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The Wayland Square neighborhood runs along the edge of the Seekonk River. It boasts the charms of a classic New England neighborhood, with the conveniences of city living within close proximity. The area is rich in diversity, spanning all ages as college students, senior citizens, young couples and families all reside in this walkable area.
Stop into Wendy Brown Home and peruse a gorgeous selection of homewares, high-quality linens, personal items, candles and much more. Mrs. Robinson Fine Lingerie is the perfect place for sleepwear and intimates. Nearby luxury men’s store Milan Fine Clothiers is a made-to-measure custom clothier, with garments crafted by third-generation master tailor Jiro Darakian.
Stop in for a tasting at Bottles Fine Wine. Specializing in eclectic wines, unique beers and interesting spirits, the selection is truly impressive. And who doesn’t love a liquor store that delivers?!
A trip to Green Ink is a must for all your clothing and gift needs while you are in town. Their helpful staff are happy to show you the latest casual or elegant fashions and shoes from unique designers. Find the perfect purse, that unique piece of jewelry, or even an adorable new baby gift.
Tucked in nearby Richmond Square, Simple Pleasures is a lovely little gift shop to find fun and unique items, such as decorative objects, jewels, clothing, confections and seasonal delights.
Get in touch with nature. Take a walk, a hike or bike ride and explore the Blackstone Park Conservation District, a 45-acre natural woodland with ponds, parks and open meadow areas. This buffer between the city streets and the Seekonk River is home to various wildlife, migrating birds and other species, as well as plants native to R.I. Take in the view from the water’s edge or enjoy a picnic. This open space also offers opportunities for fishing and boating along the ponds and Seekonk River, where you'll find the Narragansett Boat Club, which offers rowing classes, memberships and more.
Neighborhood favorites Paterson Park and Gladys Potter Park (Humboldt Park) are both spacious gated playgrounds with open fields, where there are often neighborhood concerts and community events. Four-legged friends can enjoy off-leash playtime at the awesome Waterman Street Dog Park.
Drop into a class at CORE Studios, offering a full menu of group training, cycling, pilates and cardio classes or nearby Barre & Soul Yoga Studio, which focuses on barre and yoga.
Independent bookstore Books on the Square hosts author talks, book clubs, game nights and children’s story time. This comfortable shop is kid friendly, pet friendly and has an impressive range of books. Paper Nautilus stocks more than 25,000 volumes of literary and historical works. This is the perfect place to find works by Providence’s own H.P. Lovecraft. The shop also caters to academia, with students and professors from nearby Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design often found perusing the shop's eclectic mix of treasures.
The Wayland area is easily walkable and there is on-street metered parking available. Some stores have parking lots, and intercity bus service is another option.
Post Date:
September 21, 2026
Providence is ready for its close-up! With the release of "Ella McCay" — the first film directed by James L. Brooks in over a decade — The Creative Capital is shining on the big screen after hosting an all-star cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Mackey and Woody Harrelson, to name a few. Filmed across our neighborhoods and landmarks, the movie captures what makes Providence so special: diverse architecture, walkable streets and that perfect blend of city energy and neighborhood charm.Brooks himself summed it up best: "What I need for this film is to represent America ... in sort of the best sense possible. And we looked at a lot of places and I'm so glad we're here."And Jamie Lee Curtis? She fell in love with Providence, too — whether grabbing her daily sticky bun at Seven Stars Bakery or hosting a cast dinner at New Rivers. Now you can follow in her footsteps with this "Ella McCay" inspired weekend itinerary. Providence is ready for its close-up! With the release of "Ella McCay" — the first film directed by James L. Brooks in over a decade — The Creative Capital is shining on the big screen after hosting an all-star cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Mackey and Woody Harrelson, to name a few. Filmed across our neighborhoods and landmarks, the movie captures what makes Providence so special: diverse architecture, walkable streets and that perfect blend of city energy and neighborhood charm.Brooks himself summed it up best: "What I need for this film is to represent America ... in sort of the best sense possible. And we looked at a lot of places and I'm so glad we're here."And Jamie Lee Curtis? She fell in love with Providence, too — whether grabbing her daily sticky bun at Seven Stars Bakery or hosting a cast dinner at New Rivers. Now you can follow in her footsteps with this "Ella McCay" inspired weekend itinerary.
Find Out More Find Out MoreProvidence is ready for its close-up! With the release of "Ella McCay" — the first film directed by James L. Brooks in over a decade — The Creative Capital is shining on the big screen after hosting an all-star cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Mackey and Woody Harrelson, to name a few. Filmed across our neighborhoods and landmarks, the movie captures what makes Providence so special: diverse architecture, walkable streets and that perfect blend of city energy and neighborhood charm.Brooks himself summed it up best: "What I need for this film is to represent America ... in sort of the best sense possible. And we looked at a lot of places and I'm so glad we're here."And Jamie Lee Curtis? She fell in love with Providence, too — whether grabbing her daily sticky bun at Seven Stars Bakery or hosting a cast dinner at New Rivers. Now you can follow in her footsteps with this "Ella McCay" inspired weekend itinerary.
