Providence is the capital of Rhode Island, the smallest state in size in the United States. The population of Providence is 190,934 with the total population of Rhode Island at 1,097,379. Rhode Island measures approximately 37 miles wide and 47 miles long, which is equivalent to the size of metropolitan Chicago. Centrally located along the Eastern Seaboard, Rhode Island is the only state completely surrounded by New England states. With 25% of the U.S. population located within 500 miles, Providence is a quick getaway for many visitors. Easily accessed via Interstate 95, Providence is a 50-minute drive from Boston and a three-hour drive from New York City.
HISTORY: Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, most of Providence burnt to the ground in the late 1600s, during the King Phillip’s War. The surge of reconstruction that followed provided Providence with some of the most significant Colonial-period architecture in the country. Historical sites include Benefit Street, also known as “The Mile of History,” the Rhode Island Statehouse, the John Brown House and the First Baptist Church in America.
LODGING: Convenience and easy accessibility are Providence’s hallmarks. In the Greater Providence area, there are more than 5,500 hotel rooms and approximately 500 restaurants.
Notable hotels in the Providence area include:
| Omni Providence Hotel | 564 rooms |
| Providence Marriott Downtown | 351 rooms |
| Graduate Providence | 294 rooms |
| Hilton Providence | 274 rooms |
| Renaissance Providence Hotel | 272 rooms |
| Crowne Plaza Hotel Providence-Warwick | 266 rooms |
| Providence Courtyard by Marriott | 216 rooms |
| Residence Inn Providence Downtown | 176 rooms |
| Aloft Providence Downtown | 175 rooms |
| Hilton Garden Inn Providence | 160 rooms |
| Homewood Suites by Hilton Providence Downtown | 120 rooms |
| Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Providence Downtown | 110 rooms |
| Hotel Providence | 80 rooms |
| Dean Hotel | 52 rooms |
| The Beatrice | 47 rooms |
DINING: Recently named one of “America’s Best Cities for Foodies” by Travel + Leisure, Providence’s famed restaurant scene is a hotbed for many of the country’s best young chefs. Home to the renowned Johnson & Wales University, the world’s largest culinary educator, Providence has more degreed chefs per capita than any other city in the U.S. lending to its highly sophisticated restaurant scene. Check out more at goprovidence.com/restaurants.
ARTS & CULTURE: With the largest number of working artists in the country, the city of Providence has evolved into a haven for artists and entertainers. The Valley Neighborhood features glass blowing studio and showroom Gather Glass, industrial arts complex The Steel Yard, and multi-purpose arts venue WaterFire Arts Center. Across town, the city’s vibrant arts and culture are also reflected in the thousands of pieces on display at the Rhode Island School of Design’s Museum of Art. The Providence Performing Arts Center, built in 1928, is a grand architectural gem offering a full roster of Broadway shows, concerts, comedians, and special events. Nearby, The VETS hosts an array of performances, from the Philharmonic and ballet to comedians and family shows. Featuring both local and national talent, Tony award-winning Trinity Rep offers classics, world premieres, and everything in between during each thoughtfully-crafted season. Finally, fascinating public art can be found around nearly every corner thanks to the work of The Avenue Concept.
ATTRACTIONS: With a thriving arts district, a commitment to historical preservation, and a sophisticated nightlife, Providence offers a variety of entertainment options. One of Providence’s most popular attractions is WaterFire, a multi-sensory experience highlighted by a series of bonfires installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence. Additional attractions include the annual Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, featuring thousands of illuminated, carved pumpkins on display in a woodland setting at Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as restaurant weeks, arts and film festivals, and so much more.
SHOPPING: For those who love to shop, Providence offers an eclectic shopping experience from the charming shopping gems along Wickenden Street, with its art galleries and antique shops, to Thayer Street, home to chic boutiques and located on the edge of Brown University. The Providence Flea hosts seasonal indoor and outdoor markets featuring a little something for every taste – plus live music, food trucks, and cocktails!
FAMILY FUN: Multi-generational families can enjoy the city’s array of activities and events designed especially for them. The BankNewport City Center, located in the heart of the city, offers year-round outdoor fun including roller skating, ice skating, and all-season bumper cars. Children will also delight in the sights and spectacles at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, the third oldest zoo in the country, and the Providence Children’s Museum, with hands-on exhibit areas and lively programs designed for children ages one to 11.
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES: Six colleges and universities have campuses in Providence, making an indelible impact on the region’s intellectual, cultural, and social life. Institutions include: Brown University, Community College of Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University, Providence College, Rhode Island College, and the Rhode Island School of Design.
SPORTS & RECREATION: Year-round sports and recreation activities abound for the entire family and avid sports fans alike. From biking through the city to kayaking along its rivers, the warmer months offer lots of unique excursions while ice skating and bumper cars pair nicely with hot cocoa. Catch some of tomorrow’s professional sports stars today as both the Providence Bruins, the American Hockey League affiliate for the Boston Bruins, and the Providence College Friars Men’s Basketball team, call the Dunkin’ Donuts Center home.
CONVENTION CENTER: At the heart of the city’s bustling downtown is the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC). Elegantly designed to complement the city’s historic architecture, the RICC contains a 100,000-square-foot exhibition hall, a 20,000-square-foot ballroom, 23 meetings rooms, and the all-glass Rotunda Room, a special function space overlooking the city. The RICC also includes an exhibitor’s services center, state-of-the-art business center, superb in-house food service and 10 loading docks with ramp access to the show floor.
Of the 5,500 hotel rooms in the Greater Providence area, 3,000 of them are within one mile of the RICC. A 2,400-space parking garage is also connected to the facility, with a 14,000-seat Dunkin’ Donuts Center arena conveniently located next door.
AIRPORT, RAIL &HIGHWAYS: Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport
Only 10 minutes from downtown Providence, the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) was named among the top five airports in the U.S by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and USA Today in 2021. Located just off Exit 13 on Interstate 95, the airport offers an average of 80 nonstop daily flights and connections to a number of destinations. For seamless travel, the airport has a consolidated rental car facility and intercity bus transportation, in addition to commuter rail service.
Logan International Airport
Boston’s Logan International Airport features nonstop air service from more than 100 worldwide destinations. Located less than 50 miles from Providence, Logan offers convenient transportation options from Boston, including bus service pick-up within steps of all five of its airport terminals. Peter Pan’s 10 daily departures leave directly from Logan to downtown Providence, and Amtrak and commuter rail service are readily available from Boston.
Train Service
Providence is located on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor between Washington D.C./New York City and Boston. High-speed Acela Express train service transports passengers from New York City to Providence in about two and a half hours.
Highways
Located at the intersection of I-95 and I-195, Providence is approximately a one-hour car ride from Boston and about three hours from New York City.
Here’s what they’re saying about Providence:
- “Cities to Watch” — Worth
- “2020 Best Places to Live” — Livability
- “America’s Best Cities for Foodies” — Travel + Leisure
- “The 10 Most Walkable Cities” — The Huffington Post
- “20 Underrated U.S. Travel Destinations” — TravelPulse
- “The 30 Most Charming Cities in America” — TravelMag
- “The Best Weekend Getaways in the United States” — AFAR
- “The 15 Best River Walks in the United States” — Fodor’s Travel
- “Feast Your Eyes on America’s Top Destinations for Outdoor Art” — Men’s Journal
- “What to Do in Providence, the New Cultural Hub of New England” — Condé Nast Traveler
