Why Providence?
Our Take on Rhode Island History
First, here’s a Little History about Little Rhode Island
Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, who was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his extreme views on freedom of religion and speech. He traveled southwest to what is now Rhode Island and purchased land from the Narragansett tribe. He founded Providence on the principles of tolerance and peace. We all think this sounds like a good idea.
Brown University, then known as “The College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,” was founded in 1764 and was the first university to accept students regardless of the religious affiliation. It is one of 9 universities founded prior to the American Revolution.
RI was the first American British colony to secede from Great Britain in May 4, 1776, two months prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which was signed in the Original RI State House
- You can still go the court room where the Declaration of Independence was signed. It is open to the public on weekdays and located at 150 Benefit Street.
- Despite being the first colony to officially secede from Great Britain, Rhode Island was the last of the 13 colonies to become a state.
The French, under General Rochambeau, landed in Newport in 1780, and Newport became the base of the French forces during the American Revolutionary War.
Rhode Island is considered the birth place of religious freedom.
- It is home to the First Baptist Church in America (left), which is located in Providence.
- It is home to the First Synagogue in America, the Touro Synagogue (right), which is located in Newport.
RI is considered the birthplace of Industrial Revolution. In 1790, the English immigrant Samuel Slater founded the first textile mill in Pawtucket, which revolutionized the textile industry in New England. He is now known as the father of the American industrial revolution.
The Rhode Island State House was built in 1895-1904 and became the model for other state houses around the nation.
- The dome of the RI State House is the 4th largest self-supporting marble dome in the world, behind the domes of the St. Peter’s Basilica, the Taj Mahal and the Minnesota State Capitol Building.
At the beginning of the mid-19th centuries, wealthy southern planters began to build their “summer cottages” on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, RI. By the turn of the 20th century, many of the nations wealthiest families, including the Vanderbilts, Astors and Wideners were summering in Newport and had constructed large “cottages,” such as the Breakers and Miramar.
- You can now visit the Newport mansions, which are protected by the Newport Preservation Society. They are open most days, and have audio guided tours.
- Newport has become a popular wedding destination as many of the mansions can be rented for large events. The mansions have also served as sets for many Hollywood films, including “The Great Gastby” and “27 Dresses.”
Providence underwent cultural revival in 1980-1990’s with growth of visual and performing arts (fueled by Rhode Island School of Design), and restaurants (fueled by Johnson & Wales Culinary Art School).
Fun Rhode Island Facts
- The first polo game in America was played in Newport in 1897
- The first circus in America happened in RI in 1774
- Author H.P. Lovecraft was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He is buried in the scenic Swan Point Cemetery on the East Side of Providence. Lovecraft enthusiasts celebrate his birthday and death yearly both at his gravesite and at the Ladd Observatory. The observatory was frequented by the young author during his lifetime.
- The first National Lawn Tennis Championship (the precursor to the U.S. Open) was held in 1881 in the Newport Casino. Rhode Island is home to the Tennis Hall of Fame.
- Rhode Island shares a state water border with New York.
- Rhode Island Governor Ambrose Burnside made the sideburn popular.
- Cumberland is the only place on earth where cumberlandite has been found. It is high in iron , and titanium, and magnetic and often mistaken with meteorites.
- Rhode Island is home to “Nibbles Woodaway,” the world’s largest bug. It is a giant, two ton, fifty-eight foot long termite that lives on top of the Big Blue Bug Pest Control building. It is often dressed in seasonal costumes, like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer during Christmastime.
- America’s first ever jazz festival was held in Newport, Rhode Island in 1954.
Our Favorite Restaurants
Providence and Rhode Island are certainly exceptional in terms of culinary delights. We asked a group of residents and faculty about their favorite places to go eat (or to grab take out). Check it out below!
For more on all Rhode Island has to offer please check out this video from RI Tourism.
What Our Residents Have to Say
Only 3 hours in Providence?
Options for a quick visit to Providence, Compiled by the Chief Medical Residents of 2022-2023
- Want a water view? Grab a burrito from Tallulah's Taqueria on the East Side and head down to India Point Park to lounge while overlooking the water. Occasionally concerts and festivals at the park with lots of activity on nicer days.- Raining? Head to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, a renowned museum with an incredible collection of art.