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.
L’Artisan Cafe & Bakery, a quaint café at the center of Wayland, is a gathering place for neighbors. With indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a perfect locale to sit, enjoy coffee and a bite to eat, or meet a friend and chat. For fresh Mexican fusion food with a backdrop of punk rock tunes, Diego's East Side is the place to be for tacos, margaritas and people watching.
American brasserie Red Stripe offers the ultimate in comfort food. The menu features bowls of moules (mussels) in ten different preparations. Their signature Red Stripe — grilled cheese layered with prosciutto, pesto and poached pear — is not to be missed. This favorite is lively, loud and has a great bar scene. Asian fusion is waiting to be discovered at Lim’s Fine Thai & Sushi Restaurant. The ornate dining room and spicy dishes, like the signature Pad See-Ew, will delight the senses and taste buds.
Pull up a barstool and have a pint at McBride’s Pub. This Irish pub also serves up "pubwiches" like the Reuben McBride and traditional favorites like bangers and mash and shepherd’s pie. Attached to the Monahan, Drabble & Sherman Funeral Home, the pub toasts to life nightly with “Last Call” paying homage to a member of the dearly departed.
Stop into Providence Wine Bar to explore tastes of wines from around the world with a choice of 2 oz., 5 oz., half bottle or bottle selections of whites, rosés, sakes and red wines paired with small plates. Urban rooftop restaurant Mare Rooftop offers dinner and drinks with impeccable views of the city. In winter months, they set up heated igloo-style tents on the outdoor patio for a fun dining or drinking experience.
Join us to discuss Invisible Monuments: Tribute, Memory, and the Summoning of the Past, a new book from Howard Mansfield in conversation with Sy Montgomery. Book signing to follow. Free; RSVP on our website at booksq.com. Join us to discuss Invisible Monuments: Tribute, Memory, and the Summoning of the Past, a new book from Howard Mansfield in conversation with Sy Montgomery. Book signing to follow. Free; RSVP on our website at booksq.com.
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!
Yes. Wayland Square has on-street metered parking, and some individual stores and restaurants offer their own parking lots. Metered spaces can be harder to find on weekends and during busy dining hours, so allow extra time or consider ride-sharing if driving in from outside the neighborhood.
Yes. The Waterman Street Dog Park in Wayland Square offers off-leash playtime for dogs.
Start your day at L’Artisan Cafe & Bakery, then try mussels and the signature grilled cheese at Red Stripe, tacos at Diego’s East Side or Thai and sushi at Lim’s. For dinner with a view, Mare Rooftop offers city skyline views and heated igloos on its patio in winter.
Yes. Books on the Square is a kid- and pet-friendly independent bookstore with author talks, book clubs and story time. Paper Nautilus stocks more than 25,000 literary and historical volumes, including works by Providence’s own H.P. Lovecraft.
The 45-acre Blackstone Park Conservation District offers wooded trails, ponds and views of the Seekonk River, with spots for walking, biking, picnicking and fishing. The Narragansett Boat Club offers rowing classes, and Paterson Park and Gladys Potter Park have playgrounds and open fields.
#1 on TripAdvisor & Named Best Overall Providence Hotel of 2019_x000D_ _x000D_ The historic Hotel Providence reigns over the city's Arts and Entertainment district, a neighborhood graced with myriad shops, restaurants, and theaters, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tastefully renovated in late-19th-century style, the Providence deftly combines old world charm with 21st-century amenities, including Backstage Kitchen + Bar, the hotel's on-site restaurant and lounge. #1 on TripAdvisor & Named Best Overall Providence Hotel of 2019_x000D_ _x000D_ The historic Hotel Providence reigns over the city's Arts and Entertainment district, a neighborhood graced with myriad shops, restaurants, and theaters, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tastefully renovated in late-19th-century style, the Providence deftly combines old world charm with 21st-century amenities, including Backstage Kitchen + Bar, the hotel's on-site restaurant and lounge.
Find Out More Find Out MorePre-gaming in PVD? There’s everything you need just a short distance away from the Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP), Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), Trinity Rep and more. Pre-gaming in PVD? There’s everything you need just a short distance away from the Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP), Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), Trinity Rep and more.
Find Out More Find Out MoreCrab cakes are easy to make for two or for a crowd. That is what we learned at The Journal’s last Small Bites filming in December from Rich Vellante, executive chef of the Legal Sea Foods restaurant group. Crab cakes are easy to make for two or for a crowd. That is what we learned at The Journal’s last Small Bites filming in December from Rich Vellante, executive chef of the Legal Sea Foods restaurant group.
Find Out More Find Out MoreThink the Providence Rink is just a winter thing? Think again! When the ice melts, this downtown hot spot shifts gears into full summer mode, with a lineup that gives you plenty of things to do all season long. Think the Providence Rink is just a winter thing? Think again! When the ice melts, this downtown hot spot shifts gears into full summer mode, with a lineup that gives you plenty of things to do all season long.
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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