As Rhode Island’s largest city, Providence is an incredible destination to explore, offering an exciting mix of history, culture, food, and architecture.
While it’s known for being the home to Brown University and RISD, there’s so much more to see and do, and this post is all about the best things to do in Providence, RI. Having explored the city multiple times now, I’m so excited to share with you what I think is most worth your time, plus some other local gems that I think you’ll love.
Providence is also a fantastic culinary destination, and one of the top things to do here is eat, so I’ll definitely be going into where to make reservations, and some more cool food spots to check out during your visit.
And with that, let’s get started!
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Best Things To Do In Providence For Your Weekend Itinerary
1. Come Hungry & Eat A Lot
Honestly, this is my best advice when visiting Providence. The city is known as a foodie destination, and is packed with award-winning and up-and-coming chefs. The choices are endless, and eating your way through the city is definitely one of the best ways to experience it.
For that reason, I’ll have an entire section down below of where to eat because the food scene here really needs its own section.
2. Explore Roger Williams Park & Zoo
A bit outside the downtown area is Roger Williams Park & Zoo, and this is definitely worth adding to your itinerary. Named after the founder of the city, and spreading over 430 acres, there’s so much to explore inside the park, including one of the best zoos in New England, beautiful grounds, historic sites, ponds for boating, and gardens.
Most parts of the park are so beautiful, but there are a few spots in particular that are especially nice to seek out during your visit:
→ The Botanical Gardens: These require a paid admission, but it’s pretty affordable, and such a lovely spot to walk around. Their Rose Maze garden is also such a pretty spot.
→ Victorian Rose Garden: This one is free to visit, and is especially beautiful in June when the roses are in bloom.
→ The Japanese Gardens: Also a beautiful spot. While small, it does make you feel transported to Japan. It’s especially lovely in April during cherry blossom season, and the fall.
→ The Betsey Williams Sycamore: The is the most famous tree in Rhode Island! It’s estimated to be around 250 years old, and stands by the historic Betsey Williams Cottage. This massive American sycamore is known for its enormous spreading branches and distinctive white, peeling bark, making it a really unique find inside the park.
→ Lover’s Retreat Bridge: This connects the Betsey Williams Cottage with the Casino, so it’s easy to see both in this area of the park. Built in the early 1900s, this beautiful pedestrian bridge is a wonderfully scenic spot that’s worth checking out.
→ Roosevelt Lake & Bandstand: This is one of the more picturesque areas of the park, with the gazebo-shaped bandstand adding to the beauty of the area.
→ Boathouse & Swan Boats: The beautiful Queen Anne-style boathouse sits overlooking a lake, where visitors can rent swan-shaped paddle boats. This is another fun and unique thing to add to your itinerary inside the park!
→ The Zoo, of course! The zoo is home to New England’s only Komodo dragon, and is also the third-oldest zoo in the country.
3. Attend WaterFire – A Providence Tradition
WaterFire began in 1994, and was intended as a short-term art installation. But it’s been going strong ever since and is now one of the most fun events to check out in New England during the summer season.
Beloved by both visitors and locals, WaterFire transforms the downtown riverfront into a stunning public art installation with more than 80 floating bonfires lit in brazers after sunset on select evenings throughout the year. Along with the illuminated waterways, you can expect live music, street performers, local artisans, and food vendors, making it a really cool experience that’s worth adding to your itinerary.
Keep in mind that in early summer and after Labor Day, the event will sometimes be a partial one, where they only light a certain number of the brazers. However, during peak summer months, they do the full lighting. Click here for the WaterFire schedule.
4. Visit The RISD Museum
Being that RISD is the best art school in the country, one of the best things to do when visiting is explore the RISD Museum. Not only can students showcase their own art pieces at the museum through various programs, but the museum itself is also home to an incredibly impressive collection of pieces – ranging from ancient artifacts to more contemporary artwork.
Some of the notable works inside the museum are by iconic French impressionists, including Manet, Monet, Cézanne, and Renoir. Plus, a painting by Van Gough, and prominent 20th century American pieces.
Pro Tip: There is an admission fee for the museum, unless you visit during one of their free days, which are Sundays from 10a – 5p, and Thursdays from 5 – 8p.
5. Walk Along The Riverfront
One of the best ways to get acquainted with Providence is to just walk along the Riverfront, which will not only give you the lay of the land, but also some pretty nice views – including the perfect skyline view of the city.