- Only an evening? Catch a sunset at The Providence Pedestrian Bridge overlooking the city and water. Then grab a drink at the nearby Guild Beer Garden and head downtown for a bite to eat at one of the restaurants below.
- Need a walk? Head to Blackstone Boulevard for a 1.7 mile walk down the beautiful gravel pathway. You can either start or end the walk with a trip to Three Sisters Ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Hungry? Thirsty? We hope the restaurants, coffee spots, and bars listed below lead you to the perfect spot to satisfy your cravings!
Our Neighborhoods
East Side of Providence
Welcome to the Hope section on the East Side of Providence. Here you will experience a blend of quiet living, friendly dogs walking with their owners, and active shops, boutiques and restaurants on Hope Street. It should be said from the start that no happy hour on Hope Street is complete without a visit to Three Sisters is a Providence staple for their multitude of homemade ice cream flavors. As you move down the eastern hill into Blackstone there is Blackstone Blvd and the central trail great for walking, running or biking in the summer. At the northern of the Boulevard is Lippitt Memorial Park which is a must visit Saturday mornings for their outdoor farmer’s market. For commuting the Miriam is within walking distance from most locations while RIH and the VA are short 10 minute drives. – Josh Siner Class of 2021I would describe Wayland Square as a hipster family vibe. There are always activities (fireworks, festivals etc throughout the summer) but at night it’s quiet, for sleeping. It has a bunch of small businesses, restaurants, and yoga studios. Quite a few residents live in this area and I think we were all attracted to how close it is to Rhode Island Hospital (8 minutes from my home parking spot to the hospital parking lot). I also love that it’s fairly walkable- I can get to 2 grocery stores, CVS, a bunch of restaurants and the Brown gym without my car. However, I do end up driving anywhere outside of a 10 block radius. My favorite things are definitely the variety of food choices. If I'm leaving the hospital late I can always find something good either at Tallulah's, any of the College Hill spots, even the East Side market grocery store around the corner. Also, a lot of the big donut places (PVDonuts, Knead) are nearby, as well as Three Sisters (best ice cream I've had). I live in an apartment building, but there are a lot of houses for rent here as well. My building is full of "young professionals", people my age who have started their first or second job (which is what I was looking for). – Shaliesha Hinds Class of 2021
The East Side of Providence, best described as “urban residential,” is comprised of beautiful, historic neighborhoods. It offers all the benefits of an urban environment: ample walking, plenty of window shopping, delicious restaurants, great bars and yet, maintains an open-air residential vibe. It has plenty of old New England homes, open-spaced parks, and also is home to the Brown undergraduate campus. Individual neighborhoods include Summit, College Hill, Wayland Square, and Fox Point. Personal favorites include the summer farmer’s market at Lippitt park, jogging Blackstone Boulevard (a 2 mile tree-lined path), dinner at Red Stripe, and nitro coffee from Stock PVD. The commutes to the hospitals are short and on any given day, I can get to all three of our hospitals in under 10 minutes. – Matt Austin, chief resident 2018
West Side of Providence
I live in the Federal Hill area at a refurbished cotton textile mill called Grant Mills. It has beautiful brick, tall warehouse windows, and is located in a young, hip area. I am walking distance from several of my favorite restaurants and cafes, like Seven Star Bakery or Broadway Bistro. Love to wake up and walk to Julian's for their brunch and hash. I visit Bucktown weekly to get a taste of southern home cooking. Federal Hill is stuffed with delicious Italian food, and you can’t forget about Pastiche for dessert! I live a short 6 minute drive to Rhode Island Hospital and about 12 minutes to Miriam Hospital. I chose my place because of its central location, great price, central heat and air, and most importantly an in-unit washer and dryer. I love the laid back vibe of my area, with its small roads and cute old homes. – Grant Cagle Class of 2021
I live on the West Side in a neighborhood called Smith Hill, a diverse neighborhood just northwest of the city center. My building is relatively new (built in 2000s), and my apartment is situated above a local business. In terms of transportation, I can get to any of the 3 hospitals in under 10 minutes! Though I mostly drive, I'm within walking distance to a coffee shop, music venue, soul food restaurant, and authentic South American restaurant. I chose to live here for the more affordable rent, the diversity of the community, and the access to major highways. – Jared Giordano Class of 2021
