Location: Providence
Top Things to do in Providence
Countries
Things to do in Providence, Rhode Island (RI): The Best Nature & Parks
Years of careful urban planning and meticulous restoration have rendered this former rum and molasses trading town one of the best places to live in the United States, star of an eponymous television show and a swell place to spend a weekend. Historic sites, wonderful museums and theaters seamlessly blend with newer attractions on the block including a modern mega-mall, scenic Riverwalk, outdoor skating arena, convention center, plus new hotels and restaurants. The Roger Williams Zoo, with its updated Tropical Rainforest Building where "spunky monkeys" roam free in a constructed jungle-like environment, remains one of the city's top attractions and offers hours of entertainment for children and adults alike. Wander back in time on Benefit Street, where eminent Federal period homes recall the city's wealthy past. For a modern experience, check out the more than 100 stores at Providence Place. Or tantalize your taste buds on "The Hill," a historic area that boasts many award- winning restaurants, from the Italian and Mediterranean cuisine for which "Little Italy" got its name, to Caribbean, Mexican, Chinese, seafood and baked goods. For a different perspective, take a romantic river cruise on an authentic Venetian gondola. No matter what your vantage point, Providence sparkles.
Restaurants in Providence
1. Roger Williams Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,155 reviews
Located amid 40 acres of beautiful woodlands, the Roger Williams Park Zoo provides visitors the opportunity to see animals from all over the globe – some more than a million years old. Naturalistic surroundings are home to more than 100 species of animals including a Komodo dragon, as well as zebras, red pandas, African elephants, Masai giraffes, snow leopards, bears, flamingoes, sloths, and more! Kids from two to 102 have the opportunity to feed giraffes and harbor seals, as well as an array of farmyard animals. For something slightly out of the ordinary, visit our new Explore and Soar area offering an exhilarating zip ride, a train excursion through the woodlands, and ice cream station. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and is home to many endangered species. As a result, the Zoo participates in cooperative conservation and breeding programs to help ensure the future survival of many endangered species.
Reviewed By fedemarisa
This is our second year visiting Roger Williams Zoo for their annual Jack-o-lantern Spectacular. Takes about 1hour to walk through. Amazing display of pumpkins. Great seasonal activity.
2. Water Place Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Watch a street artist sketching the city, enjoy a lovely stroll by the river past Venice inspired bridges or see some wonderful public art, all at this well-designed four-acre park and scenic riverwalk, considered to be the heart of the restoration of Providence's downtown area.
Reviewed By travelingirlz - Drummond Island, United States
We were just there a short time but did enjoy the bridges and walkways of the Riverwalk. Sadly we arrived the day after the final FireWater show. Nearby are PF Changs, Panera Bread and other restaurants, the train station is a 5 to 10 min walk (depending on your abilities) so if you arrive for your train really early then it's a nice place to take a walk. Capitol Building is right across from the train station so it too is a place to visit. I. always enjoy when multiple things are near each other, so was delighted to realize the RiverWalk, train station, Capitol Building and restaurants are nearby!
3. Prospect Terrace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By TravelingMerm - Monrovia, United States
This lovely park was part of a self-guided walking tour of College Hill I attempted that I found and I highly recommend it! Prospect Terrace is a peaceful, green haven with panoramic hilltop views of all of Providence! It was fantastic! There’s tons of benches, a lovely memorial statue to the founder of Providence and some informative plaques scattered around the grounds. One of the plaques even points out what buildings you’ll see in the skyline! And you get a magnificent view of the capital building! It’s in a residential area near Brown University which is lovely in and of itself. Highly recommend!
4. Roger Williams Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 281 reviews
Reviewed By 4Jerseytravelers
We made two visits to the park while staying in Providence. First we went on a Friday night to go on the Swan Boats. During the Fall, they have illuminated Swan Boats. The Boats are all lit up different colors, and you pedal around the lake through lit up wire "tunnels". The cost is $10 per person and you can ride for 20 minutes, I think, but we were the first ones there, so they let us ride longer. It can be a romantic evening or just fun. Highly recommend. We went back on Sunday during the day. We visited the Botanical Gardens, Carousel park, the Japanese Garden with little foot bridges, and the Music Hall, which is an outdoor structure with columns that looks out over the water. Inside the structure are carved the names of very famous musicians. We didn't even see everything, but this is a great park to spend a day in.
5. Swan Point Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By IronCast - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
To a British tourist, the graves all seem rather recent and not terribly exciting. They are mostly laid out in a fairly regular fashion and surrounded with nearly trimmed grass. However, there are a few quirky designs or interesting groupings. Lovecraft's grave is here too. There are some nice views of the river and lots of amazing trees (many of which are labelled, making this feel a little like an arboretum) as well as wildlife that was exciting for a non-local to see. I saw American robins, chipmunks, raccoons and a flock of turkeys all while walking around a cemetery! There are lots of roads through the cemetery, but the place is huge (the security man who drove past me a few times told me 200 acres) and I hardly saw anyone else during my visit (above ground anyway!) Still, with the regular security patrols, it felt very safe even as a line female visitor.
6. Roger Williams Park Carousel Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
A 1/4 mile away from the Zoo is the Roger Williams Park Carousel Village offering fun and exciting activities for the whole family! Kids will enjoy the fully accessible Hasbro Boundless Playground open daily all year. Leap, jump and play in the Bouncy House, enjoy a Pony Ride or board the Carousel Express. Frenchy's Cafe offers lunch during the warmer months, and Food Truck Friday is a great way to end the week (May - September). HOURS: January 1 - 31 | Closed February 1 - March 31 | Weekends 12 - 4pm April 1 - June 30 | Weekdays 12 - 6pm & Weekends 11am - 6pm July 1 - Labor Day | Daily 11am - 6pm Post Labor Day - Oct. 31 | Daily 12 - 4pm & Friday/Saturdays 12 - 8pm Nov. 1 - Dec. 31 | Weekends 12 - 4pm Please Note: School Holidays & Vacation Weeks | 11am - 6pm Carousel Village is open year round for birthday parties and private events.
7. Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
8. India Point Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By SmartSister
Located across the river from downtown Providence, just off I-195 (the Cape Cod route), this gem of a park provides greenspace, walking and biking paths (link to the Blackstone River Bikeway), playground, picnic space and wonderful views of Narragansett Bay at the confluence of the Seekonk and Providence Rivers. Markers along the route trace the history of the area from its origins as a major port in the 1700's to a steamship landing and railroad yard in the 1800's, and finally as a hulking metal scrapyard into the 20th century, when a visionary woman, Mary Sharpe, recognized it's potential and started the movement to restore the Point. Easily accessible from the highway as well as from the nearby Hilton Garden Inn (which is how we discovered it), it is a wonderful place to visit, even if only for a short stroll. Thinking of packing a picnic and taking a break here next time we head for the Cape!
