Providence Rhode Island

[1st amg]

Hey Folks, my 13-year-old daughter has again been invited to the dance nationals this year....destination, Providence Rhode Island. I have never been there and was wondering about anyone who could recommend good restaurants, activities I could do with my 15yr old boy, and of course any watch stores. We are leaving in a week, thanks everyone.

[BroncoOne]

Providence is actually a mecca of good restaurants of many types of quisine. With kids, you may want to stick with Italian, meaning (but not exclusively) Federal Hill

If you staying in the city and the kids like Asian food, Jacky’s Galaxie is a very lipular pan Asian restaurant right on the waterfront.

If there is a WaterFire while you are there, do NOT miss it.

If you have time, beaches aren’t far away

[CFR]

Eat a quahog and drink a cabinet (and coffee milk).

[Chewbacca]

Congratulations to your daughter.

https://www.visitrhodeisland.com/pla...ns/providence/

[East Bay Rider]

Rhode Island is small so anything you find of interest can be reached within an hour of Providence. The food is amazing. I can't think of anywhere you'll find better seafood. It's the ocean state after all. You'll want to try steamers, (natural) clam chowder, clam cakes, stuffies and quahogs (quo-hogs). Maybe even a lobster roll.
If you're staying in Providence it'll be easy for you to attend Waterfire. There are literally small campfires burning in metal baskets installed on the canal that runs through downtown. There are street performers and food. It's a party atmosphere. There's also Newport with mansions to tour and the tennis hall of fame. Providence Diamond Company is a Rolex AD located at Garden City in Cranston though I recommend Grays Jewelers (gray-jewelers.com) in nearby Barrington. They really know their watches and were a Rolex AD back before somewhere in the 2010's when Rolex pulled AD status from lots of stores that weren't boutique-ish enough. It was a big thing back then. Family owned since the 1800's I believe. I've bought several watches from them.
Don't forget the beaches and Narragansett. I'm sure there will be fireworks displays too. The oldest continuous 4th of July parade is in Bristol. Traffic can be horrendous but there might be a ferry. Also lawn concerts during the week. https://www.fourthofjulybristolri.com/parade

Good luck. Enjoy the city.

[1st amg]

Thanks folks, great suggestions! We are staying downtown Providence, we were also thinking of going to some beaches. Are there any in particular I should gravitate to and which ones to stay away from. There are so many, figured I would ask the people who know.

[brandrea]

Congratulations to your daughter Hope you have a great time with the family

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Thanks folks, great suggestions! We are staying downtown Providence, we were also thinking of going to some beaches. Are there any in particular I should gravitate to and which ones to stay away from. There are so many, figured I would ask the people who know.

The closest ocean beach is Horseneck State Beach in Westport, MA (the town along with Dartmouth and Little ComptionRI and Tiverton, RI make up what is called theSouth Coast or Farm Coast, is a hidden and largely undiscovered gem).

It is a straight shot east on US 195 which starts right in downtown Providence, then state route 88 south. Nearly all highway and only 2 roads so very easy to get to. There are more beaches right along the same stretch but you have to walk from Horseneck because they require town resident parking permits and one is a private ‘members only parking. Horseneck has huge pay parking lots and can reserve a spot online ahead of time. It’s easy to walk the whole strip. Also nearby os Gooseberry Island State Park. Free parking but the beach has some rocks.

I recommend the nearby Westport Sea Farms or The Back Eddy or Bayside Restaurant. All are waterfront with stunning views and feels. Casual and even beach attire. Family friendly for sure.

Sea Farms is an oyster/ lobster/chowder spot with outdoor seating and bar right on Westport Point historic district full of historic homes built from mid 1700s to late 1800s. VERY old New England so it’s like 3 local trips in one. Very Nantucket/ Martha’s Vineyard feel. It may the most bang for your buck easy trip from downtown Providence to do Horseneck and stop at Wesport Sea Farms. It is across the harbor from The Back Eddy.