Living in the historic West Side of Providence has many perks. For example, I enjoy a convenient 4 minute commute to RIH (7 min to TMH and 5 min to the VAMC) in addition to a lively neighborhood in the midst of an impressive revival. There are numerous restaurants, coffee shops, bars, gyms, yoga studios, hair salons, theaters, and parks within walking or biking distance. There's no shortage of fun things to do or eat on the West Side--it's the best side for anyone who wants affordable rent, short commutes, and opportunities to participate in the diversity and richness of authentic PVD cultural life. – Chiazotam Ekekezie, chief resident 2019
DownCity Providence
My wife and I live in The Promenade, a renovated factory apartment building with everything you need (laundry, gym, pool, package service, BBQ grills, community garden, covered parking, etc). High ceilings, exposed bricks, and concrete-painted walls really give off the industrial modern yet cozy vibe. Work is 5-10 minutes away by car and I love how accessible all neighborhoods are (maximum 30-minute walking distance from the apartment) yet the location is in a quiet neighborhood. On nicer days, you can just hop on the JUMP bike (semi-electronic bike sharing service) to get to the park. Both the location and condition of the apartment suit my needs perfectly. – Han You Class of 2021
The Promenade is a great place to live during residency. Located right behind the Providence Place Mall, the Promenade is a large managed property with two gyms, an indoor pool and jacuzzi, private vegetable garden plots, a movie theater, and two business / printing centers. It also has covered, gated parking. The community is the best part - lots of co-residents and physicians live in the building, which is a quick 5 minute drive from Rhode Island Hospital. Some of the best hidden perks include free coffee, community socials (including annual Halloween and Holiday parties), and prompt maintenance response times. My wife and I chose to move here from College Hill mainly for the convenience of the parking, indoor gym and proximity to the hospitals. While on the pricier end of rentals in Providence, the Promenade has been a great place to live and we highly recommend it. – Anshul Parulkar Class of 2021
Downtown is no more than a 10 minute drive maximum to all the hospitals. Great area for biking around and it's very easy to get to the East Bay Bike path (or the East Side or Federal Hill). Movie theater and Providence Place Mall are nearby (easily walking distance). Favorite places for after work food and drinks are Trinity Brewhouse, Malted Barley. For a good vegetarian place, check out Veggie Fun. One of the great things about living downtown is that it's just a short walk to the river for nights when Waterfire is going on over the summer. – Lolita Nidadavolu Class of 2018
South Providence
I chose to live in the Pearl Street Lofts in the Upper South Providence neighborhood when I moved to Providence. I live in the neighborhood that surrounds Rhode Island Hospital and it is a busy, bustling, diverse place. I enjoy living in the neighborhood where many of our patients live. It's a very urban environment next to the three major high schools. I am only a short walk to Federal Hill/Broadway St region, Ogie's Trailer Park (bar), and downtown. If you hate driving or commuting, I am even a shorter walk to RIH or about 2 minute drive down Pearl Street - I usually only walk during elective months. I think this neighborhood is overlooked by many, but I have loved living here and I even extended my lease and will be here through residency. As a plus, Rock Spot climbing gym moved into the complex next door. – Alexis Sherman-Roe Class of 2021
Suburbs
I live in Cranston, one town south of Providence. My husband and I wanted to have a driveway and a little more space for a little less money. I’m still within a 15 minute drive from all three hospitals (even shorter early in the morning). An Uber into downtown Providence is affordable. I’m near the Garden City Center (large outdoor mall), Dave’s Market (local slightly upscale grocery store with lots of prepared foods), Target, Whole Foods, Revival (brewpub that you can go to for the great food or the great beer, both menus updated weekly). Fun fact: Cranston is also the original home of both RI local favorites Narragansett beer and Del’s lemonade. – Lauren Conner Class of 2021
I live in quiet Plainville, MA, in a newly built smart home apartment, a 20-30 minute drive away from Providence. I chose to live there because it is located in between Boston and Providence, so it is a great location for splitting the commute with a significant other. I enjoy living there because it's not a busy place but you always have the option of going to nearby Providence for a city experience. It's nice to get home to a calm place not too close to the hospital we work at! – Danni Fu Class of 2021
Our Favorite Restaurants
Edited & updated by 2022-2023 Chief Residents
Renowned Restaurants
- Hemenway's:Seafood, seafood, seafood
- Al Forno: Possibly the best Italian food in Providence but can be pricey for a full meal so to avoid breaking the bank, sit at the bar and grab a cocktail and appetizers. If you are looking for a slightly cheaper Italian meal, head to Federal Hill and you'll find a wide range of Italian restaurants
- Gracie's: Locally sourced food that can be on the pricier side, but for an occasional splurge, this spot is great.
