Outdoor Activities In Providence, RI

Providence's signature event is WaterFire, an award-winning fire sculpture installation on the three rivers in downtown Providence. Created by local artist Barnaby Evans, WaterFire has become a must-see for visitors.

Discover Providence at your own pace as you paddle throughout the picturesque bridges, cobblestone walkways and green riverbanks of the Providence and Woonasquatucket Rivers, Riverwalk and Waterplace Park.

If you don't want to explore the rivers in Providence by kayak, you can sit back and relax on an authentic Venetian gondola instead. La Gondola has many river tours, which include music, food and even a bottle of champagne. Perfect for date night!

Providence became a bustling manufacturing town and by the late 19th century, the city was the transportation hub of southeastern New England due to the extensive railroad network. The 20th century was an era that started with optimism, followed by the harsh reality of the depression and, ultimately, a transition for downtown. This era also saw the creation of Providence's modern skyline with new Art Deco structures, now icons of the this prosperous time in Providence's history.

Stroll through this beautifully landscaped 40-acre zoo — one of the nation’s oldest. Dubbed “the finest zoo in New England” by The Boston Globe.

A 1/4 mile away from the Zoo, Carousel Village offers fun and exciting activities for the whole family! Kids will enjoy the fully accessible Hasbro Boundless Playground, leaping through the bouncy house, or climbing aboard the Carousel Express. During the warmer months, grab lunch at Frenchy's Cafe and dinner during Food Truck Fridays.

Cruise the Park’s waterways on an iconic swan boat, electric boat or kayak, all available for rent. If you're looking for something a little different, hop aboard the Pirate Boat for a 15-minute guided cruise.

At the Botanical Center, visitors can relax by a waterfall, enjoy the fragrance of flowers from around the world, take a child on a scavenger hunt or bring a camera or sketch pad. Admission is: Adults: $5; Children 6–12: $2; Children under 6: Free; and Military & Seniors: $2.

Grab Insta-worthy photos from the most stunning view with a visit to Prospect Terrace Park. Located on Congdon Street, this park overlooks the city and is adorned with a statue of theologian and state founder Roger Williams.

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 to visit.

Providence is and always was a place for the fiercely independent. The visionary leader Roger Williams established the city in 1636 as a haven for freedom of conscience, where all people could practice their own religious beliefs, a place where they were not merely tolerated, but enjoyed the right of true equality. Freedom of thought reigned, which opened the way for freedom of action.

The Providence Pedestrian Bridge is an amazing new landmark for the city of Providence. The bridge connects Providence's East Side, full of shops and dining options, to the Innovation District, with its bustling businesses and facilities like the new Wexford Innovation Center.

Beyond Interstate 95 lies Providence’s West Side. A bridge arching over the interstate takes you into the city of immigrants and strivers, of industrialists in Broadway mansions and mill workers in cramped triple-deckers. The Colonial town, built on shipping and the slave trade, huddled along the Providence River. By the early 19th century, textile mills had changed the economy, the result of Eli Whitney’s cotton gin and Samuel Slater’s industrial espionage. The new manufacturing city spread across the low-lying flats of the Weybosset side and climbed the hills south of the Woonasquatucket River.