With 48 hours in Providence, visitors can discover the absolute best the “Creative City” has to offer through this itinerary guide. Wander the historic streets, get your art fix at the top-notch museums and galleries, or take your palate on a delicious journey. Maximize your time in Providence with this itinerary!
Image By Providence,_RI_skyline.jpg: boliyou derivative work: –Juliancolton | Talk (Providence,_RI_skyline.jpg) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Day 1 in Providence Map Guide
8:00am- Breakfast at Brickway On Wickenden!
Grab American breakfast at the Brickway On Wickenden. It serves up classic American sandwich, burger or other comfort food that is sure to entice anyone’s palate. The breakfast menu is diverse and delicious, and receives the most rave reviews.
Address: 234 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-751-2477
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00am-3:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 8:00am-3:00pm
9:00am- Historic tour of the Rhode Island State House!
Take a tour of the Rhode Island State House, one of the most stunning buildings in Providence. 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 Brickway On Wickenden: 1.4miles or 6minutes drive
10:00am- Peruse the books at Providence Athenaeum!
Next, browse one of the oldest libraries in the United States- Providence Athenaeum. The Providence Athenaeum houses an extensive collection of rare books. From original card catalogs of 1900s to American horror fictions to classics and bestsellers, this library has something for avid readers. It has one floor for reading and two floors of stacks.
Address: 251 Benefit Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-421-6970
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 10:00am-6:00pm; Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm; Saturday: 10:00am-2:00pm
Distance from Rhode Island State House: 0.8miles or 4minutes drive via Canal Street
11:00am- Unleash your kids at the Providence Children's Museum!
Next, make your way over to the Providence Children’s Museum where kids can learn and explore while playing. The museum features hands-on exhibits on math, science, technology, engineering, history, art, culture and health. From playing with musical instruments, puppets and magnets to a wet and wild water exploration to time travel adventure to children’s garden and mazes to connecting with Rhode Island culture and nature to running errands just like a grown-up, the museum has plenty of adventures to keep the children entertained. It also has a Discovery Studio where kids can explore space. The museum allows kids to learn and explore through play at their own pace.
Address: 100 South Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-273-5437
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00am-6:00pm
Distance from Providence Athenaeum: 0.8miles or 4minutes drive via Dyer Street
12:00pm- Take a tour of the Governor Henry Lippitt House!
Venture further to discover the Governor Henry Lippitt House that features how life was in 19th century. The house has a Victorian decor, ornate woodwork, bronze neoclassical chandeliers, and original furnishings of the Lippitt House. It is a perfect example of the nineteenth century Victorian architecture in the city and with one of the finest interiors in the New England area. A sneak peek into the life of Lippitt family and Providence in the 19th century!
Address: 199 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906, United States
Phone: 1 401-453-0688
Distance from Providence Children’s Museum: 1.4miles or 6minutes drive via Hope Street
1:00pm- Lunch!
Enjoy the Chinese cuisine at Shanghai (272 Thayer St). For some seafood and American fare, head to Hemenway's Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar (121 South Main Street). Swing by Louis Restaurant (286 Brook St) or Waterman Grille (4 Richmond Sq Suite 100B) for American cuisine.
2:00pm- A Trip back in time at John Brown House!
After you’ve sated your palate, head to John Brown House Museum, which is a perfect example of the Georgian colonial style architecture. The house highlights the life in the eighteenth century, 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. Check out the 18th and 19th centuries’ artwork, original furniture of the Brown family, French wallpapers and other memorabilia.
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
3:00pm-Get your Art fix at RSID Museum!
Next, head off to RSID Museum that is home to Andy Warhol’s, Picasso, Rodin, Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Turner, Cezanna, and several other well-known artists’ masterpieces. Marvel at the breadth and depth of the artwork that is on display. The museum features art spanning across several centuries, from Gothic and Medieval collections to Roman and Greek sculptures to modern graphic design. Highlights include 19th century galleries with popular artist pieces of art, 17th and 18th century canvases, Impressionist paintings, Newport furniture, 20th and 21st century Gorham silver, a 12t century Buddha, and an Egyptian mummy.
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 John Brown House: 0.4miles or 2minutes drive via Benefit Street
4:00pm-Get Some More Art at Woods Gerry Gallery!
Just a 2 minutes drive from RSID Museum is the Woods Gerry Gallery. It features work of faculty and students of the Independent School District. The art showcased here is expressed in different mediums such as textiles, glass, painting, graphic design, photography and architecture.