- Nick's on Broadway: One of the most popular restaurants in Providence, they serve locally sourced American cuisine. (Note: this is Dr. Hilliard's favorite restaurant in Providence)
- Persimmon:The most delicious farm to table restaurant in Providence. Comes at a steep price but totally worth it for a splurge
- Los Andes: Amazing Bolivian/Peruvian Foods. Portions are HUGE, so be prepared! Very close to the VA and they do take out!
- Oberlin:Awesome downtown spot serving American Fusion
- Matunuck Oyster Bar: Locally grown oysters in a beautiful on-the-water spot (worth the drive!)
- Waterman Grille: Delicious food for a romantic riverfront dinner.
Best Ice Cream
- Three Sisters: Great place to grab some ice cream on a hot day and head across the street to the park at the end of Blackstone Boulevard.
- Like No Udder: Vegan ice cream and it's amazing, also have soft serve!
- Tricycle: Delicious ice cream sandwiches and tacos!
- KowKow: Bubble waffles meets ice cream, what's not to love?!?
- Helado Taiyaki: Fusion of Japanese taiyaki and ice cream
- Tizzy K's: Is it ice cream cereal or cereal ice cream? Regardless, find this place near the pedestrian bridge
Best Bakery
- Seven Stars: Exceptional baked goods and coffee. Now has locations within walking distance of BOTH RIH and TMH!
- WildFlour: They have vegan and gluten free options which are delicious even for non-vegan omnivores.
- Pastiche: Cozy dessert spot in Federal Hill that serves house-made tarts, cakes, and pastries. Try their lemon squares or the fruit tart!
- Aleppo Sweets: This is the place to go for Baklava in Providence
- Wright's Dairy Farm: Farm fresh dairy products, baked goods, and ice cream. You can even meet the cows!
- Butterbang Crossiants: 1 man operation that will transport you to Paris with one bite!
Best Pizza
- Coal Fired Pizza: Great downtown location with a good beer selection
- Antonio's: Open late and located in the heart of Brown University on Thayer Street, this place becomes very popular on weekend nights during the academic year.
- Sicilia's: Deep dish style.
- Flatbred Pizza Company: Wood fired pizza just steps from Thayer Street in the heart of the Brown campus.
- Pizza Gourmet: small place, great for takeout, AMAZING CRUST!
- Figidini: Smaller wood fire pizza selection but the crust really takes things to the next level
- Pizza Marvin: Delicious crust with by the slice or whole pies
- Napolitano's: Closest thing to NYC style pizza you'll find in Providence
- Pizza J: Cool topping combinations and trivia
Best Italian Food
- Pan e Vino: Fancy Italian on Federal Hill for a good price.
- Andinos: Classic family style Italian on Federal hill with homemade pasta.
- Massimo's: Classic Providence spot with delicious food and old world asthetic
- Angelo's: Oldest family-owned Italian restaurant on Federal Hill
- Venda: Live music on the weekends
- Bacaro: Cozy restaurant with authentic Italian food and excellent cheese boards, right across from the pedestrian bridge
- Camille's: Excellent food in a popular, upscale spot
Best Thai
- Lim's Thai: Less expensive than some of the other local Thai restaurants, great for either takeout or sit-down dinners.
- Heng Thai & Rotisserie: Their Thai rotisserie chicken is especially good
- Bee's Thai: Try their mango spring roll, it's amazing!!
- KhaoSan: Affordable Thai option in East Providence
Best Brunch
- Julian's: A favorite brunch spot for post-call residents and interns.
- Nick's on Broadway: Very popular for good reason.
- Kitchen: Tiny restaurant, definitely worth a visit!
- Salted Slate: Locally sourced food, outdoor seating, farm-like interior
- West Side Diner: Great for a post-night shift breakfast (open early and they serve mimosas)
Best Burgers
- Chomp: A new spot in Providence with excellent burgers, chicken sandwiches, and a great beer selection
- Harry's Burger Bar: They have happy hour daily.
