features a collection of different architectural styles.

Despite never having been used in any live action Superman adaptations, fans still flock in their droves to take snaps of the building.

Standing 428 feet (130 metres) tall, it is the highest building in the state of Rhode Island. While it has internally fallen into a state of disrepair since the last tenant left in 2013, it is more than worth stopping by to appreciate and snap a photo of when you visit Providence.

111 Westminster Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903

The Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel is a fabulous, 4 star hotel, set in a grand, historic building right in the heart of Providence. Built in 1929, it combines amazing architecture with lavish modern décor, to provide an experience that screams style and sophistication.

All the rooms are spacious, offer stunning views, and are filled with luxury furniture and amenities. The rest of the property then boasts facilities like a bar, 24 hour fitness centre, ATM, business and meeting facilities, and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the site and private parking is available for an additional fee. Dry cleaning, ironing, and laundry services are all available on request, as are bicycle rentals and room service.

Providence is a fabulous city that doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. Our guide to the 10 best things to do in Providence, Rhode Island will hopefully have given you all the information you need to plan a perfect travel itinerary for when you decide to see it for yourself.

From when to go and where to stay to all the best things to do and see when you arrive, you are all set to enjoy a dream vacation in one of New England’s biggest and best cities.

All you have left to do is start getting things booked, so you don’t risk missing out on any of your top hotels or attractions.