However you define it, Providence is a special place we call home. Whether you’ve lived here long enough to remember when Wayland Square had a Newport Creamery or are just unpacking your boxes, our editors share top picks around the city, which at 20.6 square miles, nothing is too far away, making it easy to connect the dots and go from here to there and back again. Help add to our lists by emailing your faves to Marketing@ProvidenceOnline.com and tagging Instagram posts with #heyrhodyphotos

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

With so many options for each category, we’ve decided to limit each list but encourage readers to visit us online at ProvidenceOnline.com
to explore even more ways to eat, play, and shop.

GETTING AROUND

One of the most efficient ways to get around is riding the RIPTA, formally known as the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. This system of buses and trolleys provides low-cost transport around the city and state with the hub located smack-dab at Kennedy Plaza. Buses are bike-friendly, and there are vanpool options, handy for commuters. Connecting carriers include departure points for Peter Pan and Greyhound bus lines. Visit RIPTA.com online to easily access maps, or download the WAVE app to buy bus fares with an Earn As You Go feature. For riding the rails, Providence Station (near the RI State House) is served by Amtrak and the MBTA.

EAT

Creativity extends to food and drink in the capital city with producers making everything from specialty spirits to craft brews and coffee, and that’s before we’ve even identified acclaimed chefs, nationally recognized eateries, and beloved holes in the walls. Here are some best bets for tasting your way through Providence.

COCKTAILS

The Avery

Clementine Cocktail Bar

• Be amazed as the chill bartender at Clementine tops your Bitter-Tai Kiwi cocktail with a single swelling bubble on top, which softly bursts into a dreamy cloud. You may even catch former congressman and owner David Cicilline at the bar.

Courtland Club

The Dean Bar

The Eddy

The Industrious Spirit Company Tasting Room

Needle & Thread

The Royal Bobcat

The Walnut Room

XO Bar

COFFEE

Bolt Coffee

The Coffee Exchange

L’Artisan Cafe & Bakery

Little City Coffee & Kitchen

New Harvest Coffee & Spirits

The Nitro Bar

• Grab a cup at the cafe connected to a bike shop, where it all started for the beloved biz which now boasts four locations and merch including a coffee candle. TheNitroCart.com

Rise N’ Shine Coffee Bar

The Shop

Small Point Cafe

Seven Stars Bakery

BEER

Bayberry Beer Hall

Long Live Beerworks

Moniker Brewery

Narragansett Brewery

Providence Brewing Company

Revival Brewery & Lost Valley Pizza

Trinity Brewhouse

Union Station Brewery

The Guild PVD Beer Garden (through October)

Trinity Beer Garden (through October)

PIZZA

Antonio’s

Caserta Pizzeria

Figidini

Minerva Pizza House

Nice Slice

Pizza J

Pizza Marvin

• Pizza Marvin offers hot takes on classic pies with a James Beard Award-nominated chef at the helm of the creative joint. Try everything from pizzas topped with salad greens to Chowdah Pies, plus raw seafood apps and canned cocktails.

Providence Coal Fired Pizza

SWEETS

Aleppo Sweets

Feed the Cheeks

KNEAD Doughnuts

LaSalle Bakery

Madrid European Bakery and Patisserie

Pastiche Fine Desserts

PVDonuts

Tricycle Ice Cream

Helado Taiyaki

The Wright Scoop

• Northern RI fave serving up cow-to-cone ice cream made from their own herd of Holstein cows, The Wright Scoop, can be found year-round at the Farm Fresh RI building on Sims Avenue. Ask about their 2024 Test Batch Club! TheWrightScoopRI.com

GLOBAL EATS

Casa Azul Taqueria

CAV

The Village PVD

Haruki East

Hometown Cafe & Poké Bar

India

• If you’re new to Indian cuisine, India on Hope Street is your perfect intro. Whether sampling dishes from their eat-in lunch Mini-Buffet or similar Weekend Brunch Thali, you’re sure to return to the elegant restaurant to try their extensive range of specialities, many of which are gluten free and vegan.

Kin Southern Table & Bar

Marcelino’s

Los Andes

Xaco Taco

ICONIC EATS

Al Forno

Andrea’s

The Capital Grille

Cafe Nuovo

Gracie’s

Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches (ask for The Providence Monthly)

Hemenway’s

Haven Brothers Mobile

Joe Marzilli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant

Olneyville New York System

Meeting Street Cafe

The Sandwich Hut

• Feeling hangry? For three generations and “who knows how many meatballs,” The Sandwich Hut has been making “sandwishes” come true since 1963. The vibe is fun and the food is delicious. Three words: oven toasted roll. Their newest spot recently opened on Carpenter Street.

SHOP

Providence is truly a shopping destination. Providence Place Mall is a great place to shop for the known and national big brands, but may we suggest the unknown? Hundreds of small businesses have set up shops curated with care, and whether it’s something handmade, small batch, or unique, you’re sure to find what you didn’t know you were looking for. Here’s some destination points to get you started.

APPAREL

Berk’s Shoes & Clothing

Capucine

Hungry Ghost Press

J. Marcel

Garbolino Boutique

Green Ink

• For 50 years, Green Ink has been synonymous with comfy artisanal apparel, shoes, and accessories in RI. In 2018, the Wickford-based shop and former Rhody Gem opened an expansive location at Wayland Square – a can’t miss for any season.

LOLA

LuLi Boutique

Marc Allen

Mrs. Robinson

NAVA

Queen of Hearts

BOOKS & RECORDS

Armageddon Shop

Books on the Square

Heartleaf Books

Lovecraft Arts & Sciences Council

Paper Nautilus Books

Stages of Freedom

Symposium Books

SEE ART

Adler’s Design Center & Hardware

Asterfields

The Camera Werks

Craftland

Frog & Toad

Homestyle

Kreatelier

LORE

NAVA

pH Factor

Rustigian Rugs

• Since 1930, Rustigian Rugs has been the source for internationally sourced handwoven rugs and luxury carpeting. Look for the red brick building where Governor Street meets Wickenden Street.

White Buffalo

JEWELRY

Brave Daughters

Green River Silver Co.

• There are so many reasons to love Green River Silver Co. and among them is their Rhode Island Jewelry line, where a portion of every sale is donated directly to Save The Bay, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and improving Narragansett Bay. GreenRiverSilver.com

Reliable Gold Ltd.

Speidel

Talulah Cooper

SPORTING GOODS

Civil

Dash Bicycle Shop

Legend Bicycle

Trek Bicycle

VINTAGE

Found

Old as Adam

POP Emporium

Rocket to Mars

The Vault Collective

PLAY

Long before a tourism campaign branded Providence The Creative Capital, this city has prided itself on an innovative art and culture scene. Fom Edward Bannister, a 19th century African American painter who helped found the Providence Art Club, to influential street artist Shepard Fairey whose “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” stickers can still be found around town, art abounds, so keep your eyes open for murals and sculptures; for traditional indoor spectating, provided is a list to get you started, plus other fun points of interest and attractions.

SEE ART

AS220 Galleries

Atrium Gallery

Bannister Gallery at Rhode Island College

Bert Gallery

Gallery Night Providence

• On third Thursdays through November, hop aboard for free guided trolley and walking tours of the coolest art spots around the city. Tours are approximately 90 minutes and feel like a fun field trip.

Public Shop & Gallery

RISD Museum

Studio Hop

MAKE ART

Anyhow Studio

AS220 Community Print Shop

East Side Art Center

Gather Glass

• Past the restaurants and next door to Nolan’s Corner Pub is former Rhody Gem Gather Glass. Shop for unique items or learn how to make your own! Classes range from one-hour workshops to sessions where you can create a vase, glass pumpkin, pint glass, wavy bowl, and more. GatherGlass.com

Muse Paintbar

The Steel Yard

WATCH ART

AS220

Ballet Rhode Island

The Columbus Theatre

Providence Performing Arts Center

Trinity Repertory Company

• There’s nothing like seeing each year’s take on A Christmas Carol at Trinity, but powerful shows happen year-round at this nationally acclaimed theater, now in its 60th year. TrinityRep.com

WaterFire Arts Center

Wilbury Theatre Group

Veterans Memorial Auditorium

LISTEN UP

Alchemy

Askew

Dusk

• Love to shake your groove thing? Don’t miss Soul Power nights with DJ Ty Jesso. Voracious music lover Jesso spins pulsating “old school sounds” ranging from soul to garage on second-Fridays each month. FeteMusic.com

