10 Things to Do in Providence, RI for First Time Visitors
Providence, Rhode Island is easily one of the most charming and beautiful cities that you could ever be fortunate enough to see with your own eyes. If you’ve never been there before, you really don’t know what you’re missing. This is a great place to study history, immerse yourself in the Arts, or spend a relaxing afternoon outdoors. In fact, if you’ve never been there before but you’re considering going, here are 10 things that you shouldn’t miss when you get there.
1. Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art
If you like history and art combined, this is definitely a place that you have to stop at. It’s well known as one of the best museums throughout the entire country, much less in the state of Rhode Island. There, you can see some magnificent works of art and get a history lesson at the same time. If you plan on going, set aside a few hours so you don’t feel rushed. That way you can enjoy everything the museum has to offer.
2. Nightingale Brown House
Although this is actually part of Brown University, many people look at it as a completely separate entity. It’s also one of the oldest houses in the country and remains the largest house of its type in the nation. It is a location that is steeped in history and it’s very much worth seeing, whether you love American history or you simply love the architecture and the talent that was required to build a house so long ago that still stands strong today.
3. Providence Performing Arts Center
People love having the opportunity to take in a show. Here, you can watch a play, catch a musical or listen to a relaxing concert. There are all kinds of performing arts available here and you never know what hidden gems you might find when you visit the area. If you love any type of performing arts, this is a place you simply can’t miss.
4. ArtProv Gallery
If your have a fondness for modern art, this is the place to be. It’s also interesting to visit a place like the Museum of Art and then visit this location so you can compare the differences in modern art and the more classical pieces such as ancient sculptures. Either way, you have the opportunity to spend an afternoon learning more about the Arts and that is time well spent.
5. Waterfront Place
Perhaps you prefer spending more time outdoors as opposed to being inside all the time. If that’s the case, you can’t hardly find a more beautiful location than Waterfront Park. It gives you time to simply enjoy being outside where you can think clearly and enjoy the air around you. If you’re looking for a great place to spend an afternoon for a picnic and relax, this is one of the places that should be at the top of your list.
6. Brown University
Who wouldn’t love to take a tour of one of the most beautiful and storied universities in the United States? This is easily one of the most prestigious universities in existence. In addition, it has a number of old buildings that are steeped in history and have outstanding architectural work. In fact, many of the buildings that are used by the university are bonafide historical sites that have been standing there since the 1700s.
7. Providence Athenaeum Library
This is not your typical library, to say the least. In fact, it is a historical location in its own right and it has so much historical information available inside of it that you could spend an entire week pouring over everything and still not get through it all. If you love history, this is one of the most magnificent places that you could ever hope to visit.
8. Stephen Hopkins House
This is another house that is steeped in history. Hopkins was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence so you know that you’re going to get a great history lesson when you visit. If you love antiques, this is also the place for you because the house is full of them.
9. WaterFire Providence
This is one of the most prominent outdoor locations for concerts in the area. Just as the name implies, you have the opportunity to enjoy musical acts while enjoying the night air on a beautiful river that is enhanced with pyrotechnics. It’s one of the most unique locations of its type and it’s definitely something you should decide to visit.
10. Benefit Street
This is one of the oldest streets in America. It still has the original cobblestone and it is where the Nightingale Brown house, as well as several other historical houses, is located. To be perfectly honest, you could probably spend the whole afternoon just walking the street and visiting many of the historical locations that are open for business there.