In the 1990s, Providence’s underwent the Capital Center/River Relocation Project, where they re-centered rivers that had been paved over for decades, transforming them into a public space to attract more tourism, and give the city a more European feel. It was intentially designed to feel more like Venice, Italy, actually! You’ll notice Venetian-inspired pedestrian bridges and such while walking around, which is a really beautiful feature that somehow blends in so well with the city’s architecture.
From downtown, the best way to walk along the Riverfront is to just follow river, heading toward the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge. You’ll pass by Memorial Park, which is home to a few sculptures that honor those who fought in the World Wars. Eventually, you’ll end at 195 District Park, which is where you can walk across the Van Leesten Memorial Bridge for awesome skyline views of Providence.
At 195 District Park, you’ll also see green spaces that host various events throughout the season, and lots of room to enjoy the views along the Riverfront. Nearby is also Tizzy K’s ice cream, which is also a place I highly recommend in my food section down below 😉
6. Stroll Through The Historic Streets In College Hill
College Hill on the East Side is such a fun neighborhood to walk around if you love historic houses and architecture. Plus, this is where you’ll find both Brown University and RISD campuses.
This neighborhood is known as the most charming in the city, and for very good reason – you’ll see colorful Colonial homes dotting the tree-lined streets, with especially pretty streets being Benefit and Thomas. Much like most of New England’s historic homes, you’ll also find a sign on each one that states the year it was established and its ties to history (usually in the form of its first owner’s occupation).
In this neighborhood is also Prospect Terrace, which is my next suggestion below, and the Athenaeum, which is another one of my suggestions later in the post 😉
Pro Tip: It’s good to know that the name College Hill is quite literal. It’s home to the colleges in Providence, and also, it sits up in a hill. This means that coming from downtown, you’ll definitely need to walk up a hill to get to the neighborhood, so you’ll want to plan accordingly for the walk.
7. Take In The Views From Prospect Terrace
One of my favorite spots in the city is Prospect Terrace, and it’s also loved by locals and college students as a place to enjoy city views from above in a lovely little green space. Perched up in the College Hill neighborhood, you have an awesome vantage point to take in panoramic views of the city, which also makes it a perfect photo spot.
Also at the park is a beautiful statue of the city’s founder, Roger Williams, which sits overlooking the city.
Fun fact: No one really knows what Roger Williams looked like, as he never sat for a painted portrait. So, his likeness in the statue is an interpretation by the artist. According to historical records, he was often heard saying that he didn’t have time for sitting for a painting, and wanted to spend what time he did have serving his community.
8. Plan A Gondola Ride
Remember earlier in the post when I mentioned how the city underwent a restoration project to bring more Venetian elements to the Riverfront? Well, gondola rides were a part of that project, too!
Gondola rides in Providence take place along the city’s river and canal system, where a group of trained gondoliers offer a Venetian-inspired experience right in downtown. Many of the gondoliers have trained in Venice, Italy, bringing traditional technique and storytelling style to Providence. However, the boats themselves are custom-built replicas designed to mimic authentic Venetian gondolas, rather than being imported originals.
This is a really fun way to explore the city, and the best time of day is around sunset. They also offer special gondola rides during WaterFire, so you can cruise by the lit brazers.
To make a gondola reservation, click here to visit the La Gondola Providence website.
9. Visit The Athenaeum
Also located up in College Hill, The Providence Athenaeum is one of the city’s most atmospheric stops. As a historic, member-supported library dating back to 1836, it’s got stunning Greek Revival architecture, a double-height reading room, and rare book collections that include early American literary works and artwork.
The Athenaeum inly charges a $5 admission fee for adults on weekends, and during weekdays, it just asks for a pay-what-you-can donation model, making it one of the more affordable things to check out during your visit. It’s worth stepping inside just to take in the architecture and quiet, book-lined walls that have welcomed writers like Edgar Allan Poe and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
If you’re not especially “into” books, I think it’s worth checking out for the architecture alone, and will only take about 10-15 minutes to wander through. However, if you love books, and are a big reader, or even just love history, you’ll likely want to spend more time here.
