Places to Visit/Things to Do
The State House is the active seat of Rhode Island government, but it more known for its amazing architecture. The State House’s dome is the fourth largest self-supported dome in the world. The largest is St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. A painting by a Rhode Island artist can be seen from inside of the dome. The State House also contains artifacts of American history. Some of these include a gun from the Battle of Gettysburg, a portrait of George Washington, and even a replica of Liberty Bell. Free guided tours of the State House are available starting at 9 am and ending at 2 pm. Tours last about 50 minutes. The State House is open all year Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Clustered on the campus of the Rhode Island School of Design, you can find their museum. Inside, you can find more than 91,000 works of art put on display. Some pieces came from famous artists, such as Money, Degas, and more. Gothic and Medieval collections are also on display within the museum. The RISD Museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm on Tuesday through Sunday. On Thursday, hours are extended until 9 pm. Entrance for adults costs $12 and $3 for kids aged 5 to 18. If the admission is too pricey for you, consider heading to the museum on a Sunday or the third Thursday evening of each month. Fees are waived on these days.
Who doesn’t love animals? If you do, head over to Roger Williams Park Zoo, where you can find over 100 species of animals. While this may not seem like a lot, the experience is still enjoyable especially for the young ones. The zoo and its animals are spread over the facility’s 435 acres. Some animals include giraffes, moon bears, and snow leopards. Expect to see even more exhibit in the future, as the museum continues to expand. The Roger Williams Zoo is also one of the oldest in the country, opening to the public in 1872. The zoo is open from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon from October to March, and they stay open one extra hour from April to September. Entrance to the zoo for adults costs $17.95, $12.95 for kids aged 2 to 12, and discounted costs for seniors over the age of 62.
Looking for entertainment in Providence? The Providence Performing Arts Center is a popular venue known for its history and its events. It originally was known as Loew’s Movie Palace when it opened in 1928, then it later became the “Jewel of Weybosset Street.” The building itself was designed by George and C.W. Rapp of Chicago; they incorporated columns of marble, crystal chandeliers, and more into their designs off the venue. One of the best to enjoy the center is to attend one of their shows or performances. Hours and prices depend on the show or performance. If you want to catch one of their shows, stay updated with their website.
If you enjoy cooking, or want to learn more about it, the Culinary Arts Museum is the place to go. Covering 25,000 square feet on the Johnson & Wales University campus, the museum showcases basically everything about cooking. From vintage cookbooks and tools to learning about famous chefs, the Culinary Arts Museum has it all.They even pay respect to chefs who have cooked for American presidents.The museum is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon. Entrance for adults costs $7, a dollar less for seniors, $4 for college students, and $3 for kids 5 to 18.
Best Way to Tour Providence, RI
- The best way to tour the city of Providence (as well as many other cities) is by chartered buses and vans. Explore at your own pace within the safety of your private vehicle. Don’t worry about ordering an Uber or Lyft when you have your own exploration vehicle. Through Prompt Bus Charters, you can order the buses you need. Prompt Bus Charters is an amazing, affordable chartered vehicle company that caters to your every needs. Whether you need a bus for school trips, marriages, parties, campaigns, or whatever else, Prompt Bus Charters can help you. Prompt Bus Charters offers buses, mini buses, school buses, party buses, and more. Most activities and destinations listed above and below are accessible by chartered buses. Visit promptbuscharters.com to book your rental bus today!
Best Place to Eat/Shop
- Providence Place –Providence Place is a huge shopping mall with everything you need. Inside, you can find traditional mall stores, as well as some local stores. Providence Place also has an amazing foodcourt with a variety of cuisines.
- The Arcade Providence – The Arcade Providence is a historic shopping mall that was built in downtown Providence in 1828. The Arcade is one of the oldest malls in the country. Inside, you can find shops, restaurants, and services.
- Federal Hill –Home of the Italian immigrant community of the 19th century, it is most known for its history and food. You can take several food tours in the area. The district features many Italian restaurants, shops, and more.
- Gracie’s – Who doesn’t like a nice, fancy restaurant. Well, that is what Gracie’s is. The American restaurant is also both vegetarian and vegan friendly. Although pricey ($$$$), it is rated the #1 fine dining restaurant in Providence by tripadvisor (in 2018).
- Waterman Grille –What better than tasty local food? After you eat your fancy meal at Gracie’s, head to Waterman Grille for another meal. The American restaurant, which features mainly seafood, is also both vegetarian and vegan friendly. It is rated the #1 local restaurant in Providence by tripadvisor (in 2018).
Enjoy your Vacation!