Address: 62 Prospect Street, Providence, RI 02906, United States
Phone: 1 401-454-6141
Opening hours: Monday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Tuesday: 10:00am-4:00pm; Friday & Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: 2:00pm-5:00pm
Distance from RSID Museum: 0.3miles or 2minutes drive
5:00pm- Time for Retail Fix!
Head to The Arcade, one of the oldest indoor shopping malls in the nation. It houses several shops of all kinds. Whether you’re looking for vintage treasures, one-of-kind- gift for someone special or high-end fashion, Westminster Arcade has it all.
Address: 65 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-454-4568
Distance from Woods Gerry Gallery: 0.6miles or 4minutes drive
Looking to experience the real flavor and feel of Providence, make you way over to the 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 and other treasures. 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
Distance from The Arcade: 0.3miles or 3minutes drive
7:00pm- Evening drinks!
Swing by nearby speakeasy- The Avery to wet your whistle. It has a wide selection of beers, wines and hand-crafted cocktails. The atmosphere is vibrant and energetic.
Address: 18 Luongo Square, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 4:00pm-12:00am; Saturday & Sunday: 5:00pm-12:00am
Distance from Downcity: 1.1miles or 6minutes drive
Or Drop by the Trinity Brewhouse, one of the local’s favorite spot for hanging out. It 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
Distance from Downcity: 0.5miles or 3minutes drive
8:00pm- Dinner!
Head to Gracie's (194 Washington St) or Birch (200 Washington Street) that serves up delicious American cuisine. Sample the German cuisine at Faust (122 Fountaine Street), or Italian cuisine at Rosalina (50 Aborn St).
10:00pm- Hit the Town!
Start your night excursion at The Salon, a bi-level nightspot with plenty of fun things for everyone. Sip on a cocktail, while listening to DJs music. Ping pong, pinball, foosball, open-mic, and pickleback shots add to the entertainment.
Address: 57 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-865-6330
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 5:00pm-1:00am; Friday: 5:00pm-2:00am; Saturday: 7:00pm-2:00am
Head off to Club Therapy for a night to remember! Live DJs spin awesome beats with fascinating visual elements and keep the atmosphere boisterous. The music is mostly EDM. You’ll find lots of space to dance to your heart’s content.
Address: 62 Dike Street, Providence, RI 02909, United States
Opening hours: Friday & Saturday: 12:00am-6:00am
Day 2 in Providence
8:00am- Breakfast at The Classic Cafe!
Start your morning with a hearty American classic at The Classic Cafe. It is a mom-and-pop restaurant that serves up delicious American comfort fare. From potato cakes to eggs benedict, burgers, salads, sides and sandwiches to grill items, the food menu includes everything. You can build your own burger here. It also has a kid-friendly food menu.
You’re ready for the day ahead!
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
9:00am- Pay tribute to the Rhode Island Founding Father at Roger Williams National Memorial!
Visit the Roger Williams National Memorial that honours the memory of the founding father- Roger Williams, who established Providence on grounds of religious freedom. He was the one who declared Freedom of Religion in the Constitution’s First Amendment.
Address: 282 N Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-521-7266
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00am-4:30pm
Distance from Classic Cafe: 2.3miles or 7minutes drive
10:00am- Get Some Art at Annmary Brown Memorial!
Next, head off to Annmary Brown Memorial that features an extensive collection of American and European art pieces spanning from the Renaissance period up to the twentieth century. It is a perfect place for art aficionados!
Address: 21 Brown Street, Providence, RI 02912, United States
Phone: 1 401-863-2942
Distance from Roger Williams National Memorial: 0.9miles or 5minutes drive via Benefit Street
11:00am- Venture into Museum of Natural History and Planetarium!
Next, visit the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium that features interactive cultural and scientific exhibitions. It has interesting exhibits on fossils, minerals, archeological artifacts, ethnographic objects, native cultures, wildlife and nature. Travel through time and space, gaze up at galaxies and discover the world of cosmic exploration at the Planetarium. Traverse the halls of Museum of Natural History and Planetarium to see everything from a nature trail to fossils and minerals to outer space.
Address: 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907, United States
Phone: 1 401-680-7221
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm
1:00pm- Lunch!
