There are some things that are quintessentially American — baseball, Bruce Springsteen, and spending your tax refund on something wicked awesome. Sure, you could save it for a rainy day, but that’s what umbrellas are for. Here are four super cool ways to splurge:
The Presidential Suite at the Renaissance Hotel
With a plush living room, elegant dining room, a cozy study and 1.5 baths, you will be living large in the smallest state. Throw in sweeping views of the State House and proximity to both the Providence Place mall and The VETS, and you’ve got the perfect glamorous getaway.
A Bird’s Eye Helicopter Tour
Okay, so this one is actually pretty affordable, but you will feel and look super rich, and that’s all that counts in the Instagram Age. Tours range from a 12-minute spin around the Newport Mansions ($75 per person) to a 40-minute night flight around Providence ($300 per person).
A Seafood Feast at Hemenway’s
Living in the Ocean State practically demands indulging in a sumptuous seafood feast. Providence’s iconic Hemenway’s offers a deliciously decadent spin on "Surf and Turf" — a five-pound, baked lobster stuffed with scallops, shrimp and crab, with a rib-eye steak topped with smoked oyster butter.
A Bit of Bubbly From Campus Fine Wines
Get a taste of the luxe life with champagne and sparkling wines from Campus Fine Wines. They specialize in “grower” champagne, which is from smaller, family-run wineries that own their own vineyards and grow their own grapes. It’s like artisanal bubbly. They recommend bottles by Cedric Bouchard, Agrapart & Fils, or Jacques Selosse.