10. Shop Along Westminster
If you’re looking to do some shopping while in Providence, I recommend heading to Westminster Street. While a small area, Westminster is home to some cool, independent shops that are definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
Some of my favorites are:
→ Modern Love
→ Craftland
→ Homestyle
→ Symposium Books
Full disclosure, the shopping part of Westminster only runs for about two blocks, so I wouldn’t have expectations of shopping here for hours. That said, it’s a very cool part of the city with some cute shops, and I do absolutely recommend it.
Along Westminster is also the Arcade Providence, which is the oldest indoor shopping mall in the country. Built in 1828, its Greek Revival architecture includes a glass skylight roof, and original granite structure, making it one of the most visually memorable historic buildings in the city. While it’s an incredible space to walk through and admire, I do have to be honest that the shopping experienced inside may be a bit disappointing for some. The mix of shops and cafés inside the building wasn’t as exciting to me as the others along Westminster, so most visitors will like want to come for the architecture and history, and not so much the retail experience.
Depending on when you visit, some of the shops and cafés can be closed on certain days, and it usually has a bit of a deserted feeling – even on a Saturday afternoon. I just wanted to level-set expectations for anyone who may be interested in stopping by.
11. Look For Beautiful Street Art
You’ll probably come across so many gorgeous murals just while walking around the city, but in case you don’t happen upon them, it’s worth scouting out at least a couple around downtown during your visit. With Providence being an art-focused city, the murals here are especially impressive, and usually prominently displayed.
One of my favorites is the She Never Came mural, located by a parking lot at 134 Mathewson Street. Done by Polish artist BEZT in 2015, the powerful image speaks for itself.
There are so many other beautiful murals throughout the city, most of which are located downtown. These honestly just add something so special to the city, and they always put a huge smile on my face.
12. Take A Tour Of The City
If you prefer to take guided tours, Providence has a lot of options that are the perfect way to get acquainted with the city. Here are the ones I’d recommend you check out:
→ City Sights By Sea: A narrated boat tour along the river.
→ Discover Providence Tour: A bus tour led by a local expert.
More Fun Things To Do In Providence
Have more time? Here’s what else I recommend checking out and adding to your itinerary.
13. Head Out On The East Bay Bike Path
Whether you walk, jog, or bike the path, it’s equally as beautiful, and one of my favorite things to do in the city. I especially love this path because it connects to another one of the best places to visit in Rhode Island – Bristol. If you start in Providence, you’ll end at Independence Park in the charming coastal town of Bristol, which is a wonderful day trip to take while staying in Providence.
To start the bike path in Providence, you’ll want to head to India Point Park. At this park, there’s a small designated lot that tends to fill up fast on weekends, but there’s also plenty of street parking along the road. If visiting on a busy weekend, I’d recommend taking the first spot you see on the road, as it’s likely that the lot is already full.
The full bike path spans just over 14 miles one-way, and is largely flat, making it an easy, relaxing one to explore.
If you decide to dedicate some time in Bristol, I’d recommend stopping at the Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, which is right on the bike path. You’ll want to stop your bike ride around these GPS coordinates: 41.70960735158065, -71.28717766059881, and then you’ll see a lovely, short little boardwalk that’s a wonderful and quick stop to make.
Then you can also make a stop at Colt State Park, and once you reach the end of the bike path at Independence Park in Bristol, you’re a short walk from Beehive Café, which is an awesome spot for lunch and drinks. You can also take some time to explore a few of downtown Bristol’s shops. Then, you can make your way back to Providence!
14. Say Hello To Mrs. Skipper – The Troll Sculpture
Along the same bike path, you can make a quick detour to say hello to one of Providence’s more unique attractions and works of art – The Mrs. Skipper Troll Sculpture.
She sits along the river in East Providence, and was created by sculpture artist Thomas Dambo. To make this stop even more worth your while, there’s a nice pier/boardwalk right by the sculpture that offers amazing city skyline views of the city.
15. Walk Around The Brown University Campus
Being that Providence is a huge college destination, one cool thing to do is check out the local campuses. I especially love walking around Brown University’s campus to admire the historic buildings and beautiful grounds.
While it’s especially scenic in the fall when all the back-to-school vibes are on point, it’s really beautiful year-round.
One of the more notable buildings to seek out while walking around is University Hall, which was built in 1770, and is a National Historic Landmark. It’s also one of just seven surviving college buildings in the U.S. that were constructed before the American Revolution.
