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Thayer Street, in the heart of the Brown University neighborhood, is a vibrant and constantly evolving area. With dozens of unique businesses, the neighborhood caters to the college crowd but is also beloved by academics and locals. Thayer consistently refreshes its offerings to stay current and engaging in the community.
From annual festivals to the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts on adjacent Angell Street, which shows outdoor films and produces various exhibits, Thayer Street is always dynamic. Thrillist called Providence one of “The best American cities for creatives” and a visit to Thayer is an apropos way to experience a bit of that creative aura.
Post Date:
September 15, 2026
Some vacations you come home with a tan. Others you come home with a stack of books and a head full of stories you can't stop talking about. Providence is the second kind of trip. The bookstores are the kind worth lingering in, the literary history runs deep (and a little bit weird), and you can find a spot to curl up with a good book around just about every corner. Some vacations you come home with a tan. Others you come home with a stack of books and a head full of stories you can't stop talking about. Providence is the second kind of trip. The bookstores are the kind worth lingering in, the literary history runs deep (and a little bit weird), and you can find a spot to curl up with a good book around just about every corner.
Find Out More Find Out MoreSome vacations you come home with a tan. Others you come home with a stack of books and a head full of stories you can't stop talking about. Providence is the second kind of trip. The bookstores are the kind worth lingering in, the literary history runs deep (and a little bit weird), and you can find a spot to curl up with a good book around just about every corner.
Restaurants serve up global flavors, including Thai, Korean, Greek, Mexican, American, vegan, Indian, Middle Eastern, French, Italian and sushi. With staple items such as double-fried crispy chicken wings in flavors of soy garlic, spicy and lemon cream, Den Den’s Korean Fried Chicken is authentic Korean comfort food. Craving a gyro? Then head to East Side Pockets for a selection of Middle Eastern tastes that include falafel, kibbeh, and kebabs, made to order and served on Syrian bread.
Try an alternative to your afternoon coffee run with a visit to Ceremony, a modern tea house around the corner on Brook Street, or Kung Fu Tea for a bubble tea. Insomnia Cookies is open late nights and serves up warm cookies to order and they also deliver their sweet treats.
Visit Flatbread Company behind the CVS off Thayer Street for locally sourced organic pizza baked in handmade earthen clay ovens. Enjoy a local craft beer or creative cocktail by the fire with family and friends. Space and menus for large parties and corporate events available. Visit Flatbread Company behind the CVS off Thayer Street for locally sourced organic pizza baked in handmade earthen clay ovens. Enjoy a local craft beer or creative cocktail by the fire with family and friends. Space and menus for large parties and corporate events available.
Find Out More Find Out MoreThere’s a lot to see and do on Thayer Street. Brown Bookstore has much more than books for the college set. Spend time browsing titles, pick up some Brown University merch or attend one of their book readings or a children’s story hour.
Looking for curious and unusual gifts? Pleasant Surprise is a whimsical shop with everything from cool RI tees to funky socks to hilariously punny books, and much more. Because who doesn’t need bacon-flavored toothpaste?
Thayer also houses convenient services, including FedEx, printing and more.
A landmark on Thayer since 1938, the Avon Cinema will transport moviegoers with its art deco feel, while independent, documentary and foreign films stream across the screen. The auditorium, originally built for live theater, has its screen set onstage between velvet curtains, a nostalgic touch for moviegoers. The modest concession stand nods to the past, too, with real buttered popcorn and soda in glass bottles.
For gents, The Barbershop is not your dad’s barber. This funky salon with a pool table and flat-screen TV makes it the perfect hangout and spot for a cut and shave.
The street features bike racks and a bike repair station is located on Olive Street. Street metered parking is an option, as is a paid parking lot (nearby businesses offer validated parking).
Located in the College Hill neighborhood on the East Side of Providence, Thayer Street is home to many shops, restaurants, spas, coffee shops, and just about anything you can think of. Rhode Islander's live, work, play, dine, and shop on Thayer! Located in the College Hill neighborhood on the East Side of Providence, Thayer Street is home to many shops, restaurants, spas, coffee shops, and just about anything you can think of. Rhode Islander's live, work, play, dine, and shop on Thayer!
