Providence

From end to end, Rhode Island’s array of independent restaurants makes it a destination worthy of any foodie’s pallet. In fact, the diversity of offerings makes the restaurant scene as eclectic as the city itself. Providence’s Italian heritage lends itself to the concentration of noteworthy Italian restaurants, featuring regional cuisine, authentic food markets, bakeries, and an emphasis on local fare. Proximity to the water has engendered a love of seafood, particularly seasonal favorites like clamcakes and chowder, to compliment the more sophisticated offerings at upscale restaurants. A new fleet of food trucks, often representing some of the most coveted restaurants, is posted on the city’s East Side and downtown during the lunch rush and catering to late night indulgences.

The culture of Providence is informed by two very different sources, the locals and the academic community. Native Providence residents often trace ancestry back to of Italian, Portuguese, or Irish descent, individuals who came to the port city to work in the burgeoning industrial sector. The academic contingent flocks to Rhode Island for its wealth of higher education institutions and progressive thought. Each fall, thousands of eager students descend on the city to attend Brown University, RISD, Providence College, and Johnson & Wales, bringing their own heritage and adding to the culture. Their political thought, artistic interests, and cultural leanings blend with and enhance the city’s character.

The city can be covered entirely on foot, especially when disembarking from the Providence Train Station downtown. Beginning Downcity, an ambitious walker can then stroll through the Financial District to the East Side, following the Independence Trail, or cross to the Providence Mall and then on to Federal Hill. From the East Side, the waterfront can also be accessed. A more consolidated tour of each neighborhood is likely the most effective means of seeing the city. Part of a day could be devoted to downtown, Federal Hill, and the East Side, which boasts three distinct sections. Must-see-destinations include the prolific State House, the walkable Westminster Mall, Brown University, Wayland Square, Hope Street, the riverfront, and the historic East Side.

The city's small size lends it to family-friendly fun. From concerts and plays to interactive museums, Providence is a contained urban environment with plenty of stimulation for kids.

One of Rhode Island's greatest virtues is it's consolidated geography. Providence is centrally located and easily accessible by all of the state's major roadways. While walking the streets provides plenty of outdoor exposure, there are more outdoor adventures a short distance from the city. The residential parts of the city, however, do offer their share of walking paths, and the city's hills can be quite a hike!

Providence is home to several floors of major retail outlets at the Providence Place Mall, as well as a smattering of boutiques pioneered by local artists and transplants from the University scene. Downcity features streets of independent retailers and will soon be home to the renovated Arcade, the nation's oldest indoor mall, adorned with another array of small retail outlets. The East Side is awash in local retailers with Rhode Island-specific wares, and the food markets on Federal Hill are authentic with their European imports.

Providence is alive at night, but offerings are contingent on the neighborhoods. The club district of downtown caters primarily to the college crowd, but music venues like Lupo's attract bands of national repute. Plays at the Providence Performing Art Center and Trinity Repertory Company offer additional nighttime entertainment.