Why Visit Providence, Rhode Island…

Why Visit Providence, Rhode Island…

The entire city is wonderful to visit, but one of the best features is the restoration (called "daylighting" by planners and architects) of the Providence River. Now it is one of the most scenic urban riverscapes in the country. It has gondolas and docking platforms, and provides a terrific reason for people to return to downtown Providence.

Visitors can now explore Providence using special buses disguised as trolley cars with wheels. The routes have been designed to loop through the major tourist areas with the hub at the center of the city. That's where you'll find great shops, galleries, hotels, and restaurants to explore.

The heart of historic Providence is the "Mile of History" along Benefit Street. Here you'll find a living community of 18th- and 19th-century homes. Stop at the Providence Preservation Society and pick up information and tour guides. Be sure to visit the Old State House which is now a National Historic Landmark. This street is also home to many art galleries.

Step back in time and see Providence by horse and carriage or by covered wagon. Enjoy a half-hour tour through Downcity, the financial district and historic Federal Hill. Arrange for pickup at your hotel or go to carriage stand at Exchange Street.

At lunch or dinnertime, visit Providence's "Little Italy" on Federal Hill (Atwells Avenue). Wander through the streets and seriously consider eating your way through this most yummy part of town. Stop by the Venda Ravioli, where they have mouth-watering prepared foods in the showcases, freshly made specialty pasta like basil eggplant ravioli, a selection of cheeses, olive oils and kitchen utensils.

Next, the Culinary Archives and Museum at Johnson & Wales University is a fun and interesting place to visit. This museum has a collection of culinary and hospitality utensils and equipment going back 500 years. From egg beaters to hundreds of cook books to scales to Presidential place settings to stoves and… (Visit their website at culinary.org for hours and more information.)

Consider visiting the Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth, which is less than 30 miles from Providence. Here you can taste the wines the owner/grower/winemaker made from these grapes. One of their goals is preservation and the owners worked hard for two years to restore the beautiful old stable, which is now the tasting room. Of the buildings built in the 1860's, this was the first and we believe it served as a template for the architect to describe to the owner the new design concepts he was proposing. Across the drive, there is the farmhouse built in 1780, also a great architectural example of its time. (Visit greenvale.com for details.)

Located in the heart of the Downcity Arts and Entertainment District is a luxury boutique hotel, the Hotel Providence. Completed in 2005, it has received numerous awards such as the "Four Diamonds by AAA," "Best of New England" by Yankee Magazine and "Annual Best of the East Awards" by Meetings East Magazine. Its location is also within walking distance to the city's theatre and shopping districts, the convention center and many other attractions. Lovingly restored to preserve its turn-of-the-century flavor, The Hotel Providence also has the nationally acclaimed restaurant, L'Epicureo, on the premises. Each room features Pillow top beds with luxurious imported bed linens and fluffy down comforters, plush terry cloth robes, rain showerheads, an oversized desk with ergonomic chair, four complimentary newspapers, free wireless high speed internet access and dual phone lines with voice mail. There is also access to full business services. (Visit hotelprovidence.com for details.)

Or, perhaps you'd prefer to stay at a B & B. Consider The State House Inn Bed and Breakfast where you'll find simple Shaker furnishings, American Folk Art and primitive style paintings. This B & B is actually three buildings in a central location near Providence's many attractions, shops and dining establishments. Their guest rooms are decorated with Shaker and American Folk Art furnishings, a private bathroom, cable TV, telephone, air-conditioning and a comfortable reading chair. Inn guests also have use of the nearby Foundry Sports Medicine & Fitness Center, only a five minute walk from the inn.

There are also many other motels and hotels in Providence ranging from the very luxurious to budget motels and charming New England Inns and B & B's.

This article is too short to include all the many things to do and see in the area so you'll have to go back Providence, Rhode Island several times.