- The Abbey: Great mix of beers and burgers
Best Tapas
- Palo: Near RISD museum, has a great rustic feel
- Aguardente: Portuguese and Mexican/Guatemalan tapas
- Spain: Traditional Spanish meals that aren't too expensive but hit the spot
- Ten Rocks: Specializes in seafood, also has live music
Best Sushi
- Sakura: Get the hot babe roll, it may not be in the menu, but they have it. It's THE BEST, also BYOB.
- Ranzan: Authentic Japanese food owned by a lovely Japanese couple
- Jackie's Waterplace: Great specialty rolls and views of the river and downtown (and a great place before waterfire!)
Best Indian
- Not Just Snacks: Modestly priced, delicious Indian Food that is perfect for takeout. Located ¼ mile from Miriam Hospital.
- Kabob and Curry: Cheap and quick.
- Taste of India: Slightly fancier.
- Rasa: TRY this place if you're ever in the East Greenwich area
- India: Offers Indian fusion cuisine with great cocktails
- Rasoi: Great selection of authentic Indian cuisine
Best Seafood
- Scales: A bit of a drive, located in Newport, RI.
- Monahan's Clam Shack: On the water in Narragansett with great fried seafood options
- Tommy's Clam Shack: Warwick stand for fried local seafood. Try their lobster roll!
- Blount: Great summer seafood spot in Warren (they also have a food truck!)
- Dune Brothers: Street-side stand near RIH with great fresh seafood options
- Iggy's Boardwalk: Grab a RI classic doughboy or a clam cake in Warwick!
- The Shack: Worth a drive, located in the working boat harbor in Jamestown, RI
Best Food Trucks
- Noble Knots: Local, sustainable food offerings
- Mama Kim's: One of the most popular food trucks, serving Korean BBQ
- Citizen Wing: Amazing wings
- Mijo's: West coast style TACOS!
- Poco Loco: Mexican cuisine
- Ming's Asian Street Food: Offers a rotating selection of southeast Asian inspired cuisine
Best Sandwiches
- Geoff's Superlative Sandwiches: On Thayer street, serving amazing sandwiches.
- Alibi Café: Incredible sub sandwiches, it's all about their bread!
- East Side Pockets: Falafel and gyros on Thayer Street in the heart of Brown University.
Best Mexican
- Tallulah's Taqueria: Amazing burritos and fish tacos. They have outdoor seating and are located on the East Side.
- Chilango's: Amazing green guacamole.
- California Taco: Great for takeout, and one location adjacent to RIH
- Perro Salado: Located in Newport, outdoor seating under a huge beautiful tree.
- Cosa Azul: Near the CPC, excellent tacos and burritos
Best Mediterranean
- East Side Pockets: Popular spot on Thayer, great to take to the park!
- Kleos: Excellent Greek cuisine in downtown Providence
- Opa the Phoenician: Greek food and live music
Best Diners
- Wayland Square Diner: Because we all need a diner breakfast.
- Brickway on Wickenden: Great breakfast options and coffee.
- Modern Diner: Great, affordable breakfast options in a historic diner car
Best East Asian
- Apsara on Public Street: Menu the size of Harrison's but everything is superb, including eclectic vegetarian dishes like pea pod leaves. Best Nime Chow in Providence!
- Minh Hai: Get their tofu roll and Pho at this Cranston spot
- Sura: Korean + Japanese restaurant
- Den Den: Very popular Korean/Japanese restaurant
Best Vegetarian
- The Garden Grille: Great for both take out and sit-down dinners
- Plant City: Vegan market with restaurants and even a coffee shop inside
- Veggie Fun: Vegan Pan-Asian dishes in downtown Providence
Best Coffee
- The Shop: A favorite coffee shop with nitro brew coffee and tasty treats. The Shop has outdoor seating and is close to India Point Park for a quick stroll.
- Bolt: In the Dean Hotel Lobby, not a lot of seating but amazing coffee.
- New Harvest: In the Arcade, they also serve alcohol.
- White Electric: Located on the west side of Providence.
- Coffee Exchange: In addition to serving any brew of coffee you can imagine, they also have an incredible selection of beans so you can brew your coffee.
- L'Artisan: On wayland square, outdoor seating, also has an assortment of mediterranean food and baked goods.
Best Tea
- Tea in Sahara: Awesome little tea shop with cozy seating.
- Ceremony Tea: Matcha, Ube, and Yuzu drinks with an amazing esthetic
Best Study Spot Where You'll Actually Spend More Time People Watching
- Teas and Javas: Awesome food, good coffee if not a bit pricey, gelato, beer and wine, also has outdoor seating.
