Submitted by Appaer t3_100zps7 in RhodeIsland
This march, my girlfriend and I will be going to Rhode Island and have absolutely no idea what to do with our time there. Cannot think of a better place to find out than a subreddit. Any input would be much appreciated, thank you! <3
We are going to be staying at the Graduate Providence, a hotel about 25 minutes out of the way. We are going to be there for about 3 days, and are interested in anything really. Nothing is off the table. I appreciate the response!
If you’re into traditional history, there are great places like Newport, the old forts in Jamestown. If you’re into more occult history, explore the parts of Providence frequented by Lovecraft or visit Mercy Brown’s grave in Exeter. If you enjoy local music, Providence and other towns have great clubs for independent rock and jazz. If art is your thing, the RISD museum has amazing original pieces.
https://youtu.be/7p7orqSHqEI come check out Newport
Me? I’d say these experiences are classic Rhode Island, unique, and memorable:
A photo at the Brown University gates (College/Prospect) and another at the state capitol
Seven Stars Bakery for coffee
splurge for dinner at AlForno’s
Greg’s Deli lunch
PV Donuts (1 each Masala, Passion Fruit, and Boston Cream)
Walk down Benefit Street
Check out the mural on Friendship Street
Theater at Trinity
Take out from Pastiche
Ice skating down town open air rink
Pizza on Federal Hill, deep dish Sicilia’s
Day trip loop to Coffee Depot in Warren, DeWolfe Tavern in Bristol, Ocean Ave scenic drive in Newport (you can park at LaSalle to walk the cliff walk if weather permits), Thames Street cobblestones in Newport, Beavertail in Jamestown, and a stop in Wickford.
Add pizza strips, coffee syrup, Del’s, and New York System for the win.
Here’s another vid of Newport https://youtu.be/bK9_S2Jjl2Q definitely check it out!
That's downtown Providence, close to College Hill and Federal Hill.
College Hill is home to RISD and Brown U, along with lots of historic buildings. Up that way, I'd check out RISD museum and Providence Athenaeum. Thayer and Wickenden Streets are popular nearby designs for shopping and dining. There's also India Point Park, which offers easy terrain and lovely views.
Federal Hill is one of the nation's oldest "Little Italy" neighborhoods, with great food and decent nearby bars. Thanks to the presence of JWU, Providence has tons of great dining options.
South Providence is home to Roger Williams Park, which has a decent zoo, a small natural history museum with planetarium, and a lovely botanical garden. The park itself is beautifully landscaped, with the same designer as NYC's Central Park.
If you like trees and/or old cemeteries, there's Swan Point. It's a gorgeous place - a nationally recognized arboretum that happens to be where H.P. Lovecraft is buried.
Newport is less than an hour's drive away with plenty of its own attractions, primary among which are the old mansions. Thames Street is a popular tourist destination. I'm not sure about the current status of the Cliff Walk, but if it's open, it's worth a stroll.
Narragansett is a bit closer. Like Newport, it has lovely ocean-view drives.
What else can I tell you?
This is lovely, I can't thank you enough. After our visit I'll get back to you on everything :)
My pleasure. Enjoy your visit!
Thank you very much! Not sure that we will have time for everything, but I'll look into some of these and give you my regards.
Take a tour of the athenaeum library in Providence Risd museum Tony's colonial and venda ravioli on federal hill Order a Sicilia's pizza 2739222 Eat hot wieners at the olneyville system Sat morning farmers market on Sims Ave (eat breakfast at rocket, you'll thank me later) Attend the Providence flea (dates online) Wander swan point cemetery Cocktails at the Avery, the Eddy, the east end Try to find the gcb grad center bar (bet you can't) Saturday morning market on hope st at that stupid park Browse hope st stores between 10th and Rochambeau Fuck Thayer st (except east side pockets (get falafel) again you'll thank me later Dm me and I'll join you. Cheers
Definitely dine on federal hill in Providence. Not sure what events happening there in March.
Much appreciated, thank you :-)
I'll get back to you on some of these.
Definitely go to Newport. Great attractions and restaurants. It has such a rich history. Providence has some great spots and also southern Rhode Island like Narragansett and westerly. Personally, any town with coastline will have something to enjoy. Although it’s a small state we have a lot to offer. If you need anything feel free to ask as well. Hope you and your girlfriend enjoy your time here!
>lot to offer. If you need anything feel free to ask as well. Hope you
Thank you very much for your suggestions :) Will have to look into these.
stay in pawtucket, providence, warwick area unless you want to go to beaches in newport or narragansett.
kimochi has great boba in providence slater park is a great park in pawtucket chelos on thé water in warwick there’s hiking trails everywhere lots of zoos explore old mills jamestown is out of the way but fort wetherell walk around providence but i prefer walking in pawtucket
also there’s the conjuring house
And all the East Bay - West bay Harbor towns
from
East Prov and Providence to Galilee and Sakonnet
Venda’s is overrated as hell. Food is mid at best, overly expensive, and the service is dogshit.