Sunsets on Westport Point are not to miss BTW if the timing works. You will see people that don’t have those views from nearby homes flock there at sunset with chairs etc by the fishing pier to see them. After sunset on Sundays (and some Wednesday’s) locals bring musical instruments and do an impromptu jam session. Mostly folk tunes. It’s pretty special.

Others mentioned Newport and Narragansett. They are also special and I can only rave about them, but they are far from undiscovered LOL. Parking is typically something that you will have to deal with and they are a further drive for you. Further south are even more beaches but, again, a longer drive. Narragansett has a lot of resident permit only
parking but there are state beaches on both sides with pay lots open to all if they aren’t full.

You can look at Newport as two places: one side has the beaches and some mansions that have tours, the other is an historic downtown and the harbor full of yachts and grand sailboats, tourist shops, restaurants (expensive for the most part, unless you walk north to more local places away from the harbor). You would drive from one side to the other. You also would cross two large busy bridges to get there from Prov (unless you go to the South Coast way first through Fall River MA)

There will be a lot of traffic to and in both places (but that’s an indication of how many people know about them and enjoy them)

All day trips and you really can’t go wrong depending on how much time you have. Easiest, closest and by far the least traffic is South Coast. If you go there, you will drive over the Braga Bridge to Fall River. Locals call it the longest bridge in the world because it “goes from the USA to Portugal.” It’s a local joke because Fall River and New Bedford MA have huge concentrations of people of Azorean Portuguese descent and are full of Portuguese and restaurants and markets. If you are interested, a stop at Portigalia market and cafe is easy

[RW16610]

Congratulations to her! I don't have any details or tips to offer regarding the area, but you've already received some great advice and I'm sure more will come. Wishing you and the family an enjoyable, safe trip!

[DJ TT 2002]

I also recommend the Back Eddy in Westport MA.
It’s a great spot.

Newport RI should not be missed. It’s a unique and historic place.

I’m going to be there with my family the first week in July and so if you see a gentleman who looks like Brad Pitt, but more handsome……….

[PackPride]

Used to go quite frequently- Providence has a ton of great Italian places- Capriccio’s, Camille’s, etc

Enjoy the trip. If you have time, the suggestion to drive to Newport is a good one.
22 Bowen’s is right down on the water and a solid steak and a change of pace from the Italian.

[1st amg]

Amazing tips guys...this is great...keep them coming! Planning to catch a Red Sox game for my son as well. I think there is a train/commuter train that goes from downtown Providence to Boston/Fenway. I may try that to avoid the parking/driving chaos of Boston.

[Dino944]

The commuter rail from Providence will take you to South Station in Boston. From there you need to take the "Green Line" Subway - Called "The T" to Kenmore Square and then you walk from there to Fenway (that's maybe a 3-4 block walk). You'd probably want to see day game-not sure how late the T and commuter rail run.

As other's have suggested great Italian Food on "Federal Hill" in Providence...Camille's (is over 100 years old), Capriccios, and Casarinos. Also, for desserts - check out Pastiche (they only do take out since Covid). Cafe Nuovo has great food and a nice view outside during Waterfire. Looking for pretty good casual food, consider Harry's Burger Bar...mostly different types of slider and they make milkshakes too.

Also check out Thayer Street near Brown University for more casual foods, pizza, Shake Shack, various ethnic foods, also Feed the Cheeks for cookies, La Creperie for savory or sweet crepes, Zinneken's Belgian Waffles (kind of build your own based on things you can add to them, berries, nutella, ice cream etc.

Newport is always nice this time of year, always fun to walk around and check out the various shops. You can take a boat tour of the area, or visit the mansions, Rosecliff is where the movie The Great Gatsby (the original with Robert Redford) was filmed. There are also 2 car museums if you or your son are interested in cars...The Audrain Museum (in Newport), and The Newport Car Museum (actually in Portsmouth).

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Amazing tips guys...this is great...keep them coming! Planning to catch a Red Sox game for my son as well. I think there is a train/commuter train that goes from downtown Providence to Boston/Fenway. I may try that to avoid the parking/driving chaos of Boston.

