There is a kind of magic to Providence, Rhode Island. Filled with old libraries, historical sites, and a thriving art scene, this town is definitely worth checking out. Here are a few of the things you shouldn’t miss when in Providence.
The Providence Athenaeum
Founded in 1836 with collections from the precious athenaeum that dates back to 1753, the Providence Athenaeum is every history lover and bookworm’s dream. Reportedly, Edgar Ellen Poe held meetings with the renowned spiritualist Sarah Helen Whitman right there.
RISD Museum
The Rhode Island School of Design is known to be one of the most competitive art schools in the U.S. Its museum has an expansive collection, ranging from ancient Greek and ancient Egyptian galleries to contemporary exhibitions.
Neutaconkanut Hill Park
Neutaconkanut Hill Park is an 88-acre wilderness located within the Providence city limits. The hill is the highest point in the city, offering a stunning vire of the Providence skyline and Narragansett Bay.
WaterFire
WaterFire is a quintessential Providence experience. On a few nights throughout the fall and winter, the rivers in downtown Providence are fire. Each lighting is done in honor of a local group, including essential workers, BIPOC artists, veterans, and more. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 marked the first year in WaterFire’s 25 year history that the event was completely canceled. Luckily, WaterFire is making a big comeback in 2021. You can check out this year’s schedule at waterfire.org.