I had a group reservation last year, they over booked and then stuck us in the deli said because of it it. Paying fine dining prices they sat us in a deli with fold-up chairs and a picnic table cloth. While we were there not just 1 but 2 fucking cockroaches made it to our table. Fuck that place, food was bland too.
St Pattys parade.
Go over to slater rec/compassion center and get some goodies, go to providence place mall and shop/browse/look around, walk along the water fires walkway (I dont' think they light them in march?), eat at tortilla flats if you wander up that far, or at union station brewery if you stay downtown. You could easily head over to Trinity brewhouse for lunch/linner/dinner, and have some of the beer they brew onsite or just some food if you aren't into beer. Trinity Rep is across the street but you'd have to look and see what shows are going on. Also Providence Performing arts is right around the corner if they have any shows going on then. All kind of places to eat look on Yelp. RI is in the top 10 food destinations (or was) which is the only reason I know all of this lol.
Agreed about bland and price.
Breakfast at Julien’s in Providence. If you’re into high culture stuff catch a film at an old theatre such as the Columbus on Broadway in Providence or at Jane Pinckens theater in Newport. It’s right next to Thames st. which is adorable and close to the ocean. Check out the cliff walk in Newport as well.
If you like speakeasy bars check out Justine’s, The Dean or The Avery- all in Providence. Take a nice stroll around the river downtown.
Check out the RISD museum (free on Sundays). For best thrift and antiques visit RI antique mall in Pawtucket or Nostalgia on Wickenden St. Providence.
Highly recommend taking a drive past all the mansions on Bellevue Avenue and then continuing on Ocean Avenue along the coast until you get to the end. It's one of the most scenic drives in America and is the No. 1 thing I like to do with visitors.
For a good night out I’d recommend Free play Arcade Bar, it’s usually a $10 cover and you get unlimited games (usually their open to 12am weekdays and 2am weekends), they also have a great bar and pretty good thin crust pizza. There’s a awesome karaoke/dance area on the second floor too. It’s great for a Friday/Saturday night out.
Also there’s a axe throwing bar in Pawtucket right on the Lincoln border. They also have indoor kart racing in the same building. It’s a little more pricey but a lot of fun. (Axe throwing is $27/person for 40 mins, $15/person for an extra 30 mins)
Agreed about Venda but the place is worth seeing.
Move to Florida.....
You forgaht the chowdah!
I bought a $$! stuffed veal roast for a holiday dinner and it was pure FAT inside. Venda refunded us but that was my last trip there - the veal was so gross it was embarrassing.
Drink and do drugs, in the summer you can drink and do drugs at the beach
Place has some good history of being haunted. Helped inspire The Shining. Do some research on The Biltmore which is now The Graduate. Great place to stay.
Grab some lunch and park at Brenton State Park and enjoy the view. If it’s nice out sit out by the water.
It's on Federal hill?
If you like beer check out some Providence breweries:
If you like nice cocktails:
For things to do:
RISD art museum & RISD nature Lab (cool taxidermy bugs and animals). Then walk right across the street and check out the Providence Athenaeum (very old cool library), then walk over to Prospect Park (best view of the city), and then walk over to Dolores and get dinner and drinks for the best margs and tacos you’ll ever have. All within a few blocks of each other.
On another day highly recommend driving down to coast! Go for a hike at the Norman Bird Sanctuary or Saschuest Point in Middletown and then maybe grab dinner in Newport, or drive down to Jamestown and check out Beavertail Lighthouse and walk along the trails there.
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They have the annual Irish vs Italian brawl
Oh ok. Where is that usually?
The parade itself is on Smith Hill I think, but besides Patrick’s Pub and a few others, the party moves to Federal Hill.
Oh ok. Thanks for info
Check out Askew for live music at night.
Comedy Connection is good if you are in to stand up too.
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Brickleys ice cream
Al Forno’s was rated one of the top 10 pizza places in the US. Only one that made the list from New England IIRC
Check to see if you are coming during a restaurant week. They have them in providence and newport. Great prices and great restaurants.
Love Freeplay! Great suggestion!
If you go to providence, stop in the omni plaza hotel (which is attached to the providence place mall). You can get a day pass for their amenities (pool, hottub, exercise room) for $15 per person for the entire day. So if the weather goes to shit, you can have access to all that plus the imax theater, Dave and busters and good restaurants all without having to go outside. It's also a good launching point seeing how it's pretty much right in the middle of the city.
Anonymike7 t1_j2ksbm6 wrote
What are your interests? How long will you be in RI, and where will you be staying?