Hi,

I am going to be in Providence for two weeks. Can anyone recommend some fun things to do outside the city? I have been to Newport a lot and was looking for something a little different. Scenic drives...cute shops?

Wickford--cute town, on the water, maybe half an hour south of Providence. Then Narragansett further south and, weather permitting, (when is this trip?) to the South County beach areas or take a ferry to Block Island.

Also, I really liked Bristol. Also on the waterfront (but on the opposite side of the bay from Narragansett). Good restaurants, a couple of museums.

Cute shops East side Prov/thayer street, East Greenwich/main street, Wickford Village. Scenic rides narragansett and jamestown, also bristol. Roger williams zoo has nice park, zoo and small museum. Cranston garden city and chapel view cute outdoor shopping. What time of the year? Block island is perfect for that sort of thing.

Thanks for the input. The trip is the end of March.

you could also take a 40min ride to mystic ct, the aquaruim is nice and the town has a few small shops and restuarants

Woonsocket, Pawtucket, Cranston, Central Falls.............nah, Flep has the answers.

You are only 45 minutes from Boston, 45 minutes from Cape Cod

How about some wine tasting?
www.coastalwinetrail.com

You could stop at Tiverton Four Corners along the way. www.tivertonfourcorners.com

You didn't really give your likes and dislikes, but here's a few ideas.

Drive to Wickford (30 minutes) - enjoy half day in the local shops. There are 2 antique shops in Wickford and several close by on Post Road. if you like shellfish, go to Duffy's Tavern in North Kingstown for lunch or dinner.

Drive to Newport (45 minutes) and enjoy a Save the Bay Seal tour(savethebay.org).
Pick a decent weather day and you'll also enjoy the views of the harbor from your boat. Pick up a picnic lunch at Panera Bread and drive over to Fort Adams to enjoy your lunch while watching the ocean.
If you are craving fish, enjoy some great grilled fish in Newport at Scales and Shells.

Drive to Jamestown(40 minutes) and enjoy siteseeing at Beavertail Point, enjoy the few shops and have a good local dinner at Chopmist Charlie's.

I also agree with Bristol as a great trip with fun shops.