Fun things to do in Providence now that everything is "permanently closed"

Submitted by Consistent_Mammoth67 t3_y8hu6v in providence

There's plenty on posts asking the same question but they're all outdated. I'm just trying to find a few spots to explore with a girl near providence. We are both new to the area. Here's what I've come across so far and I'll add over time.

Dorrance - Closed

The Spot Underground - Closed

Cable Car Cinema - Closed

Kitchen - Closed

Shelter Arcade bar - Closed

R1 Indoor Carting/Axe throwing - Open!

RI indoor Golf - Open!

Rock spot Climbing, Providence - Open!

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Any suggestions?

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bungocheese t1_it0cqca wrote

Cool places I've been recently: Needle and thread, fortnight, rogue island, troop, lost valley pizza, isco spirits, new harvest, long live brewery, moniker brewing, y shabu shabu

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MissFrothingslosh t1_it0cty1 wrote

The natural history museum in Roger Williams Park is actually pretty awesome. And inexpensive. It makes a great date.

News Cafe right over the line in Pawtucket is good for cheap local shows.

Dusk as well for shows, but they’re in Providence proper. They also hold screenings of short films by local filmmakers on Wednesday’s once a month, though not sure they’re doing it through the colder months. They will also have excellent grilled cheese provided by Puggles (it’s really good and not expensive).

There’s actually quite a lot going on in Providence, if you follow the right promoters and clubs/bars.

There are also gallery nights and all sorts of other adult/date themed things.

Also, The Avon is still open.

If you’re willing to hop on 146, The Rustic stays open through October, and they’re an authentic drive-in. They’ve got some decent horror films showing (older paired with new offerings). And News Cafe is doing outdoor movie screenings Tuesday’s until Halloween.

If you like antiques, wandering around RIAM in Pawtucket is also a good option for a date. That’s also in Pawtucket.

RISD museum is also free on Sunday mornings and often has date nights with drinks and such. Check their website.

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hoeliness_ t1_it0tjno wrote

Cable car cinema was the first date with my boyfriend and I’m so sad it’s closed 😢 we love Avon Theater though!

Evening in fox point, theres a cute little neighborhood with multiple restaurants (Noodles 102, Chomp Kitchen, Tallulah’s.) Take a lap around the block, go to Twenty Stories bookstore, then share some Kow Kow afterward! Westminster Street is another street you can spent an evening store hopping, grabbing a bite to eat (Mokban Korean bistro is our go to in the area) and bar hopping in the area as well.

There’s a pinball museum in Pawtucket. RISD museum is amazing- grab coffee at a local cafe before you start your museum trip, and so many good places to grab a bite to eat after, you can’t go wrong choosing one. there’s the natural history museum in Roger Williams, botanical garden and greenhouse there as well. You could spend a good chunk of the day just walking around Roger Williams. Get a cute picnic basket and bring your own lunch and blanket, sparkling cider or something a little stronger.

You can easily take the train from Providence Station to Boston. For inexpensive transportation you’ll have to do a bit of planning beforehand and learn to read the train maps once you get into Boston, but it can be a fun day trip! Or take the bus from Kennedy plaza into Newport, do the Cliff Walk, walk Thames Street and grab a nice bite on the water. It’ll be quieting down this time of year, too.

If you wanna do a lil fancy brunch, Bayberry Garden is beauutifulll and very tasty. They also have a more casual beer hall which I haven’t tried but would love to.

Providence Flea has all year round Sunday markets. Cool display of amazing local artisans. Hope St Farmers market’s last outdoor markets are the next two Saturdays - one of my favorite things to do! Veggie & meat farmers, other food vendors, as well as local artisans gather in the Hope St park. Just a few streets down, you can go to Jordan’s Jungle. Even if you don’t plan on purchasing any new plant babies, it’s still an awesome place to just walk through.

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UncleJimmee t1_it0wdgr wrote

Botanical gardens in Roger Williams is great in the winter.

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an-eternal-hum t1_it0xu7v wrote

Freeplay arcade, The Red Door, Needle and Thread, Boombox, The Avery is still around. Salon is back too.

there’s a lot going on closer to downtown these days.

