Providence

Understand

History

Roger Williams, a Puritan linguist, merchant, and explorer founded Providence, Rhode Island, in June of 1636. Roger Williams was essentially kicked out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony for getting along too well with the local native populations, considering them to be essentially already Christians, who had just not heard of Jesus yet. This was a sufficient problem for Massachusetts Bay that they exiled him, leading to Williams and his followers seeking refuge among the Narragansett, who permitted them to build homes in what would become Providence. Unusually for an American colonial city, Providence was essentially founded in cooperation with the native population of the region. However, that cooperation was not to last, as Massachusetts would foment division among the Northeastern Tribes, allying with some against others, with Providence eventually caught in the crossfire. Rhode Island would be devastated in the 1670s during the confusingly named King Phillip's War, a rebellion against colonial domination by a confederation of natives who wished to maintain their autonomy. King Phillip's War was likely the deadliest war in American history per capita. After forces of the New England Confederation—an alliance of colonial governments which intriguingly did not include Rhode Island—killed hundreds of non-combatants during the Great Swamp Fight in the midst of King Phillip's , many formerly neutral tribes would become radicalized against the colonists. This would lead to a coalition of native troops burning Providence to the ground in 1676, leaving only a few buildings standing, including a septuagenarian Roger William's house. After things calmed down in the colonies, with British authority centralized across more of the colonial governments and native culture and political power suppressed, British taxation held back the city’s economic growth in its fishing, farming, and nautical enterprises. Providence joined other critics of the British Crown and op

Getting there

By plane T.F. Green Airport (PVD IATA), in nearby Warwick south of Providence, offers many low cost and regular flights to cities in the United States.

By car: take I-95 North. Approximately 20 minutes. By bus: the #14 and #20 buses connect the airport to Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence. #14 is an express bus taking 15-25 minutes. #20 has more stops and takes 40 minutes. See RIPTA for schedules. By commuter rail: MBTA runs 10 trains per weekday from the airport to downtown Providence. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS IATA) is much larger than T.F. Green Airport, and is generally used for most international flights.

By car: take I-95 South. Approx. 1 hour (potentially much longer in traffic). Public transit: take the MBTA Silver Line bus (it's a BRT line) to South Station and take an MBTA commuter train to downtown Providence. Approx. 1hr 30 mins in travel time. Add waiting time of 1-2 hours if you haven't planned which commuter train to catch. The commuter rail leaves you in downtown Providence.

By train Train is by far the easiest way into Providence if coming from any major city along the Boston-DC line. The train station is convenient to all of downtown, and the area around Brown. 1 Providence station, 100 Gaspee Street (across the street from the Rhode Island State House). The central train station in Providence. (updated Oct 2023) Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America. (updated Dec 2020) Routes stopping in Providence: Acela travels multiple times daily between Boston and Washington, D.C. with stops in Westwood, Providence, New Haven, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore. This is the only route in the U.S. which resembles a high-speed rail line, with a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h), though it can only go this fast on a few short segments. Travel time to Providence from Boston is 35 minutes, from New Haven is 1.5 hours, from New Y

Getting around

Downtown Providence is very compact and can easily be covered walking. There is some parking available throughout the city, but RIPTA's public transport network is extensive and an alternative to driving. Although public transit in Providence is almost entirely comprised of buses, the buses are on-time, reliable, and much of RIPTA's bus fleet is new. Kennedy Plaza, RIPTA's downtown bus station, is well laid out with digital displays at each terminal that tell when the next bus will be coming. Two of the downtown lines are run completely on natural gas trackless trolleys (called the Providence LINK Trolley) and cover most of historic Providence. Base fare is $2.00, though e-riptiks or ride passes may be purchased either on-board or at local Shaw's and Stop and Shop supermarkets. Seniors or disabled persons ride for half price during non-peak hours with the presentation of an id. Students from some local colleges can buy discounted bus passes or use their school id cards (policy varies depending on the school).

See

Providence is a city rich in unique architecture, beautiful streetscapes and stimulating intellectual pursuits. One of America's older cities, Providence features many historic buildings like the Rhode Island State House and Trinity Repertory Theater. These locations, among others, exemplify some of the country's best 19th and 20th-century architecture. The RISD museum and Roger Williams Park Zoo offer days of fun sightseeing for adults and children alike.

Architecture The monumental Rhode Island State House, finished in 1901, is a wonder that has the world's fourth largest self-supported marble dome. Downtown Providence also includes a number of beautiful 19th century buildings in a variety of styles.

Brown University's Ivy League campus, dating back to the 1700s, features buildings from nearly every American architectural movement. Best to visit in May-September when school is largely out of session and weather is amenable to walking. Though professional tours of the city are not offered, a book featuring 12 self-guided walking tours of the city's architecture is available for purchase at the Providence Preservation Society, 21 Meeting Street, ☏ +1 401 831-7440.

Streetscapes Benefit Street and College Hill - The tree-lined Benefit Street contains an outstanding collection of 18th and 19th-century houses and mansions. Additionally, a popular overlook of the Downtown Providence skyline and Rhode Island State House is available at Prospect Park on Prospect Street. Popular with visitors to the city, Benefit Street is also host to the seasonal Providence Ghost Walk (below under "do"), where one may see the ghost of poet Edgar Allan Poe, who was said to spend extended amounts of time in the city, strolling down Benefit. Prospect Park on Congdon Street: This is great park to just go and chill out. It overlooks the entire city, in a relaxed way. It is very easy to waste hours there just laying on the lawn or hanging on the benches. It