How to Spend an Extra Day in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence’s revival is in full swing, with new flights, a booming arts scene, and a dynamic culinary landscape redefining the city.
Photo: Providence, Rhoad Island. Courtesy of Nils Huenerfuerst / Unsplash
Only a 40-minute train ride from Boston, Providence, Rhode Island, proves a charming alternative for conferences with its central Convention Center. It’s also easy to get to from other corners of the nation. Breeze Airways has opened a hub at
T.F. Green International Airport has 19 nonstop routes to destinations, including Los Angeles. With Providence more connected to the rest of the country than ever, there’s a new wave of investment in the city’s arts and hospitality scene—from seasonal interactive art installations and swank hotels to a tapas and cocktail joint opened by the city’s former mayor.
The Beatrice
Art, culture and cuisine come together under one roof. Shop local at the on-site Hope & Main Downtown Makers Marketplace, take in the views with a craft cocktail at Bellini Rooftop, then head downstairs to Ignazio Cipriani’s Bellini Providence for award-winning Italian fare. Cross the bridge to see the stately 19th-century homes of College Hill, and don’t forget to ask the staff about the citywide murals you’ll encounter. thebeatrice.com
Assorted seafood at Gift Horse / Photo: Courtesy of Catherine Dzilenski/N. Millard/GoProvidence.com
Gift Horse
A trip to Providence isn’t complete without a splurge on fresh seafood. Chef/owner Benjamin Sukle (already known around town for his New American restaurant, Oberlin) has opened a full-service raw bar downtown that emphasizes Rhode Island-sourced shellfish—from Chessawanock Island oysters to littleneck clams from Narragansett Bay—and catch from the waters of New England. gifthorsepvd.com
Federal Hill / Photo: Courtesy of Catherine Dzilenski/N. Millard/GoProvidence.com
Federal Hill
Foodies should carve out a few hours to spend in this neighborhood, just west of Providence’s downtown. It’s most famed for housing the city’s Little Italy—some two dozen trattorias, pizzerias and gelaterias reside along Atwells Avenue—but it also appeals to the global palate with its prolific offerings from Chinese and Caribbean cuisine to Middle Eastern. goprovidence.com
RISD Museum / Photo: Courtesy of Catherine Dzilenski/N. Millard/GoProvidence.com
RISD Museum
The RISD Museum prides itself on representing art from diverse cultures. The institution’s 100,000 works of art and design span ancient to modern eras and include mediums from painting and sculpture to costumes, textiles and furniture. Rotating exhibits ensure no two visits are ever the same. risdmuseum.org