Our Favorite Bars
Compiled by 2022-2023 Internal Medicine Chiefs
Breweries!
Rhode Island boasts a growing number of great microbreweries that are worth a visit
- Proclamation Ale Company: Some of the best beer from Rhode Island (not the best place for a brewery tour).
- Long Live Beerworks: Great all around beers, especially hoppy ones.
- Tilted Barn: Worth a visit for a brewery tour (also great beers).
- Revival Brewing: Located in the basement of Brutopia restaurant, has cornhole and other outdoor games too.
- Crooked Current: Smallest brewery in the smallest state making all sorts of crazy beers.
- Whaler's: Has food trucks, cornhole, and dog friendly
- Apponaug Brewery: Great brewpub along the river and in an old mill building in Warwick (they were awesome to us during COVID!)
Best Dive Bars
- Captain Seaweeds: Definitely worth a visit, outdoor seating, incredibly friendly bartender (especially if you have a puppy).
- Nick-A-Nees
- Ocean Mist: Dive bar that hangs out over the ocean and attracts an eclectic crowd. Big name concerts throughout the summer, reggae night Tuesdays.
- E&O Tap
Best Hipster Bars
- Salon: DJ and dancing downstairs on the weekends.
- Grad Center Bar at Brown: You're never too old to hang out with grad students and college seniors, super cheap and great beer selection, darts, pool, board games.
- The Eddy: Go for the drinks, but get their pretzel!
Best Classy Bars
- Dorrance
- The Dean
- Marcelino's
- The Avery
Best Bar on the Water
- Hot Club: Lots of outdoor deck space with a great view of Providence and the harbor. Good for big or small groups of people.
- Fish Co.
- Tipsy Seagull
- The Cove
Best Rooftop Bar
- Rooftop at the Providence G: The only rooftop bar in Providence, this place is very popular and has outdoor fires, lots of lounge space that doesn't take long to fill because of the popularity.
Best Bars with a Cool Set-up/Ambience
- Justine's: Speakeasy behind a lingerie shop.
- Ogies Trailer Park: Comfort food (Great tots!), outdoor patio and tiki bar.
- Magdalene Room at the Dean
Best Karaoke Bars
- The Boombox: Located in the basement of the Dean.
- G Pub
Best German Bar
- Faust: German food, lots of beer, in the Dean Hotel.
Best Irish Pub
- Arigna Irish Pub and Coal Fire Pizza: Sports bar.
Best Punk/Metal Bar
- The Scurvy Dog
Best Wine Bars
- Bodega
Best Bars for Live Music
- The Spot: 7 days/week, Funk Fridays.
- The Parlour
- The Dorrance: Friday and Saturday nights.
- Local 121: DJ on weekends for when you need to dance.
- Cortland Club: Live jazz
Outdoor Activities
Compiled by Terra Schaetzel-Hill Class of 2018
Biking- East Bay Bike Path:Hop on your bike for a ride along the east side of the Providence bay on this beautiful 14 mile paved bike path. The trail winds along the water's edge with beautiful views of the bay, sailboats, estuaries and marsh lands with native birds and through the quaint towns of Barrington, Warren and Bristol. Bring some cash and make a stop at The Daily Scoop for ice cream in Barrington, The Beehive Cafe for lunch in Bristol, or pack a picnic for lunch at Colt State Park near the end of the trail.
- Road Biking: Take a scenic ride through the farmland of southern Rhode Island, taking in the 17th century stone walls, farm fields and ocean views
- Mountain Biking: Bring your bike to Arcadia Land Management 30 minutes south of Providence and enjoy miles of trails in this 14,000 acre
Beaches
- RISD Beach: A private and quite beach a 20 minute drive from Providence (or 10 mile bike ride via the East Bay Bike path) open to RISD and Brown students and faculty (including residents!). A great place to head for a quick swim after work.
- Newport Beaches: Drive down to Newport (45 minutes away) and take your pick from any of their gorgeous, broad sandy beaches. Perfect for a lazy weekend, or get adventurous with a windsurfing or kayaking lesson.
- Narragansett Beach: Rent surf boards and even take a lesson!
- Matunuck Beach: A hot spot for local surf. Grab your board and catch some waves on your day off.
