Things to Do in Providence, RI

Covering nearly 12,000 square feet of beautifully maintained indoor and outdoor gardens, The Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park is the largest public indoor display garden in New England and one of the top Providence, Rhode Island attractions.

The park is home to two greenhouses, The Conservatory and the Mediterranean Room, that house over 150 different species and cultivars of plants, including cacti, agave, palms, and aloes.

The vast outdoor gardens feature a beautiful winter garden and wooded hillside garden with several assortments of trees and shrubs, a stunning rose maze with a handpicked selection of rose varieties, a pine Dell, and perennial garden.

The park also offers a range of horticultural and environmental programs and classes for the public in order to enhance and encourage an interest in botanical studies.

Address: 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island, Phone: 401-785-9450

Founded by the City of Providence in 1896, the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium is committed to education and hopes to enhance a greater understanding of the natural world through exciting exhibition and displays, interactive presentations, and educational programs.

If you are looking for fun things to do in Providence with kids, the Museum of Natural History is a great place to visit. Home to over 250,000 objects relating to the natural world, including 175,000 preserved plants and animals, 15,000 earth science specimens, 4,000 ethnographic objects, and 20,000 archaeological artifacts, the museum also houses a vast wealth of informational resources in the form of extensive document and photographic archives. Don’t miss the world-class collection of plant fossils from Coal Age Rhode Island, some of which are more than 350 million years old.

Address: Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, Rhode Island, Phone: 401-785-9457 Ext. 221

When it comes to art destinations in Providence, and even Rhode Island as a whole, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art tops the list.

Internationally acclaimed and beloved by the art community, the RISD Museum of Art is known for its impressive collection of 17th and 18th-Century European paintings which are housed in its vast and magnificently lit Grand Gallery.

Other collections in the museum's incredible 100,000-piece gallery include impressionist paintings, decorative arts, costume exhibits, and even an Egyptian mummy.

Address: Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art, 20 North Main Street, Providence, Rhode Island; Phone: 405-454-6500

The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) is a world-class theater in the heart of Providence’s arts and entertainment district that presents a full calendar of contemporary entertainment and Broadway shows.

Known as the “Jewel of Weybosset Street” after opening in 1928, the theater is the second largest of its kind in the country, and can accomodate over 3,000 patrons.

The theater is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The arts center also supports a variety of community outreach programs with the aim of “bringing theater to life” for emerging artists and children, and it hosts a number of annual fund-raising events throughout the year.

Address: Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, Rhode Island, Phone: 401-421-2787

Opened in 1872, the Roger Williams Park Zoo is amongs the nation’s oldest zoos, and it is one of Rhode Island’s top tourist attractions.

Home to over 100 species of rare and fascinating animals from all over the world as well as a range of award-winning conservation programs, the Zoo has won accolades for being “one of the best zoos in the country for its conservation efforts.”

Situated in the tranquil and historic Roger Williams Park Zoo, the animal park showcases animals from a variety of habitats, including those typically found in Africa, Australasia, South America, and the Tropics.

The zoo is also a leader in environmental education, and it provides a range of educational programs and learner-focused workshops.

Address: Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island, Phone: 401-941-4998

World-renowned as one of the longest-standing and most respected resident acting companies in America, the Trinity Repertory Company annually presents a calendar of world-class premieres and contemporary, and classic performances.

Founded in 1963 and based at the Lederer Theater Center, which was originally built as the historic landmark Majestic Theatre in 1917, the theater features performances of a variety of celebrated world shows, and it also trains new actors and fresh talent through a range of programs.

The company also takes national and international tours, which are immensely popular. The theater introduces over 15,000 children each year to live theater through the Project Discovery program and offers in-depth graduate training for actors and directors.

Address: Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington Street, Providence, Rhode Island, Phone: 401-351-4242

According to CNN, Harry’s Bar and Burger Providence makes the #1 burger in America and according to Burgered.com, it is actually the Best Burger in the World.

Good enough reason to stop by at one of four Harry’s Bar and Burger spots. There are two in Providence, Rhode Island, offering simple decor, burger sliders made of 100 percent Hereford beef, freshly ground and prepared and served with all the trimmings made from local produce.

If you do not feel for a burger, they also have great hot dogs and sandwiches. With that you have a selection of more than 50 craft beers and spiked shakes. If you come with friends, try your skills at shuffleboard.

Address: Harry’s Bar and Burger Providence, 121 N Main St, Providence, RI 02903, Phone: 401-228-7437

Get an unforgettable perspective of the city from a unique vantage point – on board an authentic Venetian gondola. From a romantic river cruise for two to a fun-filled family adventure, a gondola ride with La Gondola Providence is always a fantastic way to see and experience Providence. Gondolas are crewed by highly trained and professional gondoliers and musicians who cater to your every need throughout the ride.

Enjoy a romantic dinner as you cruise the waters around the city on the 28-foot La Gondola Floating Lounge, which can accommodate up to six diners at three bistro tables.

Inspired by the outdoor cafés of Venice, this vessel can be booked for day and evenings trips, private dinner cruises, and special WaterFire trips. If you are looking for romantic date night ideas in Providence, this is a great thing to do.

Address: One Citizen’s Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island , Phone: 401-421-8877

Durk’s Bar-B-Q is a popular Texas-style barbecue joint in Providence. The hip College Hill spot serves up slow-cooked hickory-smoked meats crafted with the restaurant's signature dry-rub spice blend, available by the half-pound or in melt-in-your-mouth sandwich offerings daily.

Meat options range from classic brisket, pulled pork, and chicken legs to more unique options such as sausage and pork belly, with a limited amount of each meat prepared daily.

More than 100 American whiskeys are also served up at the restaurant's bar, along with craft beers on draft and a variety of whiskey-forward cocktail offerings.

Address: 33 Aborn St, Providence, RI 02903, Phone: 401-351-2807

Located in the West End of Providence, Nicks on Broadway is a contemporary American restaurant that specializes in seasonally inspired, locally sourced cuisine.

Owned and operated by Nick Sammartino and James Beard nominated Chef Derek Wagner, Nicks prides itself on its reputation as a welcoming neighborhood eatery where people can gather to meet, greet, and eat excellent food. Using only the freshest ingredients available, Chef Wagner has created a delicious tasting menu for dinner, which includes delights such as char-grilled farm lamb served with purple potatoes and green beans and lemon parsley roasted monkfish with risotto of broccoli. Meanwhile, the brunch menu offers healthy favorites such as warm oats and honey and house-baked brioche French toast.

Address: Nicks on Broadway, 500 Broadway, Providence, Rhode Island, Phone: 401-421-0286