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fupapack t1_it1qwt6 wrote

We have a Cheesecake Factory

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RandomChurn t1_it23it9 wrote

Replying to hoeliness_ (#149,841)

> Evening in fox point, theres a cute little neighborhood with multiple restaurants

OP, from a Fox Point resident, just a note that if you do this loop, do it Wed-Sun. Nearly all these littles are closed Mon-Tues. And as an addendum to this loop, you fan actually start it by parking on East St or any of the cross streets parallel to Wickenden between Wickenden and 195, and then cross over the pedestrian bridge (great view of the bay, port and confluence of Seekonk and Providence Rivers, then walk India Point Park. There's an adjacent brewery you can visit right there, then you can circle back to your car or leave it there and do the loop through lower Ives St.

And if I may, I'll second the trips to Roger Williams Park and add the planetarium that's hidden away there. Last fall, the Natural History Museum featured a rare behind-the-scenes tour in which we and four other lucky participants got to do a literal hands-on trip through the stored collection not on display -- take dinosaur bones out of drawers and handle them, large mineral specimens .. it was a remarkable opportunity I can't imagine having anywhere else. Call them and ask when they're doing it again.

Ladd Observatory always has been open to the public Tuesday evenings after dark on clear nights. Antique telescope.

AS220 is unique. Visit the bar and see if you like the vibe. BC (Before Covid) they hosted a broad range of art, music, performance events, and a lot of it hands on. Their vision has always been that art and shows aren't just for the highly gifted. You make art and want to show it, that's your spot. Or just hang out and make stuff.

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RandomChurn t1_it23xkc wrote

Replying to UncleJimmee (#150,020)

Especially in February when the citrus trees bloom 🤤 .. I used to go on my lunch hour and then back at work get funny looks until some kind soul would point to my upper lip and nostrils coated in yellow pollen 😆

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iubball90 t1_it2471d wrote

Freeplay is the best barcade around. Should be open

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captainastryd t1_it2s6u8 wrote

I comment this every time a post like this comes up but @pvdgcal on Instagram updates their story daily. There’s always something interesting going on in our little city.

If you check it frequently, you’ll start to see calendars that venues put out with all sorts of music and art events and you can add those reoccurring or once-off events to your own calendar.

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TheCyborganizer t1_it2ty66 wrote

Replying to hoeliness_ (#149,841)

You're selling the pinball museum a little short in my opinion - it's a cross between "museum" and "arcade". Most of the machines work, and $10 gets you unlimited free play on all of them. They also have a bunch of classic arcade cabinets (e.g. NBA Jam, Cruisin' World) and other arcade games like skee ball and air hockey.

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split-top_gaming t1_it30i2m wrote

Bars in Providence - The dean bar, union station brewery, the Eddy, Reiner's, Murphy's, moniker

Bars outside of Providence - Ciro's, river falls, Laura's bar & grill, Jackie's galaxy, tavern in the square, chapel view, lucky dog tavern, blackies, black duck tavern

Other things to do - prospect terrace (great view of providence), Roger Williams (land gifted from last descendant of Roger Williams, Betsy Williams), bike paths in east Providence and Woonsocket, Audubon paths throughout Rhode island, Rhode island museum inside of state house, $10 commuter rail tickets to Boston on weekends (can use the train an unlimited amount of times for the entirety of the weekend)

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silverhammer96 t1_it3nj3f wrote

If you want an arcade bar then Freeplay is great

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ancient_scully t1_it3z91h wrote

Electromagnetic pinball in Pawtucket is great! No food or drinking, all games.

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petrockdog t1_it4i39a wrote

When I visited I went to a club called S&L which was a really neat place

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SDVNova t1_it4ppqz wrote

RISD Miseum is free entry on Sundays I believe

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Thick-Error-6330 t1_it7jeo8 wrote

I really like Bayberry Beer Hall in Providence. Definitely a unique atmosphere with vast drink options and great food!

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TheCyborganizer t1_iu8squq wrote

Replying to Jtownusa (#306,175)

I 100% have played that machine there, but the last time I was there (a few weeks ago) I don't remember seeing it. They cycle the machines around - repairs, trade shows, expos - so it might not be available for play today. Go there and ask or message them on Facebook, they're super nice.

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