Welcome to Providence, where old brick meets new art and sunflowers fill a former freeway. An underrated city with world class theatre and a top-notch foodie scene. Here, downtown coffee shops and vegan restaurants meet leafy college campuses. An independent spirit prevails and rises tall as the gold-plated statue upon the Capital Building dome. Running through it all is the Providence River, offering waterfront dining, lingering strolls and gondola rides.
What to Do
Where to Eat
Plant City
Nosh on vegan eats with stylish and modern decor at Plant city in Providence’s charming Fox Point neighborhood. Choose from three restaurants, a coffee bar and Grab & Go Marketplace.
Nick's on Broadway
Editor’s Pick: Nick’s on Broadway
Make a reservation for the patio and linger over a relaxed, yet artfully plated menu. Favorites include the coveted Honey Chili Chicken Biscuit, BBQ Blackbird Farm Burger, a shockingly good Chilled Cucumber Soup and RI Oysters, served on the half shell with a blueberry-jalapeno mignonette.
Ellie's
Start the day at Ellie’s, a Parisian-style bakery and cafe in downtown Providence. Opt for the breakfast sandwich on homemade english muffin or chocolate croissant and a cappuccino. Bon Appétit!
What To Do With Kids
Roger Williams Zoo
Spend a leisurely day with the happy animals of the Rogers Williams Park Zoo. Catch mama-to-be Chilean flamingos sitting on their eggs, cheetahs, giraffes and even take a zipline ride over the park! Don’t Miss: Get up close & personal with a mama & baby sloth, monkeys and South American River Otters at the new Faces of the Rainforest exhibit.
PVDonuts
Satisfy any sweet tooth with drool-worthy donuts from PVDonuts. Choose between seasonal flavors like the Blueberry Muffin Top Brioche filled with blueberry cream cheese mousse and topped with muffin top. Or the Chipwich, a sugar-lover’s dream with homemade M&M cookie sandwich atop a chocolate-laden donut.
Providence River Boat Tour
Get out on the water with an open-air narrated boat tour with Providence River Boat Company. This 50-minute tour provides fun & historical facts about Rhode Island’s capital city. Explore the Providence River, Riverwalk, Waterplace Park and the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier from a waterside point of view.
Providence’s Federal Hill Neighborhood
Discover Federal Hill, an area largely settled by Italian-Americas immigrants in the early 1900’s. Linger over meals of regional Italian cuisine and soak in the local culture. Grab a seat and glass of chianti while epic sunsets provide a backdrop to the cruising culture unfolding on Atwells Avenue. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you cross through the pine cone arch and spot the Italian flag painted on the center road line.
Providence Marriott Downtown
With modern rooms and resort-style amenities, Providence Marriott Downtown is a comfortable retreat for city travelers. Combining downtown accessibility with the biggest indoor heated pool in the city, families love the kid-approved indoor to outdoor swimming pool and cabanas.
Located one-mile from the heart of downtown, a fifteen minute walk takes you into the city center. Ample free parking is on-site and the hotel offers a well-equipped gym, salon and restaurant.
Room rates from $169 make it a budget-friendly option or upgrade to the spacious Executive Suite with living room, dining room and separate bedroom.
Book online: Marriott.com
Photos courtesy of: Vagamom and Visit Rhode Island. A special thanks goes to Visit Rhode Island for hosting this press trip, all opinions belong to Wander & Scout. For more places to explore in Rhode Island, go to VisitRhodeIsland.com.
