GoPVD

Patio seating surrounds the fountain at DePasquale Square in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence

Providence Neighborhoods

Some of Providence’s greatest assets are its vibrant, thriving neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own distinct personality, unique history and welcoming community. Together, they have made Providence “America’s Coolest City” (GQ) and “America’s Favorite City” (Travel + Leisure).

We invite you to get out and explore these 15 neighborhoods. There are things to see, do, eat and buy in every one. Check out our favorites and then tell us what we’ve missed by using the hashtag #PVDpicks on Instagram. We will put some of our favorite suggestions on every page.

Federal Hill Providence

Providence’s historic Federal Hill neighborhood spans iconic Atwells Avenue and the surrounding streets. Largely settled by Italian-American immigrants in the early 1900s, Federal Hill effuses a sense of warmth and community that embraces visitors and locals alike....

College Hill & Benefit Street Providence

The College Hill neighborhood is home to many historic and cultural sites and residences, as well as world-class educational institutions, such as the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Brown University. Filled with art and history, this iconic area has many treasures...

West End Providence

Providence’s West End includes the areas around Broadway, West Fountain Street and Luongo Square. This also includes part of Westminster Street, where the street moves away from the downtown business center and the landscape is intermingled with residences and urban...

Thayer Street Providence

Thayer Street, in the heart of the Brown University neighborhood, is a vibrant and constantly evolving area. With 71 unique businesses, the neighborhood caters to the college crowd but is also beloved by academics and locals. Thayer consistently refreshes its...

Wayland Square Providence

The Wayland Square neighborhood runs along the edge of the Seekonk River. It boasts the charms of a classic New England neighborhood, with the conveniences of city living within close proximity. The area is rich in diversity, spanning all ages as college students,...

Hope Street/Summit Providence

Community resonates in this neighborhood tucked on the East Side of Providence on a stretch of road aptly named Hope Street. Discover vibrant streets lined with historic houses and get a feel for why The Huffington Post named Providence one of...

Fox Point/Wickenden Street Providence

Fox Point is a relaxed and walkable neighborhood with a diverse mix of college students, urban professionals and academics. The area has an eclectic, cool vibe. Old and new are juxtaposed, as vintage and modern meet, and shops and restaurants converge. This area played...

Broad Street Providence

Broad Street is most notable for its international character, especially its distinctive concentration of international markets, world food (restaurants, food trucks and bodegas) and festivals. Experience the diverse ethnic character of Broad Street, drawing inspiration from the...

RiverWalk Providence

Stroll along the area around the Providence River and discover a number of quaint shops and tantalizing restaurants, as well as historic monuments and landmarks of note. South Main Street offers a number of great options for browsing. The dining choices are plentiful...

The Jewelry/Innovation District Providence

The iconic towers of the Narragansett Electric Company rise high above the Providence skyline illuminating the night sky with the glow of their red lights. They point towards a neighborhood that was once a thriving hub of jewelry manufacturing and is now poised to be a center of...

Elmhurst & Mt. Pleasant Providence

Visit Elmhurst and Mt. Pleasant and discover vibrant restaurants, delicious bakeries and many locally owned small businesses. These neighborhoods include many single- and multi-family homes, as well as the campuses of Providence College and Rhode Island...

Silver Lake & Olneyville Providence

Around the turn of the 20th century, communities of Italian immigrants settled these streets. Now home to a worldlier population, the Silver Lake, Olneyville and Valley Street neighborhoods merge, as flavors and cultures meld in this city area. Being spread out, this...

Elmwood Providence

Located directly off Interstate 95, the Elmwood neighborhood is an epicenter of multicultural activity in the city. On this stretch of road, there are more than a dozen different countries represented by neighborhood businesses and community organizations. Locals refer...

Smith Hill Providence

The Smith Hill area, bordering downtown, is home to state government and abuts businesses such as Blue Cross and IGT. Shopping is plentiful, and residential areas range from modern apartment living in refurbished mill buildings to private residences and tenement houses....