The Worcester Red Sox is the BoSox minor league farm team and they have a brand new stadium downtown.

Stadium and the fan experience are great. It will be an easy drive and parking and much less expensive. Plenty of good restaurants near the stadium and lots of food inside.

That said, Fenway is Fenway and it you haven’t been, deal with hassle for the Fenway experience and photos.

[rodo]

That whole area is beautiful

[NYG1121]

Grew up in RI and now a bit up north in Boston. Providence has fantastic restaurants as others have mentioned. Federal hill for authentic italian that gives Boston’s north end a run for its money. Other smaller hole in the wall places are all over the city (Brown university area). Downtown has some nice ones as well. Al forno is a staple !

[BroncoOne]

+1 for Al Forno. Some say that Al For o “invented” grilled pizza. Maybe not, but it certainly was elevated there at the lease

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by BroncoOne

The closest ocean beach is Horseneck State Beach in Westport, MA (the town along with Dartmouth and Little ComptionRI and Tiverton, RI make up what is called theSouth Coast or Farm Coast, is a hidden and largely undiscovered gem).

It is a straight shot east on US 195 which starts right in downtown Providence, then state route 88 south. Nearly all highway and only 2 roads so very easy to get to. There are more beaches right along the same stretch but you have to walk from Horseneck because they require town resident parking permits and one is a private ‘members only parking. Horseneck has huge pay parking lots and can reserve a spot online ahead of time. It’s easy to walk the whole strip. Also nearby os Gooseberry Island State Park. Free parking but the beach has some rocks.

I recommend the nearby Westport Sea Farms or The Back Eddy or Bayside Restaurant. All are waterfront with stunning views and feels. Casual and even beach attire. Family friendly for sure.

Sea Farms is an oyster/ lobster/chowder spot with outdoor seating and bar right on Westport Point historic district full of historic homes built from mid 1700s to late 1800s. VERY old New England so it’s like 3 local trips in one. Very Nantucket/ Martha’s Vineyard feel. It may the most bang for your buck easy trip from downtown Providence to do Horseneck and stop at Wesport Sea Farms. It is across the harbor from The Back Eddy.

Sunsets on Westport Point are not to miss BTW if the timing works. You will see people that don’t have those views from nearby homes flock there at sunset with chairs etc by the fishing pier to see them. After sunset on Sundays (and some Wednesday’s) locals bring musical instruments and do an impromptu jam session. Mostly folk tunes. It’s pretty special.

Others mentioned Newport and Narragansett. They are also special and I can only rave about them, but they are far from undiscovered LOL. Parking is typically something that you will have to deal with and they are a further drive for you. Further south are even more beaches but, again, a longer drive. Narragansett has a lot of resident permit only
parking but there are state beaches on both sides with pay lots open to all if they aren’t full.

You can look at Newport as two places: one side has the beaches and some mansions that have tours, the other is an historic downtown and the harbor full of yachts and grand sailboats, tourist shops, restaurants (expensive for the most part, unless you walk north to more local places away from the harbor). You would drive from one side to the other. You also would cross two large busy bridges to get there from Prov (unless you go to the South Coast way first through Fall River MA)

There will be a lot of traffic to and in both places (but that’s an indication of how many people know about them and enjoy them)

All day trips and you really can’t go wrong depending on how much time you have. Easiest, closest and by far the least traffic is South Coast. If you go there, you will drive over the Braga Bridge to Fall River. Locals call it the longest bridge in the world because it “goes from the USA to Portugal.” It’s a local joke because Fall River and New Bedford MA have huge concentrations of people of Azorean Portuguese descent and are full of Portuguese and restaurants and markets. If you are interested, a stop at Portigalia market and cafe is easy

Thanks everyone who responded…I took many of your suggestions. Tried both beaches, but the one we enjoyed was the Horseneck which we just came back from an hour ago. We also tried the Bayside Restaurant and it was excellent! Thanks again, maybe Newport tomorrow


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