Sailing - Whether you are a seasoned sailor or looking to learn the ropes, Rhode Island has it all when it comes to sailing.
- Providence Community Boating Center: Take lessons, rent sail boats or get a year-long membership in Providence's Indiapoint park. Less than 2 miles from downtown and Rhode Island Hospital, your hospital-to-sail time will consistently be less than 30 minutes.
- Sail Newport: Located in Newport, this sailing club offers similar amenities to Providence's local scene, or stop by to watch a sailing regatta.
Kayaking - Rhode Island offers numerous places to rent or put-in your own boat.
- Providence Community Boating Center: Offers rentals to explore the Providence bay and Providence River. Or put your own boat in and paddle up-river to enjoy a free summer concert at Water Place.
- Narrow River: Paddle down this scenic lazy river in southern Rhode Island which opens onto the beautiful coast line
Hiking and State Parks - Though Rhode Island may not have much elevation to offer, there is no shortage of places to get your nature-fix.
- Lincoln Woods State Park: A small lake with a network of trails. Come here for mountain biking, walking, kayaking, or take a dip in the lake.This is a superior place for bouldering and picnicking in the grill areas.
- Arcadia Land Management Area: A 30 minute drive south of Providence, this 14,000 acre region is the largest recreational area in Rhode Island and offers mountain biking, horse trails, kayaking and canoing, as well as cross country skiing in the winter.
- Beavertail State Park: Located on the coast, this park offers scenic coastal views, short hiking trails and great fishing.
- Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge: Free parking, easy walking trails, rocky beaches and tital pools overlooking the ocean.
- North-South Trail: Longest contiguous hiking trail in Rhode Island.
- Newport Cliff Walk: Famous walk along the ocean cliffs and beside gilded age mansions.
- See RI's State Park Website for more beautiful natural areas: http://riparks.com/index.html
Block Island- Rhode Island's beautiful and iconic coastal retreat, Block Island, is an hour's ferry-ride from Southern Rhode Island. Bring your bike and sunscreen! Whatever you are searching for, Block Island has it: art galleries, beaches, sailing, hiking, fishing, bars, food and shopping are all available within arm’s reach, and you’ll be no farther than a 20-minute bike ride from the southern and northernmost points of the Island.
What Others are Saying
"Providence is the lively urban travel experience - without the constant crush of crowds - we've been craving after a prolonged shutdown."
"The smart and urbane college town in Rhode Island is wonderfully weird in a variety of ways."
(fun note, the woman pictured at Al Forno is the founding Program Director for our primary care residency and current Senior Associate Dean)- "The largest city in the smallest state is certainly not something to overlook for a weekend getaway."
- "Providence, Rhode Island, is the biggest city in America's smallest state, and it often gets lost between two of its neighbors, bustling Boston and elegant Newport. But coming to New England and skipping this city is a major travel mistake."
-CNN Travel
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- “The country's smallest state has a big secret. Providence is a city bursting with history, art, and culinary treasures. Creativity takes many forms in Providence, but what will stand out the most to you is the food. From James Beard Award-winning hot dogs (or hot wieners) to world-class brunch spots and restaurants that aren't afraid to flex their gastronomy muscles, there are tons of great places to eat in Providence and new restaurants are always opening up.”
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- Home to an Ivy League college, one of the best design schools in the country and a major culinary institute, Providence, unsurprisingly, has exceptional food, compelling art and architecture, a thriving gay scene and an inordinate number of very smart people. Yet the city remains unpretentious and affordable, a place where even the best restaurants rarely demand reservations.
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- Home to Ivy League Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island makes a solid spot to raise a family. It has lots of big city amenities, but with a small town feel. Along with many historic attractions that celebrate the nation’s colonial past, Providence boasts many safe neighborhoods, excellent primary and secondary schools, and beautiful scenery. Seasonal events, museums, and a fun zoo add to the city’s family-friendly appeal.
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- The capital of Rhode Island has always punched above its weight in terms of smarts and creativity. But lately Providence has added a few new bullet points to its résumé—like a celebrated food scene and a high-style party hotel—that cement its rep as the coolest city you haven't been to. Yet.
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- What the city lacks in scale and profile, it certainly makes up for in style and spirit, with rich architectural interest, top-notch restaurants, charming waterfront parks, and a creative community whose influence extends far beyond the region. Today the metropolis, its downtown revitalized, is a destination well worth exploring in depth.
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