Museums

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best museums in Providence?

Top picks include the RISD Museum, part of the Rhode Island School of Design, the 18th-century John Brown House Museum, the Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, a National Historic Landmark, and the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) History Museum.

Which museums are best for kids?

The Providence Children’s Museum is a hands-on museum designed for children, and the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Roger Williams Park is the state’s only natural history museum and public planetarium.

Can I visit the RISD Museum for free?

Yes, on Gallery Night. On the third Thursday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m., free tours of galleries across the city include the RISD Museum. Check the museum’s website for regular hours and admission.

Where can I learn about the cultures and histories of Rhode Island’s communities?

The AAPI History Museum in downtown Providence shares the stories of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter is dedicated to Indigenous history and culture.

What museums are worth a day trip from Providence?

Within an easy drive you’ll find the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Touro Synagogue in Newport, Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum in Bristol and the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts.