Getting Oriented

The narrow Providence River acts as a natural boundary between Downtown and the East Side, two major neighborhoods in the heart of the city. West of the river lies the Downtown business district, much of which the locals have dubbed Downcity. From here, Federal Hill, historically an Italian neighborhood, pushes west along Atwells Avenue. Just north of Downcity is the white-marble State House. On the East Side, South Main and Benefit streets run parallel to the Providence River. The western half of the East Side is known as College Hill, at the top of which Thayer Street runs north–south. (Don't confuse the city of East Providence with Providence's East Side.)