What to do and see in College Hill, Rhode Island (RI): The Best Museums

March 31, 2022 Phylicia Berquist

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. Providence Art Club

11 Thomas St, Providence, RI 02903-1314 +1 401-331-1114 [email protected] http://www.providenceartclub.org
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 22 reviews

Providence Art Club

This is said to be the oldest art club in the nation, designed to foster an appreciation for local arts.

2. Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art

224 Benefit St, Providence, RI 02903-2711 +1 401-454-6500 http://risdmuseum.org/visit
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 946 reviews

Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art

This innovative and internationally renowned museum showcases more than 80,000 works of art from Paul Revere's silver and caricatures of 18th century Europe, to French Impressionists and the avant-garde works of recent alumni. A 12th-century Japanese Buddha has its own room with benches for meditating.

Reviewed By margatemensch2016 - Coconut Creek, United States

Recently,I returned to Providence and the delighful RIsd Art Museum.I devoted my day to studying its quality European paintings and sculpture.I did not see everything in this art museum that has a broad range of Art.Old Master personal favorites were Spinello Aretino's"Saint Anthony Abbott Enthroned",Jacopo di Cione's"Taking of Saint Peter",Giusseppe Cesari's"Perseus and Andromeda".Aert de Gelder's"Esther and Mordecai",Francisco Collantes'"Hagar and Ishmael".Marinus Van Reymerswaele's"Money Changers",and Giovanni Pannini's"Colliseum".19th Century favorites were Jean Victor Bertin's"Tivoli",Edouard Manet's"Repose",Claude Monet's"Bassin At Argentieul"(awesome French Impressionism),Carolus Duran's"Portrait of Manet",and Edgard Degas'"La Savoissiene".I also savored the fine Gothic and Renaissance Period sculptural works that were on display such as Ivory Diptych from 13th Century France depicting Nativity and Crucifixion,and Tillman Riemenschneider's "Pieta",among others..Kudos to a fine art museum in historic Providence.

3. Lippitt House Museum

199 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906-2136 +1 401-453-0688 [email protected] http://www.LippittHouse.org
Excellent
71%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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4.5 based on 35 reviews

Lippitt House Museum

A National Historic Landmark, Lippitt House has one of the best preserved interiors in America, allowing visitors to experience exceptional Victorian design and American craftsmanship. Following the Lippitt family’s example of public service, the museum’s cultural programming promotes civic engagement, the arts, and history of Providence. August 2020 - Lippitt House welcomes guests to the Museum for a private outdoor tour experience. Private tours are offered, for free, on Thursdays and Fridays throughout August at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Private tour times are also available Saturday August 8 and August 22. Private Outdoor Tours are one hour long and can accommodate a group up to 6 people

Reviewed By historytraveler19

Lippitt House is easy to find and surrounded by a quaint neighborhood. The estate is beautiful and well preserved. I went on an extensive tour and was able to ask many questions. There are tours available at scheduled times and if you contact them, you may be able to schedule a tour at a time that is not listed. I highly recommend taking a tour and spending some time on the grounds. The furnishings and wares are reflective of a late19th-century mansion, much of it from the Lippitt family. It is like a walk back in time. Worth the time to visit, better than expected.

62 Prospect St, Providence, RI 02906-1329 +1 401-454-6141 http://www.risd.edu/campus-resources/woods-gerry-gallery
Excellent
50%
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50%
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4.5 based on 2 reviews

Woods-Gerry Gallery

5. Annmary Brown Memorial

21 Brown St, Providence, RI 02912-9005 +1 401-863-2942 [email protected] http://library.brown.edu/about/amb
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 3 reviews

Annmary Brown Memorial

6. John Brown House Museum

52 Power St, Providence, RI 02906-1012 +1 401-331-8575 [email protected] http://www.rihs.org/museums/john-brown-house/
Excellent
44%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 84 reviews

John Brown House Museum

The premier 18th-century historic house and museum in the state, presenting important aspects of the social and cultural history of the period when our country was new. The Museum is maintained by the Rhode Island Historical Society. We are currently in our seasonal hours and only open on Saturdays from December 2019 until April 2020. Guided Tours may be at 10:30, 12:00, 1:30, & 3:00 pm on Saturdays but are subject to volunteer availability. Audio and Self Guided Tours are available from 10:00 until 3:15 PM. Last admission into the museum is at 3:30 pm. We have a free parking lot located off of Charlesfield Street. We hope to see you soon!

Reviewed By margatemensch2016 - Coconut Creek, United States

Recently,I visited the John Brown House.My visit was a fruitful experience.The guide at this house museum was very well-versed in Rhode Island History.I learned about the life of John Brown,a very prominent figure in the history and growth of Providence.I saw the house's shadow rail staircases.I saw some nice American paintings by Robert Feke,Alvan Fisher("View of Providence From The Cove")and Henry Kinney("Moses Brown").

7. Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology

21 Prospect St Brown University, Providence, RI 02906-1142 +1 401-863-2065 [email protected] http://brown.edu/Haffenreffer
Excellent
9%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
36%
Poor
9%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 11 reviews

Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology

The Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology is Brown University’s teaching museum. A resource across the university, we inspire creative and critical thinking about culture by fostering interdisciplinary understanding of the material world. We provide opportunities for faculty and students to work with collections and the public, teaching through objects and programs in classrooms, in the gallery in Manning Hall, and at the Collections Research Center.

251 S Main St, Providence, RI 02903-2910 +1 401-272-0777 [email protected] http://catecharlesgallery.com
Cate Charles Gallery

Contemporary fine art gallery showcasing paintings, sculpture and photography by New England artists

9. Museum of Rhode Island History

110 Benevolent St Aldrich House, Providence, RI 02906-3152 +1 401-331-8575
Excellent
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

10. R I Historical Society

110 Benevolent St, Providence, RI 02906-3103 http://Rihs.org

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