Providence is an education center, community city and the state capital. The city has a large number of professional and student populace which in turn, creates a lively and youthful vibe that permeates the city. There’s so much to do and see in Providence and 24 hours may not be long enough to soak it all in. However, if you only have 24 hours in Providence, let us show you around its “juts-can’t-miss” attractions, shopping centers, nightspots and restaurants in our 24-hour itinerary.
Image By boliyou (originally posted to Flickr as Providence skyline) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
9:00am- Breakfast at The Classic Cafe!
Power up at The Classic Cafe in the morning! The Classic Cafe is a mom-and-pop restaurant that serves up phenomenal American comfort fare. The restaurant has an old-school feel with family pictures on the walls, open kitchen and vinyl booths. You can build your own burger here. From potato cakes to eggs benedict, burgers, salads, sides and sandwiches to grill items, the food menu includes everything. It also has a kid-friendly food menu.
Address: 865 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-273-0707
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00am-9:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 8:00am-9:00pm
10:00am- A history tour at Rhode Island State House!
The first place on the itinerary list is the Rhode Island State House, one of the most stunning buildings in Providence. Take a guided tour or a self-tour of the State House. The house has a self-supporting marble dome and atop the dome is a glided Independent man bronze statue. It includes a rendition of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, Philadelphia Liberty Bell replica, a Rhode Islander, Nathaniel Greene military accoutrements, original parchment charter of 1663 granted by King Charles II, and Rhode Island military units battle flags.
Address: 82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-222-2080
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Distance from the Classic Cafe: 1.9miles or 7minutes drive
Then, stroll along the magnificent benefit street!
11:00am-Peruse the RSID Museum!
Providence is known for its thriving and creative art scene!
Make your way over to RSID Museum (Rhode Island School of Design’s Museum of Art) that houses over 80,000 objects in five buildings. It features an impressive collection of fine and decorative art, ranging from ancient Eygptian, Greek and Roman artifacts to modern, contemporary works of art, furniture, fashion, painting, sculpture and textiles by some of the well-known artists of the time. Artists whose work has been showcased here include Warhol, Picasso, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse, Turner, and Manet, just to name a few.Marvel at the beautiful pieces of art spanning across centuries!
Address: 20 N Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-454-6500
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Distance from the State House: 0.7miles or 3minutes drive
12:00pm- Step into the Past at John Brown House Museum!
Next, head off to John Brown House Museum, which is a perfect example of the Georgian colonial style architecture. The house takes you back to the eighteenth century. It highlights the life in that period, and the social and cultural history of the state. John Brown was a statesman, patriot and one of the powerful figures in Providence whose story has been brought to life through exhibits and personal items. Inside, there is 18th and 19th centuries’ artwork, original furniture of the Brown family, French wallpapers and other memorabilia. A truly imposing site!
Address: 52 Power Street, Providence, RI 02906, United States
Phone: 1 401-273-7507
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 1:30pm-4:00pm; Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Distance from RSID Museum: 0.4miles or 2minutes drive via Benefit Street
1:00pm- Lunch!
Head to Andreas Restaurant (268 Thayer St) for some Mediterranean cuisine. Swing by Duck and Bunny (312 Wickenden St) for some American and French cuisine, or New Rivers (7 Steeple St) for some American cuisine. Sample Indian cuisine at Taste of India (230 Wickenden St)
2:00pm- Discover art, history and science at Providence Children's Museum!
After you’ve sated your appetite, head to the Providence Children’s Museum where kids can learn history, culture, art, science, space, health and much more through hand-on interactive exhibits. Some of the interesting exhibits include outdoor climbs, big blocks, water play, a huge Lite Brite, musical instruments, the Children’s garden, art studios, and time-travel adventure through the history of Rhode Island, to name a few. The Adults will also have as much fun as the kids do.
Address: 100 South Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-273-5437
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00am-6:00pm
3:00pm- Sate your appetite for culinary history at Culinary Arts Museum!
Next, head off to Culinary Arts Museum that features history of a different and unique kind. The museum features more than 300,000 objects related to food industry. Peruse the cookbook collection that dates back to the fifteenth century, skim over 4000 food menus from all over the world, check out presidential cutlery, kitchen utensils, fast-food wagons and other exhibits on culinary topics. From cooking novices to culinary geniuses, there is something to please every palate in this museum.
