Experience the best of Providence
Providence is the capital of Rhode Island, a historic port city of colonial streets, universities and Italian restaurants at the head of Narragansett Bay.
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Providence was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, who left Massachusetts to establish a place of religious freedom, and it sits at the head of Narragansett Bay. Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design crowd College Hill, where Benefit Street holds a mile of colonial and Federal houses. The white marble dome of the State House dominates the skyline from its hill.
Rivers run through the downtown, with riverwalks and Waterplace Park; WaterFire, a series of bonfires burning on braziers in the river on chosen evenings, is the city's best-known gathering. Federal Hill, the Italian neighbourhood, has bakeries and restaurants along Atwells Avenue, the RISD Museum holds a fine art collection, and Roger Williams Park has a zoo. Newport's mansions and the bay's islands lie to the south.
Rhode Island cooking includes clear-broth clam chowder, stuffies, which are stuffed quahog clams, clam cakes, hot wieners and coffee milk, the state drink; Italian pastries and cannoli come from Federal Hill bakeries. Summers are warm, autumn brings colour, and winters can bring nor'easter storms.
- Free cancellation on 74% of experiences
- 4.9 across the top 1
Top experiences in Providence
Guided tours in Providence
21
Likely to sell outFree cancellation
Walking and bike tours in Providence
10- Likely to sell outFree cancellation
Likely to sell outFree cancellation
from$100
Food and drink experiences in Providence
7- Likely to sell outFree cancellation
- Likely to sell outFree cancellation
Go beyond Providence
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Newport · 38 kmFort Adams State Park
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Newport · 38 kmThe Breakers
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Plymouth · 64 kmPlimoth Patuxet Museums
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Plymouth · 64 kmMayflower II
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Cambridge · 66 kmCharles River
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Cambridge · 66 kmHarvard University
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Boston · 67 kmBoston North End
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Boston · 67 kmBoston Old State House
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Mystic · 70 kmMystic Seaport Museum
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Mystic · 70 kmCharles W. Morgan Whaleship
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Martha's Vineyard · 82 kmGingerbread Houses
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Martha's Vineyard · 82 kmAquinnah Cliffs
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