Find Out More Find Out MoreProvidence Porchfest — a free, family-friendly, community event — will once again bring music and fellowship to the East Side in a series of outdoor concerts hosted on neighborhood porches (or driveways or lawns).Enjoy more than 150 artists at more than 90 locations around the East Side! Providence Porchfest — a free, family-friendly, community event — will once again bring music and fellowship to the East Side in a series of outdoor concerts hosted on neighborhood porches (or driveways or lawns).Enjoy more than 150 artists at more than 90 locations around the East Side!
Find Out More Find Out MoreProvidence Porchfest — a free, family-friendly, community event — will once again bring music and fellowship to the East Side in a series of outdoor concerts hosted on neighborhood porches (or driveways or lawns).Enjoy more than 150 artists at more than 90 locations around the East Side!
Thayer Street is a lively commercial street in the heart of Providence's Brown University neighborhood on College Hill, lined with dozens of independent shops, restaurants, and cafes. It caters primarily to the college crowd but is also popular with academics, locals, and visitors.
Parking on Thayer Street can be challenging, since only metered street parking is available directly on the street, and it fills up quickly. Nearby side streets, paid parking lots, and validated parking through some businesses offer additional options.
Yes. Thayer Street has bike racks along the street, and a bike repair station is located nearby on Olive Street.
Thayer Street serves flavors from around the world, from Korean fried chicken at Den Den to falafel and kebabs at East Side Pockets. Nearby, Flatbread Company bakes organic pizza in clay ovens, and Insomnia Cookies delivers warm cookies late into the night.
A Thayer Street landmark since 1938, the Avon Cinema is an art deco movie house showing independent, documentary and foreign films, with real buttered popcorn and soda in glass bottles at the concession stand.
Roger Williams University offers a versatile and inspiring setting for conferences and special events, combining modern facilities with breathtaking waterfront views. With flexible meeting spaces, state-of-the-art technology, ample parking, and dedicated event professionals, RWU provides a seamless experience for gatherings of any size. Whether you’re hosting an academic conference, corporate retreat, or elegant celebration, our campus delivers the perfect blend of convenience, beauty, and exceptional service. Roger Williams University offers a versatile and inspiring setting for conferences and special events, combining modern facilities with breathtaking waterfront views. With flexible meeting spaces, state-of-the-art technology, ample parking, and dedicated event professionals, RWU provides a seamless experience for gatherings of any size. Whether you’re hosting an academic conference, corporate retreat, or elegant celebration, our campus delivers the perfect blend of convenience, beauty, and exceptional service.
Find Out More Find Out MoreThe Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Roger Williams Park is Rhode Island's only natural history museum and home to the state's only public planetarium. For more than a century, it has served as a unique educational, scientific, and cultural resource, offering engaging exhibitions and programs that help children and families learn about the world and its people.Call for information and pricing on private planetarium shows and museum tours. The Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Roger Williams Park is Rhode Island's only natural history museum and home to the state's only public planetarium. For more than a century, it has served as a unique educational, scientific, and cultural resource, offering engaging exhibitions and programs that help children and families learn about the world and its people.Call for information and pricing on private planetarium shows and museum tours.
Find Out More Find Out MoreTwo former New England football greats Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie combine the finest prime cuts of beef and the freshest seafood for the ultimate steakhouse experience. Two former New England football greats Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie combine the finest prime cuts of beef and the freshest seafood for the ultimate steakhouse experience.
Find Out More Find Out MoreSept. 29 is National Coffee Day and there are plenty of ways to celebrate. Sip a fresh roast from one of the city’s unique coffee shops, savor an espresso bean doughnut, or enjoy coffee milk Rhode Island's signature way — served cold in a glass. Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day and there are plenty of ways to celebrate. Sip a fresh roast from one of the city’s unique coffee shops, savor an espresso bean doughnut, or enjoy coffee milk Rhode Island's signature way — served cold in a glass.
Find Out More Find Out MoreLooking for information on upcoming events, dining info, promotions and deals? Stay in the know with our GoProvidence e-newsletter.
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