Address: 315 Harborside Blvd, Providence, RI 02905, United States
Phone: 1 401-598-2805
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Distance from Providence Children’s Museum: 2.7miles or 9minutes drive via Allens Avenue
4:00pm-Get Some More History at Roger Williams Park!
Roger Williams Park is a 427-acre green space with a rose garden, pond, public statues, lakes, picturesque waterscapes, and plenty of natural beauty. Attractions include Roger Williams Park Zoo, Botanical Center, Museum of Natural History and Planetarium.
The Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to some stunning species of animals, including African elephants, lemurs, lions, kangaroos, and more. Also, there is an extensive collection of reptiles and birds.
Roger Williams Botanical Center features Japanese garden, a rose garden, two greenhouses and a conservatory. It houses more than 150 species and varieties of plants, including palms, aloes, cacti and agave.
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium houses more than 300,000 specimens on natural world from all around the world, including earth science objects, preserved plants and animals, archeological artifacts and ethnographic objects.
Address: 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02905, United States
Phone: 1 401-785-3510
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Distance from Culinary Arts Museum: 1.7miles or 8minutes drive
5:00pm-Shop to your heart’s content in Providence!
Head off to the Downtown/Downcity, a wonderful shopping district with an assortment of boutiques and stores, ranging from the latest home furnishings stores to upscale boutiques to chic gift shops. Some of the stores are Queen of Hearts (222 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States), a women’s clothing store; Homestyle (229 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States) for housewares and decorative items for home; Craftland (212 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States), and many more.
Address: 151 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-331-9217
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-6:00am
For more shopping adventures, visit the Providence Place with three stories full of popular retailers. Famous merchants housed here like JCPenney, Macy’s, Nordstrom, alongside other stores, including Bebe, American Eagle Outfitters, J.Crew, The Gap, Apple, Victoria’s Secret, and Banana Republic, just to name a few. Shop ‘til you drop!
Address: 1 Providence Pl, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-270-1000
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Distance from Downcity: 0.7miles or 7minutes drive
7:00pm- Cruise the waters at La Gondola Providence!
Next, go for a one-hour La Gondola adventure. It is one of the best ways to acquaint yourself with Providence. As the sunsets, the Providence River surface glimmers. A gondola goes through the river’s surface offering a beautiful experience and a new way to discover the beauty of Providence. These Venetian-style gondolas have gondolier serenading the people on board with authentic music.
Address: 1 Citizens Plz, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-421-8877
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 10:00am-10:15pm; Friday 7 Saturday: 10:00am-11:30pm; Sunday: 10:00am-10:15pm
Distance from Providence Place: 0.8miles or 4minutes drive via Smith Street
8:00pm- Dinner on Gondola!
As you cruise the waters, enjoy a dinner with family or special someone on the La Gondola Floating Lounge.
Or
Head to Cafe Nuovo (1 Citizens Plz Ste 1) or Mill's Tavern (101 N Main St) that serves up American cuisine. Enjoy seafood and sushi at Jacky's Waterplace and Sushi Bar (200 Exchange St). For juicy steak, head to Capital Grille (10 Memorial Blvd, Suite 101).
10:00pm- Go Bar Hopping!
Albeit Providence is not as big as nearby cities, it still boasts a lively nightlife. There’s always something fun and exciting going on somewhere in Providence. The city is loaded with bars and lounges for everyone. If live music and beer is your thing, Art Bar and Trinity Brewhouse are good shouts!
Start your night at Trinity Brewhouse which has live music on Wednesday and Sunday nights, and serves up ales, stouts, porters and delicious food. Enjoy the live music, while sipping on British-style beers and stouts.
Address: 186 Fountain Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-453-2337
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 11:30am-1:00am; Friday: 11:30am-2:00am; Saturday: 12:00pm-2:00am; Sunday: 12:00pm-1:00am
Next, make your way over to the Art Bar. It is for folks aged 25 and above. Dance the night away to the hottest and latest tracks spun by the DJs. It has a solid selection of cocktails featuring beer, wine and more. A lively and inviting nightspot!
Address: 171 Chestnut Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-272-0177
Opening hours: Friday & Saturday: 9:00pm-2:00am; Sunday: 9:00pm-1:00am
24 Hours in Providence Map Guide
