Best Things to do in Providence

Multiple locations.

In a town full of creativity, WaterFire is perhaps the most famous art installation. Picture this: 86 burning bonfires floating through Waterplace Park and downtown Providence alongside fire spinners, marching bands, dance troupes and other performers. WaterFire was conceived by Barnaby Evans in 1994 as a community experience that encourages togetherness and collective imagination, so the public can stroll along the river with the show. The best part? It’s 100% free.

Sometimes you just crave a burger, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better one in Rhode Island than at Harry’s Bar & Burger. It’s racked up lots of awards and has plenty of clout among America’s burger connoisseurs. But Harry’s isn’t the only top-notch burger joint in town. For a real down-home burger showdown, compare the meaty creations at Luxe Burger Bar and Providence Burger Bar.

If you’re looking for a casual spot in Providence this is the one. This seafood shack is a short walk from the Woonasquatucket River and has all the staples you’ll want: fish and chips, lobster rolls, clam cakes. No need for a reservation, just walk up to the window for fresh fish.

On the coast, we can see how you’d be torn between pizza and seafood. At this retro-inspired spot, you don’t have to choose. The menu is split between pies inspired by the famous pizzerias of New Haven and seafood courses, with a bit of overlap if you go for the ‘Chowdah Pie,’ a pizza decorated with clams, potato and bacon.

If you’re visiting any city in New England, chances are you want some fresh shellfish. Included in USA TODAY’s 2024 Restaurants of the Year list, this raw bar is a chic new spot in the city for oysters, mussels and clams, with a full — and affordable — food and cocktail menu if you decide to stick around for another course.

Need accommodations? The Dean is Providence’s go-to right now. It’s a chic, stylish hotel in the heart of downtown. But it’s not pretentious or overpriced. In fact, groups of travelers can book a dorm-style bunk room for a reasonable rate. A hangout spot for out-of-towners and locals alike, the building includes a locally sourced restaurant, a European-inspired cocktail lounge, a karaoke bar and a craft coffee shop.

Self-described as “RI’s best hot wieners,” this hot dog spot has lived on the same corner of Providence since 1953 and continues to draw in professional foodies like Guy Fieri and Alton Brown. Come for the dogs that have made this spot a city staple for over half a century, and grab a Rhode Island coffee milk, a sweet, milkshake-like coffee made with cold milk, while you’re there.

Roger Williams founded Providence as a bastion for religious freedom. Appropriately, the park that bears his name is a bastion for New England’s wildlife and flora. At 427 acres, it includes a botanical center, a museum of natural history, a planetarium, a carousel village and even a casino. Its most popular attraction, however, is the Roger Williams Park Zoo, one of the nation’s oldest, which contains more than 150 animals from around the world.

Also along Benefit Street you’ll find the internationally renowned Rhode Island School of Design Museum. It’s home to more than 100,000 works from around the world, including artists like Monet, Picasso and Andy Warhol. With exhibits that span from ancient history to contemporary art, from paintings to costumes and textiles, the RISD Museum is a crash course in art history and media.

More of a marketplace than a traditional flea market, Providence Flea runs all year round on Sundays. Handmade and freshly grown items are capital here, with everything sold from clothing and jewelry to artwork, home goods, local honey, ice cream and more. You can find it along Dyer Street when the weather is warm and in Farm Fresh RI Market Hall during the colder months.

After a long day of sampling doughnuts and analyzing art, you might have the urge to kick back and sip something strong. Cozy up in the swanky velvet-and-leather-clad corner at the Avery, a speakeasy-style bar that goes big on ambiance and classic libations. Stop in for pre-dinner drinks or a nightcap.

Newport isn’t technically in Providence, but it’s just a short drive (35 miles) away.  Perched atop the Narragansett Bay, it’s perfect for a quick coastal getaway or a day trip to the beach. This “sailing capital of the world” is rife with harbors, beaches, clam shacks and awe-inspiring ocean cliffs. It’s also home to several 19th-century mansions, most notably the Breakers, which served as the Vanderbilt family’s summer home.