Travel to Providence

Travel to Providence

Providence is New Englands third largest city and Rhode Islands capital and has been revamped in recent years to appeal more to visitors. Historic buildings are plentiful as are parks, museums and outdoor leisure options.

Transportation to Providence

American, Continental, Southwest, United and US Airways serve TF Green/Providence Airport, south of Providence. From here, you can get flights to domestic destinations around the US and Canada. Amtraks high-speed rail line, which runs between Boston and Washington, DC, also stops in Providence; additionally, Amtrak runs regular trains between Providence, Boston and New York. Greyhound buses also link Providence to major cities and towns.

What to see

One of the most popular destinations is the Providence Athenaeum; established in 1753, it is one of the worlds oldest. The library is on Benefit Street, which is referred to as the Mile of History, and is also home to the Arcade Americas first shopping mall, which was built in 1828 and now offers three levels of shops and restaurants. The breathtaking Rhode Island State House, with its gigantic dome modelled after St Peters in Rome is another sight not to be missed. Waterplace Park is enjoyable, as is the Riverwalk, a mini-replica of Venices canals, alleys and bridges which is home to restaurants, cafs and a performing arts arena.

Day trips

Anchored 12 miles off the coast of mainland Rhode Island, this tiny island (just 11 square miles) is sprinkled with wildflowers, speckled with shingled cottages and serene pools, networked by hundreds of miles of stone walls, surrounded by white dune beaches and, on one coast, rimmed by cliffs that rise 200 feet above the sea. Take the ferry to Newport and you will glide by coastal communities featuring architecture that tells the story of the development of America Colonial, Federalist, Victorian, the opulent Gilded Age. In the summer youll also see sailing boats everywhere, since Newport is the East Coasts sailing capital.

Activities and leisure

An abundance of fresh and salt water makes Rhode Island and the Providence area a haven for boating, swimming, fishing and skin diving fans. Providence features 104 parks, providing opportunities for camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, tennis, and golf. Spectator sports are also easy to take in, such as dog racing and a balloon regatta.

Safety issues

Although Providence is probably one of the safer cities in terms of crime, travellers in an unfamiliar environment can still have accidents or problems with travel arrangements. Additionally, driving on snowy or icy roads in winter can be tricky, with car accidents being a leading cause of death in the US. It is advisable to take out travel insurance for you and your family when visiting Providence.