16. Take In A Show
Thanks to the Providence Performing Arts Center, as well as theater programs at Brown and RISD, Providence is now one of New England’s premier theater destinations. While visiting, it’s definitely worth checking out the city’s theater schedule to see if any noteworthy performances are happening.
The PPAC in particular is now home to one of the region’s major stops for national Broadway tours, which is really exciting. But in addition to Broadway tours, the city sees so many performances, including everything from music, bands, plays, and comedy shows.
17. Skate At The Rink Downtown
Last on my list is skating at Providence Rink. And while many of you may be thinking “Oh, this sounds like a winter activity,” I’m happy to report that you’d be wrong 😉 They’re actually open year-round for skating, with roller skating offered in the warmer months, and ice skating open in the winter – and both are equally as fun.
Regardless of which time of year you visit, the rink offers both types of skate rentals, making it easy to plan a visit while traveling from out of town. However, if you happen to bring your own, that’s also welcomed. In the evenings, they have colorful lights and music going, making it a really cool vibe.
Where To Eat In Providence: Restaurants, Coffee Shops & More
I haven’t had a bad meal in Providence, and have always done a mix of online research and asking locals where to eat, while also just popping into places on the fly. This list just scratches the surface of where to eat during your visit, and there are so many more amazing places out there. If it’s your first time visiting, here’s a great list to start with:
Top-Recommended Restaurants Worth The Hype
Al Forno: This might be the most well-known restaurant in the city, and even though it’s been incredibly popular for years, even the locals will tell you it’s still a staple they love to eat at. We went all out here with wine, a starter, entrees and a dessert, and it was impressive from start to finish.
Gracie’s: This is a place that kept coming up in local’s recommendations that lives up to the hype. As one of Providence’s premier fine-dining restaurants, it’s known for its seasonal tasting menus, exceptional service, and long-standing AAA Four Diamond recognition.
Nick’s On Broadway: Another place that a lot of local’s said they love to eat at. Chef Derek Wagner has been a multiple-time James Beard Award nominee and finalist for Best Chef: Northeast. In 2024, Nicks On Broadway was also named one of USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year, all of which were chosen by the publication’s network of food critics.
Oberlin: Oberlin is another one that kept coming up on best restaurant lists that lived up to the hype. Known for its creative seafood-focused menu, handmade pastas, and commitment to local Rhode Island ingredients, Oberlin has earned national recognition from publications like The New York Times, Bon Appétit, and Eater, and was recently named a finalist and multiple-time semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant.
Track 15: Where to go when you can’t decide. This food hall is a newer addition to the city, and while some food halls can be really hit or miss, Track 15 was a total hit in my opinion. We ate at both Dune Brothers, which is beloved seafood spot in Providence with a couple other locations, as well as Tolia. While the lobster roll at Dune Brothers is a popular choice, I actually went for the fish sandwich, and guys, it was the best, and most amazing fish sandwich I’ve ever had. I’m still thinking about it days later! And the falafel at Tolia’s was also amazing. We got drinks at the bar there, too, both of which were great. Really loved the experience here.
Underrated Restaurant Gems
Figidini: We were pretty tired one night and didn’t want to venture far from the hotel, and this places was just around the corner from The Graduate, where we were staying. And oh man, we were so impressed. Come to find out, many locals also recommend this place, but it’s just not as flashy or well-known as places like Gracie and Nick’s on Broadway. The pizza was incredible, and very authentic Naples-style (having been to Italy, and Naples, I can confirm this, too). We split a salad, the artichoke starter, and a pizza, and it was all perfect. The drinks were also wonderful.
Viva Mexico Cantina & Grill: Another little gem we discovered that’s steps from The Graduate hotel and the theater district. It’s known for its authentic family recipes from Puebla, as well as it’s much raved-about mole sauce, and we loved the flavors of everything we got here. The drinks were also fantastic.
Coffee Shops & A Fun Breakfast Recommendation
Rise ‘N Shine: This is one of the more popular coffee shops in town, and for me, it lived up to the hype. I got their blueberry pancake latte, which was really good, and my husband’s regular latte was also excellent.
Brown Bee: Known for their coffee drinks and croissants, our experience here was as close to perfect as you can get. The location is convenient in College Hill, and everything we got here was amazing. We tried the plain croissant, pistachio croissant, their seasonal strawberry shortcake iced latte, and the iced pistachio latte, and I honestly can’t fault it. For being a small little spot, it also had a good amount of seating and didn’t feel too crammed (but keep in mind that it’s still pretty cozy).
