As the second largest city in the New England area, the capital of Rhode Island boasts a thriving arts, culture and higher-ed scene due to the number of prestigious institutions within city limits, including Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. In addition, Providence’s Johnson and Wales culinary school makes the city a veritable breeding ground for creative, exciting restaurants. Lavish lodgings are concentrated downtown, while more unassuming hotels (as well as charming bed and breakfasts) are farther out in Smith Hill or East Providence.
Best Restaurants In Town
- Husband-and-wife team Benjamin and Heidi Sukle take pride in birch (lowercase deliberate) building its menu items from the ground up. James Beard-nominated chef Benjamin constructs dishes that highlight a single, seasonal ingredient like Vermont wagyu beef, and from there adds flavors to create beautiful and tasty results.
- Los Andes Restaurant’s unpretentious exterior contains a high-energy eatery focused on a blend of South American cuisines. From the Peruvian lomo saltado, seared angus strips topped with gravy, to ceviche served in a martini glass, the large portions and affordable prices at Los Andes are sure to please diners of all appetites.
Activities To Inspire You
- If you can’t get enough of Providence’s culinary culture, take a Savoring Rhode Island walking tour of historic Federal Hill with author and chef Cindy Salvato. The three-hour tour of the Italian neighborhood brings visitors to the back rooms of businesses for a educational glimpse at kitchens as well as scrumptious samples.
- Get your fill of art at the Rhode Island School of Design’s Museum of Art, which manages to pack of lot of local as well as renowned classic and contemporary artists into a relatively small space. Eclectic exhibits (a recent one focused on circus art) and a gift shop chock full of creative items make this museum a requisite stop for travelers.