#1. A City in Good Taste
Providence's sizzling culinary scene continues to truck along in the form of gourmet food carts. From the homemade sausages, soups and sandwiches from Chez Pascal, to the towering, two-story majesty of Julian's omnibus, the city has successfully taken their tasteful show on the road.
#2. Art Outside of the Box
Providence's expansive, art scene re-frames your typical art experience and allows the visitor to be amazed in unexpected ways. The wonderful RISD Museum provides an alternative to the typical cocktail hour, hosting live music, food and drink, in their gorgeous Main Gallery. Free events such as Gallery Night and WaterFire are perfect for both aficionados and beginners on budgets.
#3. Bone Apetit
Pet-friendly Providence is pleased to welcome you and your furry friends. Home to chic hotels and excellent restaurants that welcome dogs, the city has enough parks, trees and attractions to get both of your tails wagging. Several hotels like the Hotel Providence and the Providence Biltmore boast special packages for your pooch and the Providence Marriott Downtown even welcomes cats, birds and fish. Just a dog lover? Check out the Bay Colony Cluster Dog Show when it makes its annual arrival in Providence in December.
#4. Beautiful Benefit Street
To ease the choking congestion on Main Street in 1756, Benefit Street was born. Paved for the ‘benefit' of colonial residents, today's Benefit Street boasts an astounding array of architecture, art and history. Nicknamed the ‘Mile of History,' the entire neighborhood is on the historic register. Today, visitors can experience the rich history of the John Brown House, the grandiose allure of the Providence Athenaeum and the genre-melding art of the RISD Museum.
#5. Learn Around Every Turn
A vacation can be so much more than time away from home. Make lasting memories with educational and experiential trips in Providence. Take a cooking class at world-renowned Johnson & Wales University. Tend the bonfires at the enchanting WaterFire. Learn Italian culture and cuisine on a tasting tour of Federal Hill, the city's Little Italy. A vacation is a temporary respite, but knowledge - and memories - can last a lifetime.
#6. Game On!
Did you know Babe Ruth played baseball in Providence? It's true. In 1914, he was a pitcher for the Providence Grays, the same team that also produced 59-game winner ‘Old Hoss' Radbourn in 1868. Providence was also home to NFL and NBA teams, both named the Providence Steamroller. Today, the city fields an American Hockey League Team (the Providence Bruins), Division-I athletics across several sports, a roller derby league, kickball and bocce leagues. Providence has also hosted X-Games, Gravity Games, a Soapbox Derby and more! You can even play ‘broomball' on the spacious Kennedy Plaza ice rink. Broomball is a unique game in that combines hockey with ... brooms. It's a blast and all are welcome to try on their next visit to town!
#7. Eat, Stay, Love
For the discerning eater, nothing beats locally sourced food. Fortunately, there is a veritable cornucopia of options in Providence. Recently named the third best culinary scene in America by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. In the same survey, the city was tabbed as the best for local specialties (including neighborhood spots, pizza and microbreweries).
#8. Making Sparks
On select Saturdays, the city lights up with WaterFire. As darkness descends on Providence, more than 100 bonfires are set ablaze along the three rivers that tri-sect downtown. Designed by Brown University graduate Barnaby Evans, WaterFire is imaginative, inspiring and enchanting. Named one of the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association, the event is free and popular with residents and visitors alike.
#9. A Slice of Italy in PVD
Often called one of the country's best "Little Italy" neighborhoods, this well-loved neighborhood is a must-see for visitors. Home to multi-generational shops and store fronts, dining options, art galleries, outdoor music, if you squint your eyes you would swear you've been whisked away to Italia. So eat! Eat! You're wasting away to skin and bones!
#10. Fly, Drive, Ride
As anyone who travels can attest, convenience is key. Enter the newly opened InterLink facility at T.F. Green Airport. The sparkling facility seamlessly combines award-winning airline efficiency with a rental car facility and garage, commuter rail service to Providence and Boston, and public transportation - all in one convenient location. Seen as a boon for visitors, business travelers and economic development, the facility is expansive but not overpowering. Travel comfortably, knowing you are just minutes away from your destination.