Ceremony: Loved this spot for delicious drinks with the option to add a frozen bear to it! I visited in the late afternoon, so skipped the caffeine and got a lemonade with a strawberry frozen bear. However, my husband got an iced Houjicha latte, which we both loved, and he added a frozen espresso bear to his. It’s such a fun place with really delicious drinks.
PuffCake: I actually saw this place on Instagram, and have never been so easily influenced! They offer the only soufflé pancakes in Rhode Island, and I could not get enough once they arrived to our table. We got the original berry pancakes, the French toast, and a side of scrambled eggs, and it was all memorable. They also have fun lattes and mimosas for drink options. This is a pop-up at Capri Seafood in Federal Hill, and I hope it sticks around for a long time. The breakfast is only served Friday-Sunday in the mornings, so plan accordingly.
A Note On Nitro Bar: There’s pretty much always a line out the door at thie popular coffee shop, but we heard from folks that live in Providence that it’s a bit overrated. We didn’t get drinks here, so I can’t really say one way or another, but just wanted to make a note of it. The coffee shops I recommended above were both so good, so we didn’t feel like we missed out by skipping Nitro.
Treats & Dessert
Tizzy K’s Cereal Ice Cream: Located along the riverfront, this place is a lot of fun. Offering up cereal flavors in a very whimsical presentation, you’ll find yourself munching on fruity pebbles or frosted flakes ice cream, plus other cereal flavors to choose from, topped with a cute little Rice Krispie treat. They also have a secret flavor that they let you sample, and you can try to guess what it is (they’ll tell you if you can’t figure it out).
Pastiche Fine Desserts: This is a couple doors down from PuffCake/Capri Seafood, so definitely hit up both during your visit. Known for their fruit tarts and cake slices, we tried their Tiramisu, and it was heavenly.
Tricycle Ice Cream: We also ventured out here one night to try something a bit different, since they’re known for their ice cream tacos, sandwiches, and drum stick cones. We tried the red velvet ice cream sandwich, and peanut butter chocolate ice cream taco, and both were wonderful. The taco was much bigger than we thought, and I couldn’t finish it, so keep that in mind.
Where To Stay In Providence
The Beatrice: The best luxury hotel in the city in a fantastic downtown location with in-site dining. If it’s in your budget, this place is so worth it, and is the best-rated hotel in the city.
→ Click here to check rates & availability for The Beatrice
The Graduate: A wonderful and historic hotel that used to be the famous Biltmore. Now owned by Hilton, a lot of the historic architecture has been maintained, but the rooms are spacious and modern. It’s good to know that the bathrooms are not as modern as the rest of the hotel. That said, I always love my stays here and recommend it.
→ Click here to check rates & availability for The Graduate
Visiting Providence: Answering Your Questions
Is Providence A Walkable City?
Yes, Providence is a pretty small city compared to places like Boston and New York City, and therefore, is very walkable. If you stay in the downtown area, you’ll be able to walk everywhere if you don’t have any mobility restrictions.
One good thing to know is that neighborhoods are more spread out than you may think. For example, it’s a bit of a hike from the center of downtown to places in Federal Hill, for example (and by this, I mean about a mile).
What’s The Best Time Of Year To Visit Providence?
Personally, I really like Providence in the fall season. Roger Williams Park has some really beautiful foliage, and you’ll also see some nice foliage throughout the city. Plus, the fall atmosphere is really enhanced with college campus vibes up in College Hill.
That said, summer is also a fantastic time to visit because WaterFire is in full swing this time of the year.
But really, the city is great year-round – those are just my two personal picks if I had to suggest a season.
Is Providence Really Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! It’s really such a cool city that’s loaded with history and character. While it doesn’t have as much attractions and things to do as Boston, for example, it can really hold its own us a culinary and arts destinations.
That’s A Wrap On Things To Do In Providence, RI
And there you have it – all my recommendations on the best things to do in Providence, RI to plan the perfect itinerary. Whether you’re visiting to catch a Broadway show, just want to stroll through College Hill with a coffee, or are coming just to eat your way through town, I’m pretty confident you’ll love the city. Happy planning!
