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 an important role in the development of Providence and many homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A waterfront community where the Providence and Seekonk rivers join with Narragansett Bay, Fox Point is a natural transportation hub. A linear park links the East Bay Bike Path to Providence and enhances the ease of travel.

Where to Shop

The vintage vibe is strong throughout Fox Point. Check out NAVA for new and vintage apparel, bags, boots, jewelry and accessories. Discover vintage wares and antiques for the home at Nostalgia Antiques & Collectibles, a three-floor boutique. Togs on Brook is another well-established consignment resale store. Independent, used record shop Round Again Records has been on Wickenden since 1979, and has thousands of used records and CDs spanning the genres of jazz, rock, folk, country, pop, R&B and classical. Just blocks away, Olympic Records is open seven days a week and has an impressive selection of 45 rpm singles. They'll also special order items.

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Brook Street has a handful of great places to visit. Campus Fine Wines hosts wine tastings every Friday night and late-afternoon beer tastings on Saturdays. Selections vary by country and origin, and with the owners’ focus being on small production vintners, there is always something new to sip and savor. Step across the street and visit Manny at Friends Market. This corner market celebrates 90 years of serving the community, providing Portuguese and American foods, cheeses and gift items. Nearby Lore Collection is a collection of art and design objects, jewelry, smart tees, bags and cards.

The Providence Flea is an eclectic seasonal outdoor market set up along the water on South Water Street. The Flea runs on Sundays from June through October. Rotating vendors offer vintage treasures and new items crafted by local artisans and makers, including furniture, handmade soaps, baked goods, jewelry, reclaimed wood pieces, florals, dog treats and much more. Food trucks and live music add to the fun, which attracts visitors of all ages. 

Places to Dine

There are many cafes and coffee shops in the area, so here are a few favorites. The Shop is where the locals head for nitro cold-brew coffee, tea and snacks like avocado toast. It’s a modest little storefront where they take their coffee seriously and each beverage is crafted with care. Silver Star Bakery is the place for sweet bread and pastries, harkening back to the Cape Verdean and Portuguese families that settled in Fox Point around the turn of the century.

Benefit Juice Bar & Café serves up made-to-order juices filled with antioxidants, refreshing, whole-fruit smoothies, fair-trade coffee, baked goods and sandwiches. Head to Dave’s Coffee on South Main Street and sample one of Dave’s signature coffee blends in addition to their delectable coffee syrups. Signature drinks include the Cubano, the Drip and the Pour Over, but the Coffee Milk Latte is the perfect Rhody drink! Baked goods include scones, cookies and quiche and the gluten-free donuts are a treat.

 

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Inspired by the flavors of Mexico, dine in or take out at Tallulah’s Taqueria. Both authentic and innovative, dishes include al pastor (marinated grilled pork), barbacoa (braised beef), lengua (beef tongue) and more. Wash it all down with agua fresca and finish with a warm churro. Menu items at Jahunger include their signature dish of hand-pulled noodles topped with beef and a tongue-numbing secret sauce prepared with Sichuan peppercorns. Stop by and give this flavorful Uyghur cuisine a try.

The Duck & Bunny is a snuggery — a cozy and comfortable place. Offering brunch, afternoon tea and crepes with a twist, menu items include a Reuben crepe, a blini crepe and even a crepeccini Bolognese. In warm weather, enjoy the patio, a glass of wine and perhaps a banana split crepe.

Johnson & Wales-trained and James Beard-nominated Chef Champe Speidel’s Persimmon on Hope Street focuses on modern, technique-driven American cuisine. His refined menu takes locally sourced ingredients and presents them in a thought-provoking manner. Confit pork belly and littleneck clams in a bagna cauda sauce, pan-seared foie gras with duck neck confit, smoked cherries and almond crumble are all not to be missed. The chef’s tasting menu, accompanied with a wine pairing, is ideal for a special occasion.

 

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Al Forno is a staple of the Providence food scene, presenting food inspired by various regions of Italy, crafted with a respect for ingredients and techniques. Opened in 1980, the restaurant gave birth to the grilled pizza. Be sure to order the calamari pizza topped with a spicy arrabbiata. Signature dishes include dirty steak, baked pasta and made-to-order desserts. The restaurant also opens up the kitchen to the public for its highly sought after cooking classes.

 

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Things to Do

The area is ideal for a walk or bike ride. There are a number of neighborhood parks and community playgrounds on Wickenden and surrounding streets. Stroll through India Point Park along the Providence waterfront. In summer months, participate in sunrise yoga in the park taught by Providence Power Yoga.

Schedule a lesson with the Community Boating Center (CBC) and enjoy a sail or paddle aboard a kayak. This nonprofit, created by local sailors that wanted to make boating more affordable and accessible, has been integral in the revival of the Providence waterfront. For those looking to explore other parts of the state, the Seastreak Providence-Newport Ferry operates seasonally, shuttling locals between the two cities.

 

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Venture down to the The Hot Club for drinks by the water and some serious people-watching. Tour the local waters with the Providence River Boat Company (launching between the Hot Club and Whiskey Republic) and learn a bit more about the history of this beloved city.

Enjoy works from local artists, such as pottery and ceramic pieces at Three Wheel Studio, and handblown glass items and sculptures at Gallery Belleau. Both are located on Wickenden and participate in the city’s monthly Gallery Night. Ives Street’s Peaceable Kingdom is a must-visit spot. For more than 30 years, the owners have been traveling the globe searching for unique treasures. Signed sculptural art from Peru, stonework from Indonesia, exotic jewelry from Afghanistan and pottery from Japan make perfect gifts.

The area is easily walked or traveled by bike, and there is also ample street parking.

 

A post shared by The Providence Flea (@providenceflea) on Aug 12, 2017 at 1:17pm PDT

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