Fete Music Hall

Nick-A-Nees

The Parlour

The Scurvy Dog

The Strand Ballroom

GAY CLUBS

The Alley Cat / The Dark Lady

Diva Royale

EGO Providence

Mirabar

• The third oldest gay bar in the US, in addition to drinks and dancing, Mirabar hosts trivia nights, karaoke, drag shows, and more. Facebook: Mirabar

Providence Eagle

The Stable

RELAX & REFRESH

Aruverde for Rosebud Salon

The Bodhi Spa

Christiaan Salon

Citron Spa

Claudia Curl Salon

Lotus Salon

Love Culture Salon

Mariam’s Hair Store & Braids

Moss Salon

St. Germain Studio

• While the address is indeed Broadway, St. Germain Studio is set back from the street; just follow the brickway to the luminous salon with services ranging from cut and color to skin and beauty. StGermainStudio.com

FIELD TRIPS

The Avenue Concept Public Art Wayfinding Tour

Providence Children’s Museum

• If you’ve raised children in RI, chances are good you’ve spent hours at Providence Children’s Museum, watching kids splash at WaterWays, time traveling at the Coming to Rhode Island exhibit, and meeting new parent pals hanging out at Littlewoods. Check out cool merch featuring their new logo designed by downtown-based ad agency NAIL. ProvidenceChildrensMuseum.org

RI Latino Arts Barrio Tours

RISD Nature Lab

GoProvidence Walking Tours

Providence Ghost Tour 

4 DAY TRIPS DEPARTING PVD

1. Bus to the Beach: Whether you want to head to Salty Brine, Lincoln Woods, Easton’s Beach, or others, chart your adventure and enjoy the ride. RIPTA.com/BeachService

2. Ferry to Newport: Skip the traffic hassles and take the ferry on your next jaunt to the City by the Sea. Parking at the terminal is free and right on site, plus there’s a complimentary shuttle bus service between the Providence train station, convention center, downtown, and the Providence to Newport ferry terminal. Seastreak.com

3. Rail to Boston: Headed to Beantown? Take the MBTA! From the station at 100 Gaspee Street, you’ll go from city to city in no time. During football season, the MBTA runs service from Providence to Gillette Stadium. How wicked awesome is that? MBTA.com

4. Train to NYC: A full day in New York City is very doable from our own Amtrak station by taking an early train there and a late train back; there’s also high-speed Acela service which clocks in at two hours and 30 minutes. Amtrak.com

SPECTATE SPORTS & MORE

Some still call it the Providence Civic Center, or “The Dunk” from when it was Dunkin’ Donuts Center, but the Amica Mutual Pavilion AKA “The Amp” is the place to experience large-scale events like Rhode Island Comic Con (November), Disney on Ice (December), Providence College Friars basketball, Providence Bruins ice hockey games, and more. AmicaMutualPavilion.com

PVDFest Moves to September, Extending Summer in the City

Free three-day fest celebrating arts, culture, and food takes over 195 District Park

By Rebekah Swenson

Mark your calendar for music, food, art, and spectacle! Since its debut in 2015, PVDFest has brought a sparkling cultural experience – and nearly 600,000 festival-goers – to the heart of Providence with tallies of 4,800 artists, vendors, and curators. The annual extravaganza takes place once again this year – but with a few twists.

Traditionally in June, PVDFest has moved to the second weekend of September. The change was made to eliminate any competition between other important June celebrations such as Pride and Juneteenth. Says Mayor Brett Smiley, “This year we are bringing together neighborhoods, focusing in on the talented artists that are the core of our culture as a city, and using the Providence River to create a unique waterside festival that highlights everything that makes Providence special. We are excited to work with FirstWorks again to produce an unforgettable festival experience.”

The weekend kicks off on Friday with three hours of sets from DJ stay silent PVD. Saturday’s lineup includes rhythm and rap from Rhody’s own Flawless Real Talk, the musical stylings of Grammy Lifetime Achievement award winner and civil rights activist Mavis Staples, and a full WaterFire lighting. On Sunday, enjoy the 11th annual Afrika Nyaga Drum & Dance Festival. All weekend long, explore funky inflatable immersive sculptures from Rumford-based art and design studio Pneuhaus, and peruse the work of 150 artist vendors while sampling morsels from over 30 food trucks.

Director of the Department of Art, Culture & Tourism Joe Wilson, Jr., promises, “This year’s festival will be one for the books!” September 8-10, PVDFest.com