Head to J P Spoonem's (1678 Broad St) for American fare. Enjoy the Italian fare at Big Cheese & Pub (606 Reservoir Ave), or Japanese cuisine at Ebisu Restaurant (38 Pontiac Ave.). Sample the Caribbean cuisine at La Gran Parada (937 Broad St).
2:00pm- Bask in the fragrance of flowers at Roger Williams Botanical Center!
Visit the Roger Williams Botanical Center that features more than 150 species and varieties of plants, including palms, aloes, cacti and agave. It has indoor and outdoor gardens, two greenhouses, the Mediterranean room and the conservatory. Highlights include rose garden, Japanese garden, perennial garden, and a winter garden. It is truly an unmissable spot. Take a plunge into the nature!
Address: 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02905, United States
Phone: 1 401-785-9450
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00am-4:00pm
Distance from Museum of Natural History & Planetarium: 0.8miles or 3minutes drive
3:00pm- Get up-close and personal with animals at Roger Williams Park Zoo!
Brace yourself for an up-close animal encounter at the Roger Williams Park Zoo. Feed a giraffe, seal or monkey, get up-close with kangaroos and red panda, go for a camel ride, and check out African elephant, Alligators, eagles, tigers, lions, snow leopard and other animals in their natural habitat. The zoo has animals from several habitats, including the Tropics, Africa, South America, Wetland Trails and Australasia. No matter what your age, the Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals from the globe and beautiful views for you to enjoy!
Address: 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907, United States
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm (October to March); Monday to Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm (April to September)
Distance from Roger Williams Botanical Center: 1.1miles or 4minutes drive
4:00pm- Celebrate the joy of food at Culinary Arts Museum!
Providence loves food and this is evident in its Culinary Arts Museum that features more than 60,000 cookbooks, a collection of menus of vintage restaurants, and exhibits on food industry and cooking. Highlights include bygone era Chinese culinary vessel, marshmallow beaters, 1920s diner, mayonnaise makers, fast-food wagons, New Hampshire stagecoach tavern of 1883, and ancient Rome artifacts.
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 Roger Williams Park Zoo: 1.8miles or 7minutes drive
5:00pm-Showcase the art at AS220!
Nest, head to AS220, an art space in Providence. It features an art studio, an art shop, a dance studio, various galleries showcasing art by local artists, and a restaurant. Check out the stage performances, music shows, paintings and art shows. You can even showcase your art in any form at this art space. Entertainment, music, art and culture, all under one roof at AS220!
Address: 115 Empire Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-831-9327
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 12:00pm-1:00am; Saturday: 12:00pm-2:00am
Distance from Culinary Arts Museum: 3.5miles or 9minutes drive via I-95 North
6:00pm-It’s time to hit the shopping mall!
Head to Providence Place that features diverse boutiques and stores with something for all ages and tastes. You’ll find some famous merchants 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. Revel in retail therapy!
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 AS220: 0.7miles or 4minutes drive
7:00pm- Gondola cruise on the pristine waters of Providence River!
Looking to feel and experience the full flavor of Providence, head to La Gondola Providence. Cruise the rivers at La Gondola adventure. These are Venetian-style gondolas with 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
Or
Attend the WaterFire event that is held from May until November, every other Saturday. On the three rivers of Providence, bonfires are lit. It is an art show and light installation held in Memorial Park. This event embodies the spirit of resilience of Providence, and attracts millions of visitors each year. A beautiful blend of fire and water, music and art at WaterFire Providence!
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!
Start your night adventure at the Whiskey republic. It features dance floor, live music, booth tables, lounge spaces, pool tables and an extensive selection of spirits. The music ranges from R&B to Hip & Hop and Reggae. Hop to the beats of the DJ.
Address: 515 S Water Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-588-5158
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 12:00pm-1:00am; Friday & Saturday: 12:00pm-2:00am; Sunday: 12:00pm-1:00am
Next, head to Mirabar, a gay bar. It is a perfect spot to wind down with friends, grab a drink and dance. There are lots of TVs in the bar as well. Laser-lights, themed nights, cocktails and high-energy dance floor enhance the nightlife experience.
Address: 15 Elbow Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Phone: 1 401-331-6761
Finish your day 2 in Providence with cocktail in hand and dancing at the Art Bar. It is for folks aged 25 and above. It has a solid selection of cocktails featuring beer, wine and more. Bop your head to the hottest and latest tracks spun by the DJs.
Revel in all you’ve explored and experienced in two days in Providence!
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
Day 2 in Providence Map Guide
